BACKGROUND:
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, as a child Amanda Moreley had big dreams of some day becoming an Olympian. She recalls drawing a picture of herself with an Olympic gold medal around her neck. Her dream has not faded from the first days of sprinting in track and field.  Amanda Moreley is an ideal representative of how far your dreams will take you if you go after them.

Amanda competed in the sprint events throughout high school and then out of curiosity she tried the 300 hurdles as a senior.  In fact, she was recruited by the University of Nebraska to be a 400m hurdler.  During Amanda's sophomore year at the University of Nebraska the throws coach Mark Colligan asked her to try throwing the hammer. Having never thrown in her entire life, Amanda wasn't sure, but gave it a try. She proved to be a natural by going on to earn the Big 12 Championship title twice as well as an eleventh place national NCAA ranking.

It was at her final collegiate competition that her life would take an interesting turn. After her event concluded Amanda was approached by U.S. Bobsledding Head Coach Bill Tavares, who asked her to try out for the team. A bit confused initially, Amanda considered the opportunity and then decided it would be a good idea to check it out. It proved to be the right decision for Amanda and the U.S. Bobsled Team. Moreley is an ideal representative of how far your dreams will take you if you go after them.

Amanda competed in the sprint events throughout high school and then out of curiosity she tried the 300 hurdles as a senior.  In fact, she was recruited by the University of Nebraska to be a 400m hurdler.  During Amanda's sophomore year at the

Going into her fourth competitive season, Amanda has proven herself as a high performance athlete.  During her first season as a national team member, Amanda competed on the 2nd ranked U.S team, setting three international start records in Norway, Latvia and Germany, and culminated the season with a 9th place world ranking.  Her second season was capped off with a 6th place international ranking. Following a 3rd place Europa Cup finish and two first place America's Cup finishes.  

During the Olympic season Amanda teamed with the 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jill Bakken to finish 6th place in Cortina, Italy and with an international ranking of 6th in the world, three races prior to the 2006 Torino Games.  Missing being named to the U.S. Olympic Team by two hundredths of a second, Amanda was selected as an alternate push athlete for the United States.  In the event that one of her five teammates could not perform at the Olympic Games, Amanda was next in line to represent the USA.

Following the Olympic season Amanda moved down to San Diego to start her Master's Degree in Chinese Medicine, uncertain if she would return to the elite athletic sector.  Through all that she learned about the mind, body and spirit connection, Moreley saw her perspective around athletics shift to one of greater balance and poise.  

As a dual American-Canadian citizen Amanda decided to return to the sport of bobsled, this time as a push athlete for the Canadian team.  Amanda's eyes are now fixed on sliding down the Vancouver track in the 2010 Olympic Games.  Amanda possesses the drive and the skills of a natural athlete who loves to compete and excel at the highest level.

As a strong female athlete, Amanda Moreley embodies that which the Olympic spirit stands for.  When Amanda isn't training and blazing down the ice she enjoys strengthening her mind, body and soul through yoga, fishing, surfing, writing and mentoring others.

 Don't expect to see this bobsled athlete riding a roller coaster any time soon. Oddly enough, Amanda doesn't like roller coasters because of the speed and turns. When asked how she overcomes these fears to compete in bobsled, Amanda said, "That's when the competitor in me takes over. I want to win so badly that I simply forget to be scared."

Competing against the best athletes in the world Amanda have recognized that there is a common thread that motivates us all. It is a spirit of excellence, a spirit of commitment, and a spirit of fortitude. The Olympic spirit inspires people to excel and achieve a higher standard in whatever activity they are engaged in.  

Her desire is to become involved in helping others as an inspirational speaker and role model, as well as a elite athlete, while she prepares for her life leading up to and following the 2010 Winter Olympics.  The journey toward the next Olympic Games is one filled with exciting twists and turns, just the bobsled track Moreley slide down.  It is this winding course that prepares the champion within to come forth and shine!

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Four World Start Records ('03-'04)
- Three-time US National Team Push Athlete ('03-'06)
- 2006 Olympic Team Alternate