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Olympic Shooter Kim Rhode Aims for Fifth Medal in Five Olympics

El Monte's Kim Rhode has been competing in the Olympics since Atlanta 1996

By Jonathan Lloyd

| Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012 | Updated 1:53 PM PDT

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Kim Rhode, born in Whittier, has a chance to win a medal in five consecutive Olympics.

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Kim Rhode has history in her sights this summer when she competes in London -- the fifth Olympics for El Monte's shooting star.

Follow @KimRhode on Twitter | Childhood Flashback | Team USA: Shooting

Rhode, born in Whittier, has a chance to do something no other Olympic athlete has accomplished -- win a medal in five consecutive Olympics.

Rhode's run of medals began in 1996 in Atlanta, where she earned gold in double-trap at the age of 17. She won bronze in Sydney and another gold in Athens before switching to skeet for the Beijing Games, where she won silver.

Her goals this time around?

"Going for my record of five medals from five consecutive Olympic games and just doing the very best I can," Rhode said. "Like any good competitor will tell you, you're always competing with yourself so my motivation comes from beating my personal best."

Rhode grew up shooting and fishing with her parents. She made the switch to skeet after the event in which she enjoyed so much success, women's double trap, was eliminated from Olympic competition after the 2004 event in Athens.

The change presented a new challenge for Rhode, who said it's still a thrill to be part of the U.S. Olympics team.

"I don't think that I'll be as nervous this time around but who knows," she said.

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