Joann Flaminio shared her story with producer Stepfanie Aguilar for an episode of The Daily Rally podcast. It was edited for length and clarity.
It was just a very large, unnatural sound. And then I heard another one, and just instinctively I just knew something awful had happened.
My name is Joann Elizabeth Flaminio, and my nickname is Flame. Right now I’m in my home in Providence, Rhode Island. Although I’m no longer president of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), I am still a member of the board of governors of the association of the marathon. I’m not a marathon runner, I’m a recreational runner at best. I help run the marathon—meaning administrative—and I know a lot about putting on the event.
In 2012, I went to the Summer Olympics to watch the men and the women’s marathon. The 2012 London Olympics were efficient, modern, and just great. The only way you could get to an event was by using the London Underground.
The BAA treasurer and I were on the London Underground, and we started chatting with the people next to us, a lovely English couple and their kids who were also on their way to an event….
