Nonprofit to help athletes

Navajo Olympic hopefuls to try out for Beijing gamesGetting from the Navajo Reservation to Beijing can be a tough haul, even if you are used to traveling long distances.

Two Navajo runners have their eyes and hearts set on China, and the newly formed nonprofit organization Nideiltihi Navajo Elite Runners will do everything it can to help them get there for the Summer Olympics in 2008.

NNER provides runners with basic financial aid for such necessities as travel, lodging and equipment. It also helps with living expenses and assists with coaching services; but most importantly, said board member Thomas Hatathli, the organization offers a spirit, a vision and a sense of shared goals and common values.