Marla Runyan placed third in the qualifying trials for the Women’s 1500 meters earning a spot on the 2000 U.S. Olympic team – the first time a legally blind person has ever accomplished such a feat. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease as a child, Marla has been legally blind for 20 years; but she refuses to consider her blindness a handicap. “It is not a factor or an excuse for a bad race,” she said. Marla’s performance in the Olympics stands as a testimony to what can be achieved through determination and hard work. Marla Runyan is the author of "No Finish Line: My Life as I See It." Marla took part in the USA Olympic Trials 5000m Semi-Final, 15:36.75 and finished in 1st place; the USA Olympic Trials 5000m Final, 15:07.48, second place; USA Olympic Trials 1500m Semi- Final, 4:09.63, first place and the Olympic Games 5000m Semi-Final. Titles Leadership Challenges in the International Political Economy Assessing Asia: Winners and Losers After the Crisis What Must Countries Do to Get Rich? Managing International Risk Getting to the Future – What Are the Principal Drivers of the Global Economy? The Middle East, Oil, and Political Stability Economic Drivers of the Global Marketplace in the Age of Political Risk The Globalization of Crime and Its Effect on International Business How to Measure Political Risk in Emerging Markets War, Terrorism and US Policy: The Effects on Globalization Topics Sports, Motivation Click topic above to see more speakers on that topic Speaker's Asking Fee Range $10,000 - $14,999 Click on fee range to see more speakers. This is the starting keynote fee range - other programs may be higher. State OR Click on state above to see more speakers from that state. Fees The fee range quoted means the speaker's fee starts somewhere within that range. Note that speaker's fees are subject to change and some speakers may have special fee quotes.