Chasing Impossible Dreams: An Odyssey in International Sport - Softcover

Jim Holt has spent most of the last two decades passionately pursuing his dream of developing and growing gymnastics around the world. He has coached (to date) in 11 World Championships for 6 different countries. In addition, Jim was the National Coach for Zimbabwe at the 1995 All-African Games and Assistant Coach for Nigeria at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Jim also filled the role of advisor and personal coach for Paul O'Neill (Silver Medalist-Rings) for the1994 Worlds. He has met criteria for FIG Coaches Life-time Achievement Diploma by virtue of coaching at 11 World Championships for 6 different Federations. It is believed that the latter is unprecedented in the history of the sport. Holt has been an IOC Olympic Solidarity Technical Expert and has conducted courses for Bolivia, Chile, Egypt, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Yemen, Zimbabwe. Prior to his intensive involvement internationally, Jim was the Head Men's Coach at the University of Washington, and Assistant Coach at Portland State University. A prolific author prior to this work, he has co-authored Coaching Women's Gymnastics for Clubs and Schools (2002); Holt &Dowdell, edited International Development Systems (1994)and contributed 100+ articles for a variety of periodicals (IG, FIG-WOG, etc. on sport) throughout the world. He was twice elected National Membership Director (Men's Program) to USAG Board of Directors and also a member, USGF Hall of Fame Selection committee (1989-1996) Jim lives in Seattle with his wife Hannah, another life-long gymnastics professional and two energetic dachshunds. He is an avid collector of antiquarian books and is keenly interested in film history, , early rock n' roll and its' roots, and is a voracious reader of virtually anything pertaining to culture or history. Jim received his J.D. from Lewis & Clark (Portland, OR) subsequent to his batchelor's degree from Washington State University.