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www.MOSTmag.com || FITNESS MAG A ZINE || 75overcome toe surgery in preparation for 2016. Although these have been tough to overcome, Sanya vowed that those experiences have only made her stronger and better able to appreciate her opportunities. She explains, %u201cThis is just part of the journey toward success, I do not feel that any one moment defines success. Part of becoming a better athlete is overcoming failure; I still cry and feel disappointed, but I try not to be there for long. I never feel that when I am knocked down I am knocked out, I am down for a time, and I am going to come back better than ever. I have strong faith and know that everything happens for a reason.%u201dAt the age of twelve, Sanya migrated from Jamaica to the United States. With the education that Sanya received in Jamaica, she and her sister were able to test into their respective grades in America%u2019s education system. Eight years ago when Sanya heard that the literacy in Jamaica was not rising, she was especially concerned that others kids were not getting the same great start that she received. %u201cIt broke my heart because I had access to school supplies and great teachers, and I wanted other kids to have the same access. I know education is fundamental to growth and success.%u201d This concern spurred a partnership with Fun4Kidz to found the Sanya Richards Fast Track Program, which strives to combine sports with literacy in Jamaica. The goal of the program is to improve testing skills, promote a healthy lifestyle, and enhance social skills so that kids from Sanya%u2019s home country can have the same potential to achieve their dreams. Seven years have passed since the beginning of the program, thus kids who started the program are now graduating and coming back to share their success stories. The program continues to expand, reaching and helping more children, since partnering with United States Agency for International Development, who donated more than $100,000 to the cause. anya was born in Jamaica where soccer and track and field are the two biggest sports. Sanya began running at the age of seven and admitted that she was already beating the boys and the girls. Since those early years, Sanya has dreamt of becoming an Olympic champion. %u201cI remember as a young girl when the Olympics were happening the entire city would shut down and everyone would go to the city center to cheer on the Olympians. I thought I want that to be me one day.%u201d Sanya%u2019s father, Archie kept this dream alive by saying when Sanya was just nine years old that she was going to the Olympics. Sanya explains that, %u201cWhen someone believes in you so much, you start to believe it yourself. He made me believe it for a long time before it looked >>>