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Mia Hamm Profile |
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Birth Date: March 17, 1972
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Birth Place: Selma, Alabama, USA
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Birth Name: Mariel Margret Hamm
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Height: 5'5"
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Biography |
Mariel Margaret Hamm was born on March 17, 1972, and has
been finding the back of the soccer net for her country
since the age of 15. She helped the U.S. bring home the gold
medal in Atlanta in 1996, and again in Athens in 2004.
But her greatest accomplishment on the field was helping the
U.S. win the 1999 Women's World Cup. In 2001 and 2002, Hamm
was named FIFA World Women's Player of the Year. In her
tireless efforts to promote women's soccer, Mia has appeared
on HBO's Arliss (as herself) and played a role in bringing
the soccer hit Bend It Like Beckham to the big screen in
1999, for which she received a "special thanks" credit.
In 1999, Mia Hamm -- already a superstar in the realm of
endorsements -- was honored by Nike (her biggest supporter)
with a building named after her on its campus. Mia was also
integral in starting the WUSA, a professional women's soccer
league in 2001.
Unfortunately, the league went under in 2003 as attendance
dropped and funding became scarce. However, the league's key
games had been successful enough to air on ABC and ESPN. Mia
Hamm is married to star baseball shortstop Nomar
Garciaparra. |
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Other
Information |
joined the national team at 15, becoming the youngest person
to do so
Was a part of the victorious U.S. team at the 1999 World Cup
Graduated in 1994 from the University of North Carolina with
a degree in Political Science.
Youngest player of the winning U.S. team at the 1991 Worlds
Member of the gold medal winning team at the 1998 Goodwill
Games in NYC
Won the 1999 ESPY awards for female athlete of the year &
soccer player of the year
Was a part of the 1996 Olympics Gold medal winning & the '00
Olympics silver medal winning U.S. women's soccer team
Was named FIFA's 2002 Women's World Player of the Year.
Played for the Washington Freedom women's football club
(2001-2003).
Youngest person ever to play for the U.S. National Team when
she debuted for the USA in 1987 at 15 Years, 140 days.
Born with a partial clubfoot.
The fourth of six children. |
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