South Florida Athletes Prepare For XXXI Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - April 26, 2016 - PRLog -- This summer, the XXXI Olympic Games will take place four thousand miles away in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil…but lucky for South Floridians, there is Olympic action happening right here in Palm Beach County. Track and Field professional athletes representing the USA and Haiti are training, working and living in West Palm and Boynton Beach while preparing for the trials and ultimately the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The local athletes include:

Lana Mims, West Palm Beach, representing USA in Long Jump and 400 metersOriginally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lana Mims received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri after winning three State titles and setting the record for class 4A long jump with the third longest jump in state championship history. As a Missouri Tiger, Lana lettered all 4 years and was 5-Time All Big 12. During her career Lana was on the Top 5 All-Time Performance list in the 60m, 200m, 400m, 4x100, 4x400, sprint medley, distance medley, and the long jump. After competing for the University of Missouri Lana moved to Louisville, Kentucky to continue long jump training and work as an assistant jumps coach for University of Louisville and a personal trainer. She recently moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a long jumper. Athletics run through Lana's blood. Her brother, John Jackson, was the record holder in the triple jump at the University of Oklahoma, before becoming a professional jumper and trainer. Lana's mother, Madeline Mims, is a 4-time Olympian, gold and silver medalist.

Ronald Similien, West Palm Beach, representing Haiti in 100 and 200 meters
Ronald is a Haitian-American who was born in West Palm Beach. A Floridian for life, he attended Bear Lakes Middle School in West Palm, Inlet Grove Community High School in Riviera Beach, and Florida A&M (FAMU) for college. An all-around athlete, he threw the discus and shot put, ran track and played Varsity football in high school. He then competed in flag football and collegiate powerlifting in college. Ronald joined the Fast Lane Track Club in 2012; his personal bests are 10.96 seconds in the 100m and 22.13 seconds in the 200 meters. He is hoping to represent Haiti in the 2016 Olympic Games and show that his home country has talented athletes at home and abroad.

Bryan Jasmin, Boynton Beach, representing Haiti in 110 meter hurdles
Bryan is a Haitian-American who was born in Boynton Beach, Florida. He graduated from Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth Florida before attending a two-year college in Arkansas City, KS, on an athletic-scholarship. He then moved to Durham, NC and attended North Carolina Central University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Recreation & Administration and was named the most valuable member of the Indoor Track & Field team for two consecutive years. He came back home to South Florida earlier this year to begin training with his new coach, Randall King. In his spare time, Bryan offers personal training services to help others reach their full potential both mentally and physically. Bryan is attempting to qualify for the Haiti national team in the 110-meter hurdles.

Under the coaching of West Palm Beach-based track and field coach Randall King (who is also the assistant track coach at Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton), each athlete hopes to qualify for the Olympic Games in their respective events. In addition to their training requirements, each has financial obligations to raise the needed funds. Lana, Bryan and Ron are hosting a few local events open to the public, including:

·      Red, White & Blue Reception at SloBody Yoga in Delray Beach. On Thursday, May 12 from 7-9 pm, South Floridians are invited to dress in red, white or blue and celebrate three local track and field Olympians. This VIP cocktail-style event is open to the public with a small fee for entry. Food, drinks and entertainment as well as raffle tickets, meet & greet, local vendors, and great prizes will be available. All money raised goes to the athletes.

·      All4Run Celebration at Fleet Feet Sports Delray Beach on June 1, 2016 (National Running Day) from 6-8 pm. Join 100 of your closest running friends for food, drinks, specials, prizes, a group run and meet and greet with the professional runners. A limited number of commemorative, localized t-shirt will be available for purchase. 10% of ALL sales to benefit the Olympic hopefuls on June 1st; 5% of ALL sales June 2-10to benefit athletes! Event is free!

To donate directly, please visit:https://www.youcaring.com/lana-mims-547465#.VvvbeHfs1Oc.email

Pictures are available here:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5h0s3hm22of6mie/AACexJ_MNKIZ_WLQf-hePHRea?dl=0