First a bit of background - A friend and I have an indoor pole vault practice facility in our town. It's not fancy, but it is available for local athletes to practice during the winter or in inclement weather.

Tonight I got a call from someone who said "I am looking for a track facility where I can work out. I am trying to get to the 2016 Olympics in Rio."

"Our facility is strictly pole vault, but there is a local track club you could check with."

"I called them and left a message, but I haven't heard anything back yet."

"I have the phone number for someone who can probably help you. I will send it to you."

"Thanks. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. By the way, what events do you run?"

"Oh, I've never run track in my life."

Your guy is probably nuts.

But Donovan Bailey started competing as a 100 m sprinter part-time in 1991, only took it up seriously in 1994 (previously he had a day job as a stock broker), broke the indoor 50 m world record in 1995, and set the 100 m world record at the 1996 Olympics.

I read somewhere a long time ago that Donovan watched the Olympic track and field events in 1992 on television, figured he could do better, and so he did.

The niners had a player in their great years who was a walk on and never played beyond highschool and worked as a chimney repairer. He played a few years then retired. Why not some guy or gal who happens to be gifted?

My highschool sucked at sports and watching the pole vault tryouts were great fun. I think one person hit the spot and almost took his head off

Shane Healy was 22 and had never run when someone challenged him to run a mile. He did it in 4 minutes 52 seconds. Ten months later his time was down to 4.01. He qualified for the Olympics for Ireland. I would not dismiss a man who wanted to go to Rio. He might be the real deal.

Any chance his name was Forrest Gump?

It was a lady, so probably not...