FROM LA NATIVE TO BELIZEAN OLYMPIAN: MEET SPRINTER SAMANTHA DIRKS
![Sam Dirks wearing a black tank top, standing in front of a track wearing the number 257](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam HS.png)
![Sam Dirks standing in a black college graduation gown, smiling, holding flowers and diploma](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Graduating.png)
“I trained as much as I could during the summer before transitioning to college. My goal was to walk onto the D1 track team, and I was kept during the walk-on tryouts,” Sam said. “I became a student of the sport and threw myself into a whole new world that I didn't know anything about."
Sam attributes her rapid progress in sport to the mentorships of her college coaches who pushed her to achieve remarkable milestones, including dropping her sprint times significantly. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science at Northridge in 2016, all while aiming to make her first Olympic team.
![Sam Dirks standing on a track smiling with her hands on her hips and wearing Belize track gear](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Track edited.png)
![Sam Dirks surrounded by her family members smiling and holding a cake that says 'Tokyo 2020' with the Olympic rings](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Family.png)
![Sam Dirks standing in front of the national flag of Belize](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Belize Flag.png)
Belize, like many smaller nations, faces the challenge of limited funding and infrastructure for sports. Sam hoped that through representing Belize, she would be able to shine a light on the country and help to increase resources, education and support for athletes there.
“One of the reasons I wanted to compete for Belize was to attract more attention to the country and promote funneling of assistance to the athletes and the federation. I definitely did what I could by giving my teammates gear and spikes,” Sam said.
![Sam Dirks walking in the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremonies holding the Belizean flag](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Flag.png)
Now, as an LA28 Fellow assigned to Partnership Sales, Sam is poised to contribute to the Olympic Movement in a new way. Her unique background and personal journey make her a valuable member of the LA28 team, where she is using her experiences to contribute to the planning for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“Sam brings a voice and perspective that no one else on our team can provide – the point of view of an athlete,” said LA28 Partnerships Manager and Sam’s mentor, Gage Axford. “Given that athletes sit at the center of the entire Movement, it’s incredibly valuable to have someone who has lived the athlete experience and can authentically speak to it as a contributing member of our team.”
![Sam Dirks smiling and stretching on a pad on the grass](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam Stretch.png)
![Sam Dirks looking at a computer screen](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/SamDirks.png)
![Sam Dirks making an 'LA' sign with her hands](/content/dam/latwentyeight/newsroom/news-stories/Sam LA.png)
Sam's story is a reminder that the pursuit of any dream is not just about personal success, but also about uplifting and inspiring others. Her journey from discovering a love for track and field in high school, to representing Belize on the world stage demonstrates the power of resilience, determination and passion when in pursuit of a dream. Through her own perseverance and by sprinting for Team Belize, Sam helped bridge the gap between nations, and embodies what it means to be an Olympian in every sense of the word.
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To watch the interview with Sam, please visit the LA28 YouTube Channel.