They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. This week, it pays off as 529 athletes from 45 states get their chance to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The athletes, including those from Northern Virginia, are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball
Here are a few quick facts about your Northern Virginia Olympians:
Kate Ziegler
Sex: Female
Swimming
Event / position / class : 800m free
Age: 24
From: Great Falls
See: Great Falls' Ziegler Makes Olympic Team
Terrence Jennings
Sex : Male
Taekwondo
Event / position / class : 68kg
Age : 25
From : Alexandria
See: T.C. William Grad Heads to the Olympics
Giuseppe Lanzone
Sex : Male
Rowing
Event / position / class : Eight
Age : 29
From : Annandale
See: Annandale's Guiseppe Lanzone Selected for U.S. Olympic Team
Claire Laubach
Sex: Female
Competing in field hockey
Event / position / class : Defense
Age: 28 (she'll turn 29 on July 29)
From: Bristow
Matt McLean
Sex: Male
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 800m free relay
Age: 24
From: Sterling
Also from Virginia:
- T'erea Brown, Hampton, 400m hurdles
- Francena McCorory, Hampton, 400m
- William Coleman, Hampton, equestrian eventing
- Gabrielle Douglas, Virginia Beach, gymnastics
- LaShawn Merritt, Portsmouth, 400 m
- Caroline Nichols, Virginia Beach, field hockey
- Reid Priddy, Richmond, volleyball
- Shannon Taylor, Midlothian, field hockey
- Kellie Wells, Richmond, 100m hurdles
Looking for a way to celebrate the Olympics locally? You can find local events for Olympic Fun Day on July 28 on the Let’s Move website, which has a page about how to set up your own local Olympics.
Also check out our Directory and Events Calendar for listings of places where you can learn and participate in Olympic sports ranging from basketball to karate, gymnastics, swimming and more.
