Archive for Olympics
Is Missy Franklin US Swimming’s Newest Shining Star?
Posted by: | CommentsThe countdown to the 2012 London Olympic Games is on and USA Swimming suddenly has a new star in the making. Well, maybe not so suddenly. Colorado native, Missy Franklin, qualified and swam in the 2008 Olympic Trials as a – get this – 13 year old! And just this weekend, she added 5 more medals to her growing resume at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai. Add to that, she already has the American record in the 200m backstroke in both the short course and long course.
Watch Missy’s 200m gold swim at the FINA Worlds:
Missy Franklin is only 16 but the 6 foot 1 inch has already gained the nickname of Missy the Missile for her impeccable backstroke technique! Her medals at this past week’s FINA Worlds included gold in the 200m backstroke, 400m medley relay and 800m free relay. She also garnered a silver in the 400m free relay and a bronze in the 50m backstroke. Regardless of how things go in next year’s Olympic Games, I think Missy Franklin will join the ranks of Natalie Coughlin and Dara Torres as a mainstay in US Swimming.
Olympic Champion Shawn Johnson’s Comeback Ahead of Schedule
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Olympic champion Shawn Johnson has been working on her comeback to competitive gymnastics after time off, winning Dancing with the Stars, and keeping up with her busy media schedule. Originally she was schedule to make her comeback debut in August at the 2011 Visa Championships in St. Paul, MN, but according to a USA Gymnastics’ Facebook status update and a report from International Gymnast, Shawn Johnson will be competing the Cover Girl Classic in July.
The Cover Girl Classic is being held in Chicago on July 23rd. It is one of the meets that gymnasts can use to qualify to the 2011 Visa Championships which is considered to be a stepping stone for many in their journey to earn a berth on the 2012 US Olympic Team. Shawn will only be competing in two events – most likely bars and beam – for both the Covergirl Classic and Visa Championships as she is still recovering from knee surgery. I’m excited to see how she does – as so many comebacks are disappointing – but I’m rooting for Shawn!!
Shawn has also signed a sponsorship deal with Nike leading into the 2012 London Olympic Games. She will be wearing Nike cross-training gear, but I can only wonder if Nike will launch a line of Shawn Johnson apparel. Its unlikely they will enter into the leotard arena, but you never know.
Image Source: ShawnJohnson.net
GK Elite Design a Leotard Contest
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The 2011 Visa Championships for Gymnastics will be held August 17-20, 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year’s national championship meet will give us a glimpse of the gymnasts who will emerge as the potential members of the US Olympic Gymnastics Team for 2012 in London. While the athlete roster is not yet set, there are a few fun things in the works for fans. For example, budding leotard designers can color their own leotard design and submit it to USA Gymnastics for the chance to win 4 VIP All Session Tickets and 4 Hospitality Tickets to the 2011 Visa Championships and more.
Visit USA Gymnastics resources page to download a copy of the Color Your Leotard entry form and complete details for entering. Even if you are not interested in entering the contest, I know a lot of gymnasts who think its fun to design their own leotards and will have fun letting their creativity go to work!
