Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Eli Bremer might be the first Olympian in his family, but many before him have worn a U.S. uniform.

Like Bremer, his two brothers are graduates of the Air Force Academy. One has been deployed five times in Iraq and Afghanistan. The other is a military physician.

His father ran for Congress in 2006. His wife served as the campaign manager for her father-in-law.

And then, of course, there is Uncle Paul.

L. Paul Bremer III, that is. The presidential envoy to Iraq, he led the U.S. reconstruction effort in Iraq from May 2003 through June 2004, assisting Iraq with its attempts to reenter the Olympic movement.

Though Eli Bremer clearly has large shoes to fill, at least he no longer is wearing a cast. He missed the 2004 Games because of a broken foot, but he proved he is healthy and ready to chase a medal this summer with a solid showing in the May world championships. Despite training heavily through the event, he finished 12th.

His first Games will be his last. Bremer already is planning for life after the Olympics. He wants to move to Washington in the fall to participate in the prestigious and competitive White House Fellows program. He -- and his brother, Max, who has been in Iraq and Afghanistan -- made the first cut earlier this summer.

-- Amy Shipley