When the cast of castaways was announced for the 17th cycle of Survivor we were a bit ho hum about the news.  In the life of TV shows - now spread out over cycles rather than seasons - Survivor feels like it’s 100 years old.

But then we found out that one of the 18 contestants competing this fall on Survivor: Gabon—Earth’s Last Eden is  Crystal Cox who won gold at the Athens Games in 2004 as part of the 4×400m track relay team.

According to the Survivor cast bio:

Crystal Cox (29)
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Occupation: Former Olympic Athlete

Crystal Cox, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in track for the 4 X 400m Relay, is ready to tackle new challenges as a contestant on this season of SURVIVOR. As a single mother and athlete, she is the sole provider for her family and calls herself “the glue that holds the home together.”

As a child, Cox’s family frequently moved, forcing her to adapt. The only girl in a home with four brothers, Crystal held her own physically and became mentally tough as a result.

Cox currently works as childcare teacher, high school track coach and a professional athlete. She has a B.A. in communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

When Crystal is not training to compete, she enjoys surfing the internet, traveling and relaxing. Her hobbies include volleyball, kickball and softball. She describes herself as a leader who is outspoken and open minded. She possesses the three “Bs” required to be Sole Survivor, which are: brains, beauty and blazing speed!

The contestants of Survivor: Gabon will be divided up into two tribes at the very outset by a good old fashioned schoolyard pick ’em, which will immediately lead to the contestants’ first challenge.  Survivor hasn’t been ‘must see’ TV for me in a long time but I may set my Tivo just to check things out and see how Crystal fares.

The two hour premiere of Survivor: Gabon airs Sept. 25th.

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