SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For many, the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games is the dream of a lifetime. For Elena Burkard, Lizzie Bird and Maor Tiyouri, the reality of becoming an Olympian was always part of their destiny.
 
In the opening segment of Season 8 of Behind the Mask, USF's own Katie Morgan sits down with the three former Dons to detail their individual journeys to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
 
Burkard came to The Hilltop in 2012 from Baiersbronn, Germany. During her time as a Don, her numerous accolades pushed her to the top of the amateur rankings, but it was not until 2018 when her true calling in the steeplechase shined through.
 
Following a tough Achilles injury that sidelined her for an extended period of time, it was not until the European Championships in Berlin when she would truly realize her potential.
 
Burkard would go on to place 17^th overall in the steeplechase in Tokyo- "I know I can do better, but I still finished seventeenth in the world…it really fired me up knowing I have so much room for improvement. I am fired up for Paris."
 
Joining the Dons after a successful stint at Princeton, Bird competed in two cross country seasons for USF, but it was not until after graduation when she finally felt she could make her dreams a reality. After finishing just eleven seconds shy of the national record at the British Athletics Championships, Bird qualified for the Monaco Diamond League, a prestigious event that showcased the top athletes in the world.
 
"I knew I had the fitness to go at the British record", said Bird. Shortly thereafter, she became the first British woman to qualify for an Olympic steeplechase final, where she would then set a new national record for England.
 
For Tiyouri, the three-time NCAA National Semifinalist knew competing in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 was just the beginning of her road to the top. Following the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021, she focused on the moment that was still awaiting her.
 
"I would regret it if I didn't give it everything" said Tiyouri. 
 
Improving her pace by 42 spots this August, Tiyouri proved to herself that the journey of life truly is a marathon, not a sprint.
 
No matter the obstacle, these three former Dons proved that any dream can be achieved if perseverance remains paramount.

To view the full feature on YouTube, please click here.