Olympian's family cheers him on from Birmingham - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports
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As we cheer on our Olympic athletes we start to feel like we know them. One Birmingham family does know one track and field star.
As Angelo Taylor competed in the finals of the 400 meter hurdles for thousands at Olympic Park in London. But some of his most loyal fans are Birmingham.
Berry and Cynthia Glenn have been glued to the television during the Olympic track and field events. They're rooting for team USA; particularly for Angelo Taylor. Glenn is Angleo Taylor's uncle.
"It just makes the Olympics that much more exciting to know that someone competing in the Olympics is related to you,"said Glenn.
Glenn says Taylor is a normal person who just happens to have extraordinary talent. More importantly.
"He's been in the sport for 20 years and I've always been there to support him," said Glenn.
In fact, the two are so close that Taylor makes frequent phone calls from London to check in with his uncle. Taylor won gold medals in the 2000 and 2008 in the 400 meter hurdles.
At age 33 his goal was to become the only person to obtain three gold medals in that race. This year, he took fifth place. Glenn says they're still proud of him, and they always have been.
"It was 1996 when he went to the junior Olympics. That's when we knew we had a special talent on our hands," said Glenn.
But it wasn't smooth sailing from there. Glenn has been a shoulder to lean on during Taylor's difficult times.
"He almost had a career ending injury. Both of his shins shattered when he hit the hurdle. And it took a long time to come back from that," said Glenn.
As millions of children crowd around the television and dream of following in Angelo Taylor's footsteps, Berry and Cynthia Glenn have a message to their families.
"Always be there. And even if you see a child that has blossoming talent you still have to guide them. And still be their parent. Don't try to live the sport through them," said Cynthia Glenn.
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