"While watching Michael Phelps win all his gold medals for swimming during the 2008 Olympics, I once again started wondering who was the greatest kicker in the world. Or to be more specific, who would be the best in the world at ‘kicking a ball’ for distance and accuracy. I’ve worked with some of the greatest kickers and punters in the NFL, so I know some of the best kickers and punters in American football. But what happens when you throw in soccer, rugby and Australian rules football players. Who, out of all these individuals, would kick a ball the highest, the furthest and with the greatest accuracy. Considering ‘kicking a ball’ is perhaps the most wide-spread sports activity in the world, wouldn't it be fascinating to find out just who is the best at it! And what better way to find out then by making it an Olympic event."
COACH GARY ZAUNER
LETTERTO THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC):
"As someone who has coached 'kicking a football' for over 35 years, and has been an ardent fan of the Olympics for at least as long, I am respectfully requesting the IOC add the activity of ‘kicking a ball’ to the 2012 Olympics in London as an individual or team sport. My request is not one of frivolity or without fore-thought, but rather an attempt to bring recognition to an activity which is currently perhaps the most practiced, and oldest sports activity in the world. The art of .........."
Coach Zauner was a very successful NFL and college kicking consultant prior to coaching Special Teams for 13 Years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. He coached kicking specialists for over 35 years in the NFL, college and high school. This included coaching or training 19 Pro Bowlers .......
