ST. LOUIS — East St. Louis native Dawn Harper-Nelson specialized in the 100-meter hurdles not so long ago -- she took home the gold in the 2008 Beijing games, the silver in the 2012 London Olympics, and the silver at the 2017 World Championships.
Now the mom of two will return to the Olympics, but this time she's got a different role - commentator.
Today in St. Louis invited Dawn on the show before she heads to Paris to talk about her new gig, what it's like to be an Olympic athlete, and which athletes she's watching.
Michelle Li: So you are going to the Olympics, but it's different for you.
Dawn Harper-Nelson: It's very different. I mean, I was the one that had the pressure of representing, have the USA on your chest-- can she get the job done? Now I'll be telling the stories of the athletes that are stressing --can they get the job done! So I'm excited because I love to try to give that, more of an insider look, into their lives and what they're thinking.
Sydney Stallworth: Speaking of insider look, we've been watching your social media. You gave us an inside look on Instagram that you're working on a very special project.
Dawn Harper-Nelson: I guess I'll say it -- I've had this passion to go and really see what these athletes are going through at practice, not just sitting down after a competition with like 'How did it go?' No, what is this buildup going into the Olympics? You have five days left before you leave... four days...three days --what's on your mind? And then seeing them actually at practice dying!
Michelle Li: So you're trolling them just a little bit--
Dawn Harper-Nelson: Absolutley! Not just a little bit - 100% of it!
Michelle Li: That's what I love about your posts because you talk about the mind games that athletes are going through and experience, and I don't know if we've ever seen that really before.
Dawn Harper-Nelson: No, it is so much that you deal with. Like I said, you have the pressure of wearing USA on your chest, but then you have the pressure of everyone, like 'She has to perform'--if she doesn't, or if he doesn't, you're a failure. And you're like, 'I felt like I let my country down, my family.' And it's just so much more that goes into it the nooks and crannies. I mean, you tweak something before, but you don't want to tell anybody because people are going to think I'm kind of psyching out, but it's just a lot. It's so much.
Sydney Stallworth: You've done so much to build up the next generation of athletes. Tell us who do you have your eye on this year, though?
Dawn Harper-Nelson: Well because we are in St. Louis, it will be Brandon Miller. Let's just start with him, right? I mean, hometown hero! But then there are just so many stories. I mean, you have Sha'Carri [Richardson] the big story, right? I mean, running against the Jamaicans. I mean, you have the Noah Lyles, Anna Cockrell, 400-meter hurdles... it's just so many stories that I love. You're gonna get everything you could want -- running, jumping, throwing -- track and field is just full, and then the Olympic swimming, diving is just so much. I love it.
Michelle Li: Is your family going to get to go with you?
Dawn Harper-Nelson: Absolutely not! You thought I was gonna say yes! I'm going to be busy, like, I've talked to some people that have done this, and they're like it is going to unbelievably hard to try and manage, you know, a five-year-old and a one-year-old and then my husband. Like, 'Hey, can they stay quiet while I study for this and that?' I'm doing the morning session. So I'll be on from 4 a.m. to around 7:30 am. So that's just going to be hard to have them in the room and around and stuff.
Michelle Li: You'll be on our hours, basically.
Dawn Harper-Nelson: I get a glimpse of your life for two weeks. Pray for me.
Michelle Li: We will be praying for you, safe travels and thank you so much for stopping by. I'm going to ask you a real quick question--what Olympic sport you are most looking forward to outside of track and field.
Dawn Harper-Nelson: I was gonna say we want to start a track. No, honestly, the other one is gymnastics. I did a little gymnastics when I was younger. And I just have the passion. Dominique Dawes for me -- just looking up to her when I was a kid. Super excited to see Simone Biles back--let's go baby!