The making of an elite athlete
Audio
- The making of an elite athlete (program audio)
Watching elite athletes at the top of their game is quite a spectacle, but what makes them great? Are these athletes simply born with skills and bodies that the majority of people lack, or does their greatness come from dedication and practice? On The Daily Circuit Monday, we looked at three aspects of making an elite athlete: the brain, the body and the training. The show will kick off our Olympics Week on the show.
Dr. John Krakauer, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at Johns Hopkins and the director of the Center for the Study of Motor Learning and Brain Repair, joined the show to discuss the brains of athletes.
"What we can say is that practice and repetition causes the brain to expand and develop, so naturally those athletes have advanced areas in their brain," he said. "We make value judgments; we like to think that people are gifted and inherently talented. We don't like to believe in hard work; most people don't work hard at anything.
Krakauer said Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps practices seven hours a day, which is much more than most people are willing to commit to a very tough and often boring task.
Dr. Michael Joyner, director of the Human and Integrative Physiology Lab at Mayo Clinic, also joined the discussion.
Phelps "has a lot of physical gifts but has superb coaching," he said. "These individuals like Phelps are able to focus and relax. They give max effort yet stay relaxed and focus. Sort of zen element. How do you get there? You learn it, train it or you may have it."
Trevor Moawad, director of IMG Academies, also joined the conversation.
KERRI'S TAKEAWAY
Becoming an elite athlete is a lot about mental fortitude. Decision making is a very important ability for the best athletes; it's not just about physical ability.
‹ Earlier
The Daily Circuit from July 16, 2012
- Students abusing stimulant prescriptions for academic edge
- The making of an elite athlete
- Is Teach for America improving public education?
- Twin Cities law schools expecting smaller class sizes
- FDA investigation used emails to track disgruntled scientists
- Teacher residency program debuts in Twin Cities
Next ›
Minnesotans compete in the 2012 London Olympics
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Love Poised for Olympic Stardom (Sports Illustrated). Excerpt:
The breakthrough basketball star of the London Olympics is going to be Kevin Love. He is going to be this year's version of the star Charles Barkley became 20 years ago.
Barkley had won two playoff series with the 76ers over the previous half-dozen years when he established his value at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He led the Dream Team in scoring and proved himself to be a peer of the biggest stars. Barkley became an intimidating physical presence around the boards, and the 23-year-old Love is preparing to have the same kind of impact.
But unlike Barkley, who was also able to bully his way to the basket whenever he pleased, Love will be playing to a different style. Instead of creating his own shot, he'll be waiting in the seams to knock down jumpers or attack the basket whenever the ball circulates to him, and that is where the four-year NBA veteran will be a revelation. -
Read the story." />This product image released by Ralph Lauren shows U.S. Olympic athletes, from left, swimmer Ryan Lochte, decathlete Bryan Clay, rower Giuseppe Lanzone and soccer player Heather Mitts modeling the the official Team USA Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform. As an official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, Ralph Lauren has designed Team USA's Official Opening and Closing Ceremony Parade Uniforms as well as a unique collection of village wear apparel and accessories which embodies the spirit of American athleticism and sportsmanship. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauren)
Read the story. -
Completely moved out of my temporary home, packed up my life, and have officially begun my adventure to @London2012 w/ @USADiving! Ecstatic!
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MaximMag for giving me a laugh. As I stand here with Colt's cheesy cracker handprints all over my shirt. Hot! t.co" />Thanks @MaximMag for giving me a laugh. As I stand here with Colt's cheesy cracker handprints all over my shirt. Hot! t.co
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So proud to be a part of the family RT @USOlympic: WATCH this video of the 2012 team on YouTube www.youtube.com
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t.co" />Berets, navy blazers and white pants: US Olympic Opening Ceremony outfits (photo) t.co
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The Chip Wars are over; or have they just begun? Counting down to the Olympics: www.theatlanticcities.com
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Uniforms for U.S. Olympic athletes are American red, white and blue — but made in China. That has members of Congress fuming.
Read more. -
U.S. Olympic track and field athletes will wear uniforms at the London Summer Olympics that Nike says could shave up to 0.023 seconds off 100-meter sprint times — a difference that could have elevated Walter Dix from bronze to the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Read more. -
As one of the world's most popular sports, field hockey produces celebrities in Argentina, the Netherlands and Australia. But the sport is relatively obscure in the United States, where members of the women's national team receive a small monthly stipend and their notoriety comes from outside the country. Later this month, the group heads to London, where it will try to earn the first American medal in the sport in 28 years. (NPR)
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Ralph Lauren says it's too late this year, but it'll make #TeamUSA formal uniforms for the 2014 Olympic Games in the U.S.
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Good Morning Twitter Fam! Great day ahead! #TeamUSA plays today at 5:30ET on ESPN2. The sun is shining here in D.C. Time for breakfast!
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Awesome!RT @aprilholmes: @Jumpman23 dinner with @CP3 @MooreMaya @carmeloanthony expecting nothing but GOLD! #London2012 #TeamJordan #Family
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Book mentioned by Kerri: The Genius in Us All. t.co (In short: You could be great too if you would just practice.)
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Olympics Week on the @DailyCircuit! Yayyyyyyy :)
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Mike in Winona asks: "Can you explain the Bruce Jenner phenomenon? He wasconsidered average who come through in pressure situations."
Michael Joyner says: At the time, most decathalon athletes were superior in one area and bad in others. Jenner practiced at all the events. He may not have been superior in any event, but he was good or at least not bad at all of them. Also he had an amazing, yoda-like coach, L.D.Welden., -
story by MPR News Reporter Rupa Shenoy." />Three players from the Minnesota Lynx will be competing in London. Read the story by MPR News Reporter Rupa Shenoy.
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Olympics organizers are increasingly worried that rain could sully the games, writes Paul Huttner on Updraft. Huttner quotes a fascinating study published on Phys.org that finds a direct link between bad weather and a negative tone in how the media reports the Olympics. Excerpt:
The study -- authored by Bu Zhong, associate professor in the College of Communications, and published in a special Olympic issue of Mass Communication and Society -- suggests there is a relationship between weather and journalism coverage, and notes that negative and positive language in news reports can be further impacted by factors such as deadline pressure, living in an unknown country and personal feelings about a sporting event.
By discovering a potential link between the environment and media coverage, the researchers caution journalists to be aware of any potential subconscious bias they are including in their reports -- whether they are covering the Olympics or some other event where weather can be a factor. -
Follow Olympic athletes with Minnesota connections via Minnesota Today's Twitter list.
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Critics fear a "war games" vibe at London Olympic Games, as British soldiers called upon: www.npr.org
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Olympic marathoner Kara Goucher ran for Duluth's East High School. Here's a little video introduction:
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Arrived to London! First practice at the 2012 Games venue today! Extremely excited & humbled by the opportunity to "inspire a generation!"
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"Hang" out with me tomorrow. Should be fun! Google+ Hangout at 3 PT / 6 ET bit.ly
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Just checked in with US Olympic Team en route to London at @united under 20ft banner of Ryan Lochte, then charged $100 baggage fee. Thanks.
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Some Athletes Reject High-Tech Sports Fuel In Favor Of Real Food (NPR)
Excerpt:As the world's greatest athletes gear up for the 2012 Olympic Games in London this month, viewers like us are likely to see a spike in televised ads for sports drinks, nutritional bars, and energy gel — that goop that so many runners and cyclists suck from foil pouches.
Powerade, in fact, is the official sports drink of the 2012 Olympics, and if it's true what these kinds of ads imply, processed sports foods and neon-colored drinks are the stuff that gold medalists are made of.
But sports nutritionists and pro athletes don't all think so. David Katz, physician and nutrition expert at the Yale University School of Medicine, says sports drinks generally aren't much better than sodas. "[Sports drink companies'] marketing is based on the gimmick that somehow this extra load of sugar and calories will turn you into an athlete," he says. -
John Lloyd writes of the tension in the air leading up to the start of the games.London’s Olympic fog(Reuters)Excerpt
The scenes of wild British rejoicing in July 2005, when it was announced London would host the 2012 Olympics, have faded and been replaced by visions of doom. Once the games begin, the sheer beauty of the sports will take over, but for now, most media attention is given over to threats, to chaos, to failure.
The day London celebrated in 2005, four British Islamist terrorists killed 52 people in four different bombs attacks, three on the metro system, one on a bus. Seven years later, the shadow still hangs heavy. The security arrangements include sharpshooters, missiles and, most recently, 3,500 soldiers called in because the security provider, G4S, was found last week to have failed to deliver the necessary number of trained guards. -
p.twimg.com
Minnesota wrestler Chas Betts has been busy trading singlets with other Olympians." />My singlet collection - p.twimg.com
Minnesota wrestler Chas Betts has been busy trading singlets with other Olympians. -
NEW BLOG POST: "Arrival in London + Processing" wp.me
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The U.S. women's basketball team defeated Brazil 99-67 in an exhibition game yesterday. Lindsey Whalen, a Minnesota native and one of the three Minnesota Lynx players on the US team, led the team in scoring with 21 points. Read more about the game here.
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Geno Auriemma, head coach of the US women's basketball team, thinks Lindsay Whalen will be key to the team's success at the Olympics.
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Minnesota's @Lindsay_13 & @MooreMaya take different routes to their Olympic debut. (via @grahamhays). t.co
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Nadeshiko Japan stuck in economy class, while men's team go business class (Japan Today) Excerpt:
Japan’s world champion women soccer team have kicked up a fuss after being left in economy class while their male colleagues lived it up in business on a flight to Europe for the Olympics.
The gold medal hopefuls of Nadeshiko Japan flew in premium economy on the Paris-bound Japan Airlines flight while the nation’s under-23 men’s team—medal outsiders—sat up front on the same plane.
“I guess it should have been the other way around,” World Cup heroine Homare Sawa, 33, told Japanese media after arriving in the French capital on Monday.
“Even just in terms of age, we are senior,” she said, with a smile. -
Sports Illustrated on what effect new members of the men's basketball team, including Kevin Love of the Timberwolves, will have on Team USA.
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#Gameday USA vs GB at 2:10 edt on ESPN2. #USABasketball
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Interview with Minnesota marathoner and Olympian Kara Goucer, who ran at Duluth East High School:
Minnesota marathoner and Olympian Kara Goucher ran for Duluth East High School.
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India's railway, police and army are the biggest employers of Olympic athletes. www.npr.org
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The Minnesota Daily profiles former U of MN swimmer Jillian Tyler who will be swimming on the Canadian team in London.
Tyler said she chose to remain in Minnesota to train for the Olympics after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
“I fell in love with all of Minneapolis,” Tyler said. “I have a life here.”
Adopting Minnesota as her new home came with a price, though. Minnesota swimming and diving head coach Kelly Kremer became Tyler’s personal coach, but he cannot travel with the Canadian team to the Olympics.
While the coaching staff for the national team will oversee Tyler, the Olympian will mostly rely on herself. -
Good Morning USA! Currently in Manchester getting ready for an exhibition game against Great Britain! #teamusa #focused #leggo
Seimone Augustus is one of three players from the Minnesota Lynx who are the USA women's basketball team. -
Great last day of practice...one more scrimmage tonight then off to #London...#TeamUSA #Olympics2012
2001 University of Minnesota grad Lindsey Berg is on the women's volleyball team. -
Fox Sports North looks at the different paths that led Minnesota Lynx players Lindsey Whalen, Simeone Augustus and Maya Moore to the Olympics.
We look at the dramatic arc of the Lynx over the past two years, and we see the Olympics as the crowning moment. Who wouldn't? But there's a downside to that view. Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen become simply the Lynx Olympians. We talk about what this says about the team, what it means for the team. We look at this as if it were a collective experience, when really, this is three honors, three validations of hard work, three sets of unique circumstances.
Be proud of the Lynx, but be prouder of these three women. -
The U.S. women's basketball team defeated Great Britain in today's exhibition game 88-63. Minnesota Lynx player Maya Moore led the team in scoring with 18 points.
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Great team win #USA, congrats to @MooreMaya on player of the game #loslynx, time for some food and sleep!
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genoauriemma & player of the game @MooreMaya field questions from the media. #USAB2012 t.co" />@genoauriemma & player of the game @MooreMaya field questions from the media. #USAB2012 t.co
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Wow. Handball star Olafur Stefansson of Iceland reportedly makes $900K a year. I guess that proves handball's global popularity. #london2012
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Oof. The Lancet slams Britons for not being active, using #London2012 as a podium: www.thelancet.com
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Here's last night's BBC South East special torch relay programme from Dover on the iPlayer bbc.in #bbc2012
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Tracey Emin is about to carry the #Olympic flame - take a look now #bbctorchcam bbc.in
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p.twimg.com #beenthere" />@London2012: Pic: The Olympic Rings projected onto the famous White Cliffs of Dover to celebrate #London2012 p.twimg.com #beenthere
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London 2012 Olympics: Serena Williams will be 'sad' not to play in white when Wimbledon hosts the Games tgr.ph #london2012
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London street food: London's best street food stalls tgr.ph #london2012
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Olympic Mom is a blog from Marty Martin, mother of rower Megan Kalmoe, who is competing in her second Olympics. Kalmoe was born and raised in South Saint Paul, and graduated high school in St. Croix Falls, WI.
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Wet weather causes last-minute construction issues on the Olympic Park tgr.ph #London2012
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BBC News - Home Office staff are to strike on the eve of the Olympic Games bbc.in #bbc2012
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We asked a few marketing gurus to cast a critical eye over some Olympic videos. Here's what they said bbc.in #bbc2012
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RT @BBCSport: 2008 gold medallist Rafael Nadal pulls out of the London 2012 Olympics, saying he is "not in condition" to compete
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RT @London2012Fest: 163,000 people, 204 nations, 1,500 musicians, 2 amazing days in London: last chance to get tickets for @BTRiverofMus ...
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Pics: Take a peek inside the Athlete’s Village featuring graffiti art by local London artists l2012.cm #London2012
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The best gardens sowing seeds of Olympic glory tgr.ph #london2012
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London 2012 Olympics: Greenwich Park equestrian venue footing approved following 'pudding' complaints tgr.ph #london2012
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: British Artist Tracey Emin holds the Flame inside the Turner Contemporary Gallery #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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Torch bearer's tattoo misspells "Olympic" tgr.ph #london2012
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London 2012 Olympics: in pictures July 19 tgr.ph #london2012
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Sir Chris Hoy is passed over for Jason Kenny in the individual sprint for Team GB at London 2012 bbc.in #bbc2012
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London 2012 Olympics: athletes' Twitter pictures, July 19 tgr.ph #london2012
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Police dogs with cameras on heads put criminals in frame tgr.ph #london2012
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p.twimg.com" />Here’s a big thanks to the East of England for coming out to line the streets for the #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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Vid: One for Eastenders fans - Billy Mitchell in a race against time to be part of the #London2012TorchRelay l2012.cm (UK only)
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Nadal won't carry Spain's flag in London, or play, due to injury: www.npr.org
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Train firm criticised for "gibberish" Olympic posters in Arabic www.bbc.co.uk #BBC2012
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Video (UK only): ' Eastenders' Billy's Olympic nightmare www.bbc.co.uk #BBC2012
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London 2012 Olympics: wet weather causes last-minute construction issues on the Olympic Park tgr.ph #london2012
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: Did you know, the word #Taekwondo translates into English as ‘the way of foot and fist’ #London2012 p.twimg.com
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London 2012 Olympics: Stuart Pearce to make Daniel Sturridge decision after Brazil game tgr.ph #london2012
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London 2012 Olympics: Sebastian Coe and Paul Deighton called to explain Olympic security fiasco tgr.ph #london2012
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Marathoner Kara Goucher of Duluth did a Google Hangout with the New York Times:
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t.co
Kevin Love plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves and is playing on the U.S. men's basketball team at the Olympics." />Check out our new jerseys. Compliments of Manchester United. t.co
Kevin Love plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves and is playing on the U.S. men's basketball team at the Olympics. -
Defending champion Nadal pulls out of London #Olympics, says it's "one of the saddest days of my career." t.co
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Day 63 of #Olympic torch relay going from Maidstone to Guildford under way with video & live text bbc.in #bbctorchcam
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Did you see the London Eye being lit up by Olympic tweets last night? We're keen to see your pictures bbc.in #bbc2012
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We want your fascinating facts about places on today's #Olympic torch relay route & will publish the best here bbc.in
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Here's how some commuters are planning to tackle London's Olympics obstacle course bbc.in #bbc2012
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BBC iPlayer - Olympics' Most Amazing Moments with @richardpbacon @crj22str bbc.in (UK users only) Brilliant nostalgia.#bbc2012
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Apols, missed out a letter from Colin Jackson's Twitter name in the last tweet. Should have been @crj22ster
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Seb Coe tells @bbcr4today "negativity comes with the territory but that people are overwhelmingly very positive" about the #londonolympics.
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Re. G4S: Coe said Locog managed thousands of contracts. "Not every one will be delivered the way we wanted." Games will be "safe and secure"
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London 2012: Olympic rings stand out on Box Hill ahead of gruelling cycling road race on 28/28 July bbc.in #bbc2012
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It’s Day 63 of the #London2012TorchRelay and the Flame is making its way from Maidstone to Guildford l2012.cm
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Audio: Seb Coe talks about Olympic security, travel and trainers on the @bbcR4today programme bbc.in #bbc2012
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Live Twitter Q&A session with @BBCProms head Roger Wright at 4pm today - Ask questions using #AskRoger
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Police push man to the ground after he tries to grab the Olympic torch in Gravesend. Watch the video www.bbc.co.uk #bbc2012
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Torch was being carried by Anna Skora, 23, from Lublin in Poland. Man ran out from the crowd in Gravesend but was wrestled away by police.
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One for next week - BBC One programme, "Britain's Olympic Torch Story" about the popularity of the #torchrelay bbc.in #bbc2012
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p.twimg.com" />Wow can you believe it’s just one week to go until the #London2012 Olympics! RT if you’ll be watching p.twimg.com
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A 17-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an attempt to grab the #olympictorch in Gravesend. www.bbc.co.uk #bbc2012
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Met Police repeated their warning not to "breach the security bubble" round the Olympic torchbearer after incident in Gravesend. #bbc2012
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1 billion will watch the #London2012 Opening Ceremony. That’s a lot of parties! Plan yours: l2012.cm #OpeningNightIn
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Noted! Congrats, Justin! RT @StuLieberman: FYI today Plymouth native @JZook1016 was named captain of @USParalympics swim team.
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Olympic tourists face cash dilemmas, eye-watering London prices, some credit card bans. strib.mn #Olympics
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WCCO profiles St. Cloud native Alise Post, member of the women's BMX team. She's a three-time state champion gymnast and a two-time USA Cycling BMX national champion.
When you’re growing up, gymnastics is a great feeder program to form muscle strength and body awareness. I had incredible strength compared to others, and my starts are still fast to this day. And the body awareness is great when crashing.
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Tyler to swim on her own at second Olympics: Former Gophers swimmer Jillian Tyler will compete for Canada (Minnesota Daily)
Excerpt:Former Gophers swimmer Jillian Tyler is a 13-time All-American and will compete in her second Olympics at the end of the month.
But as the maple leaves tattooed on her arm suggest, Tyler isn’t as All-American as her titles.
The swimmer will compete for the Canadian national team in the 100-meter breaststroke and 4x100 medley relay in London.
Although her tattoos remind her of her home in Canada, Tyler said she chose to remain in Minnesota to train for the Olympics after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
“I fell in love with all of Minneapolis,” Tyler said. “I have a life here.” -
With 1 week to go we’re excited to announce we’ll be live-tweeting along to the #OpeningCeremony! RT this & join us next week #London2012
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MT @nzaccardi: USA Today: Costas to honor Munich victims ... usat.ly
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RT @asbernard86: Hopefully my last xray on my ankle today. #healed
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Melrose, Minn., native. RT @AP_Sports: Amanda Smock, US triple jumper @AJTSMOCK, draws inspiration from late father apne.ws
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: Crowds line the river to watch the Olympic Flame travel by rowboat today in Maidstone! #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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instagr.am" />RT @kevinlove: Weekend at Bernie's. #GotEm instagr.am
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instagr.am" />RT @kevinlove: About to take the team photo in Barcelona. Did they expect me to have Locks? instagr.am
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p.twimg.com" />@London2012 Redhill - Day 63 of the Olympic Torch Relay!! p.twimg.com
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p.twimg.com" />@London2012. Je viens d'arriver a Londres avec l'equipe @Tracesports. 3 semaines au coeur des JO. p.twimg.com
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London gets the Olympic flame today, when a commando abseils into Tower of London, w/ the torch. olympics.breakingnews.ie
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If you're wondering what the diff is btwn abseiling and rappelling, there is none, except in (linguistic) style points: xtremesport4u.com
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RT @pourmecoffee: "With the binoculars I could clearly see it was a guy dressed up in a homemade goat suit." bit.ly #goatman
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Amanda Smock draws inspiration from late father (AP)
Excerpt:BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Triple jumper Amanda Smock can hear her father's voice each time she takes off down the runway on the track:
You can do this. Just trust yourself. You're ready.
Her father believed she would make the Olympic squad, even after Smock came up short at the U.S. trials four years ago. Even when she was on the fence about giving it another try.
When she didn't make the team for Beijing, he took his credential — the one that let him stand close enough for last-minute encouragement — scribbled out 2008 and wrote 2012.
That would be her time, her moment.
Glen Thieschafer wasn't around to see his daughter make the squad for the London Games. He died of cancer on June 1, 2009, at 52.
Track and field athlete Amanda Smock hails from Melrose, Minn. -
p.twimg.com" />Pic: The Flame reaches London in style with help from the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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instagr.am
Minnesota Timberwolves player Kevin Love tweeted this photo of the US men's basketball team" />Check it out instagr.am
Minnesota Timberwolves player Kevin Love tweeted this photo of the US men's basketball team -
Marathoner Kara Goucher of Duluth talks with Runner's World about her upcoming race at the Olympics.
Of course, I was always competitive and wanted it. But I used to be afraid to say my goals out loud, and I didn't want a lot of attention. And as I've grown, I've gotten over the negative people and the negative comments. I risk so much to do this, and it's awesome and I love it and I wouldn't have it any other way. But when people are at work and they're nervous about a presentation, that's how I feel all the time. I'm going to practice and I need it to go well and I'm so invested in it, emotionally and physically.
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Pau Gasol will carry Spain's flag, after Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Olympics.
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The Daily Circuit quiz: how much do you know about the Olympics? t.co
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Many Muslim Olympians decide to postpone Ramadan fasting until after London Olympics (Washington Post)
Many of the 3,500 or so Muslim athletes expected to compete at the London Olympics will keep eating as usual.
“I could not fast. I need all that stuff, like protein, carbs and minerals,” Egyptian kayaker Mustafa Saied told The Associated Press. “I can do it after Ramadan and Allah will accept it because there was an important reason.”
Some have looked for Islamic tenets that allow exemptions from fasting, such as for those traveling. Others decided to postpone fasting until after competitions, and some will compensate for the lost days with charity work or by donating to the poor. -
Seems @sanyarichiross might've started something with today's tweet about athletes wearing logos, getting $$. Debate is at #wedemandchange
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Today the Flame will be carried to top of North Greenwich Arena on its first full day in London l2012.cm #London2012TorchRelay
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People around the world are planning Opening Night In parties for the #London2012 Opening Ceremony. Get some tips: l2012.cm
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: John Amaechi & Nadia Comaneci share a ‘kiss’ atop North Greenwich Arena on Day 64 of the #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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Find out all about the amazing athletes competing at #London2012 with our new athlete bios l2012.cm
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Mary Martin's daughter, Megan Kalmoe, is competing in her second Olympics as a member of the USA rowing team. Megan was born and raised in South Saint Paul, and graduated high school in St. Croix Falls, WI. Martin, who's blogging about her experience as an Olympic mom, spoke with MPR News intern Colin Campbell about being a parent of an Olympian.
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From KARE 11: "The Summer Olympics start in one week and Minnesota will be well represented both directly and indirectly thanks to a story that is a good example of "Minnesota nice" to the rescue." Story here.
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Vid: As the Flame nears the end of its 70-day journey, watch highlights from the last 9weeks #London2012TorchRelay: l2012.cm
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p.twimg.com
Lindsey Berg played on the University of Minnesota's volleyball team." />Reality has set in...3-time Olympian...blessed #TeamUSA p.twimg.com
Lindsey Berg played on the University of Minnesota's volleyball team. -
Olympian Ali Bernard, who wrestled for the boy's team at New Ulm High School, shared this photo on Instagram.
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BMX cycling debuted in the Beijing games four years ago. St. Cloud's Alise Post will be competing in London. Here's a New York Times story about the sport.
When Mike King raced BMX bicycles, the sport’s elite knew nothing of dynamic warm-ups, or core cooling, or thermal regulation. They did not mix sports drinks for maximum hydration and electrolyte balance.
They were BMX riders, and they resided at the intersection of counterculture and extreme sports, and the very idea of science as a means to improvement seemed downright uncool. This was before bicycle motocross became an Olympic discipline, before King became an Olympic coach, before his sport and its outdated training methods underwent a scientific revolution after its debut at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. -
'Minnesota nice' helps keep Olympic dream alive for Somali athletes kare11.tv #kare11oly
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p.twimg.com" />RT @fmuamba: This is it now me and team p.twimg.com
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Of the 530 athletes competing from the U.S., 269 are women, 261 are men. This is the first time the U.S. is sending more women than men to compete (Chicago Tribune). 8,862 athletes from the U.S. have competed between 1896 and 2010 of those 6,648 were male and 2,214 were female (USA Today).
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With so many athletes using social media, it isn't if, but rather when something gets posted that will start a controversy or test the IOC social media guidelines.
USA Today explains:Under IOC rules, athletes are encouraged to blog and tweet "provided that it is not for commercial and/or advertising purposes" so they do not conflict with official Olympic sponsors and broadcasters. Social media posts should be written in a "first-person, diary-type format." Those who infringe on the policy could lose their credential and receive other unspecified sanctions.
"If you're Visa or Coca-Cola or Procter & Gamble, you spend money on the Olympics to get value from the association with the Olympic rings," said Scott Minto, the director of the sports MBA program at San Diego State University. To protect that value, Minto said the IOC's social media policy was very restrictive. "They're not messing around," he said. -
RT @USATODAYsports: The Olympian without a country: usat.ly #London2012
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p.twimg.com" />@London2012 open water course. See you here soon @KeriannePayne with thousands cheering you on! Nice day here today. p.twimg.com
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Team USA's Lindsay Whalen ready for her Olympic moment (Star Tribune's Jom Souhan in the Sacramento Bee)
Excerpt:MINNEAPOLIS -- Lindsay Whalen walks into the Oceanaire Seafood Room in downtown Minneapolis wearing her Team USA sweats and takes charge. "Let's sit in the bar," she says. "Someplace we can relax and see the TVs."
She commandeers a table in the corner and situates her party, then orders appetizers while her husband, Ben Greve, smiles knowingly at the point guard directing traffic.
Whalen, the most accomplished women's basketball player in Minnesota history, doesn't have much time. She's just finished practice with the Minnesota Lynx, is on her way to a photo shoot, has to pack for a trip to Los Angeles, and is a week away from leaving for a barnstorming tour with the U.S. basketball team that will compete in the London Olympics.
The obsessive sports fan asks about Zach Parise, then analyzes "her" Vikings. Whalen's humility probably doesn't allow her to acknowledge how well she fits into any discussion of Minnesota winners. -
Today, the Flame visits the London Eye as it travels through London from Redbridge to Bexley l2012.cm #London2012TorchRelay
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: A spectacular view! Amelia Hempleman-Adams holds the Olympic Flame on top of the London Eye #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at #London2012 with news, videos, competitions + more with our Join In newsletters l2012.cm
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RT @London2012Fest: Let's party some more with Showtime, #BTriverofmusic and Sacrilege - happening today at #London2012Festival http:// ...
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Check out this amazing ad from Channel 4 for the #London2012 Paralympics l2012.cm (UK only). Have you got your tickets yet?
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: Tour de France 2012 winner Bradley Wiggins will also be hoping to add a #London2012 medal to his trophy cabinet p.twimg.com
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Five more days... #london2012 #kare11oly
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Any recommendations for Perk? RT @PerkatPlay: Heading to London town tomorrow..... any must sees or must dos???? #kare11oly
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RT @WSJmedia: Twitter, NBC Form Olympics Partnership on.wsj.com
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RT @NBCOlympics: PHOTOS: Men's @usabasketball vs. Argentina: www.nbcolympics.com #Olympics #teamusa #usab2012
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The #London2012TorchRelay will visit Battersea Dogs & Cats home today on its journey from Lewisham to Wandsworth l2012.cm
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: 4 days to go! The sun is shining on the #OlympicStadium, the sky is blue and the flowers are in bloom #London2012 p.twimg.com
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Not long now - on Friday we’ll be live-tweeting along to the #OpeningCeremony! RT this & join us at the end of the week #London2012
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instagr.am" />Team USA Dream Team throwbacks. instagr.am
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27 things you didn't know about the Olympics (Time) Excerpt:
1.) 2,400 The estimated number of soccer balls that will be used during the London 2012 Games
2.) 2,000+ Number of athletes who will compete in track and field, the largest sport at the Olympic Games
3.) Munich 1972 The year the 100-m hurdles were introduced
Read more: olympics.time.com -
p.twimg.com
Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe grew up in South Saint Paul" />Such a great shot of my boat in @TIME! I love it! Thanks for including rowers in "Survival of the Fittest" p.twimg.com
Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe grew up in South Saint Paul -
Getting ready for practice today! Then a little shopping and sightseeing in Istanbul! #USABasketball
Lynx player Lindsay Whalen plays for Team USA basketball -
p.twimg.com" />Only four more days until #london2012! #kare11oly p.twimg.com
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: On the #London2012TorchRelay, Michael Owen walks a dog pal & the Flame at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home #London2012 p.twimg.com
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The very first post in NPR's new Olympics blog, The Torch. Let the Games Beguile! www.npr.org
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p.twimg.com" />RT @JessicaZelinka: Olympic Rings in Village p.twimg.com
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London cabbie's #Olympics books: How To Watch The Olympics, Austerity Olympics, London Under, Oliver Twist - www.npr.org
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Pic of former #UMN #Gophers diver with @MLauer. RT @Kelci_Bryant: Yay!!! bit.ly
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Figuring the econ impact of the #Olympics isn't easy. Long-terms gains are tricky. Most cities over-build, expert says. www.npr.org
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RT @L2012Spectators: With 4 days to go it’s time for ticket holders to make their final plans. We’re sharing tips every day or you can v ...
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After seven years of planning & £9.3 billion ($14.4 billion), London enters final straight before Games kare11.tv #kare11oly
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yfrog.com" />RT @JasonNBC: Here's @MichaelPhelps on the blocks. yfrog.com
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RT @ImogenJC: A 360° panorama of the Athletes' Village from the Plaza #london2012 #BBC2012 360.io
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Jamaican #Olympics team seems to have jammed their suitcases full of style. Proof at #London2012, from @usainbolt: instagram.com
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Robo-cams take an Olympic dive (Reuters) Excerpt:
Reuters robotic cameras will not only be hung high up at the Olympics venues but will also go underwater.
We have developed a remote-controlled “underwater photographer” that can hold its breath for the duration of the Olympic Aquatic competitions at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -
Pics: Looking amazing in the sunshine - take a look at the #London2012 venues in the Olympic Park & further afield l2012.cm
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Planning a last minute party? Check out our #OpeningNightIn planner to make sure you've not missed anything l2012.cm #London2012
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#KARE11's @KimInsley recalls being “inside” the 1984 Summer Olympics (sort of) tmblr.co #kare11oly
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The American Refugee Committee, based in Minnesota, tapped local business the Running Room to supply new gear for the two members of Somalia's Olympic team.
Somali Olympians Muhamed Hassan Muhamed and Zamzam Farah live and train in one of the world's most dangerous cities, Mogadishu.
When the pair arrived in London, it was an exciting moment, a dream come true for them and their country, but there was just one problem; their luggage didn't arrive with them. -
Six former & future #Gophers will be competing in the #London2012 Olympics. Check out Olympic Central! bit.ly
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Flying to London for the games today. Let's do this. #London2012
Chas Betts is from St. Michaels, MN and is on the US men's wrestling team -
St. Michael Patch profiles wrestler Chas Betts:
His high school coach, Gregg Greeno, said Chas' work ethic has always been his advantage.
"He's just been tenacious, ever since he was in youth wrestling," Greeno, who was recently inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches' Hall of Fame, said. "I've been fortunate to have some really talented guys, and he's been one of the best. He's constantly worked to improve. And he's sacrificed a lot to be there." -
Made it to the village! Everything seems real now!!!! Couldn't be more exited!
Rachel Bootsma recently graduated from Eden Prairie High School and will be competing in the 100-meter backstroke for Team USA -
instagr.am
Today host Matt Lauer with Kelci Bryant and other members of the US diving team" />Our first guests at the #OlympicsTODAY studio, @USADiving's @kelci_bryant @abbyljohnston @nickmccrory1 instagr.am
Today host Matt Lauer with Kelci Bryant and other members of the US diving team -
New Minnesota Timberwolves team member Alexei Shved will be competing on the Russian men's basketball team in London.
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RT @TdoubleB: Will London Really Erase Banksy’s New Olympics Art? tmblr.co #thetorch @publicbill
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Hear the sweet children sing. Then, hit the open bar: London Olympics Chief Tells Reporters: Let The Drinking Begin n.pr
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David Wallechinsky tells NPR: "U.S. is unlikely to win anything in table tennis, team handball, weightlifting. Few in wrestling, badminton.
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Wallechinsky is on All Things Considered today. Says there's no role models, $$ for weightlifting, other sports. #olympics @npratc
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twitpic.com #kare11oly" />Thanks to Jillian Hanlin of Maple Grove who took this picture of the Olympic Flame near London today twitpic.com #kare11oly
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Both mountain biker Georgia Gould and time trialist Kristin Armstrong train in Idaho. They'll race in #London2012 n.pr
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South Sudan marathoner is an Olympian without a country [CNN] Excerpt:
Even though he will not compete in the London Olympics under his country's flag, South Sudan native Guor Marial basks with pride as the
first athlete from the world's youngest nation in the global arena.
The marathon runner was born in what is now South Sudan, which split from Sudan last year and does not yet have a national Olympic body. He is a permanent resident of the United States, where he fled 11 years ago to escape the bloody conflict between the two neighbors that left millions dead.
Since he cannot run for his country, and does not have a South Sudanese passport, the International Olympic Committee granted him permission to run as an independent.
The decision means he will carry the Olympic flag, wear a uniform that has no emblem of any nation and if he wins, the Olympic hymn will play.
"The challenge now is to get his UK visa and the U.S. travel documents
issued on time," said Brad Poore, a California lawyer and friend who
spearheaded the effort to get him to the Olympics.
Poore, who is also a competitive runner, met Marial in Minnesota during a marathon in October. -
All-time, the U.S. leads all nations in the #summerolympics medal count, with 2298 (931 gold). npr.stats.com
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The Sacramento Bee profiles Duluth marathoner Kara Goucher:
"It's funny, you would think she was just a big wimp, but she is so tough," said her sister, Kendall Schoolmeester. "I'm not nearly the girly-girl she is, but none of us could have put ourselves through what she put herself through to accomplish all of this. I still remember her putting all those pictures on her closet door, and telling us she was going to be in the Olympics someday. Now she's met all of those people."
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USA Basketball will face world No. 2 Spain Tuesday at 4:30p ET, in their final #Olympics warmup. n.pr
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p.twimg.com" />RT @PerkatPlay: Let's do this #kare11oly p.twimg.com
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It’s Day 67 of the #London2012TorchRelay and the Olympic Flame will be taking a ride on the London Underground l2012.cm
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3 days to go! On Friday morning the chimes of Big Ben will ring over 40 times to begin the celebrations l2012.cm #London2012
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Gallery: The world’s best athletes are in London, training hard in the Olympic venues ready for #London2012 l2012.cm
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p.twimg.com" />Pic: The Olympic Flame takes a ride on the London Underground (aka the Tube) on Day 67 of the #London2012TorchRelay p.twimg.com
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RT @todayshow: The 5 sports that have been a part of every modern #Olympic games: track & field, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, & fencing.
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Britain deploys 1,200 more troops for Olympics Excerpt:
LONDON (AP) -- Britain's government opted Tuesday to deploy 1,200 more troops to protect Olympic venues, after a key security contractor failed to supply enough guards.
The fresh troops come only three days before Friday's opening ceremony and mean that some 18,200 U.K. military personnel are now involved in some capacity in securing the London games -- dwarfing the 9,500 British troops now in Afghanistan. The decision followed a Cabinet meeting discussing venue security.
"On the eve of the largest peacetime event ever staged in this country, ministers are clear that we should leave nothing to chance," Olympics Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement. "The Government continues to have every confidence that we will deliver a safe and secure Games."
The government put the troops on standby a few days ago, but suggested that was merely a prudent contingency measure that was unlikely to be used. Tuesday's announcement is yet another embarrassment for security provider G4S, which has consistently failed to deliver on its Olympic contract. -
Watch: tmblr.co
Minnesota Lynx player Maya Moore will compete for a gold medal in basketball -
RT @USATrack_Field: #TeamUSA meeting to select team captains for #london2012
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Souhan: Goucher runs past doubts (Star Tribune) Excerpt:
It's National Running Day, but that doesn't seem to be why every imaginable demographic has gathered this morning at little Dunwiddy Park, a no-frills track tucked into the hills overlooking downtown Portland.
Homeless men voice unheard soliloquies. An elderly gentleman wearing Bermuda shorts, black socks and dress shoes struts around the track as if imitating a pigeon. Joggers circle, eyeing the small clock installed by Nike, and a mother pushes a stroller as if imitating Sisyphus himself.
Amid this quintessential Portland scene, two of America's best marathoners drive up, park, and begin a regimen that would leave most humans attached to an IV bag -- but one that doesn't dampen their running conversation.
Kara Goucher, the Olympian from Duluth, runs stride-for-stride with Shalane Flanagan, the United States' most accomplished marathoner. Today, like most days, they have chosen to work as a team, ignoring the solitary nature of their discipline and the knowledge that either could take an Olympic medal away from the other. -
We sent three of our best to the #Olympics. Follow @BlountStrib, @SouhanStrib and @BMPPhoto for news, photos + videos from the games.
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U.S., other coaches won't march in opening ceremonies, due to organizers' limits. www.npr.org
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St. Paul's Susie Scanlan has gone from seeking a swordfight to making the Olympic fencing team. Story & video: strib.mn
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Wanna bet? Here's a gambling guide to the London games. strib.mn
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By the time door-climbing-girl is old enough, maybe the Olympics will have Ninja Warrior as an event: www.bbc.co.uk
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Secret's out: Olympic opener will be spectacular (MPR News)
Excerpt:LONDON (AP) — The London Olympics opening ceremony will be a grand spectacle — but will it be a surprise?
In a word, no.
Director Danny Boyle wants the details to stay secret and games chief Sebastian Coe has pleaded for insiders to stop leaking details of the extravaganza. But in the age of camera phones and social media, with 10,000 performers in the ceremony, thousands of Olympic security and staff and more than 10,000 journalists already at the Olympic Park, not much can be kept out of the public domain. -
Alise Post of St. Cloud Overcomes Injuries, Goes For Gold (SB Nation Minnesota)
Excerpt:BMX biker Alise Post of St. Cloud, Minnesota is gearing up to go for gold at the 2012 Olympics in London. She is ranked No. 2 in the world.
In the last two years, Post has fought back from two serious leg injuries in order to participate in these Olympics. She discussed them and more in a Q&A with CBS Minnesota. -
Playing Time Hard To Come By For Kevin Love (SB Nation Minnesota)
Excerpt:Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love hasn't been logging many minutes for Team USA.
Love played just seven minutes in Team USA's 86-80 win Sunday over Argentina, the fewest of any of any player save James Harden and Anthony Davis, neither of whom played. Love grabbed two rebounds and didn't score. -
Why I Hate the Olympics (Hopkins Patch)
Excerpt:You can keep your Olympic torch and opening ceremonies. The games aren’t for me.
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Watch #London2012 Olympics Online: A Guide To Video And Mobile Apps n.pr - Games start Wednesday, w US Women's soccer
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RT @iamwenlock: Check me out - they made a very cool film of me trying out all the #London2012 Olympic sports! l2012.cm
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Researchers: Reduced traffic at Beijing 2008 cut city's CO2 emissions by more than 26K tons, maybe as high as 106K. t.co
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In London area, today (Tuesday) was the hottest day so far in 2012: 85.5 degrees, the AP reports.
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Vid: No throw-ins. No offsides. Fast-paced action! Check out the #London2012 Paralympic 5-a-side Football l2012.cm #Football5
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Twitter! The official narrator of the Olympics! Check out Talking Tech with John Moe: t.co
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Britain deploys 1,200 more troops for Olympics (Associated Press)
Excerpt:Britain's government opted Tuesday to deploy 1,200 more troops to protect Olympic venues -- a move that reflects a lack of confidence that private security contractor G4S can deliver all it promised for the games.
The fresh troops come only three days before Friday's opening ceremony and mean that some 18,200 U.K. military personnel are now involved in some capacity in securing the London games -- dwarfing the 9,500 British troops now in Afghanistan. The decision followed a Cabinet meeting on venue security.
"On the eve of the largest peacetime event ever staged in this country, ministers are clear that we should leave nothing to chance," Olympics Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement. "The Government continues to have every confidence that we will deliver a safe and secure Games." -
Nice!! Be back soon! RT @LynxCoachReeve: Great day of practice for #LosLynx. We miss our Olympians but got great work in! #RoadtoRepeat
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South St. Paul native Megan Kalmoe is rowing for Team USA." />Reppin' @UWHuskyCrew at #London2012 ! Adrienne Martelli ('10), Mary Whipple ('02), Megan Kalmoe ('06) #dawgsinlondon p.twimg.com
South St. Paul native Megan Kalmoe is rowing for Team USA. -
p.twimg.com" />Here you go @natalieSdell: RT @GBMensQuad: Food anyone.... The fairly vast Olympic village food hall p.twimg.com
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#Olympic trash talking is underway! #twolves RT @rickyrubio9: @kevinlove are u ready to lose against Spain tonight?
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Opening Ceremony outfits, sported by @kerrileewalsh and @MistyMayTreanor - beret-ific! t.co
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Serena Williams: "I feel really good," wants to do well in #Olympic tennis at Wimbledon-home All England Club..
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Susie Scanlan: Made to hold a blade [Star Tribune] Excerpt:
Scanlan, though, never envisioned things turning out this way. Even now, as she prepares for her Olympic debut, she seems happily astonished by where fencing has taken her. The graduate of St. Paul's Central High School has trained and competed in countries all over the world, becoming an international medalist with the U.S. women's epee team and an All-America fencer at Princeton.
None of those things were in her sights when she first picked up a weapon, intrigued by the swashbuckling in movies such as "The Princess Bride" and "The Parent Trap." Nor did she anticipate competing in the individual and team events in women's epee at the London Olympics. In fulfilling the vision Sobalvarro had for her years ago, Scanlan remains the same as she ever was: a spirited, driven young woman who relishes a good fight.
"It's just really fun," said the 22-year-old Scanlan, who took a leave from Princeton to pursue an Olympic berth. "It's easy to dress it up as a sport, but you're swordfighting! Come on! It's a huge adrenaline rush. -
A good listen from NPR on how London cabbies view the Olympics. Hint: They're grumpy.
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Watch The London Olympics Online: A Guide To Web Video And Mobile Apps (NPR)
Excerpt:If you love to watch the Olympics, this is your year: NBC is pumping out more than 5,500 hours of video for your TV and digital devices. We've covered that before — but how do you go about watching?
Here's a guide to how you can keep up with the Summer Games: -
Music is a huge part of the Olympics. NPR's Tom Huizenga on past Olympic songs (Freddie Mercury!) and music of 2012: www.npr.org
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"This whole thing is a secret, you know?" says an #olympics performer. IOC says #savethesurprise but it's pretty tough.
www.npr.org -
For Minnesota Olympian Smock, a leap of faith (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:The story has been told many times over the past year, to the point it has become part of Amanda Smock's official biography on the USA Track and Field website. That hasn't lessened the emotional impact she feels every time she hears it, or tells it, or looks at that treasured credential from the 2008 Olympic trials.
Smock, of Melrose, didn't make the Olympic team in the triple jump that year. Her father, Glen Thieschafer, gave her a way to look ahead when he crossed out the "2008" on the credential he wore at those trials in Eugene, Ore. He replaced it with "2012,'' telling his daughter he believed she would get to the Olympics the next time around -- a message he continued to deliver until his death in 2009. -
. @rickyrubio9 how'd that work out for you buddy?
More friendly trash talk between TWolves players Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio after Love's Team USA beat Spain in a pre-Olympics game yesterday -
Minnesotans competing in the London Paralympics Aug. 29-Sept. 9:
-Sarah Binsfeld, Women’s Wheelchair Basketball. Hometown: Vadnais Heights
-Rose Hollerman, Women’s Wheelchair Basketball. Hometown: Elysian
-Anna Eames, Women’s Swimming, Paralympics. Hometown: Golden Valley
-Mallory Weggeman, Women’s Swimming, Paralympics. Hometown: Eagan
-Ian Lynch, Men's Wheelchair Basketball. Hometown: Brooklyn Park
-Jon Rydberg, Men’s Wheelchair Tennis. Hometown: Oakdale
-Aaron Pike, Men’s Track and Field, Paralympics. Hometown: Park Rapids
-Mitch Seidenfeld, Men’s Table Tennis, Paralympics. Hometown: Lakeville -
profiled Hollerman in January. " />Elysian's Rose Hollerman is one of seven Minnesotans competing in the London Paralympics, which begin August 29. Dan Olson of MPR News profiled Hollerman in January.
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instagr.am" />RT @TomDaley1994: Olympic Park :) instagr.am
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Excited to watch some actual #Olympics games! - The 2012 Olympic Games Start In One Hour, Not Two Days n.pr #London2012
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Greece bars triple jumper Papachristou from the London Games, citing inappropriate tweets: www.npr.org
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First American for-real #Olympics action: France takes 2-0 lead on US in women's soccer with goals in 12th, 14th minutes. #StribSports
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Twitter claims its first Olympic athlete (News Cut blog)
Excerpt:Paraskevi Papachristou won't win any medals at the London Olympics. But she likely won herself a little historical fame anyway -- the first Olympic athlete to be expelled by her country over a tweet.
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France leads U.S. 2-0 in early going of a very physical match to start #Olympics play. Goals on a corner kick and by Gaetane Thiney.
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U.S. has scored - Rapinoe to Wambach. Score is 1-2 France at 19 min. mark.
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Shouldn't be surprised, right? Abby Wambach scores off a corner kick header in 19th minute. France 2, USA 1.
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At the half in #Olympics soccer, U.S. women are tied with France, 2-2. No yellow cards for either squad.
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Howard Berkes and David Wallechinsky have some fun with #Olympics athletes' names, like Moist and Endurance: www.npr.org
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Women's #Olympic soccer: US scores in second half to go up 3-2 on France. Carli Lloyd on an assist from Megan Rapinoe.
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Alex Morgan scores again -- 4-2 US #Olympic soccer team leads France in second half.
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Hugh McCutcheon will be starting as the head coach of the University of Minnesota's women's volleyball team on September 1. But before then, he'll be coaching Team USA at the Olympics. The US women's team is currently the top-ranked team in the world, but has yet to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
The Orange County Register has a profile of McCutcheon, who was coaching the US men's vollebyall team in 2008 when his father-in-law Todd Bachman (CEO of Bachman's) was stabbed to death in Beijing."Being here definitely has to bring back some memories," said Reid Priddy, a member of the 2008 U.S. gold medal team. "I can only imagine what this four-year marking of what happened means to him. Some very mixed emotions."
Like Priddy, the rest of the world will be left to speculate on the depth and range of emotions the Olympic flame has rekindled within McCutcheon. In London, as in Beijing, McCutcheon has no intention of baring the scars of 2008 for the world to see.
"The Beijing stuff is not really relevant here," McCutcheon insisted. "This is very much about the U.S. women. Eyes forward.
"This is about doing something that has never been done before, about making history. (Beijing) is not really part of this story." -
Women's soccer final: US rallies from early 2-goal deficit to beat France 4-2 in opening game . #Olympics
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instagr.am
Lindsey Berg, who played volleyball at the University of Minnesota, tweeted this photo of Earls Court, which is being transformed into a volleyball arena for the Olympic games." />Earl's Court...now USA's Court instagr.am
Lindsey Berg, who played volleyball at the University of Minnesota, tweeted this photo of Earls Court, which is being transformed into a volleyball arena for the Olympic games. -
First report: US women rally to beat France 4-2 in women's soccer opener at #Olympics. strib.mn #StribSports
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The U.S. women have defeated France, 4-2, to start their #Olympics on the right foot. Men's soccer starts Thursday morning.
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We are staying outside of London because the venue for rowing, kayaking and canoeing is about 25 miles West of London. I selected this hotel because of two perceived advantages: It is right across the street from the train station, and it is relatively inexpensive.
There was little traffic on the 10-minute drive to our hotel. The North Star Inn in Staines is a typical English pub with pool tables, a patio out back and five rooms upstairs. No electronic card readers here -- we open the room door with a skeleton key.
Within an hour of landing, we deplaned, claimed our bags (note that my bag was SMALLER than the Deaner's bag), went through customs and immigration, found our driver who whisked us away to the Inn, checked in and paid our bill, unpacked and came downstairs to enjoy a pint of Fosters. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than that--especially during the Olympics.
Martin is also blogging at OlympicMom.com" />The following is a dispatch from Mary Martin, the mother of South St. Paul's Megan Kalmoe, an Olympic rower competing in London:
So far, this trip has been a piece of cake. There were no lines to go through security in Minneapolis, the plane was not full, an Ambien gave me six hours of uninterrupted sleep, and we arrived to Heathrow early. The Arrivals Hall was not busy, so it was easy to spot the arriving delegations of Indonesian and Italian athletes. A driver met us, as promised, in a private car. He was holding up a placard with our name on it, so we felt like VIPs. Our hotel suggested the private car because it was both "local" and cheaper than the famed "black taxis" of London.
We are staying outside of London because the venue for rowing, kayaking and canoeing is about 25 miles West of London. I selected this hotel because of two perceived advantages: It is right across the street from the train station, and it is relatively inexpensive.
There was little traffic on the 10-minute drive to our hotel. The North Star Inn in Staines is a typical English pub with pool tables, a patio out back and five rooms upstairs. No electronic card readers here -- we open the room door with a skeleton key.
Within an hour of landing, we deplaned, claimed our bags (note that my bag was SMALLER than the Deaner's bag), went through customs and immigration, found our driver who whisked us away to the Inn, checked in and paid our bill, unpacked and came downstairs to enjoy a pint of Fosters. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than that--especially during the Olympics.
Martin is also blogging at OlympicMom.com -
Sen. Amy Klobuchar is co-chair of the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus. Along with co-chairs Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), she introduced a Senate resolution today in support of Team USA.
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Even though the opening ceremony isn't happening until Friday, soccer and archery teams start early (soccer today, archery on Friday) because the sports require more games and they don't want to wear out the players.
The U.S. women's soccer team won their first game against France today. Their next game will be against Colombia on Saturday. -
Sabre gold medalist @marielzagunis will carry the U.S. flag in Friday's Opening Ceremony for #London2012 #Olympics.First fencer since 1968.
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He says: "I guess, at the end of the day, we like the Olympics precisely because they are so different. Dare I actually say it: the Olympics are kinda, sorta innocent. Emphasis on the kinda, sorta — but still. Sometimes, in the middle of the summer it's just good enough to take a break and watch a quaint, hokey ceremony and then cheer for people you never heard of in a sport you don't care about just because. Well, just because." " />NPR commentator Frank DeFord asks, "Why do we like the Olympics?"
He says: "I guess, at the end of the day, we like the Olympics precisely because they are so different. Dare I actually say it: the Olympics are kinda, sorta innocent. Emphasis on the kinda, sorta — but still. Sometimes, in the middle of the summer it's just good enough to take a break and watch a quaint, hokey ceremony and then cheer for people you never heard of in a sport you don't care about just because. Well, just because." -
NPR's Olympics blog The Torch takes a look at the sports that have been cut from the Olympics over time. They include:
-Live pigeon shooting
-Duel pistols
-Tug of war
And this year will be the first year without baseball and softball since they became Olympic sports in 1992 and 1996, respectively. But the two sports are teaming up to increase their chances of being reinstated in 2020. -
The following is a dispatch from Mary Martin, the mother of South St. Paul's Megan Kalmoe, an Olympic rower competing in London:
Before we came, the Deaner [my husband Dean] was chuckling because the amenities at the hotel listed "heat." But today is uncharacteristically warm for England, and we'd give anything for an air-conditioner--or at least a fan--in our room.
This afternoon we went for a stroll through Staines-on-Thames, a suburban area that feels a bit like Stillwater--it's old, and it's on the river. Today was Market Day on main street, and the stalls of vendors selling everything from flowers to fruit to shoes to trinkets extended for blocks.
My favorite vendor was the guy with a bubble machine, who allowed me to take his photograph. (Another vendor, referring to his colleague with what I understood as a derogatory reference, told me I should not have taken the photo. I'm not sure what that was about.)
We found City Hall (built 1880), a cinema, a shopping center, and Britian's version of the Dollar Store.
We came across a mother and daughter cooling their bare feet in a shallow and narrow aquaduct that leads to the Thames. The Deaner was also intrigued by a sign for "New and Part Worn Tyres." (Which part has been worn, he wondered?) And we actually found one of the iconic Red Phone Booths. It was an open air model, with most of the glass having been removed. Not very private, but a definite advantage on a day like today.
Martin is also blogging at OlympicMom.com -
Met so many great people in Istanbul the last few days! Now in London ready to get the Olympics going! #usabball
Hutchinson native Lindsay Whalen has arrived in London with the US women's basketball team. -
Made it to London! It was good flight, got our gear, took a nap, now to attempt to sleep. #Olympics
Wrestler Ali Bernard hails from New Ulm. -
Ouch. North Korea's women's soccer team delayed game v. Colombia after jumbotron displayed SOUTH Korean flag. www.bbc.co.uk
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RT @GarryShandling: Are the lanes on the olympic track in London going to be
reversed like the highways are compared to US? I DON'T want ... -
NPR's food blog is talking calorie consumption by Olympic athletes. Some scarf up to 1,200 per day. Excerpt:
Endurance athletes need the most calories because they are competing for hours, while basketball players go hard for a shorter period of time. Gymnasts, meanwhile, are stopping and going. Weight-lifters and shot putters harness a lot of energy for a very short burst. How much muscle mass each athlete has and their weight also affects how much energy they use.
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Apology by Greek track star Voula Papachristou, who suspended from her country's Olympic team after she made a comment about Africans who live in Greece:
I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.
My dream is connected to the Olympic Games and I could not possibly participate if I did not respect their values. Therefore, I could never believe in discrimination between human beings and races.
I would like to apologize to all my friends and fellow athletes, who I may have insulted or shamed, the National Team, as well as the people and companies who support my athletic career. Finally, I would like to apologize to my coach and my family. -
My favorite London image so far: Olympic rings projected on the White Cliffs of Dover.
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Sports fans tend to know how to watch sports such as watch baseball, football, basketball, soccer and golf because we see them a lot. But the Olympics means being exposed to sports we only encounter every four years, like rowing. Mary Martin, mother of South St. Paul Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe, recommends this primer on how to watch rowing from London.
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p.twimg.com" />RT @BMPPhoto: Two Icons, Tower Bridge and the Olympic rings. London seems to be ready! p.twimg.com
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instagr.am" />RT @kevinlove: #GotEm ALL. Even Coach K. I win. instagr.am
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Minnesotans recall their days of Olympics glory (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:Five Minnesota athletes who took part in the Games share what it's like to draw the attention of the world -- and then to come back home.
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Egypt tells Nike, Adidas to talk to the Chinese co. that made its knock-off #London2012 athletic gear. www.cbsnews.com
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What a drag to lose your medal.
For Olympic Winners, Losing Track of a Medal Is a Personal Bust (Wall Street Journal)
Excerpt:Olympians in London will win about 3,000 medals, each the culmination of years of hard work. And in a moment's carelessness, a few medals will be lost.
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Spain and Japan are under way to start men's soccer in the #London2012 #Olymipcs. No score in first 15 mins. Defense is being played.
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RT @TheSunOlympics: Cycling: Bradley Wiggins quips #TeamGB kit maker Stella McCartney was been on drugs when designing gear #London2012 ...
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Japan is up 1-0 over Spain, off a low shot after a corner kick. #Olympics soccer #London2012
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A yellow card for Spain's Jordi Alba, after a hard challenge and kicking the ball away. And then a RED card against Spain, too. #Olympics
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instagr.am" />RT @NBCOlympics: Great photo! MT @wgeller3: The Olympic stadium from 28000 ft on approach to the London #Olympics. instagr.am
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This wasn't easy to find. Doesn't bode well for "live streaming" we heard about: Video Previews London Opening Ceremony n.pr
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I suppose it was inevitable...the US swimming team has made their own "Call Me Maybe" video:
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p.twimg.com
" />Wrestler Ali Bernard of New Ulm. Holding court in London #kare11oly p.twimg.com
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ESPN has a profile of wrestler (and New Ulm native) Ali Bernard.
It looked like Bernard wasn't going to be competing at the Olympics this year after losing to Stefany Lee at the Olympic trials. But when Lee failed a June drug test, she was suspended and Bernard got her spot on the team. -
RT @r_bootsma15: CALL ME MAYBE USA swimming Olympic team style!! www.youtube.com
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p.twimg.com" />RT @AJTSMOCK: Wrapping up the night with some MN love from the village...get it...love bahaha p.twimg.com
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Jim Souhan's column: She'll swim through just about anything: tinyurl.com
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State's athletes 'go fer' the gold (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:This Friday, Chas Betts will attend one of the most exclusive parties in the world when he marches in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics. Still, the wrestler from Albertville figures it will be pretty hard to top the bash his hometown threw for him Saturday.
About 225 people showed up at Neighbors Eatery and Saloon on Main Avenue to wish Betts well before he heads across the pond, where he will compete Aug. 6 in the 84-kilogram weight class in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Olympic Games. His mother, Pam, had the Olympic rings painted on her toenails as she hugged friends and relatives in the jam-packed bar. His wife, Kristi, sported gold eye shadow, and his grandma Nona handed out dozens of red, white and blue beaded bracelets she had made.
The T-shirts Betts designed himself -- the ones with a silhouette of two Greco-Roman wrestlers on London's Tower Bridge -- were so popular that some buyers immediately changed into them, right there on the bar's patio. "The support is awesome," said Betts, who does most of his training in Colorado Springs. "To come home and have all these people show up, it's completely humbling."
Betts, 26, is among 14 athletes with Minnesota ties who have been feeling the love of their home state as they prepare to compete in the London Summer Games. -
Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore talk Olympics (ESPN)
Brutal winters, the Mall of America, Lake Minnetonka, “Fargo” and two WNBA stars named Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore.
This is what Minnesota will be remembered for in years to come, but with the Olympics days away the attention will be on Whalen and Moore.
The duo just came off the best franchise year for the Minnesota Lynx, bringing the team's first WNBA title to the “North Star State.” Their performance speaks for itself, but they were both chosen to represent Team USA in this year’s Olympic Summer Games. -
Will Kevin Love get any significant playing time at the Olympics?
Timberwolves' Kevin Love enjoying 'opportunity of a lifetime' (Pioneer Press)For all of Kevin Love's sniping about personnel moves the Timberwolves have or have not made this offseason, Minnesota's robo-rebounder has more personal matters to address.
The 2012 Summer Olympics in London offers an international stage for Love to showcase talents that effectively have been obscured in pro basketball's hinterland. He won a gold medal for the United States at the 2010 world championships but has never suited up for an NBA postseason game.
Now he finds himself a reserve forward among a galaxy of superstars, and Love realizes the opportunity he has playing for and against the best players in the world at the most prestigious tournament on the planet. -
From Mary Martin, mother of Minnesota Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe: "This is the depiction of rowing at the Games in a wonderful piece of art on display at John Lewis in the Olympic Park. So glad it is a quad!" (Kalmoe is competing in the quadruple sculls rowing competition)
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From NPR: "In the days of the ancient Greeks, poetry and sport went hand in hand at athletic festivals like the Olympics. Poets sang the praises of athletic champions and, at some festivals, even competed in official events, reciting or playing the lyre. Here at NPR, we're reviving that tradition with our own Poetry Games. From the far reaches of the globe, we've invited poets to compose original works celebrating athletes and athletics. Each morning next week, we'll introduce a new poem on Morning Edition, and then you, the audience, will judge who should win the victor's laurel crown. To learn more about this ancient tradition linking the poetic and the athletic, we talked with Tony Perrottet, author of The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games. "The ancient Greeks very much sought perfection in the body and the intellect," Perrottet tells NPR's Renee Montagne. 'They saw it totally connected.'"
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The following is a London dispatch from Mary Martin, the mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South St. Paul.
The opening ceremonies are tonight, and there are reportedly still tickets available--for around $3000 a piece.
The retail shops, restaurants and bars at the Olympic Park are closing at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, apparently in a effort to control the expected crowd of 400,000 people.
The USA rowing team will not be at the opening ceremonies, because they compete bright and early Saturday morning.
We won't be there either. We're planning to meet up with the families of Megan's boat to watch at least part of the opening ceremonies on a large screen TV, but we'll probably turn in early too, as tomorrow's race will require an early start for us as well.
We are going to do a dry run to the rowing venue at Eton/Dornay Lake today. The instructions on how to get there involve a 15-minute train ride, a 15-minute walk from the train station to a shuttle bus, a 15-minute bus ride, a 15-minute walk from the shuttle bus to the security checkpoint, and another 15-minute walk from the security checkpoint to the grandstand, all of which is estimated to take two hours.
There are two heats in Megan's event beginning at 9:50 a.m. London time tomorrow morning (that's 3:50 a.m. Saturday morning Minnesota time.) We won't know which heat the USA will be in until the "draw" is announced at 3:00 p.m. today. The winner of each heat tomorrow advances directly to the final on August 1; everyone else races in the "repechage" on Monday morning beginning at 9:40 a.m. The top four finishers in the repechage will also advance to the finals.
So here's hoping for good luck in the draw, calm winds, and cool weather for tomorrow. Go USA! -
So everybody thinks Roger Bannister will be this year's M. Ali: Lighting The Olympic Cauldron, And Angry Fans n.pr
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RT @megankalmoe: Thanks @stribsports for the great article: www.startribune.com
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Minneapolis native Kalmoe makes sacrifices to compete. www.startribune.com
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Security rules get bent by some star power: Place All Metal Objects In The Tray, Please... Oh, Hi Kobe! n.pr
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Souhan: U.S. women boast a beyond-wildest-dream team in basketball. www.startribune.com
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Great story from @lfrayer: 'It's What We Have': Spain's Athletes Sigh, And Put On Olympic Uniforms n.pr
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Do not try to resist: Why the Olympics Always Suck You In by Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal.
"I think the Olympics begin when the Games first surprise you. Maybe it's when you're initially tuning in, looking for an event you thought would be on, only to get drawn into something else. Maybe it's a sport you've never seen, with rules you barely understand, and athletes you don't know. Maybe it's a game you haven't played since high school.
Either way, you are a virgin to the contest—you have no prior knowledge, you know no backstory, you have no favorite. This Olympic moment exists only in the present for you. But after 20 minutes or so, you're fully transfixed. You are consumed and invested. Twenty minutes ago, you had no thoughts about this competition. Now you are on your feet." -
twitpic.com from @runnersworld" />RT @JoeyCheek: So cool! Check out this pic from inside the #OlympicStadium! twitpic.com from @runnersworld
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Great gallery of Arab women who are gifted athletes, from @NPRPictureShow www.npr.org
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In London, @BlountStrib is at the stadium awaiting the start of opening ceremonies. She has a great seat. strib.mn #Olympics
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The US women's basketball team, with three Lynx players, is ready to dominate the field. @SouhanStrib writes: strib.mn
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The US men's basketball team was a bit late for Friday's press conference in London. strib.mn
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Minneapolis native Megan Kalmoe makes sacrifices to compete on the #Olympics rowing team. strib.mn #StribSports
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Minneapolis native Megan Kalmoe made sacrifices to compete for Team USA on the #Olympics rowing team. strib.mn
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RT @Brady_Ellison: Well ended up ok in ranking round. Shot decent just missed a lot that were just out. Maybe I'm saving my tens for the ...
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"The animals have arrived, including geese and shire horses." - #London2012 update from NPR's Philip Reeves, at Olympic Park.
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RT @BlountStrib: The animals have arrived in the meadow. Sheep, geese, goats & bored-looking cow. Hope they have earplugs for the fireworks.
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Reports of rain at the #London2012 opening ceremony site. As well as a sighting of sheep. Good combo? #stayupwind.
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1,000 volunteer drummers sound pretty good at #openingceremonies at #London2012. Accompanying Industrial Revolution and stage-resetting bit.
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Methinks these upwardly mobile chimneys in #Olympics #openingceremony are going to live on forever, in the Internet. #London2012
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Oops. Looks like part of the CTV (Canada) site has crashed, due to interest in the streaming video of #openingceremony. #Olympics
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The opening ceremonies have begun at the #Olympics. Here's the first report: strib.mn #StribSports
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Folks are not enthused that #openingceremony isn't available live in the United States. #Epicfail tag was invoked. #London2012 #olympics
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By Molly Bloom
MPR News
Opening ceremonies for the the 2012 Summer Olympics take place today in London, and here at MPR News we're going to be closely following the Minnesotans competing in the Olympics -- and that means anyone with a connection (even a slight one) to the Gopher State.
So if you want to root for your hometown athletes (or hometown-ish as the case may be) here's a handy list. We're playfully rating them on a four-point scale of Minnesotan-ness, giving one point for each of the following criteria:
-Born in Minnesota
-Grew up in Minnesota
-Attended college in Minnesota
-Currently lives in Minnesota
Minnesota's Olympians
Seimone Augustus -- Women's Basketball (1 out of 4 MN points)
Augustus was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in 2006. She won a gold medal during her first Olympic appearance in 2008.
Lindsey Berg -- Women's Indoor Volleyball (1 out of 4 MN points)
Berg came to Minnesota in 1998 to play volleyball at the University of Minnesota. After graduating in 2001, she stayed in the state and played with the professional volleyball team, Minnesota Chill, before the league suspended operations. She's captain of the U.S. women's team this year and also competed in 2004 and won a silver medal in 2008. The women's volleyball team is being coached by Hugh McCutcheon who led the men's team to gold in 2008 and will soon be the head coach of the Gophers women's volleyball team.
Ali Bernard -- Women's Wrestling (3 out of 4 MN points)
Bernard was born, raised and currently lives in New Ulm. She competed in the Olympics in 2008 and placed fifth. It looked like Bernard wasn't going to be competing at the Olympics this year after losing to Stefany Lee at the Olympic trials. But when Lee failed a June drug test, she was suspended and Bernard got her spot on the team.
Chas Betts -- Men's Wrestling (2 out of 4 MN points)
Betts was born in Minneapolis and raised in St. Michael, Minn. He was the 2004 Minnesota State Champion wrestler. According to NBC, his wife currently lives in Minnesota while he lives at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. This will be his first appearance at the Olympics.
Rachel Bootsma -- Women's Swimming, 100M Backstroke (3 out of 4 MN points)
Bootsma was born in Robbinsdale and just graduated from Eden Prairie High School this spring. She will be attending Cal in the fall after competing in her first Olympic games.
Kelci Bryant -- Women's Diving, Individual & Synchronized (2 out of 4 MN points)
Bryant is currently a student at the University of Minnesota and is a two-time NCAA champion. She competed at the 2008 Olympics and came in fourth in synchronized diving.
Kara Goucher -- Women's Marathon (1 out of 4 MN points)
Goucher was born in New York, went to college in Colorado and currently lives in Portland, Ore. with her husband and son. But she grew up in Duluth and still considers Duluth her hometown. She competed in 2008 and finished 9th in 5000m and 10th in 10,000m.
Sam Hazewinkel -- Men's Wrestling (1 out of 4 MN points)
Hazewinkel was born in Minnesota, but grew up in Pensacola, Fla. This is his first appearance in the Olympics, and is following in the footsteps of his father and uncle who both competed at the Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Megan Kalmoe -- Rowing, Women's Quadruple Sculls (2 out of 4 MN points)
Kalmoe is a South St. Paul native but graduated from high school in St. Croix Falls, Wisc., went to college in Washington and now lives in New Jersey. She finished fifth in the Beijing Olympics rowing Women's Double Sculls.
Kevin Love -- Men's Basketball (1 out of 4 MN points)
Love has been a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves since 2008 and has played his entire NBA career with the team. Love just had the best season of his career, averaging 26 points per game, but he hasn't gotten much playing time in the Team USA exhibition games.
Maya Moore -- Women's Basketball (1 out of 4 MN points)
Moore was the first overall draft pick of the Minnesota Lynx last year and helped lead them to the WNBA championship. She was also named rookie of the year. Moore has already been a leading scorer in the U.S. team's exhibition games.
Alise Post -- Cycling, Women's BMX (2 out of 4 MN points)
Post was born and raised in St. Cloud but now lives and trains in California. The 21 year-old turned pro at age 15 and was the first woman to be named Rookie of the Year by BMX'er Magazine. She was badly injured in 2011, but recovered enough to regain her national championship title in 2012.
Susie Scanlan -- Fencing (3 out of 4 MN points)
Scanlan, a St. Paul native, is currently on leave from Princeton University to train back home with Ro Sobalvarro of the Twin Cities Fencing Club. The Central High School grad is making her Olympic debut this year.
Amanda Smock -- Track & Field, Women's Triple Jump (3 out of 4 MN points)
Smock will be debuting at the Olympics as the only American woman to qualify for the triple jump this year. She was born and raised in Melrose and currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband.
Barbora Spotakova -- Track & Field, Javelin (1 out of 4 MN points)
Spotakova attended the University of Minnesota and was named as an All-American as a student there. However, she will be competing with the Czech Republic team in London.
Jillian Tyler -- Women's Swimming, 100m Breastroke (2 out of 4 MN points)
Though Tyler is living and training in Minnesota and is a former Golden Gopher, she will be competing for Team Canada in London.
Brittany Viola -- Diving (1 out of 4 MN points)
Viola was born in St. Paul but grew up in Florida. Her most notable Minnesota connection is her father Frank Viola, who helped lead the Minnesota Twins to a 1987 World Series title. This will be her first year competing at the Olympics, though she was an alternate in 2004 and 2008.
Lindsay Whalen -- Women's Basketball (4 out of 4 MN points)
Whalen was born and raised in Hutchinson and was a star on the Gophers basketball team, which she led to its first Final Four appearance in 2004. Whalen played six seasons with the Connecticut Sun before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2010. -
Kevin Love is having a hard time with his lack of Team USA playing time (SFGate.com)
Excerpt:When Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love was named as a member of Team USA several weeks ago, the immediate analysis said that he would be a great success. As a good passer with great shooting ability for a big man and historically great rebounding skills, Love seemed like a natural fit for the international game at this point in his career. Plus, after helping Team USA win the World Championships in limited minutes two years ago, he figured to take on a major role on a roster in need of help inside.
However, over the course of four tune-up exhibition games, Love has not seen much playing time. While Tyson Chandler remains a mainstay in the rotation as a defender of the paint, Love has stayed on the bench as head coach Mike Krzyzewski has opted for small-ball alternate lineups. -
RT @BlountStrib: Signing off for tonight. First local up: Megan Kalmoe, rowing, womens quad sculls, Saturday morning at Eton Dorney. Her ...
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p.twimg.com" />RT @chasbetts: While we were on our way to opening ceremonies - p.twimg.com
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Ex-Gopher Lindsey Berg -- @Napela -- leads a hungry volleyball team. www.startribune.com
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Athletes with Minnesota ties 'go fer' the gold. www.startribune.com #olympics
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The rings have been forged in old London and now we're ready for some #olympics! www.npr.org
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China's Yi Siling wins first gold of the #London2012 #Olympics in 10m air rifle. China leads medal count 2-1 over Poland.
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RT @USA_Swimming: Team USA ladies take their heat of 400 free relay. 3:36.53. Heat 2 coming up. We'll see where they're at after that.
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p.twimg.com" />RT @AlexFabregas: God save the queen! p.twimg.com
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RT @USOlympic: This AM @danavollmer broke #Olympic & #TeamUSA records in women’s 100m butterfly w/ a time of 56.25 seconds. #GoTeamUSA
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RT @USA_Swimming: Lochte and Phelps both make it into finals -- Lochte is the third seed in 4:12.35; Phelps 8th in 4:13.33.
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Michael Phelps barely qualified in 400-meter individual medley, squeaking into final by seven-hundredths of a second. strib.mn
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Yi Siling of China wins 10-meter air rifle, claims 1st gold medal of the London Olympics. strib.mn
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RT @Napela: Representing Minnesota & Gopher Alumni @Lindsay_13 & I getting ready to walk...thanks for all the support MN http:// ...
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RT @BlountStrib: Rowing: Megan Kalmoe of St Croix Falls second in heat 2 of women's quad sculls. Time of 6:15.76 3rd fastest of day. Rep ...
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Fabian Cancellara has crashed late in the #olympics road race.
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Vinokourov wins the men's cycling road race; Cavendish, Wiggins and Team GB strategy broke down. #olympics - www.npr.org
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Basketball: U.S. women are leading Croatia 31-28 at the half. Croatia has some shooters! #olympics #london2012
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U.S. archery team beats highly touted South Korea to advance to gold medal game. #olympics #london2012
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Basketball: U.S. women beat Croatia 81-56
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American Petery Vanderkaay has won bronze in the men's 400m freestyle. China's Sun Yang won with a new #Olympic record, at 3:40:14
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Lochte Cruises To Win Gold, Beating Phelps In The 400m IM. Lochte jumped out on fly and sealed it with backstroke. www.npr.org
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Elizabeth Beisel wins silver medal in women's 400m IM - #Olympics #london2012
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Lindsay Whalen, No. 4, of United States attempts a shot against Marija Vrsaljko, No. 9, of Croatia during women's basketball on Day 1 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on July 28, 2012, in London.
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Volleyball: United States held off late-charging South Korea 3-1.
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p.twimg.com" />Sweet photo RT @BMPPhoto: Spectacular show last night. p.twimg.com
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USA volleyball and captain Lindsey Berg (@Napela) battle past S. Korea in a 3-1 win. www.startribune.com
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Our latest London dispatch from Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul:
It was a good day for the USA rowing team today. Several crews advanced directly to the "A" finals and others, including Megan's boat go to the "repechage." (Repechage translated from the French roughly means "second chance.") The reigning world championship German boat finished a little more than 2 second ahead of Megan's boat, the American women's quad.
Today's second place finish for Megan's boat--the women's quadruple sculls--will give them a good lane placement for Monday's repechage. The boats don't win medals in heats--they win medals in the final. So the goal is to get into the finals to race for a medal.
Here's a little primer on rowing for non-rowers for the next five days of racing. The course is 2000 meters long (about 1 1/4 miles) and the races take 6-7 minutes. There are two kinds of rowing athletes--sweep rowers and scullers. Sweep rowers have one oar each; scullers have two each. Scullers row in singles (1 person), doubles (2 people) and quads (4 people.) Sweep rowers row in pairs (2 people), eights (8 rowers and a coxswain) and fours (four rowers). There are men's and women's events, as well as lightweight and heavyweight categories. -
p.twimg.com" />In France, training for the week in the quiet! #loveit #hermit #wrestling #London #gold p.twimg.com
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Results in women's 100m backstroke (Rachel Bootsma's event)
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RT @London2012: History in the making as #Tennis takes place under a roof for the first time at a modern Olympics l2012.cm # ...
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RT @TheSunOlympics: London 2012 chairman Lord Coe claims troops and students will be given the empty seats at a number of Olympic venues.
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RT @PatrickSandusky: Even rain isn’t stopping Kim Rhode today as she sets a Olympic record in women’s skeet, hitting 74 of 75 , trying t ...
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instagr.am" />RT @thegreengal: Despite the rain the village is out to watch the Olympic women's road cycling race instagr.am
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RT @dmaudsley: BBC apologise for “appalling” cycling coverage | London Spy - Yahoo! Eurosport UK uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
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p.twimg.com”" />#soccer wound update: “@AbbyWambach: Thanks for all the well wishes. Eye is healing fine. #reversesmokeyeye #notcool p.twimg.com”
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RT @USAGym: USA performed 4 Amanars on VT. Raisman 15.80; Douglas 15.90; Wieber 15.833; Maroney 15.9. Maroney also did 2nd VT RO 1/2 on ...
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RT @PatrickSandusky: Kim Rhode's victory 2day in skeet is the most dominant victory in Olympic shooting history, based on margin % of 1s ...
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#Olympic dilemma: “@EvanHD: Women's cycling so exciting I'm scared to leave the TV to go watch it live when it passes 5 minutes from my flat
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#Olympic cycling Voss wins gold, Armistead silver
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Regretting the spelling error on #cycling road race tweet. Armitstead (Britain) wins silver and Vos (Netherlands) gold. #Olympics
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Eden Prairie's Rachel Bootsma advances to tonight's semifinals in 100-meter backstroke with 11th fastest time. strib.mn
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RT @USAGym: USA is on top of the rankings with a team score of 180.271. Raisman is first all-around with 60.391, Douglas 2nd 60.265, Wie ...
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Gophers diver Kelci Bryant aims to turn fear into perfection (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:Kelci Bryant talks about water the way most people talk about felons. The Gophers diver describes how it assaults her skin and twists her limbs, and she has a much better relationship with water than the woman who introduced her to it does.
Kelci's mother, Kathie, fell off a boat when she was young and almost drowned. Kathie didn't shield her children from the water. She tossed them in.
"My goal was that if my kids fell off a boat in the middle of a lake, that they would be able to swim to shore," Kathie said.
Years later, Kelci has forged a new relationship with water. -
In New Ulm, Minn. you can find posters of local Olympian Ali Bernard displayed in many a store window. This one is at the counter of Lola's Larkspur market.
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RT @USOlympic: Due to rain delays, the @SerenaWilliams/@VenusesWilliams first-round doubles match that was scheduled for today has been ...
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US has won its first #Olympic diving medal in 12 years. @AbbyLJohnston and @Kelci_Bryant take silver in women's 3m synchronized event.
Kelci Bryant is a Minnesotan -
RT @TheSunOlympics: Kazakhstan's Zulifya Chinshanlo lifts 131kg to break her own world record and win gold in the women's 53kg weightlif ...
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RT @USAGym: After 4 of 5 subdivisions. USA (181.863) still has the lead over Russia (180.429), China (176.637) and Great Britain (170.656)
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U.S. 4x100 men's relay will be anchored by Ryan Lochte. Nathan Adrian to Phelps to Cullen Jones to RL. Jason Lezak graciously says: Win it!
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instagr.am”" />Old school has a new headmaster: “@CTVOlympics: Spain's men's basketball coach uses an etch-a-sketch playbook! instagr.am”
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RT @USAGym: Women's prelims have concluded. Raisman and Douglas in AA finals; Maroney VT; Douglas UB; Douglas & Raisman BB; Raisman ...
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RT @London2012: #Swimming Gold: France come back in spectacular style to beat USA in the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay t.co ...
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#nbcfail economics (Buzz Machine)
I still believe that if NBC gave the fans what they wanted rather than trying to make them do what NBC thinks it wants, NBC could win by growing audience and engagement and thus better serving sponsors. I ask you to imagine what Olympics coverage would look like if Google had acquired the rights. It would give us what we want and make billions, I’ll bet.
The problem for NBC as for other media is that it is trying to preserve old business models in a new reality. To experiment with alternatives when billions are at stake is risky. But so is not experimenting and not learning when millions of your viewers can complain about you on Twitter.
The bottom-line lesson for all media is that business models built on imprisonment, on making us do what you want us to do because you give us no choice, is no strategy for the future. And there’s only so long you can hold off the future. -
MT @blountstrib: Rachel Bootsma's Olympic adventure ends in 100 backstroke semis, with time of 1:00.04. Missy Franklin of US advances.
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Disappointed with my swims but I appreciate all the love and support. Getting ready for Rio 2016
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The latest London dispatch from Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul:
The "repechage" for Megan's boat, the women's quad, is twelve hours away. Six boats will race for the last four spots in Wednesday's final.
If you are watching any television coverage, Megan has been rowing the "three" seat--the third seat to cross the finish line.
In rowing, the athletes move the boat backwards. The seats in the boat are numbered in the order they cross the finish line. The rower in the 1 seat is also called the "bow." The person at the opposite end of the boat, in the stern, is called the "stroke." The stroke is the person that everyone else in the boat can see and is the person that everyone else follows.
So best of luck tomorrow to Natalie Dell (bow), Kara Kohler (2 seat), Megan Kalmoe (3 seat) and Adrienne Martelli (stroke) of the USA women's quad! -
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Kelci Bryant is the first Minnesotan to win a medal in London" />RT @NBCOlympics: PHOTO: @kelci_bryant & @abbyljohnston with their silver medals! p.twimg.com
Kelci Bryant is the first Minnesotan to win a medal in London -
Olympic silver medalists @Kelci_Bryant and @AbbyLJohnston will be on the @todayshow Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. (h/t @USADiving)
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Future NBA T-Wolves shine for Russia (AFP)
Excerpt:Supporters of the US Olympic Dream Team should forgive the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and their supporters for being excited about Russia's 95-75 rout of Britain on Sunday in their Olympic opener.
The Russians' romp included standout performances by guard Alexey Shved, who has signed a deal for next season with the T-wolves, and centre Andrei Kirilenko, reportedly bound for Minnesota after playing in Russia last season. -
Olympic basketball has Minnesota flavor (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:For Minnesotans, there had never been an Olympic weekend like this, a weekend in which so many players employed by 'Sota teams excelled on an international stage.
Saturday, Lindsay Whalen starred for the U.S. women in her Olympic debut, playing alongside two other Lynx. On Sunday, Kevin Love starred for the U.S. men in his Olympic debut, while surrounded by stars who threaten to dwarf him.
Sunday night, the two new Russian Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved, dominated Great Britain, displaying chemistry and skills that should translate well to Target Center.
Love scored 14 points in 14 minutes during the United States' 98-71 victory over France. Kirilenko scored 35 points on 14-for-17 shooting, benefitting from the deft passing of Shved, who hit him with three alley-oops and finished with 16 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and three steals.
"If I'm the Minnesota Timberwolves,'' said Russian coach David Blatt, "I've got a bit, fat smile on my face."
Had Ricky Rubio been healthy enough to play for the fine Spanish team, the weekend could have been even more 'Sota-centric. As it was, Wolves fans could, for at least a day, celebrate the series of events that led the Wolves to acquire Kirilenko instead of France's Nicolas Batum, who was a wallflower for much of the USA's rout of his team. -
RT @TheSunOlympics: LOCOG have spoken to accredited people who have not used their Olympic seats and have released 3,000 tickets for the ...
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Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul and her rowing partners finish second behind Australia in the "repechage" stage of the quadruple sculls
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Jay Weiner, former sports reporter for the Star Tribune, MinnPost and other publications, writes about what it's like to watch the London 2012 Olympics from his couch. He has been at every Olympics since 1984.
After witnessing 15 renditions of Olympics up close and personal, I will watch this London version with the curiosity of a first-time TV viewer. I will do so thankful that my first Summer Games were not in Tehran, and grateful that my last were in Beijing. The 2008 Games were a historic punctuation mark to my Summer Olympics experiences. That’s when the world tuned in with real anticipation. It’s where sponsors saw a real return on their investment in a growing economy. It’s where a nation of a billion-plus people proudly rallied as one. It’s when it felt that sports truly and profoundly mattered.
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Today's schedule for Minnesota's Olympians in London:
All times listed are central
-Women's Quadruple Sculls (ft. Kalmoe) competed this morning at 3:40am. Her team is advancing to the finals, which will take place at 6:10am on Wednesday.
-Fencer Susie Scanlan lost her first bout this morning to Ukraine's Olena Kryvytska
-Women's Vollebyall (ft. Berg and coach McCutcheon) will play Brazil at 10:45am
-Women's Basketball (ft. Augustus, Moore and Whalen) will play Angola at 4:15pm -
What we're watching today, esp. swimming, gymnastics: Highlights Of Monday's Events From The #London2012 #Olympics n.pr
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In a little over 2 hours we will take on Brazil...I'm ready to battle...heart, desire, & determination...#USA #Olympics
Former Gophers volleyball star Lindsey Berg will be facing Team Brazil at 10:45am in today's preliminaries. -
Alexey Shved and Andrei Kirilenko helped lead the Russian men's basketball team to a 95-75 win over Great Britain yesterday. The two Russian stars were recently signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The two new Wolves remind themselves that they'll be playing together long after the Olympic tournament ends.
"I said, prepare, right now, for Minnesota, this is how you're going to find me,'' Kirilenko said. "I think he's doing a pretty good job. Last year we played together, and we have a connection.'' -
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Seimone Augustus and the US women's basketball team will be facing Angola in today's preliminaries at 4:15pm." />I'm on my ice flow instagr.am
Seimone Augustus and the US women's basketball team will be facing Angola in today's preliminaries at 4:15pm. -
instagr.am" />US team & the first lady instagr.am
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FIFA reviewing 'sucker-punch' that left US Olympic soccer forward Abby Wambach with black eye. www.startribune.com
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See a slideshow of Minnesota's Olympians in action.
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Between 1912 and 1948, Olympic medals were awarded for painting, literature, architecture, sculpture and music with athletic themes. NPR's Audie Cornish spoke with historian John McAloon about how this came to be and why it went away.
The debates began almost immediately. True art is art for art's sake. How could this art for sport's sake really be authentic? Would you get any quality submissions? Why would artists create original works against such a new and uncertain format? Artists themselves are not always really happy to compete directly with one another. And when they do, they would prefer a jury of their peers. So the artists were afraid that they would be judged by people from sport, and the sports people were afraid that they'd get submissions from artists that really were not deeply connected with the theme.
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men's final update: “@USAGym: USA is fifth after first event -- behind Ukraine, Great Britain, Japan and Russia.”
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The Atlantic has a map showing where the over 500 members of Team USA grew up -- and a separate map showing where they currently live.
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From Paul Tosto on our News Cut blog:
Americans have ranted for decades about tape delays and overseas Olympics. We want to see stuff as it happens. But the network that pays a king's ransom for the broadcast rights makes its money showing the high demand event during American prime time.
Network wins. That used to be the end of the discussion. Not this time.
The beating NBC is taking on social media shows just how much things have changed. Yes, Twitter was around for the 2008 Beijing Olympics but Twitter use has exploded the past two years, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
In 2012, most of us see how ridiculous it is to try and stop real-time news. It can't be controlled. So you either adapt or face the universal mockery that social media can deliver.
Either way, things are going to change. I'm looking forward to seeing how the social beat down of NBC in 2012 shapes the coverage and information flow for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
"The problem for NBC as for other media is that it is trying to preserve old business models in a new reality," writes media critic Jeff Jarvis. "To experiment with alternatives when billions are at stake is risky. But so is not experimenting and not learning when millions of your viewers can complain about you on Twitter.
"The bottom-line lesson for all media is that business models built on imprisonment, on making us do what you want us to do because you give us no choice, is no strategy for the future. And there's only so long you can hold off the future." -
RT @USAGym: USA women team finals line up: VT Wieber, Douglas, Maroney; UB Wieber, Ross, Douglas; BB Ross, Douglas, Raisman; FX Douglas, ...
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Olympian and Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love is working double duty during his time at the London Games. Not only is he playing power forward for the U.S. men’s basketball team, he’s also self-appointed himself as team photographer.
For the past two weeks Love has been snapping unflattering photos of his teammates as they prepare for the Olympics, lifting the curtain on the once private lives of professional athletes and allowing fans to follow all of the team’s action—from the court to the private rooms hidden from the views of cameras.
In one of Love’s photos posted on the plane ride to London, Lebron James is seen snoozing with a sleep mask over his eyes while teammate Chris Paul sits next to him curled up with a pillow. The photo quickly went viral and bloggers began critiquing James’s use of a sleep mask and speculating if Paul was drooling on the pillow.
Last Friday, the day of the opening ceremonies, Love posted pictures of the team getting fitted for their Ralph Lauren Olympic uniforms. “Getting my Justin Timberlake on,” Love wrote in the caption, underneath a photo of him in the outfit.
Other photos have captured Mike Krzyzewski, the team’s coach, doing yoga, and the team meeting privately with President Obama.
Love is posting pictures online using the popular photo sharing app Instagram. Since Love launched the account two weeks ago, he’s racked up over 45,000 followers and his photography has garnered a loyal following. His hijinks have also caught the attention of the news media; his candids have been featured on ESPN and have garnered a story in the New York Times.
Love told the Times that the photos serve a purpose beyond just playful pranks with his teammates. He said letting the fans in on the fun helps brings them closer to the Olympic experience. “Fans dig that. I dig that. It’s a way to share the experience with everybody,” Love said. “They almost feel like they’re with you here.”
With two weeks still remaining in the games, the tables could turn and Love could get a taste of his own medicine. Team members who’ve been embarrassed by Love’s photography have promised revenge. Deron Williams, who was one of the players Love caught sleeping, found Love unguarded Saturday asleep on a bus. He quickly snapped a picture and posted it to Twitter. “Payback,” tweeted Williams. -
U.S. men's gymnastics team is struggling in the finals. After being near-perfect in qualifying, they've had it pretty rough today. #Olympics
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The US women's vollebyall team is currently leading Brazil 2-1 in today's preliminaries.
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The US women's volleyball team has defeated Brazil 3-1. Their next preliminary match is against China, Wednesday at 2pm.
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Twitter claims another Olympic athlete. Michele Morganella has been expelled from Switzerland's soccer team after sending a racist tweet yesterday. Greek triple jumber Paraskevi Papachristou was expelled earlier this month for a racist tweet.
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Marti Malloy wins bronze medal for U.S. in judo, after beating world No. 2 earlier, then defending gold medalist Giulia Quintavalle.
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The latest London dispatch from Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul:
The USA women's quad finished the repechage about .8 second behind the Australians this morning. The wind -- which varied from a tail wind to a crosswind over the course of the morning -- may have been a factor in several of the races.
Two crews -- the New Zealand women's quad and the USA men's quad -- both had a rower lose control of an oar, which is called "catching a crab." Catching a crab will show down or stop a boat. Once this happens, it's very difficult to recover. Neither the New Zealand women or the USA men will advance to the final.
The women's quad final will be at 4:20 am Minnesota time on Wednesday. Go USA! -
On our State of the Arts blog, Marianne Combs asks, "Why didn't Akram Khan's Olympic dance piece air on NBC?"
Friday night approximately 1 billion people tuned in or attended the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics. In the U.S., viewers were able to catch the four hour event on NBC.
All except for one rather important moment.
NBC chose to cut away from the opening ceremonies for a pre-taped interview with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps just as choreographer Akram Khan was performing his tribute to the 52 victims of the July 2005 London bomb attacks. The attacks happened the day after London was awarded the Olympics.
"I feel disheartened and disappointed," Khan said in a subsequent press conference.
"I was really shocked and horrified and would like to know on what grounds the American media can make that decision."
"I am really sad that I couldn't show the work in America, and that really upsets me, because I don't think it's any less or more than any of the other pieces," Khan went on to say.
"Is it not accessible enough? Is it not commercial enough? It brings to mind a question that maybe it's too truthful, and I think that says it all really."
NBC issued a statement over the weekend in which it said that stated editing decisions such as this are routinely made for pre-recorded entertainment. -
The US men's gymnastics team finished fifth in the finals today. China won gold, followed by Japan and Great Britain.
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Missy Franklin sets U.S. record as she wins #Olympics 100m backstroke; Lochte 4th in 200m free; Grevers Wins 100m Back n.pr
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Melrose native Amanda Smock will be competing in the triple jump." />Countdown is on; 3 more days!! Had a great practice this morning, almost ready to roll #London2012 p.twimg.com
Melrose native Amanda Smock will be competing in the triple jump. -
Rebecca Soni of the United States has won silver in the women's 100m breaststroke. Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania wins gold.
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FIFA bans Colombia player for 2 Olympic soccer matches for punching U.S. forward Wambach. www.startribune.com
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As MPR’s Paul Tosto noted in a post on the blog earlier today, Twitter has served as a virtual town square, where incensed Olympic viewers angry about the networks programming strategy and frustrated with the network’s shoddy online live streams, are meeting to vent their anger. Users are rallying behind the hashtag #NBCFail and some are mentioning the executive producer of the Olympics, Jim Bell, who has an active Twitter account, in their tweets. But for all the complaints being lobbed at NBC on social networks, the ratings for the London Olympics are breaking previous viewing records.
Friday night’s opening ceremonies attracted 40.7 million viewers, according to Adweek, citing ratings by Nielsen, a company that measures U.S. television viewing. The program was the most-watched opening ceremony in Olympics history.
Saturday night's primetime coverage followed suit, attracting 28.7 million viewers, breaking records when compared to the same night of past Olympics.
On Monday, NBC Sports posted a press release highlighting the overall viewership success of the opening weekend, announcing, “NBC’s three-day average viewership of 35.8 million is best through the first weekend of any summer Olympics in history.”
The record-setting success of coverage on the broadcast end is a sign that the conversation on social networks is not necessarily reflective of the viewing experience for the majority of the Olympic audience. -
After initially saying that a female athlete from Saudi Arabia would have to compete without her headscarf, the International Judo Federation reached an agreement with the Saudi National Olympic Committee. From Reuters:
One of Saudi Arabia's two first female Olympians will take part in the judo competition after agreement was reached on an acceptable design for an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, officials said on Monday.
"She will compete," International Judo Federation spokesman Nicolas Messner said on Monday, declining to give further details. -
Well+Good NYC takes a peek inside rower Megan Kalmoe's refrigerator:
“I should forewarn you that my diet and nutrition are vastly different than the other women you’ve profiled for Fridge Look Books,” said 28-year-old Megan Kalmoe, who will compete in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls this week at the London Olympic Games.
Naturally, that intrigued us even more!
“I eat 4,500–6,000 calories per day, and a big percentage of that is carbs and fat,” the Wisconsin-native and elite athlete told us when we asked to peek in her fridge. -
The United States head coach Hugh McCutcheon, who will soon be head coach of women's volleyball at the University of Minnesota, gives instructions to his players in the Women's Volleyball Preliminary match between the United States and Brazil on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court on July 30, 2012 in London, England. The US beat Brazil 3-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen won gold in the women's 400m individual medley on Saturday and set a new world record while she was at it. But John Leonard, executive director of the World Swimming Coaches Association, is saying that her time was suspiciously fast. From the Guardian:
Ye stunned world swimming on Saturday by winning gold in the 400m individual medley in a world-record time. It was her final 100m of freestyle, in which she recorded a split time of 58.68sec, that aroused Leonard's suspicion. Over the last 50m she was quicker than the American Ryan Lochte, who won the men's 400m individual medley in the second-fastest time in history .
"We want to be very careful about calling it doping," said Leonard, who is also the executive director of the USA Swimming Coaches Association.
"The one thing I will say is that history in our sport will tell you that every time we see something, and I will put quotation marks around this, 'unbelievable', history shows us that it turns out later on there was doping involved. That last 100m was reminiscent of some old East German swimmers, for people who have been around a while. It was reminiscent of the 400m individual medley by a young Irish woman in Atlanta."
Leonard is the first major figure in the swimming world to go public with suspicions over Ye's performance. London 2012 organisers and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) have insisted that anyone cheating at the Games would be caught, with a record 6,250 tests being carried out. -
After the second quarter, the US women's basketball team is beating Angola 41-18.
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The US women's basketball team won today, defeating Angola 90-38. The team's next preliminary game is on Wednesday against Turkey.
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“@NBCOlympics: It's a BRONZE for @davidboudia & @nickmccrory1! That's 2 for 2 on the podium for @usadiving at #London2012”
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Today's schedule for Minnesota's Olympians:
4:15pm -- Men's Basketball will face Tunisia in today's preliminaries
The Russian basketball team led by two Minnesota Timberwolves, Alexey Shved and Andrei Kirilenko, defeated China 74-53 early this morning. -
The latest London dispatch from Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul:
We are really looking forward to the W4x (women's quadruple sculls) final tomorrow--and to seeing the athletes afterward. The rowers have been sequestered since they got here, so we haven't had any personal contact with Megan since we got here--just emails and a few games of "Scramble" on Facebook.
We snagged some tickets to archery for today, so we are off to Lord's Cricket Ground--the most hallowed shrine of cricket--where the archery events are being held.
Update at 4:00pm:We had a very minor catastrophe at Lord's. The bottle of ibuprofen tablets in my bag caught the attention of security, and they confiscated it. This bottle of ibuprofen had been through security at the airport in Minneapolis, security at the rowing venue twice, and security at the Proctor and Gamble House four times. But they insisted that I could not take in more than 16 tablets. We explained that the bottle had been through security many times, but the response was that they were right and everyone else was doing their job incorrectly. Next, I asked if I could take three before I went in and keep 16 more; then they insisted that if I took three, I could only take 13 with me. They finally relented, and I got to take three and take in 16, but it was annoying. They did, however, give me a plastic bag so the 16 ibuprofen wouldn't be rolling around on the bottom of my backpack.
Only 12 hours until the big race, and the anticipation is building. -
The New York Times has a profile of Seimone Augustus focusing on the physical ailments she has overcome to become a star basketball player, including a tumor in her abdomen the size of a bowling ball.
For the 2011 season, Minnesota added Maya Moore, the first overall selection and the latest superstar groomed by Auriemma at Connecticut. Augustus lost 20 pounds, moved from small forward to shooting guard and played the entire season at full health.
It culminated in the finals, where Augustus dominated the way she once had at L.S.U., when she twice was the college player of the year. When Minnesota won, Augustus celebrated with her fiancée, LaTaya Varner, who had accompanied Augustus to rehabilitation and “put up with my nasty attitude on days when I was really depressed and didn’t want to talk to nobody.”
Augustus met Varner at a nightclub in Minnesota. They have been together for five years. They lamented the leg injury, the abdominal surgery and the disappointment when Augustus failed to make the United States’ world championship team in 2010. They rejoiced in the W.N.B.A. title and Augustus’s return to the Olympic roster, where she played a pivotal role as a scorer during the gold medal run in 2008.
Sometimes, in Minnesota, Augustus ran into women who had undergone fibroid surgery, or rehabbed injured knees. Sometimes, she pulled out her cellphone and showed them the familiar picture, of the tumor that once resided in her abdomen, of the bowling ball that inspired her return to the basketball court. -
Let's Catch Up: #Olympics Set Record Ratings; Venus Rolls To Third Round; Wieber case an 'injustice,' coach says. n.pr
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Photo taken by Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus" />Sky travel in London instagr.am
Photo taken by Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus -
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Seimone Augustus captures a shot of US women's basketball coach (and UConn coach) Geno Auriemma." />Gene working out after practice lmao! instagr.am
Seimone Augustus captures a shot of US women's basketball coach (and UConn coach) Geno Auriemma. -
Last time on the runway before THE BIG SHOW! Happy to report I'm feeling fast, and ready! #London2012
Melrose native Amanda Smock will be competing in the triple jump on Friday -
Today's #Olympic Events To Watch n.pr - 2:41p ET women's 200m freestyle final 2:49p ET men's 200m butterfly final
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BMX rider Alise Post debuts the bike that she will be riding in the Olympic games.
Her first ride will be next Wednesday, August 8 at 9am. -
Jim Souhan at the Star Tribune profiles Lindsey Berg, team captain of US women's volleyball.
Berg's international and national team career has led to this moment. She is the captain of the best team in the world.
"I'm honored, completely honored to be on a team with this many incredible players and to be named captain," she said. "It's something I've worked on for a long time, to be a leader and to make the players around me better. Honored -- that's the only word I've got for that." -
The tallest Olympian competing in London is Chinese basketball player Zhaoxu Zhang (approx. 7'2") and the shortest is Japanese gymnast Asuka Teramoto (approx. 4'6").
The BBC has a fun guide to help you find "Your Olympic athlete body match." Give it a try. -
Minnesota made a serious bid for the 1996 Olympics, but came in second to Atlanta. WCCO looks at the chances of Minnesota trying for another Olympics.
The verdict: Even though Minnesota's infrastructure has improved since the last attempt, it's not likely. -
First report: US women win first #Olympics gymnastics gold since 1996 - more than 5 points ahead of 2d place Russia. strib.mn
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From The Guardian: "Taiwan compete reluctantly under flag of convenience"
When Hsu Shu-ching took to the podium to receive her silver medal in the women's 53kg weightlifting competition, a fairly unusual flag was hoisted to honour her achievement – not the red, blue and white emblem of her home, Taiwan, but a more complicated design featuring, among other things, the five Olympic rings.
Such complications are the sporting symptoms of one of the most bitter disputes in modern international relations, in which an effectively independent island state of 23m people is obliged to compete under a made-up name, with a similarly artificial flag and anthem. -
The Associated Press profiles new Minnesota Timberwolves team member Andrei Kirilenko, currently competing in London for Team Russia. He signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Timberwolves last week. His Olympic teammate Alexey Shved is also joining the Wolves this year.
Kirilenko likened the Timberwolves to Rick Adelman's Sacramento Kings teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a free-wheeling group with plenty of Europeans, such as Peja Stojakovic and Vlade Divac, playing prominent roles.
"For me, it looks like European flavor on the team," said Kirilenko, referring to Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, himself and Shved. "For me right now, it's pretty much the same type of team-building. A lot of European guys, a lot of guys who can run the floor. Alexey is another big, big plus." -
This has to be spoiled, right? U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Wins Gold Medal; First In 16 Years n.pr - still worth watching!!
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2004 Minnesota State Champion wrestler Chas Betts is getting ready to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling on Monday, Aug. 6" />Great workout this morning, then watched some handball today. Very physical game. Good stuff. 6 more days. p.twimg.com
2004 Minnesota State Champion wrestler Chas Betts is getting ready to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling on Monday, Aug. 6 -
After a mass shooting in Ireland in 1997, British Parliament outlawed nearly all handguns. This meant that until recently British Olympic competitors like Georgina Geikie practiced and kept her guns in Switzerland. From The New York Times:
With the 2012 Games approaching, Britain’s strict laws posed something of a problem, even after officials granted an exception to allow the pistol events to go on as scheduled. The problem was the British team itself.
“It would have looked absolutely ridiculous if we were not allowing our shooters to practice here,” said Kate Hoey, a member of Parliament for the Labour Party and a former sports minister who has supported lifting the ban.
In 2008, government officials granted a temporary exemption loosening, but not lifting, the ban. Competitors were allowed to practice in Britain in the three events that used banned guns. The number of licenses to allow certain sport shooters to own pistols was capped in the low double digits, and only four ranges in the country were authorized for target practice. -
Michael Phelps wins silver in the 200m butterfly, while Allison Schmitt takes gold in the 200m free (Missy Franklin comes in fourth)
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About that time!! Game 2 Vs. Tunisia. #USA
Kevin Love and the men's basketball team will be facing Tunisia at 4:15pm central time -
US #Olympic women's soccer rolls: @alexmorgan13: 3 Wins to finish off at top of the group, that's what I'm talkin about!”
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Just found out my best friend Olivia (http://megankalmoe.com/2012/05/29/lucerne-last-look/) is going to be at my final tomorrow. #waterworks
Rower Megan Kalmoe will be competing in the Quadruple Sculls final tomorrow at 6:10am -
U.S. men dominate 4x200m relay. Phelps finishes anchor leg two full body-lengths ahead, wins record 19th Olympic medal, his 15th gold.
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Great rundown of $$ changing hands at #Olympic appeals, by @TheAtlanticWire: www.theatlanticwire.com
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NPR looks at the role that social media is playing during the London Olympics. One example is Olympians taking to Twitter to protest Rule 40, which doesn't allow them to promote their sponsors who are not also official Olympic sponsors.
In London, Twitter has emerged as a platform for Olympians who see deep economic inequities in the current system. The group, which includes many Americans, are also frustrated that current policies forbid them from promoting the sponsors that helped them train for the Summer Games.
Athletes are using the hashtags #WeDemandChange and #Rule40 to make their case. Rule 40 is the Olympics' policy forbidding the promotion of what it calls "ambush marketers" who aren't official sponsors of the games. The restrictions include any images posted on athletes' Twitter or Facebook accounts — which are being actively reviewed by organizers.
One of the most vocal athletes has been American runner Sanya Richards-Ross, a favorite in the 400-meter race. She came in for both support and criticism when she spoke out against the restrictions and called for a new debate over paying athletes and letting them promote their sponsors.
Some folks found her comments to be unbecoming of an Olympic athlete. Others disagreed — and Richards-Ross herself was one of them.
"The Olympics is the greatest platform for most athletes (track, swimming) etc and regulations make it impossible to capitalize on," she wrote. "Other countries fund their Olympians so that they can stay in the sport. US Olympians deserve the same!" -
Kevin Love and the US men's basketball team is leading Tunisia 46-33 after the second quarter.
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The US men's basketball team has defeated Tunisia, 110-63. Kevin Love scored 16 points.
Their next game is Thursday against Nigeria. -
#olympic relay partay RT“@RickyBerens: Finally!!!! The end of season celebration dinner! mcdonalds!! Yes all for me! say.ly”””
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bit.ly and then returned to his duties as a dad: p.twimg.com”" />“@USOlympic: @Vincent_Hancock won skeet gold today: bit.ly and then returned to his duties as a dad: p.twimg.com”
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Minnesota's Megan Kalmoe and the rest of Team USA takes the bronze medal in quadruple sculls
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Serena Williams rolling in #olympics tennis she won first set 6-1 in 25 mins.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves win a gold medal? From USA Today:
Andrei Kirilenko using Olympics as a warmup to TimberwolvesThe only people happier with his performance than the Russians had to be the Minnesota Timberwolves. After skipping last season to play in his native Moscow, Kirilenko signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Wolves on Friday.
Kirilenko will be bringing Russian teammate Alexey Shved with him to the Timberwolves next season. Shved had 16 points and 13 assists against overmatched Britain. -
A 'Farce' takes a new turn: Reports: Eight Badminton Players Tossed Out Of Olympics n.pr
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Via @nprnews: Kristin Armstrong Wins Second Straight Gold Medal In Olympic Time Trial n.pr
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Minneapolis native Megan Kalmoe, USA win bronze in quad sculls. www.startribune.com
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On Badminton's 'Detrimental' Conduct Rule, And Losing - n.pr "Manipulating the seeding in tournaments has a long tradition"
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p.twimg.com”" />“@muaddip: Best frozen moment of the Olympics, @McKaylaMaroney awesome vault!! The left judge’s face is priceless p.twimg.com”
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RT @USOlympic: Did you hear? @USRowing's women's 4x crew took bronze; #TeamUSA's second-ever medal in the event, first since '84! http:/ ...
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U.S. rowers, from left, Natalie Dell, Kara Kohler, Megan Kalmoe (a Minnesota native) and Adrienne Martelli display the bronze medals they won in the women's rowing quadruple sculls in Eton Dorney, near Windsor, England, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
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The U.S. women's quadruple sculls rowing team has won a bronze medal at the Olympics in London. Ukraine took the gold and Germany the silver in the competition.
South St. Paul native Megan Kalmoe was one of the four rowers on the U.S. team which won the bronze. Megan's mother, Mary Martin, is in London and has been blogging about the experience.
Cathy Wurzer spoke with Martin from Dorney Lake where the competition took place. -
U.S. Gymnast Danell Leyva Wins #Olympic Bronze In All-Around n.pr #gymnastics -
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Yesterday’s fencing match between Shin A Lam of South Korea and Britta Heidemann of Germany was one of the most entertaining events of the London Games so far.
The Guardian newspaper explained it thusly: “South Korea's Shin A-lam thought she had won – until the clock was reset and Germany's Britta Heidemann triumphed with a do-or-die hit. When the result was announced, Shin, 25, burst into tears, and remained on the piste for over an hour in protest.”
For the British newspaper, however, the actual event wasn’t enough. The newspaper produced a two-minute reenactment of the fencing match—using Legos. The perfect recreation of an Olympic event to keep an internet audience salivating for goofy content pleased.
The Guardian’s Lego video is part of a growing trend among news outlets and blogs that are stepping out the traditional Olympic coverage model and offering content that deviates from standard sports reporting.
The website Buzzfeed has an Olympics section chock full of tangentially-related content, with everything from “The Many Emotions Of Michelle Obama Watching Olympic Basketball” to “18 Photos Of Empty Seats At Sold Out Olympic Events.” The sports blog Deadspin is taking a similar approach to its Olympic coverage, writing posts examining the cash value of Olympic medals and drawing attention to an accidental interview with former Olympian Evander Holyfield on NBC’s “Today” show.
“I think there is indeed a lot of attention paid to the coverage of the games that wasn’t there before,” Deadspin editor Timothy Burke told MPR News. “I think that’s a reflection on how the Games have become not a news event covered by journalists but an entertainment event presented to television viewers as reality television.”
Burke calls the approach “unfortunate” and says that when the television networks ignore the most compelling stories, some journalists committed to highlighting the games’ most important moments have to do so in a frivolous fashion.
Buzzfeed’s sports editor Jack Moore praises the online coverage of the Olympics so far, and says his website’s offerings aren’t just goofy pieces with a singular focus on getting clicks. “If the only things that were going viral were the silly things, that might speak to a problem with the approach,” Moore told MPR News. “But that's not the case. The fact that both the serious and the silly are taking off, I think shows that we're delivering a type of coverage that people want.”
The coverage issue can be debated, but one thing is clear: the content is proving to be viral gold and yielding a high return on Internet currency—clicks. Buzzfeed's list of "33 Things To Love About Men's Water Polo" had 102,599 total views as of noon Tuesday. Other stories in Buzzfeed’s Olympic section have exceeded the 100,000 and 200,000 page view mark.
The nightly viewing audience of NBC’s prime time Olympic programming still far outpaces the number of Internet users heading to Buzzfeed or Deadspin. But with page views routinely surpassing 100,000, it’s a sign that fans are looking for a side dish of nontraditional fare to accompany the standard Olympic offerings. -
MPR News' Tom Crann talks with Kathy Whalen, the mother of Olympian and Minnesota native Lindsay Whalen
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Hutchinson native Lindsay Whalen is no stranger to success. During college she was the University of Minnesota women’s basketball program all-time score leader and four-time team MVP. Since joining the WNBA in 2004, she has become one of the league’s standout stars and played a key role in helping the Minnesota Lynx bring home their first championship to the state last year. This summer, Whalen adds another accomplishment to her impressive resume—Olympian.
“As a child I know she’s looked at and always has been interested in watching the Olympics,” Lindsay’s mother Kathy Whalen told MPR News’ Tom Crann. “For her to be part of it—we’re just extremely proud of her for this.”
But even as Lindsay had Olympic dreams, it was never a focus growing up and she never mentioned it during her time as a star in high school. She never thought that one day she’d be competing in the Olympics, said Kathy.
It wasn’t until her success in the WNBA and time playing for USA Basketball that a once far off dream started to take shape as a reality. “It’s been a goal that has grown over the years,” Kathy said.
Kathy and Lindsay have been in contact during her time in London; she said they were texting the night of the opening ceremonies, “I know she is really looking forward to the whole experience,” Kathy said.
For the small southern Minnesota town of Hutchinson, Lindsey’s Olympic adventure is a familiar adventure for a community that has rallied behind their hometown hero—first during her years leading the Golden Gophers to the NCAA tournament and again last year during the Lynx’s championship run. People are stopping Kathy and her husband Neil in stores and at work to offer their well wishes and congratulations and to tell the parents of the star athlete how proud they are of Lindsay.
Reflecting on last year’s WNBA championship win and this month’s Olympics, Kathy said it’s been an incredible time for their family. “In the years to come we’ll all look back on this period of life and just, just remember how much fun it’s been and just how proud we are that we have a member of our family that has done so well in something that she loves to do.” Kathy and Neil will head across the pond Aug. 3 to watch the medal round of the basketball tournament.
The U.S. women’s team has notched two wins in the preliminary round of play. The team started the week with a win over Croatia and followed up on Monday with a blowout 90 to 38 win over Angola. Whalen scored nine points in each of the games. The team is scheduled to take on Turkey today.
Tom Crann’s interview Kathy Whalen can be found in the previous post. -
Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe, sent along this photo of her daughter with her bronze medal.
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Taking it all in...enjoying each step of the process...what an incredible journey...oh let's do this #TeamUSA
Former Minnesota Gopher volleyball star Lindsey Berg is getting ready for this afternoon's preliminary match against China. -
instagr.am
Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus, along with Lynx teammates Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore, will be taking on Turkey in this afternoon's preliminary game." />Taped and ready to go, lol bet y'all thought I had ugly feet. #punks instagr.am
Minnesota Lynx player Seimone Augustus, along with Lynx teammates Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore, will be taking on Turkey in this afternoon's preliminary game. -
Gameday vs Turkey! Let's go USA!! #USABasketball
Hutchinson native Lindsay Whalen and Team USA women's basketball have won their two previous preliminary games against Angola and Croatia. -
Via @nprnews: U.S. Flag-Bearer Zagunis Fails To Medal In Sabre n.pr
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The latest London dispatch from Mary Martin, mother of Olympic rower Megan Kalmoe of South Saint Paul:
Congratulations to Megan Kalmoe, Adrienne Martelli, Kara Kohler and Natalie Dell on being the first Americans ever to win a medal in the women's quadruple sculls!
It was a great day at the racecourse! It was a close race, and the Americans were in second place much of the race.
The American cheering section was seated next to the British fans, and the cheering at the course was deafening!
We celebrated with photos and champagne at the FISA family and friends enclosure, and then moved the party to a pub in Windsor. All kinds of fans were requesting photos and autographs on the streets.
Megan closes every one of her blog posts with "long live the dream." After working toward this goal of being an Olympic medalist every day for the past six years, the dream has come true. -
This keeps getting more and more exciting - my mom and bro have arrived in LONDON!! 2 more sleeps til "go" time! #London2012
Melrose native Amanda Smock will be competing in the triple jump on Friday -
Nathan Adrian Takes Gold In #Olympic 100m Free, Defeating Agnel n.pr - first individual gold for Washington state's Adrian
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The US women's volleyball team has defeated China 3-0. Their next preliminary match is Friday against Serbia.
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Many countries offer some sort of prize to their Olympic medalists. The U.S. Olympic Committee, for instance, rewards gold medalists with $25,000, silver gets $15,000 and bronze gets $10,000.
New Zealand is rewarding their medalists with Marmite, which has become precious since an earthquake damaged the country's only factory and production of the yeast-spread was suspended. From the BBC:The shortage of Marmite has been dubbed "Marmageddon" by the media.
Members of the eventing team, who won the country's first medal, were the first to collect their Marmite.
The manufacturer, Sanitarium, says production of the spread will not resume until later this year. The product is a variation of the yeast spread widely available in the UK.
Since the shortage began, New Zealand media has been filled with stories of newly discovered Marmite stashes in corners of supermarket storerooms.
There has also, apparently, been a roaring trade on auction websites.
Rather than selling its remaining supplies, executives at the Pak'nSave supermarket chain decided to give their stash to customers they felt were deserving of a treat.
"Who could be more deserving than our Olympic medallists," said Steve Anderson of the supermarket's parent company Foodstuffs New Zealand. -
This is so funny, especially that he retweeted it! “@LeyvasTowel: CLAP CLAP... CLAP CLAP CLAP”
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“@London2012: Gold: USA take the victory in the women’s Eight winning the final #Rowing gold of the day l2012.cm #London2012”
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Minneapolis resident Amanda Smock will compete in the triple jump." />At the warm up track for my pre-meet workout! Almost time!! #London2012 p.twimg.com
Minneapolis resident Amanda Smock will compete in the triple jump. -
Love playing with my USA squad.Had some adversity in the 3rd quarter but we overcame together.USA fans you're awesome!#onestepcloser #fb
— Maya Moore (@MooreMaya) August 1, 2012
Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx helped the U.S. team to a 89-58 win over Turkey on Wednesday. Turkey was considered the team that could give the U.S. women the most trouble. -
Chas Betts maintains Minnesotan streak as U.S. 80 kg Greco guy at the Olympics (examiner.com)
Minnesota native Chas Betts maintains an important streak before taking to the mat at the 2012 Olympics on Tuesday, Aug. 7.
As the Greco-Roman wrestler for the U.S. at 80 kg/180 pounds, the product of St. Michael, Minn. maintains a streak of the Greco Olympic squad having at least one Minnesotan going back to the 1968 Summer Games. -
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BMXers on a Plane: Alise Post of St. Cloud will compete in BMX racing in London" />#HereWeGo ✈ @cf11 @zhermanator @justniclong @brooooklynnn instagr.am
BMXers on a Plane: Alise Post of St. Cloud will compete in BMX racing in London -
#olympics News Roundup: U.S. Women Rowers Win; NBC's Water Polo Coverage - also, opening ceremony called "satanic" - n.pr
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Disqualified Chinese badminton player tweets she's quitting the sport bit.ly #kare11oly
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Kayla Harrison became the first American to take home a judo gold medal today. From USA Today:
Kayla Harrison, a victim of sexual abuse as a teenager who found a healing home six years ago at a judo center in Massachusetts, Thursday became the first U.S. judo player ever to win an Olympic gold medal.
After her win, Harrison leaped into the arms of U.S. Olympic Coach Jimmy Pedro, who took her under his tutelage six years ago at Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, Mass. Pedro, an iconic star as a U.S. competitor, had come up short in his own bid for Olympic gold. But he shared the medal and a massive hug with Harrison Thursday. -
Dying and dead grandmothers are in the news at the Olympics in London, leading to questions about whether the romance and media-fed story lines mask a darker side of athletics.
China diver Wu Minxia got what she wanted -- a gold medal. What she doesn't have is a grandmother. Hers died a year ago but her parents and others never told her until after she won her medal this week. They wanted her to stay focused on her athletics and not be distracted by family matters.
"We accepted a long time ago that she doesn't belong entirely to us, I don't even dare to think about things like enjoying family happiness," her father told the Shanghai Morning Post, a testament to the win-at-all-costs mentality of some Olympians, their countries, and their families.
That's something to remember as the TV coverage continues to show as many parents in the crowd as the Olympians in the pool.
Meanwhile, New Zealand rower Peter Taylor revealed his grandmother died on the eve of the Olympics.
"I had an open chat with her before I left and we knew she may not be around when I got back and if that happened she said keep going and do your thing," he said.
Who's the more impressive Olympian: the one who won a gold but is too fragile to be distracted by life, or the one who faces the realities of life head-on and competes anyway? -
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Diver Brittany Viola, daughter of Frank "Sweet Music" Viola, is getting ready to compete in the 10m platform diving preliminaries on Wednesday, August 8." />Excited to have Mom & Kayl in the Olympic Village today! Wonderful to share this opportunity w/ family! #Love p.twimg.com
Diver Brittany Viola, daughter of Frank "Sweet Music" Viola, is getting ready to compete in the 10m platform diving preliminaries on Wednesday, August 8. -
MEDAL ALERT: It's gold for Gabby Douglas. U.S. woman wins the gymnastic's all-around. Komova takes silver. Mustafina bronze.
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RT @TheSunOlympics: CYCLING: Team GB's Chris Hoy, Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny win GOLD in the Men's Team Sprint #TeamGB #London2012
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Wiggin' Out: Bradley Wiggins Drinks To His #Olympic Gold Medal, And The Mods Applaud n.pr - what's on Wiggo's playlist?
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Last full lift before the Paralympic Games! Can't believe it's coming up so fast! Can't wait tho! #London2012 #nopainnogain
Golden Valley native and Gustavus student Anna Eames is getting ready to compete in the Paralympics at the end of the month. -
The Star Tribune looks at what's next for rower Megan Kalmoe:
When the letters "USA'' flashed onto the scoreboard at Eton Dorney, they could relax and rejoice -- at least for a little while. Kalmoe, who grew up in Minneapolis and St. Croix Falls, Wis., was at once happy and hungry. The bronze was the first medal won by the U.S. rowing team at the London Games, and it was only the second ever for the Americans in women's quad sculls.
But it wasn't gold, which immediately got Kalmoe thinking about the next four years. -
Another good day for Russia's Minnesota Timeberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko and Alexei Shved. After blowing an 11 point lead, they came back in the last seconds of the game to beat Brazil 75-74. Kirilenko scored 19 points and Shved scored 17.
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Via @nprnews: Michael Phelps Wins Record 20th Medal; Soni Sets Record In Breaststroke n.pr - Phelps has 16 #olympic golds.
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What a mix of emotions: Diver Wins Gold, Is Finally Told Her Mother Has Cancer And Grandparents Died deadspin.com
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What does an #olympic champion have to prove? If Gabby's Got The Gold, Why Flip Over Her Hair? n.pr
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Would You Rather Win Silver Or Bronze? (Be Careful What You Wish For) Interesting research results n.pr -
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Minnesota's Amanda Smock fails to qualify in the triple jump
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instagr.am" />Look very closely at this photo...notice anything? The Rookie Didn't put his jersey on!!! instagr.am
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Roger Federer trails Del Potro by a set in #olympic tennis. RF leads the second set, 6-5. Oh, and Kobe's in the stands.
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#olympic #tennis Federer (Switzerland) wins second set tie-break against del Potro (Argentina). All even at 1 set each. Tense match.
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#olympic #tennis U.S. doubles partners Mike and Bob Bryan reach finals
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Olympics Energize Britain's Patriots, Even (Perhaps) In Scotland n.pr
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US #olympic #soccer women's team lead New Zealand 1-0 in second half; goal by Abby Wambach. She also got a yellow card, as did Carli Lloyd.
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Via @nprnews: Federer Wins Epic Semifinal, Taking More Than Four Hours To Do So n.pr
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From MPR News intern Colin Campbell:
This summer’s London Games mark the fifth time KARE 11’s Eric Perkins has covered the Olympics. Perkins has been in London this past week filing humorous dispatches from the city, giving Minnesotans a taste of British culture, and keeping tabs on the Gopher State’s Olympians. Perk took a break from chasing down athletes and pulling pranks on tourists to talk to MPR News about the daily duties, and perks, of being an Olympic correspondent.
MPR News: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Perk.
Perkins: I'm good at talking
MPR News: This being your fifth Olympics, you’re a veteran of the whole thing. For the majority of us who’ve only experienced the games through our television sets, what would we find most surprising about the Olympics that you can only experience if you’re there on the ground?
Perkins: The unbelievable amount of spirit that exudes from the host city. It's so tangible and lovely. There are so many security measures in place, and even though we're working side by side with the network, nightly news and the today show, the amount of restrictions regarding video usage is mind boggling.
MPR News: In April when you announced you would again be heading to the London you said covering summer Olympics with a Minnesota peg is a lot more difficult than covering the winter games because there are so many fewer athletes from the state. How has it been this time around? Does it get harder to find stories as the games wear on?
Perkins: In the case of the summer games, yes, we do a lot more flavor and slice of life pieces. And while we have a general game plan, we have to adjust to the fluidity of it all, and keep it very adjustable and organic. These summer games though, I'll admit, we have far more Minnesotans or athletes with legitimate local ties than normal.
MPR News: On Sunday you had an interview with former Gopher Kelci Bryant right after she and her teammate won the silver medal in the 3-meter synchronized springboard diving competition. Are athletes more willing to give interviews to their home state or hometown news outlets?
Perkins: Yes, but it's because we've developed meaningful relationships with them and their families in the months leading up to the actual Games. Before we interviewed Kelci, for example, her eyes lit up when she saw us, and she gave me a big hug.
MPR: We hear a lot about Minnesotans who play on the basketball team and volleyball team, but are there any other athletes we should be paying closer attention to, either because they have a good chance at medaling or have a particularly compelling story?
Perkins: I'd keep a close eye on BMX rider Alise Post of St. Cloud. She's an international terror on that bike. Chas Betts a Greco-Roman wrestler from St. Michael could also surprise in his first Olympics. I'm also really excited to see how Brittany Viola does in the 10 meter platform diving competition. She is the daughter of Twins legend Frank Viola.
MPR News: NBC has been criticized on social networks and by members of the media for its insistence on sticking with its programming strategy of showing events on tape delay during prime time. Do you think this is a legitimate complaint and do you think this will this be the last Olympics where NBC follows this model?
Perkins: I understand the quandary fully, but in this day and age of social media, and the immediate availability and surplus of spontaneous information, it's just too hard to avoid. I don't see the network changing its stance.
MPR News: Between filing stories for KARE 11, writing blog posts and doing live hits, do you have any free time? Any plans to hop a double-decker to Buckingham Palace or the London Eye?
Perkins:We'd be foolish to not carve out time for ourselves, but with 16 hour workdays, everyday, it is definitely a challenge.
MPR News: Thanks for talking with us today Perk. If you see the Queen give her a cheerio from her fans at MPR.
Perkins:Yeah, the Queen might be tough to access, but me and Kate Middleton are good pals. Kidding.
Eric Perkins is the weeknight sports anchor and sports director at KARE. To keep up-to-date on all of Perkins’ London adventures, you can and follow him on Twitter. -
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Minnesota triple jumper Amanda Smock and diver Kelci Bryant." />Found another amazing MN superstar athlete @kelci_bryant!! Hanging out in the USA athlete lounge. #London2012 p.twimg.com
Minnesota triple jumper Amanda Smock and diver Kelci Bryant. -
Melrose triple jumper Amanda Smock jumped a distance of 44-1/2 feet today, but it wasn't quite far enough to qualify for tomorrow's finals. The St. Cloud Times talked to her proud friends and family:
Competing on the world’s biggest athletic stage was a huge accomplishment for Smock, a 2000 Melrose graduate who won multiple state titles for the Dutchmen and went on to win three Division II national titles in the triple jump at North Dakota State University.
“No matter how she did, she’s still coming back a winner in the eyes of people back here,” said Niehaus, a 2004 Melrose graduate.
Niehaus said seeing Smock compete in the Olympics will make a big difference to young athletes growing up in Melrose.
“It shows that you have enough willpower and determination, you can do anything you set your mind to,” Niehaus said. “She jumped for Melrose High School. It wasn’t like she’s been training for the Olympics since she was 5. It’s just so amazing to see a normal, hometown girl accomplish so much. And that’s what she is — a normal, hometown girl.” -
Gameday! Heading to the arena for our game vs Czech Republic. Let's go USA! #USABasketball
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Michael Phelps And Missy Franklin Add To Their Gold Medal Totals, 100m fly for Phelps and 200m back for Franklin. www.npr.org
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RT @London2012: Both #Tennis Singles finals are set! Serena Williams will face Sharapova & Murray has won to set up clash with Feder ...
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From MPR News intern Sarah Harper:
A professional photographer needs a multi-thousand dollar camera, right? Wrong. This year in London, photographers are subverting the norms of yesteryear, trading in their Nikons for cell phones and editing their photos for web pages, not front pages. It’s not just Kevin Love on Instagram — the pros are having fun too.
- The Guardian’s Dan Chung is using an iPhone 4S to photoblog the games. He’s employing a little lens attachment and the five dollar processing app Snapseed, but other than that, Chung’s coverage is pure phone. The images he’s producing look pro, proving that you can take the expensive camera away from the man, but you can’t take away his talent.
- Buzzfeed’s been posting animated GIFs of the London Olympics since their moving account of the opening ceremonies. They’ve done GIFs of every member of the U.S. men’s basketball team, Kate Middleton playing ping pong at the Olympics and an astonishing series of Gabby Douglas winning gold in all-around gymnastics. Along with their GIFs-only posts, they expertly fold the animations into their other posts, like this McKayla Maroney appreciation post. The cyclical pictures are absorbing and tell way more than a thousand words.
The Olympics are the perfect platform for photographers to bring out their new methods because the whole world is watching. It will be interesting to see if the pervasiveness of creative photography during the Olympics results in more alternative photography in general. -
For Female Saudi, a Victory in Everything but Judo [NY Times] Excerpt:
The 10:33 a.m. elimination match in women’s judo, 172-pound-plus category, was unremarkable, just another quick bout on the assembly line of judo matches that took place throughout Friday morning. That is, it was unremarkable, athletically speaking.
Historically, politically and socially speaking, it was another thing altogether.
“In white,” the announcer declared, as the two judokas walked into the arena, “the first woman ever from Saudi Arabia, Wojdan Shaherkani.” -
Lindsey Berg and the US women's volleyball team have won their fourth straight preliminary game, beating Serbia 3-0.
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Eden Prairie's Rachel Bootsma (@r_bootsma15) will get medal if US 4x100 medley is in top 3 Saturday. strib.mn #Olympics
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Seems trampoline gold winner Dong Dong has no choice but to be fan favorite. And they played Van Halen's 'Jump' after: www.buzzfeed.com
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RT @USOlympic: After all men's @USABoxing athletes were out, @AIBA_Boxing overturned @ErrolSpenceJr's loss & he remains in medal hun ...
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"I didn't know if I should cry or be happy": Oscar Pistorius Makes #Olympic History In 400m, And Moves On To Semifinal n.pr
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We're halfway through the Olympics (official games started on July 25), so it's time for a check in to see how Minnesota's Olympians have fared so far.
Medals
-Rower Megan Kalmoe and her team took home the bronze in women's quadruple sculls
-Minnesota Gophers diver Kelci Bryant won silver in women's synchronized 3m springboard
In contention
-The women's volleyball team, featuring former Gopher star Lindsey Berg and current U of MN women's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, have won their first three preliminary matches. Their fourth is this afternoon at 2:00pm.
-Kevin Love and the U.S. men's basketball team have also won their first three games. Their next game is tomorrow afternoon. The Russian men's basketball team, featuring Minnesota Timberwolves Andrei Kirilenko and Alexei Shved have won all three of their preliminaries as well.
-The women's basketball team, led by Minnesota Lynx players Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, have also won their first three games. Their fourth game is today at 4:15pm.
Out of contention
-Eden Prairie High School grad (Class of 2012) Rachel Bootsma was eliminated after the 100m backstroke finals. She'll still be competing in the 4x100m medley relay finals tomorrow.
-Former Golden Gopher and current Minnesota resident Jillian Tyler was competing with Team Canada in the 100m breaststroke. She was eliminated after the semifinals.
-Triple Jumper Amanda Smock failed to qualify for the finals with a jump of 13.61m.
-St. Paul fencer Susie Scanlan was eliminated from the individual epee competition after losing her first match to Ukrainian fencer Olena Kryvytska. She will still compete in the upcoming team competition.
Still to come
Saturday, Aug. 4:
-Fencer Susie Scanlan will compete in the team epee competition
-Swimmer Rachel Bootsma will swim in the 4x100m medley relay with teammates Breeja Larson, Claire Donahue and Jessica Hardy.
Sunday, Aug. 5
-Duluth native Kara Goucher will compete in the marathon
Monday, Aug. 6
-Chas Betts of St. Michael will compete in Greco-Roman wrestling
Tuesday, Aug. 7
-After five preliminary games each, the US women's basketball and US women's volleyball teams will likely compete in their respective quarterfinals
-U of MN alumna Barbora Spotakova will compete in javelin for the Czech Republic
Wednesday, Aug. 8
-The US men's basketball team will likely compete in the quarterfinals
-St. Cloud BMXer Alise Post will compete in the women's preliminaries
-Diver Brittany Viola, daughter of Frank Viola, will compete in the women's 10m platform preliminaries
Thursday, Aug. 9
-Women's volleyball and basketball semifinals will take place
-New Ulm native Ali Bernard will compete in women's freestyle wrestling
Friday, Aug. 10
-Men's basketball semifinals will take place
-Sam Hazewinkel will compete in men's freestyle wrestling
-Women's BMX semifinals and finals will take place
Saturday, Aug. 11
-Women's basketball and volleyball finals will take place
Sunday, Aug. 12
-Men's basketball finals will take place -
U.S. women's fencing team, featuring St. Paul's Susie Scanlan, to compete today for bronze medal in team epee
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Via @nprnews: Serena Williams Wins Olympic Gold, Beating Sharapova 6-1, 6-0 n.pr
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FWIW (and it's probably not worth a lot) anchors on NBC just named Minnesota the state with the most "Olympic pride." That's apparently based on Facebook chatter.
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Bryan Brothers Win Doubles Gold At London Olympics n.pr
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RT @USOlympic: #TeamUSA (@SarahHammer, @DotsieBausch, @JennieJonesReed, @LaurenTamayo) earned women's team pursuit silver in its first O ...
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Phelps Wins His 18th Gold Medal, As His Olympic Career Ends in Medley Relay
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U.S. women's epee fences their way to bronze, first U.S. medal (NBCOlympics.com)
After seven days of disappointment, the women of the U.S. epee team brought home a bronze medal, the first for the Americans at the 2012 Olympic Games.
The No. 4 seed U.S. women lost to Korea in the semifinals, 45-36, setting up a bronze medal date with Russia, who fell to China in overtime, 20-19.
Courtney Hurley was the most consistent member in the semis, posting a 15-15 showing...
Susie Scanlan (of St. Paul) and Kelley Hurley rounded out the balanced U.S. roster that failed to advance a fencer past the Round of 16 in the individual event. -
Final is at 7 am ET Sunday: Williams Sisters Advance To Gold Medal Game In London n.pr #olympics
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MEDAL ALERT: U.S. women set world record to win 4x100 medley relay; @FranklinMissy picks up 4th gold. strib.mn
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Because she swam in prelim heats of 4x100 medley, Eden Prairie's Rachel Bootsma (@r_bootsma15) will also earn gold. strib.mn
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Female athletes take Olympic leap forward (Star Tribune)
Excerpt:Through Saturday, the 269 women on the U.S. team had won 28 medals, including 16 golds. The 261 men had won 26, with 10 gold. Kayla Harrison became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo, and the three world records set by the U.S. swim team belonged to Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni and Dana Vollmer.
The first Olympic events for women were held at the Paris Games of 1900. Of the 997 athletes, 22 were female, and they participated in tennis, golf, croquet, sailing and equestrian.
The percentage of women athletes has increased in each Olympiad since the 1964 Tokyo Games. That year, there were 678 women competing, 13.2 percent of the total number of athletes. In London, 10,490 athletes are expected to compete, including 4,688 women (44.7 percent).
The percentage of events that include women also has risen in each Olympics since the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Women will compete in 46.4 percent of the 302 events in London, more than twice as many as in the Munich Games of 1972 -- the year the U.S. signed Title IX into law, mandating equal opportunities for women in educational programs that receive federal funds.
Title IX led to more teams, greater support and better facilities for women's sports. It gave rise, Kane said, to a culture of entitlement for women athletes. In contrast to decades past --when women had to fight for the right to compete -- they now expect to have the chance to become an Olympian. -
The Olympic marathon begins tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. local time, and features a Duluth native.
Women's Olympic marathon: Duluth native Goucher is in it to win it (Duluth News Tribune)Kara Goucher doesn’t believe her running career is reaching a peak in Sunday’s Summer Olympics women’s marathon.
At age 34, she thinks the best is yet to come.
Her family — biased, of course — feels the same, especially after a telling past 10 months.
“She’s come back from a significant (hip) injury, she changed coaches, she started a whole new training program and with all of that, she made the Olympic team. That was very impressive, a very big accomplishment,” said Adam Goucher, Kara’s husband and a 2000 U.S. Olympic track runner. “From where she was, to where she is now, is night and day. She still has the speed to set personal bests at 5,000 and 10,000 meters, but her best chance for success is in the marathon. She feels she’s a marathoner now.” -
Bootsma says first gold medal gives her more motivation (Star Tribune)
Rachel Bootsma didn’t touch water on Saturday night, but she got her feet wet in the style of so many young American swimmers, winning her first gold medal at her first Olympics.
Bootsma, of Eden Prairie, swam the backstroke in the 400-meter medley relay heat on Friday when the team qualified for the finals. Saturday, the four swimmers who competed in the heat were replaced by Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt, who set a world record in 3:52.05 at the Aquatics Center.
Bootsma received a gold medal for being a part of the winning team. -
St. Paul's Susie Scanlan, U.S. pull a bronze miracle (Star Tribune)
With their bronze medal fencing match down to its final minute, Susie Scanlan and her teammates sized up the situation. They were tied 30-30 with Russia, a team they had beaten only once. The crowd at the ExCel London arena was trading chants, as every call of "USA!'' was met with a reply of "Rossiya!"
One touch would win the U.S. its first-ever Olympic medal in women's team epee. Earlier Saturday afternoon, Scanlan, Maya Lawrence and Courtney and Kelley Hurley had invoked that most Minnesotan of Olympic slogans: Do you believe in miracles? -
Duluth's Kara Goucher finishes 11th in the marathon with a time of 2:26:07 -- three minutes behind winner Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia.
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Via @nprnews: Britain's Wiggins Starts A Row By Arguing For Bike Helmets n.pr
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Via @nprnews: Oscar Pistorius, The 'Blade Runner,' Faces Another Huge Challenge n.pr
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Chinese guard Miao Lijie, right, sits as U.S. guard Seimone Augustus looks on during the women's preliminary round group A basketball match China vs. USA of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 5, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. Augustus plays for the Minnesota Lynx. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
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Via @nprolympics: Usain Bolt Will Defend His Title As 'World's Fastest Man' n.pr
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Via @nprolympics: Usain Bolt Is Again The 'World's Fastest Man' n.pr
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U.S. wins against Turkey despite Berg's injury (Minnesota Daily)
The U.S. women's volleyball team won three sets to none against Turkey but played the majority of the final set without former Gophers setter Lindsey Berg.
Berg started and made 56 sets, seven digs, three blocks. one spike and nine serves before subbing out in the third set. Berg said on the sidelines that she heard something pop and spent the rest of the match icing and elevating her left ankle. Backup setter Courtney Thompson replaced Berg.
Berg has a history of injuries, including a knee surgery in 2009, and said before the London Games that she planned to retire after.
Head coach Hugh McCutcheon said after the game that the medical staff didn't know anything official yet, but they suspected nothing was torn, just strained. -
Duluth's Kara Goucher finished 11th in the marathon.
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Minnesota Lynx players help U.S. women rout China 114-66 in basketball (Pioneer Press)
The U.S. women's basketball team tied their own Olympic scoring record Sunday, Aug. 5, with a 114-63 rout of China.
Minnesota Lynx guard and former Gophers standout Lindsay Whalen contributed 10 points and four assists. Lynx forward Maya Moore contributed 12 points and seven rebounds and guard Seimone Augustus added eight points and three rebounds.
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi was the high scorer, with 22 points. -
Minnesota wrestler Chas Betts wins first match in Greco-Roman 84 kg / 185 lbs event
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Via @nprnews: Coming Up: Today's Highlights Include Gymnastics, Track, And Soccer n.pr
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Greco-Roman wrestler and St. Michael native Chas Betts lost his second match to Cuban wrestler Pablo Enrique Shorey Hernandez, taking him out of the running for a medal.
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Via @nprnews: American Sees Silver Slip Away In Rifle Event's Final Shot n.pr
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Via @nprnews: Mustafina Wins Gold In Uneven Bars, As 'Drained' Douglas Struggles n.pr
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Nicholas Delpopolo, a member of the US judo team, has been disqualified after failing a drug test. He says he ate some food not knowing that it was laced with marijuana. Delpopolo has apologized and waived his right to a hearing.
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Two interesting interactive graphics from the NY Times:
-One Race, Every Medalist Ever shows how Usain Bolt compares to every medalist in the 100m dash since 1896.
-How to Win shows the technique and strategy involved in winning several different events, including the hurdles, the vault and track cycling. -
The Russian men's basketball team narrowly lost to Australia this morning, 82-80. The team's Minnesota Timberwolves, Alexei Shved and Andrei Kirilenko each scored 13 points.
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St. Michael 's Chas Betts wins 1, loses 1, eliminated in #Olympics GrecoRoman wrestling. Story & photos: strib.mn #StribSports
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Start of USA training camp today. Officially, it begins. #usparalympics #London2012
Jon Rydberg of Oakdale, Minn. will be competing in wheelchair tennis at the Paralympics, which start August 30. -
instagr.am” :)
Class of 2012 Eden Prairie High School grad Rachel Bootsma is back home after winning gold in the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday." />“@ElaineBoo814: Yeah, she's a big deal. @r_bootsma15 congrats #welldeserved! So happy to have you back home. instagr.am” :)
Class of 2012 Eden Prairie High School grad Rachel Bootsma is back home after winning gold in the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday. -
OVERTIME! USA and Canada are tied 3-3 in women's soccer after 90 minutes. Bonus soccer coming up on @NBCSN. #kare11oly #USAvCAN
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Dutch judo star 'hit bottle-thrower' in Olympic 100m final bronze medalist Edith Bosch smacked the wrongdoer: www.bbc.co.uk
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Thank you everyone for your concerns & support...I am fine & will be taking one day at a day. #TeamUSA ... love my team
Former Gopher volleyball star Lindsey Berg injured her ankle in the third set of yesterday's win over Turkey. It's still unclear whether she will play tomorrow. -
Via @nprnews: A Border Classic: In Second Overtime, U.S. Women's Soccer Defeats Canada n.pr
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RT @London2012: Pic: 100m gold medallist @usainbolt cruises in the men’s #Athletics 200m Round 1. Can win the double (again)? t.c ...
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RT @MVP_247: Men's basketball quarters: Russia v Lithuania, France v Spain, Brazil v Argentina, USA v Australia
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Leaving without a medal hurts. The support along the way means the world. Thank you all. #London2012
Greco-Roman wrestler Chas Betts of St. Michael won his first match yesterday but lost his second, which took him out of the running for a medal. -
Olympic runner inspires Minnesota kid (KARE 11)
Sportscasters called it "a landmark moment in the Olympics." It was the moment South African runner and double amputee, Oscar Pistorius, took the track in London.
People around the world watched in awe as "Blade Runner" sprinted his way into the men's 400 meter semifinals. Perhaps no one was more interested than an 8-year-old boy in Coon Rapids.
"I think it makes me want to run around and be in the Olympics and be kind of like him," says Eli Guthrie.
Eli has the same congenital birth defect as Pistorius. He too, had both his legs amputated below the knee as an infant. And, just like the Olympian, Eli doesn't let it stop him. -
St. Cloud native Alise Post makes her Olympic debut Wednesday. Here's a profile of the BMX bike racer. Excerpt:
Born in 1991, Alise Post enters the 2012 London Olympic Games as one of the favorites for a medal. The U.S. rider has limited her activities to concentrate on making the U.S. Olympic team in 2012. Before the 2008 Games Post was regularly competing as a BMX cyclist, gymnast, and track and field athlete. In 2009, Post began to concentrate solely on BMX. Her efforts to become a top rider have seen her leave her studies at the University of San Diego, and relocate from Minnesota to California for better training facilities.
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Former Gopher Barbora Spotakova, competing for the Czech Republic, is the top qualifier in javelin with a distance of 66.19 meters
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Via @nprnews: Coming Up On Day 11 Of The London Olympics n.pr the day's highlights incl gymnastics finals on beam and floor
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Gold Medal In Hand, U.S. Vaulter Suhr's 'Hangar Time' Seems Well Spent n.pr - she trains in an airplane hangar #olympics
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National Zoo Names Cheetahs After U.S. Sprinters n.pr - Carmelita and Justin are three-month-old cubs
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p.twimg.com
St. Michael wrestler Chas Betts tweeted this photo of his victorious first match in the Greco-Roman / 185 lbs. event. Betts lost his second match and his chance at a medal." />From my first match yesterday: p.twimg.com
St. Michael wrestler Chas Betts tweeted this photo of his victorious first match in the Greco-Roman / 185 lbs. event. Betts lost his second match and his chance at a medal. -
instagr.am" />Thinking of changing my look for the medal rounds...how is this one? #swag? instagr.am
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Aly Raisman Becomes First U.S. Woman To Win #Olympic Gold In Floor Exercise - will leave London with 2 golds, 1 bronze n.pr
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Via @nprnews: Equestrian Group Clears Way For Cloned Horses To Compete In The Olympics n.pr
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Good win today vs Canada! Thank you everyone for the messages! #USABasketball
Lindsay Whalen and fellow Lynx teammates Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore will be facing Australia in Thursday's semifinal game. -
New York Times says that St. Cloud BMXer Alise Post is one of the cool kids:
Alise Post sits at the cool kids table in the Olympic Village cafeteria with her United States BMX teammates.
“Sitting in the dining hall, the boys were approached and asked, ‘Are you BMXers?’ ” Post said, adding that her teammates said yes and asked, How could he tell? “The guy said, ‘Well, you guys look cool.’ ”
Post, 21, from St. Cloud, Minn., is Midwest nice mixed with Southern California cool, and her nickname is the Beast. Post has dominated the BMX circuit since she became a professional at age 15, which was the youngest age regulations would allow.
In her first year as a professional BMX rider, Post became the youngest girl to win the American pro championship. She has become accustomed to life on the podium with wins and awards ranging from rookie pro of the year in 2006 to second place in a 2009 USA Cycling BMX national championships for junior elite women. But she was excluded from the sport’s 2008 Olympic premiere in Beijing as she was younger than the required age of 19. -
The US women's volleyball team led by coach Hugh McCutcheon defeated the Dominican Republic 3-0. Former Gopher and captain Lindsey Berg did not play due to an ankle injury.
The team's next game will be Thursday's semifinal against the winner of today's game between Italy and South Korea. The US beat South Korea 3-1 in their first Olympic game. -
The U.S. women's water polo team will play for a gold medal
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Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings will play for a beach volleyball gold Wednesday at 4p. #olympics
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More from the Associated Press on Lindsey Berg's ankle injury:
U.S. women's volleyball team captain Lindsey Berg did not play in the team's Olympic quarterfinal match against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, Aug. 7, after a left ankle injury in a preliminary round game.
It was unclear if the injury prevented Berg, a former University of Minnesota Gopher, from playing or if the top-ranked United States wanted to give her ankle extra rest against the 11th-ranked Dominicans to prepare for the semifinals Thursday.
Courtney Thompson started in place of the three-time Olympian, who is retiring from volleyball after the London Games.
Berg dressed and warmed up with the team with no visible limp, but she appeared to be wearing special compression socks. She often conferred with Thompson during timeouts. -
RT @USOlympic: It's going to be an ALL-AMERICAN beach volleyball final of @JenniferKessy/@BeachProApril vs. @MistyMayTreanor/@KerriLeeWa ...
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“@CTVOlympics: Seeking gold in soccer, Brazil to face Mexico in final www.ctvolympics.ca”
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RT @alanabrahamson: Saudi Arabia's Sarah Attar now on the track running, predictably way behind, in the final heat of the women's 800. H ...
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Beautiful day in London...rest, recover & prepare for Korea...semi-finals vs. Korea tomorrow...lovin' the crew @USA_Volleyball #TeamUSA
Former Gophers volleyball player Lindsey Berg sat out the last U.S. volleyball game with an ankle injury. -
The Twitter bio of @AlisePost11: "21 years old & I still get to race kids' bmx bikes around dirt obstacle courses for a living... its fun :)"
Post, a St. Cloud native, hits the BMX track this morning in London. -
In London and elsewhere, women athletes have made this a year to shine (Commentary on MPRnews.org)
Excerpt:Three significant milestones have occurred for women in sport in 2012.
The first milestone marks the 40th anniversary of the passage Title IX — landmark U.S. federal legislation that dramatically increased sport participation opportunities for girls and women. In 1972, when Title IX was passed, 1 in 27 girls played high school sports. Today that number is 1 in 2.5, and females make up nearly 40 percent of all interscholastic and intercollegiate sport participants.
These historic participation numbers have helped create a broader U.S. cultural context in which female athleticism is increasingly commonplace and celebrated. Undeniably, the effects of Title IX can be directly and indirectly witnessed at the 2012 London Olympics.
The second milestone — related to the first — is that for the first time in U.S. history, female Olympic athletes outnumbered their male counterparts. It is hard to fathom that, less than a century ago, women were banned from competing in the Olympics. Today they constitute 45 percent of all athletes in the London Games.
The third milestone reflects progress (albeit limited) for women in sport outside the United States. For the first time, Saudi Arabia and Qatar allowed female athletes to compete in the Olympics. -
At @London2012 today: 9a CT: St. Cloud's Alise Post competes in BMX bike racing. 1p: Brittany Viola in 10M diving. t.co
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Rogue Condoms Appear In #Olympic Village; Organizers Take Action n.pr
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In #Olympic women's boxing, @ClaressaShields will fight in Thursday's gold medal match. www.npr.org
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St. Cloud's Alise Post finishes 8th in BMX seeding today. More from the Pioneer Press:
Alise Post of St. Cloud, Minn., finished with the eighth-best time (39.890 seconds) in her Olympic BMX seeding run Wednesday, Aug. 8, but U.S. teammate Brooke Crain took a hard fall on her final straight.
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p.twimg.com" />St. Cloud's @alisepost11 talks to her coach in stands after time trials. She races again in BMX on Friday #kare11oly p.twimg.com
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Alise Post of St. Cloud, Minn., during the Women's BMX Cycling on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at BMX Track on August 8, 2012 in London, England. Post finished 8th and will race again tomorrow. (Brynn Lennon/Getty Images)
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t.co" />St Clouds Alise Post Fan club! In London t.co
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Field For Women's #Olympics 200 Meters Is Loaded With Talent, And Speed - will Allyson Felix break through to gold? n.pr
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U.S. men's #Olympics volleyball team has lost to Italy, 3-0 in quarterfinals. They were unbeaten in prelim round. Wrong day for a letdown.
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8 Bit Video! Puppets! Animation! - Shut Out Of London Games, Video Artists Get Inventive n.pr #olympics
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Wednesday's #olympic stadium track events include... flying ants. They're harmless, staff say. I'm sure that makes all feel better.
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How Do You Stack Up Against An #Olympic Athlete? Put your weight and height in, and find out - @bbc has you covered n.pr
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Allyson Felix has won the women's 200 meter race in London's Olympic Stadium. Gold for Felix, Bronze for Carmelita Jeter.
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Brittany Viola is currently diving in the 10m platform preliminaries. Her dad Frank Viola is in the stands to watch. From ESPN:
Frank Viola knows a thing or two about competing at the highest levels. After all, he was the MVP of the 1987 World Series.
Now, he's taking a break from baseball to watch his daughter compete in her first Olympics.
Brittany Viola is among the 26 divers competing in the 10-meter platform preliminaries on Wednesday night at the London Aquatics Centre. The top 18 advance to the semifinals on Thursday.
"I'm a nervous wreck," Viola told The Associated Press a few hours before walking into the pool along with nearly 20 family and friends to cheer on his oldest daughter. "It's a lot easier going out for Game 7 knowing you have the ball in your hand and you're in control. In the stands, you're a parent and have no control."
Viola was given six days off by the New York Mets to be with his family in London. He's the pitching coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats, the club's Single-A affiliate in Georgia. He chose to skip the U.S. trials in June, gambling that his 25-year-old daughter would qualify for the Olympics on her third try. -
Brittany Viola has qualified for tomorrow's 10m platform diving semifinals. They'll take place at 4:00am CT.
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Aries Merritt wins #olympic gold in men's 110m hurdles, at a personal best 12.92. Jason Richardson gets silver at 13.04.
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In all-USA #olympic beach volleyball final, May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings lead Kessy/Ross by a set. Very tight in second set.
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Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings won a three-peat, beating USA teammates Jennifer Kessy and April Ross in the gold medal match.
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The Russian men's basketball team defeated Lithuania in today's quarterfinal, 83-74. Minnesota Timberwolves Andrei Kirilenko and Alexei Shved both started for the Russian team. Kirilenko led the team in scoring with 19 points.
They will play Spain on Friday in the semifinals. -
Saw @frankviola16 watching his daughter dive at the Olympics. Still at Aquatic Centre. Hear from both of them tonight on @kare11 #kare11oly
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Weighed inn; I have Sweden first round #bringit
New Ulm wrestler Ali Bernard will face Swedish wrestler Jenny Fransson tomorrow at 7:00am in the preliminaries. -
Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Frank Viola watching daughter Brittany dive (Pioneer Press)
Excerpt:Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Frank Viola knows a thing or two about competing at the highest levels. After all, he was the MVP of the 1987 World Series.
Now, he's taking a break from baseball to watch his daughter compete in her first Olympics.
Brittany Viola finished 14th in the 10-meter platform preliminaries on Wednesday night, Aug. 8, with 322.05 points. She was among 18 divers who advanced to Thursday's semifinals. -
Big day for Minnesota athletes in London today:
Underway now -- Women’s diving 10m platform semifinals (Brittany Viola)
7:00am -- Women’s freestyle wrestling, 158 lbs. (Ali Bernard)
9:00am -- Women’s volleyball semifinals (Lindsey Berg)
11:00am -- Women’s Basketball semifinals v. Australia (Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen)
4:00pm -- Women’s javelin finals (Barbora Spotakova) -
But wait, @oscarpistorius! IAAF says: "South Africa have been advanced to the 4x400m final after being obstructed in the heats."
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New Ulm freestyle wrestler Ali Bernard loses to Sweden's Jenny Fransson in first match in the 158 lbs. event.
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Ali Bernard of New Ulm loses Olympic wrestling opener to Sweden's Jenny Fransson 3-0, 3-1. Fransson must get to final to keep Bernard in.
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Brittany Viola fails to qualify for the finals in 10m platform women's diving
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Canada wins bronze in women's #olympic soccer, after scoring in extra time (92nd minute). Diana Matheson scores golden... er, bronze goal.
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Somewhere, Matthew Barney is watching the #olympic synchronized swimming, and planning his next art project.
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p.twimg.com
Jayne Solinger is an MPR News producer who's in London to watch Team USA women's basketball." />Basketball floor North Greenwich Arena p.twimg.com
Jayne Solinger is an MPR News producer who's in London to watch Team USA women's basketball. -
A news story lead that was inevitable, whether the daughter of Frankie "Sweet Music" Viola qualified for the finals or did not:
"No sweet music for Brittany Viola. The daughter of former major league baseball pitcher Frank Viola missed out on the 10-meter platform diving final at the London Olympics.
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Ali Sue Bernard of New Ulm, Minn., in red, and Anna Jenny Fransson of Sweden compete in the Women's Freestyle 72 kg Wrestling on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ExCeL on August 9, 2012 in London, England. Bernard lost the match, and will advance only if Fransson reaches the finals.(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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Via @nprnews: Michigan's Claressa Shields Wins Historic Gold Medal In Women's Boxing n.pr
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USA, with Lindsey Berg (@Napela) back in action, sweeps SKorea to move into gold medal match, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22. #StribSports #Gophers
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RT @NBCOlympics: .@ManteoMitchell breaks leg while running in 4x400m heats, sees teammate cheering him on, finishes lap anyway: t ...
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Sue Bird, Maya Moore and #TeamUSA are going to play for gold in women's basketball #London2012 #Olympics --> yhoo.it
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By popular demand, NPR will be live-blogging the #olympic women's soccer final today. www.npr.org
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Order restored inbasketball universe: USA recovers, beats Australia by 13. Game report soon; stats here: strib.mn #StribSports
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Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx is one of the few openly gay professional athletes. In an interview with ESPN that aired yesterday, she talked about her plans to marry her partner, Tay Varner. From the Pioneer Press:
The couple plan to marry next May at the Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis, even though gay marriage is not legal in the state. Minnesotans in November will vote on a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
If the amendment is passed, Augustus and Varner plan to go ahead with their ceremony, then travel to another state where they can make their marriage legal.
Augustus told her parents she was gay when she was a teenager, but it took another 14 years before she was ready to come out in public.
"I'm 28 years old, and I still have yet to see a gay or lesbian couple walk down the street and be openly gay in the South," said Augustus, a native of Baton Rouge, La. "We're still getting over black and white issues down South, so to think that they're ready to accept open gay and lesbian people
would be, uh, a bit of stretch."
Augustus said she has received no pushback from either the WNBA or from Nike, her sponsor, since making her announcement. Athletes' attitudes are changing about competing with gay athletes, she said. -
Via @nprnews: Women's Olympic Soccer Final: U.S. Leads Japan 2-1, Gold on the line. n.pr
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Women's Olympic Soccer Final: U.S. Beats Japan 2-1, To Win Gold n.pr - Lloyd scores twice, but Japan threatens a comeback.
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A dispatch from Jayne Solinger, producer of MPR News' All Things Considered. A Minnesota Lynx fan, she's in London to watch Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and the rest of Team USA.
Arrived in London late yesterday after an all-night flight. Spent the afternoon trekking to the Olympic village only to be turned away because I had no event tickets for the day. No "milling about" around the village, as it turns out. Security is extremely tight.
We've managed to mortgage the house to get tickets for both sessions of the women's basketball semi-final games, so now heading to the "North Greenwich Arena" and I use quotes because it's been re-named for the Olympics. The given name is a company that's not an official sponsor of the Olympics. It's like if Target Center had a new name because Target wasn't a sponsor.
Later that afternoon... 7:25 pm London time
Much more loose atmosphere at North Greenwich arena. People swapping tickets outside the arena and we we able to trade our game 2 semifinal seats for great game 1 seats.
Inside the arena, great crowd and great energy. About evenly split with USA and Australia fans, with the bulk of the crowd ticket holders. from Great Britain. Media and a block of empty seats about half the bottom bowl. Disappointing, because seats all the way up to the third level were packed. Chants of "Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy" alternating with "U-S-A U-S-A" throughout the game. People show up wearing flags from many assorted nations, especially, of course, those of Australia and the USA.
Team USA came out a little tight as the Aussies couldn't miss in the first half. But the second half turned the tide for the USA with great defense, and great energy and play from Lynx players Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore. They're playing for Gold on Saturday, baby. -
Minnesota native Sam Hazewinkel loses in the round of 16 in men's freestyle wrestling / 121 lbs event.
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“@irish_sport: Indo: Paddy Barnes must settle for bronze as Olympic dream ends bit.ly”
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RT @NBCOlympics: #TeamUSA's Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) advances to gold-medal match! nbco.ly #wrestling #Olympics
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One last dispatch from Mary Martin, mom of bronze medal Minnesota rower Megan Kalmoe. Martin is just back from the U.K.
We returned to Minnesota last night from our grand adventure to London. After the rowing events were over, we left London to spend three days in Scotland relaxing. However, the trip to Scotland ended on a bit of a sour note when we discovered that my bag--the one that had all of my Olympic gear and souvenirs--was stolen from our hotel in Edinburgh.
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Via @nprnews: Boxing Maths and Aftermaths: Why Similar Scores Are A Mean System n.pr
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Ladies' 100 medals to 59 for the gents.: Year Of The Woman At The London #Olympics? For Americans, It's True n.pr #teamusa
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America's Jordan Burroughs will wrestle for gold, after winning his match 2-1. #olympics
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RT @alanabrahamson: US women win the 4x400 relay heat in 3:22.09, fastest-ever relay heat at Games. Russia second, Brits third. And US s ...
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Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) wins gold medal in 74kg freestyle wrestling. He got one point in each of the first two periods.
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St. Cloud BMXer Alise Post failed to make the finals today. From the Pioneer Press:
Post was third in the first run, according to nbcolympics.com and USA Cycling tweets (@usacycling). She finished seventh in the second heat despite crashing and still was in position to qualify for the final going into the final run. But she crashed again and did not finish that heat.
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The St. Cloud Times reports that an overflow crowd gathered at the St. Cloud Public Library to cheer on BMXer and hometown girl Alise Post.
Post — the former standout athlete at Technical High School — crashed on two of her three semifinal runs today at the Summer Olympics in London and did not advance to the gold medal finals.
But just seeing her compete on the Olympic stage was thrilling for those who gathered at a viewing party to watch the live feed of her competition.
“The sun will still come up tomorrow and the next day for her,” said Tech gymnastics coach Joel Stark-Haws, an assistant coach with the Tigers when Post — a 2009 Tech graduate — captured three straight Class 2A vault state titles.
“Alise is a child of the sun and she’s always been meant to shine. She didn’t finish the way I’m sure she wanted to today. But that will just make her more determined to shine again.” -
Via @nprnews: U.S. Men's 400m Relay Team Claims Silver, As Bahamas Win Gold n.pr
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U.S. Women's 4x100m relay break a 27-year-old world record to win #olympic gold, at 40.82 seconds.
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p.twimg.com
Jayne Solinger is an MPR News producer who's in London to watch Team USA women's basketball." />Countdown to Sochi winter games p.twimg.com
Jayne Solinger is an MPR News producer who's in London to watch Team USA women's basketball. -
Minnesota Timberwolves player Kevin Love will be playing in the gold medal men's basketball game this Sunday, but he will not be playing against his Minnesota teammates, Russians Andrei Kirilenko and Alexei Shved.
The Russian team lost today to Spain, 67-59, and will be playing against Argentina for the bronze on Sunday. Love and US team will be playing against Spain for the gold. -
instagr.am
US women's basketball player Seimone Augustus captured this shot of today's men's basketball game. They defeated Argentina and will be playing for the gold medal on Sunday." />3rd quarter 4:00 left USA up 10 instagr.am
US women's basketball player Seimone Augustus captured this shot of today's men's basketball game. They defeated Argentina and will be playing for the gold medal on Sunday. -
Via @nprnews: Seeing The World Through The Olympic Rings [Infographic] n.pr
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Via @nprnews: Gaming The Games: The Rules That Got Bent In London n.pr
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“@USATrack_Field: So excited to see Bryshon Nellum selected as the closing ceremonies flag bearer for #TeamUSA www.nbcolympics.com”
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NPR's Asma Khalid returns to London, and finds pleasant surprises: An Olympian Named Mo Farah Takes Britain By Storm n.pr
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RT @NBCOlympics: 29 seconds in and a goal for Mexico already? Here's to a #soccer MATCH today! #MEXvBRA #Olympics
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Via @nprnews: Georgia Gould Wins Bronze Medal In Mountain Bike Cross-Country Race n.pr
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At the half, it's Mexico 1, Brazil 0 in #olympic soccer.
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Mexico wins #olympic gold in soccer, beating Brazil 1-0 after an early score.
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Correction: Mexico wins Gold by 2-1 after that early score. Teams had five yellow cards in the match. #olympics
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Here's a photo and dispatch from Jayne Solinger, an MPR News producer in London to watch three members of the Minnesota Lynx play for the gold medal in women's baskteball today:
"Getting excited to make my way to the women's basketball gold medal game! It's been a wild couple of days... So so very many people. It goes without saying the Olympic venues are crazy, but even the normal tourist sites like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are overrun with faces and voices from all over the world. What was intended to be a short bicycle ride this morning (on a rented bike from one of hundreds of Barclay's kiosks in the city) evolved into an hours-long marathon through crowds and alleys and bus lanes and markets and bridges and more crowds. Finally back at the home base to re-group and "gopher up" as we say in Minnesota. Here's hoping our local gals -- Seimone, Maya, and Lindsay -- help to bring home the Gold!" -
p.twimg.com" />RT @alliseeisgold: Who's says Iran and America don't get along? Maybe I should be president! p.twimg.com
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Minnesota Lynx players Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus collect gold medals as Team US beats France 86-50 in women's basketball
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U.S. women win #olympic #basketball gold medal, beating France 86-50.
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RT @TysonLGay: I can't be selfish and say we're mad that we lost. At the end of the day, that's all we had. That's the part of my... htt ...
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Seeing TV commentators in track suits is like seeing baseball managers in uniforms... without the thin veil of athletic credibility.
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Fun to see this excitement: “@DanellJLeyva: Track stars at the village cafeteria! @TysonLGay #Whaddup #RoleModels instagr.am”
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RT @NBCOlympics: #TeamUSA's Jake Varner (@JakeVarner211) wins GOLD in men's freestyle 96kg! nbco.ly #TeamUSA
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p.twimg.com”" />“@London2012: Pic: Blue skies and huge crowds at the Queen Victoria memorial on the Marathon route today #London2012 p.twimg.com”
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instagr.am" />RT @ImogenJC: Olympic Park emptying out ahead of closing ceremony. #london2012 instagr.am
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US wins #Olympic Basketball Gold as they pulled away late to beat Spain 107-100 #Olympics2012
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p.twimg.com" />RT @alliseeisgold: Me and @JakeVarner211 with our Golds!!! p.twimg.com
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RT @alanabrahamson: The US flag-bearer is Bryshon Nellum. He was shot in LA, near USC, and recovered to not only run but win silver in 4 ...
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