Andrew Howe

Words will not express clearly the amazing amount of Love, Respect, CONGRATULATIONS on a come back, I received upon turning home and opening my email account.

who would have imagined such a response for Andrew after his HONORABLE 5th Place position in Barcelona.

I returned home with countless positive messages on my facebook page. emails, My Commanders of Aeronautica, Friends and neighbors, People stopping me on the streets, soon as I came into sight, they all greeting me with hugs and smiles, telling me, that we inspired them with our team efforts and courage to return to competition, was surprising, absolutely wonderful.

This WELCOME HOME was worth more by the reception of people, than had he won Gold Medal. It is easy to love a star, but when you don’t win…, by the experience I just had, showed me that, “this is when one discovers true treasures of people, and human values” that did not depend on a 1st place victory, and this gift from those toward Andrew and I will live longer than any victory won.

Andrew won back his self-esteem, and his personal faith, that he can jump again finally without problems. And his Qualifying rounds gave a glimpses of the Andrew to come.

There is still some lack of elastic/explosive reactivity in his take off foot, and as RAI Journalist STEFANO TILLI, clearly and professionally explained it will take a bit more time…but Andrew is on his way back…

I too having been operated on…I went into the gym today to test the level of progression on my foot, and still the lack of response is there..

BUT THE GOOD NEWS is He’s Back

As a Coach, and Mother I am proud that he decided to competed jump again, after suffering for the past 3 years, and a painful 10 month rehabilitation. Andrew too is happy he decided to jump again, this way he does not live with remorse and the constant double doubtful thinking…”what if I had jumped?,,,,,”"”

THE 4 X 100 RELAY After the historic Victory of the 2nd Place Finish, there began inside chats about having Andrew on the relay based on his athletic speed…As I coach I made official comments to each of the Coaches and athletes on the squad.

Andrew will not participate on the 4 x 100 relay until it is deemed necessary by when one of the members decides to “retire”. He will always be available, but unless there is a space, or unfortunately the unforeseen events of injuries that cause a member to step aside. and that is of course a different context.

A Relay team wins when 4 men unite as brothers for a common goal. Not necessarily having only the 4 fastest Men.

Simone Collio had back problems during the rounds of the 100, he made a choice to sacrifice his rounds, and dedicate his health to the team.

Roberto Donati, has the kind soul of a little angel

Emanuele Di Gregorio,our Aeronautica teammate, I would always encourage to never loose faith in himself, and he would always thank me for believing in him, and

Checcucci. the oldest one who for the past 10 years that I have seen him part of the Relay team never let go the hope to do something amazing with the Italian Relay Team.

His extreme kind and gentle mannerism was always present, and at the age 36 years old, finally has received a reward for his kindness and his positive relentless athletic efforts.

These 4 Men and the technical Coaching Staff that trained the 4 x 100 Relay team are to be commended for their splendid work during the training Raduno’s at our home base Athletic Track Centro Sportivo Aeronautica of Vigne di Valle.

“I salute you all for such an emotional victory, and historic finish”

Therefore from my point of view, it would not be fair to just put Andrew on the team without one of the members “retiring”. Until he is needed this relay team is not to be touched nor modified.

There will be day when a place is open, and when that time comes, Andrew’s foot will be 100%, and him entering the relay team will be that is a ceremony where one member retires, passes the baton on and welcomes the new member of the Relay team.

THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT

To ALL My Commanders of Stato Maggiore Aeronautica, and at Centro Sportivo in Vigne di Valle, my words of thank you need to be extended into a movies of world wide proportion to fully express the gratitude for the opportunity to be the best Coach I can. Aeronautica has always believed in us, and for the past 7 years has never once changed their point of view.

When things went bad, their support was even stronger. I can say that I don’t know on any other Military Sports Organization has a testimony as what I express.

Dr. Orava, the surgeon, and Dr. Carlo Tranquilli and the entire Physical Therapy Staff of CONI,

Salvdor DeFusco, and the entire Physical Theray Staff of Centro Sportivo Aeronautica

President Arese, and his personla faith in Andrew, and FIDAL for supporting his command with regards to Andrew as an athlete, and I as a Coach.

Alfio Giomi and the city of Grosetto…A Man and his home town who’s professional mannerism, and the city of Grosetto. Has always believed in Andrew since he was 16 years old.

Brother Prof.Claudio Mazzaufo,and his family (wife Paola, and 2 children Lorenzo, Georgia), who with love and patience support the various trips to competitions Prof. Claudio must take when travelling to Andrew’s competitions.Claudio, ex FIDAL Responsible for Long Jump and triple Jump, who remaines as apart of my technical Staff, He also collaborates with me in administrative matters related to FIDAL, a sort of Liasion.and the most important, undying friendship and respect.

Nicolo Silvaggi, who has designed Andrew’s Weight training programs.

Emiliano Salvarezza, who’s last name explains it all He (SAVED US)..His World Class Managerial Skills, has sky rocketed Andrew’s image to the top of the class in Public Figures and public admiration by all.

Friends of Rieti who always call me or send sms’s, facebook comments, or even emails sending me constant positive messages.

My new Anguillara friends,

and all the GREAT OLYMPIANS, and World class Sprinters, such as Houston Mctear, and his Champion Swedish Sprinter Linda Haglund, (who I worked with as Track Coach at Santa Monica College in 1989) who are my dear friends from the past, and have become supporters of Andrew today.

Great Olympians, such as, Coach Tommie Smith, Johnny Gray, Edwin Moses, Felix Sanchez (who trains with Andrew during the summer months). Joe Douglas, the coach of Carl Lewis, all still today follow Andrew’s career. These great Historic OLYMPIANS transmit to Andrew s gift that only other Medal winning Olympians can, and they do it from the heart.

Robert Emimien (the current European Record Holder in Men’s Long Jump 8.86), who I saw at Barcelona, and he gave me one of the most sincere “good luck” hugs a Coach could receive…and Andrew was jumping against his french athlete.

My Beautiful Son Jeremy who has been next to his brother for constant support since the day he could cheer for Andrew, This year Jeremy has begun training, and has given Andrew a lifetime training partner, so that on the lonely days when Andrew is the only one on the Track, that day is now over…Now there is also Mr. Jeremy.

I thank God for the all that life has given to me, and my educational, practical life experiences to use to transmit, and teach Andrew and Jeremy and to be the best athletes they were born to be.

and thank you ever so much the fans for without you…there would be silence of the victory, and that would make the efforts seem worthless.

Next appointment

Meeting Zurich 19th August

see you all there.

Coach Rene’