An LSU freshman at the time, Tori Bliss first started thinking about the 2016 Olympics not long after the 2012 London Games.

Some twists of fortune are leading the Portage graduate to Rio in August, though not as an athlete. LSU s most accomplished shot putter, recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, will make the trip as a volunteer with the Orphan Justice Center.

It s crazy,” Bliss said. (The injury) wasn t something I wanted to deal with, but it gave me an opportunity to grow, to really look at my goals, to realize that God s goals may not line up with what I want, but ultimately, His are the ones I have to trust in. The common place in both goals was Rio. I m just going a different path to get there.”

Bliss recently graduated with a degree in Sports Management from LSU, where she capped her career with a second-place NCAA finish indoors in the shot and a third outdoors. The school record-holder ranks in the top 10 all-time in both events.

Things were coming together so well,” she said. It was the year I was going to use to establish myself, to put myself in position to make the team and do really well, to try to get a sponsorship contract.”

In January, Bliss was playing Tiger Ball” when she injured her knee. It was a flashback of sorts to her senior year at Portage, when she sprained her ankle in gym class the week of state. Reconstructive surgery followed with a minimum recovery of seven months.

It was heartbreaking,” she said. I immediately knew Rio was out of the question. It wasn t really worth the risk of more setbacks to push it.”

About a month later, the alternate door to Rio began to open. Bliss was waiting after a gymnastics meet for friend Sarah Finnegan, a 2012 U.S. Olympics alternate and fellow member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Finnegan s mother, Linabelle, approached Bliss about doing mission work with the Orphan Justice Center in Rio during the Olympics.

It came out of nowhere,” she said. I was thinking, no way this is real, it s too good to be true. Everything was coming full circle. It was something I was always interested in, but never had the time to do. I really believed God led her to ask me.”

The Baton Rouge church Bliss attends held its mission festival and the message from the service cemented her decision.

I think God used the injury to teach me a lot,” she said. I ve definitely grown a lot spiritually, mentally, emotionally the last five months. It was a blessing in disguise, to get me back on track, to allow me to focus on school, graduation, to really think about the future, my career options, what I m going to do after graduation, to look at how I approach training. I m in a much better place to sit back, take the time to reflect on everything and come up with a solid plan.”

Bliss, who does throwing lessons and works at a Baton Rouge recreation center, is over halfway to raising the $3,500 to fund the two-week trip. While in Rio, the group will host a prayer room and vacation Bible school and do beach ministry while caring for orphans. During free time, Bliss hopes to see some track and gymnastics competition.

I believe I m going to learn so much, experience things I couldn t experience as an athlete,” she said. I feel it s an opportunity that will really impact me in a way I could never imagine.”

At 23, Bliss has the 2020 and 2024 Games on her radar.

A lot of throwers compete into their low to mid 30s,” she said. I d like to keep throwing as long as my body holds up. If I can stay healthy, I have a good chance to be successful on the world stage.”

To support Bliss trip, go to www.orphanjusticecenter.com, select the GIVE” tab, then Brazil 2016” to provide the necessary information. In the box labeled Missionary Account #,” type B16-01TB to ensure the donation goes to her account.