TUKWILA, Wash. — The Seattle Sounders have a new member of their family, and it’s an Olympic-sized addition.
The Sounders announced on Tuesday that United States track and field athlete and 2016 Rio Games bronze medalist Kristi Castlin is their new Health and Fitness ambassador.
Castlin took home the bronze in the 100-meter hurdles and was part of the U.S.’ sweep of the event, the first time in Olympic history that American women won all three medal positions in any event. The U.S. is also the first country to ever sweep the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
Her role came to fruition through her friendship with Sounders owner Joe Roth, who is an avid track and field supporter and connected with Castlin while she was training in southern California. The transition seemed like a natural one.
“There are so many similarities be soccer players and track and field athletes,” Castlin said. “[I want to educate] the community in what it takes to be an overall healthy individual…and get them involved.”
Sounders interim head coach Brian Schmetzer introduced her to the team at training on Tuesday and is happy to have her on board.
“We’re going to have Jordan [Morris] and her race, maybe set up some hurdles or mini goals,” Schmetzer said. “We’ll do something fun when she’s back up here. Health and wellness, Sounders, northwest, there’s a lot of synergy there so we’re happy to have her up here.”
This is her first real experience with soccer in the United States. In 2010 she was in Amsterdam when the Netherlands were competing against Spain the 2010 World Cup Final. She will be attending her first Sounders game on Wednesday when the team hosts the Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, KIRO Radio 97.3FM, El Rey 1360AM).
“I’ve heard so many great things about the Sounders and the games here in Seattle so I’m really excited to be experiencing that,” Castlin said. “They were so impressed and I was so impressed with what they’re doing and their overall physical fitness…I hope some of my good luck and fortune this year can rub off.”
