Omahan hauls in medals

Omahan Dianna Carda may measure barely 4 feet, but she’s standing tall these days.

The 53-year-old dwarf athlete won 10 medals in the World Dwarf Games in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from July 24 to Aug. 2.

That she won medals in swimming — three gold and one silver — was not unexpected since swimming is the sport in which she had set records.

But there also were medals in track and field, soccer and basketball.

The United States didn’t take a lot of people to the games, Carda said, so the athletes were drafted to compete in other sports.

As a result, Carda also collected two gold medals for the 60-meter and 100-meter races and bronze medals in javelin and discus.

Her basketball team, which played five games, placed third and took home the bronze medal. “I actually made a basket,” Carda said with a laugh.

Then she was recruited for the “rest of the world” soccer team, which included athletes from Germany, Iran and Australia in addition to two Americans. When play finished, her team had earned the silver medal.

This was the fifth year for the World Dwarf Games. Carda has competed in three. “It was a great experience, but exhausting,” she said of this one.

Northern Ireland was interesting — “They put the red carpet out for us,” she said — although Carda didn’t get to see a lot of it because of her demanding competition schedule.

Carda’s physical condition caught the attention of many of the participants. “I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”

She said part of her success was the support she received from friends, family and area businesses who helped her make the trip. “I want to thank them all.”

Now she’s preparing for the Aug. 29 meeting of the Nebraska-western Iowa chapter of the Little People of America in Norfolk, Neb. She’s president of the group.

To read more about Carda’s experiences at the World Dwarf Games, visit her Web site: www.diannacarda.com.

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