This recent Seattle Times article The big top beckons Olympic athletes described how circus scouts were observing athletes in Athens.
With Olympic tickets in her pocket and a video camera in her backpack, the 34-year-old Pot spent last week searching for gymnasts who have the athletic skills and artistic flair to make the leap to the stage. This week she’s watching divers, synchronized swimmers and trampoliners.
Joining the circus was once something kids ran away from home to do, in defiance of parents. It was the destination of drop-outs. Now joining the circus is a complicated application and a competitive process. Parents could spend six figures for the training, and kids could spend most of their life preparing for such a career, hoping to be chosen. I guess the circus has changed, eh?!
