Cliff Meidl competed as a flatwater kayaker at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. He was lucky to be there. In 1986 Meidl was working construction at age 20 when he sustained severe electrical burns that almost caused him to lose both his legs. He had been operating a jackhammer when he made contact with live electrical cables. He went into cardiac arrest and sustained burns and exit wounds over 15% of his body with severe damage to both knees. Not expected to walk again, he persevered and competed at two Olympic Games. In 2000 Meidl was chosen as the US Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony for his inspirational story.
Meidl started college at El Camino College, before finishing at Cal State Long Beach. He later earned an MBA from the University of Southern California. After his sports career he became an asset management consultant and a successful motivational speaker. After the publicity he received at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he received a number of awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award, the Philadelphia Sportswriters’ Courage Award, and the Los Angeles Marathon Patsy Choco Award. He was also named as one of the 20 all-time inspirational Olympians for the Olympian Heroes Series.
United States