Olympians make sure to bring special items to Rio

Long before the Olympics, Kami Craig was just another homesick kid at her first travel water polo tournament. She called her mom, Dale, and mothers being who they are, she drove from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles to see her little girl.

She brought along a bag of Almond Joys and a little stuffed kitten. Almost 20 years later, the candy is long gone, but Mama Kitty is still going strong.

“She goes ‘Well, I want you to keep it in your bag and if you ever miss me you’ll have her and she can remind you of me,’ and so I said ‘OK,”’ Craig said.

That’s how Mama Kitty became a fixture in Craig’s water polo bag as she rose to prominence at the University of Southern California and traveled the world with the U.S. national team. And when the 29-year-old Craig tries to win a second straight gold medal this summer, the stuffed animal will be right by her side in Rio.

The Associated Press asked several Olympians about the most important thing they’re packing for Brazil. Their responses covered the spectrum from sentimental to practical, with many tracing back to their very beginnings in their respective sports. great memories as well as feeling like I have a physical piece of her close to my heart. Everyone else will be there in person and while I know she’ll be watching from above I like having a little something else to represent her presence.” road and I will definitely be wearing it during the Games. I have been racing in Oakley glasses for the past 4 years. I am definitely superstitious but I think more than anything when I put on the glasses, I know it is race day and I am ready to give it my all. They are coming as well. lucky I am. It then came home with me and was tied to the shoes in my boat in Boston until I switched boats this fall. It’s lost length in the tying and retying and is now too short to be tied to the shoes, but I will bring it with me to Rio.”