Livonia's Sheila Taormina came out of Vouliagmeni Bay in Athens tied for first in the women's triathlon with Australia's Loretta Harrop Aug. 25.

It was not unexpected. Taormina, winner of the 2004 women's world championship May 9 in Portugal, claimed an Olympic gold medal in swimming in 1996. She'd led coming out of the water during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney too.

Taormina, 35, continued sharing the lead with Harrop at Athens until midway through the 40K bike course, when her legs cramped. She fell to fourth, then watched helplessly as athlete after athlete bounded by her in the finishing 10K run.

She crossed 23rd in her final race. But she never quit. Disappointed? Sure. But Taormina, a fulltime motivational speaker who owns her own company, has never been one for mourning. In announcing plans to retire from competition after Athens, she said, "It's fun, but it keeps me from doing too many other things I enjoy. "I want to give back to my sponsors, the people who have supported me," she added. "I want to get a camper and cruise the country going to expos."

Among her first stops: Taormina, Sicily, where she joined family, who had cheered her in Greece, on a pilgrimage. From one sport, to three, to living, Sheila Taormina has been a champ. Now new chapters wait. MR