Team USA Preview

Now that we have talked about Olympic Legends the past couple days, and the Olympics start today, let's talk about this years team.
USA!USA!USA!

Let me first say, that unless you know someone on another country's team you should root for the United States guy. If there is no US guy then that changes things, but I don't understand these people who pick a random person. I actually know a swimmer from South Africa, and Gonzalo Barroilhet, who went to my church @ FSU will represent Chile. Its ok to root for people like that if you know them. Otherwise, Root for America!

Archery I do not follow and do not know anything about this year's team. However, I will watch it if its not during a more marquee event. I watch everything.

Our track team is the most loaded its been in a while. Justin Gatlin returns from his suspension for PEDs to compete in the 100m. He will be joined in that event by Tyson Gay who also looks 100%. Gatlin has 3 Olympic medals to his credit, one gold, one silver, and one bronze. All of Gatlins medals were earned in 2004 in Athens because he was suspended for Beijing. Gay has yet to win Olympic Gold, but he has won 3 golds in international competition. Gay is one of the few guys that can run with Bolt and if we knock him off, it will likely be Gay who does it.

The 200m Men are headlined by FSU Seminole Maurice Mitchell. Mitchell has several national titles at FSU and helped the Noles to be program of the year this past year. If there is one person I am rooting for more than most, it is Maurice Mitchell.

 You think I am done there? Like, I said our track team is loaded. I am just pulling out the highlights. Look for Team USA to be much more competitive than in 2008. Just to show I am fair to everyone. Gator runningback Jeff Demps will compete in the 4x100. He is a member of the relay pool. He may not necessarily run the relay final, but he will likely run at least one of the heats. Recently, Demps decided to pursue a career in track instead of football. We may see Demps again after this year.

Jeremy Wariner also returns to Olympic Competition. Wariner has 3 Olympic Golds and a silver medal to his credit. He is a 400m specialist and may win again in 2012. In 2004 he won gold in the 400m and the 4x400, and in 2008 he won in the 4x400 and got silver in the 400m. If Wariner is able to dominate for Team USA again, we are in great shape.

Allyson Felix is another Olympic Legend returning. She has won a gold and two silver medals in her Olympic career. Felix will compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. She is considered a favorite in all three events.

Lacy Janson will compete for the USA in pole vault. Janson is another Seminole and an incredibly nice person. She also went to my church while I attended FSU. While I was volunteering with FSU Track, she was one of the nicest people there. Her event is the one I am most looking forward to. I would love to see Janson win gold.

The final female athlete I will preview is Lolo Jones. Why people obsess about her waiting until marriage for sex is beyond me. I think it is extremely classy, a personal choice, and a great gift for your partner. I applaud Jones for that decision. Jones has 2 international gold medals, but nothing from the Olympics...yet. I am calling a Lolo Jones gold medal in 2012.

Well, this ended up being basically a track and field Olympic preview. What can I say? I love track, and am very excited for Team USA Track! I think this is going to be a great year for the Red, White, and Blue. America will dominate the Olympic games. Track will be one of the sports we dominate.

-Noland