Archive for Olympics
Team USA – “Only One” T-shirt
Posted by: | CommentsFor Christmas I asked for a variety of things – a new golf club, Winter Olympics sweatshirt, and this -
The Team USA “Only One” t-shirt. I just love the message – and the fact that you can interpret it in a variety of ways.
Is it that the difference between 1st and 2nd is measured by one step, one meter, one shot or one second?
Or is it that you become a champion one one second, one minute, one revolution, one meter, one millimeter, one shot, one goal, one step at a time?
What do you think?
Check out more Team USA Olympic gear – just in time for the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.
Video: Lindsey Vonn Works Out
Posted by: | CommentsEver wonder what Olympic athletes do for basic conditioning and strength training? Check out this exclusive Under Armour Workout video of U.S. Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn.
Personally, my favorite exercise in there is the medicine ball toss she is doing with her trainer while lying on her side. That exercise engages so many of the lesser used, but very important core muscles that Lindsey needs for making split second lateral adjustments as she is racing down the slopes. The other exercise that she has in her workout that looks so hard but perfect for her sport is the skier squats she is doing on the large balance ball towards the end.
It is always fun to get a behind the scenes look at our favorite athletes! Thanks to Lindsey and Under Armour for sharing this with all of us.
Interview with Olympic Hurdler Damu Cherry-Mitchell
Posted by: | CommentsA month or so ago I did an email interview with US Olympic Hurdler, Damu Cherry-Mitchell after exchanging “tweets” with her on Twitter. I had posted about Kayla Williams winning vault at the World Championships and Damu shared the congratulations. That led to an email conversation and the opportunity to share a little more about Damu Cherry-Mitchell and her experiences as a youth athlete and now an Olympic athlete with my readers.
And now, in Damu’s own words:
DC: “First I want to say the God is the reason why I am here and able to do what I do! Without God none of this would be possible! I am a world class 100 meter hurdler for the USA and Nike. I am a 2008 Olympian where I finished 4th. My personal best is 12.44 and my goal is to qualify for the 2012 Olympic team. I have been a professional for 7 years now. Thank you for your interest and I hope that I may be a blessing to others!”
SGP: How old were you when you started competing?
DC: I actually started competing when I was 10 years old as a gymnast! I started competing in track n high school when I was 16 years old.
SGP: Did you play other sports when you were younger?
DC: I was a gymnast for 7 years
SGP: Do you do other sports for recreation or cross-training?
DC: No, I do not do other sports because the demands of being a professional/world class athlete takes up most of my time and days!
SGP: What is your biggest challenge you have overcome?
DC: My biggest challenge is learning the technical aspect of hurdling! The 100 meter hurdles is a very technical event and it takes years to grasp.
SGP: What are your biggest challenges in practice?
DC: In practice my biggest challenge is making sure I pretend I am in a meet scenario because sometimes I tend to relax too much and when you are on an elite level you have to go above and beyond to reach your goals.
SGP: Do you like competing? How do you channel your nerves?
DC: I love competing! I know that as long as I put the work in in practice I rarely have nerves! I use a lot of visualization so I can prepare my mind for the big day!
SGP: How many hours a day do you train?
DC: A typical day would be three to four hours of running/weight workouts! The rest of the day is filled with massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and stretching! Usually, my day starts at 9am and ends 5pm.
SGP: What is your favorite way to reward yourself for achieving your goals?
DC: Since our track season is so long I usually wait until our time off to reward myself which would include shopping, little junk food! I get one month off in October to have some fun and just rest!
SGP: What is your advice for young athletes?
DC: Always set goals for yourself and make sure everyday counts. Everyday isn’t a good day but take something positive out of the day and grow from it! Never give up and always expect to be great!
SGP: Who is your biggest role model?
DC: My biggest role model is my mother who is a cancer survivor! She fought through tough times and never gave up on herself and now she enjoys the benefits of traveling the world watching me compete! I think of her when I am having a bad day at practice or if I am tired in a run and she gives me that extra I need to push a little harder!
We hope you enjoyed this interview!
