Celebrate the U.S.A. Athletes of the 2012 Olympic Games

During the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics, Michelle Obama will lead the U.S.A. athletes into the stadium; it has become customary for U.S.A. First Lady’s to perform this honor.  While I hope that Ann Romney is leading in the U.S.A. athletes during the 2016 Summer Olympics, I hope that we can all lose track of who is leading in Team U.S.A.  Instead, let’s focus on the amazing athletes that will represent our great country.  Here is a preview of some of my favorite U.S.A. Olympic athletes.

1. Brady Ellison.  This young man is ranked number one in the world stage of archery.  While he hasn’t officially, yet, made Team U.S.A., he holds a commanding lead over his next closest U.S.A. competitor leading into the Third (and final) Nomination Shoot.  (The final shoot is to be held in Colorado Springs this June.  The event is free and is open to the public.  I know that I’ll be there to root on Mr. Ellison)
2. Sarah Hammer.  Sarah is to indoor, track cycling what Jackie-Joyner-Kersee was to the heptathlon.  Ms. Hammer is likely to medal during the debut of the new Olympic sport, the omnium.
3. Kim Rhode.  Ms. Rhode was the first American to win a spot on the U.S.A. Olympic Team.  She is a sharp-shooting skeet athlete who just set a new world record; she recently received a 75/75 score during the qualifying round of the recent 2012 Shotgun World Cup event.
4. Venus Williams.  Less than a year ago, Venus was diagnosed with the debilitating autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s syndrome.  She has fought her way back to being 14 world rank points away from making the U.S.A. Women’s Olympic Tennis Team. (As of April 30, 2012, she was ranked at number 70.  She needs to get to a ranking of 56 to make the team.)  She has one more month of tournament play left to get those points; I have no doubt she will more than earn the 14 ranking points that she seeks.
5. Tyson Gay is America’s best chance of beating the Jamaican superstar, Usain Bolt, in the 100-meter dash.  Last summer, Tyson underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn hip labral.  He received his state-of-the-art surgery in Vail, Colorado from the Steadman Clinic.  I don’t know if I am more in awe of Tyson’s amazing recovery or of the Steadman Clinic’s amazing ability to fix complex injuries.

For those of you who need drama and conflict, here is a summary of some of the problems associated with the 2012 Olympics:  Five Controversies for the 2012 Olympics.  

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