Cue the Olympic Fanfare! The 2012 Olympics are finally here! As the games unfold and Team USA gears up in style, the 2012 Olympics give us at home the opportunity to root for our fellow Americans. What’s even cooler is that in the 2012 Olympics, almost a quarter of the whole USA contingent hails from California! That’s 128 athletes! 2012 Olympics California Pride! Since the Golden State seems to be home to many of the world’s best athletes, I thought I’d spotlight the 2012 Olympics’ athletes that come straight from home (Los Angeles!). Here are some quick bios of Angeleno Olympians to root for in London:
2012 Olympics: Bryshon Nellum, track
This Long Beach Poly alum and USC Trojan runner is representing Team USA in the men’s 4 x 400 relay. After being shot four times in the legs in 2008 as a result of gang violence, Bryshon Nellum has recovered and come out on top. He really knows how to keep moving towards gold! This track star is proof that anything is possible. Go, Bryshon!!!
2012 Olympics: Allyson Felix, track
Allyson Felix, already a household name, is returning to the 2012 Olympics. This LA Baptist High alum, USC alum, and Santa Clarita resident already has more than a few silver and gold medals to brag about, but catch her (if you can!) when she runs short distance in the 2012 Olympics.
2012 Olympics: Kobe Bryant, basketball
Although originally from Philadelphia, Kobe’s 16+ years with the LA Lakers makes him an honorary Angeleno. He earned Team USA a gold medal in 2008; let’s see another repeat at the 2012 Olympics!
2012 Olympics: Jessica Cosby, hammer throw
Mission Hills resident, Reseda native, and UCLA grad Jessica Cosby knows her way around a hammer. She really knows how to get moving, breaking an American record in 2012 with a throw of 74.19m/243-5. That’s impressive! Watch her in the hammer throw at the 2012 Olympics.
2012 Olympics: Keshia Baker, track
LA-based track and field star and current San Diego State student Keshia Baker will be competing in her first Olympics ever with these 2012 Olympics. See her run the women’s 4x400m relay with fellow Angeleno Allyson Felix.
2012 Olympics: Anthony Ervin, swimming
A Hart High School alum born and raised in Valencia, Anthony Ervin is going for the gold in the 2012 Olympics. One cool fact about him: he auctioned off his 2000 Olympic gold medal as a way to fundraise for survivors of the 2004 tsunami.
I definitely have the 2012 Olympics fever already! Who are you rooting for? Tell me about it in the Comments section!
For those of you keeping diligent watch of the 2012 Olympics, here’s a larger list of some Southern California athletes to cheer for in the 2012 Olympics. Good luck to everyone!
Miscellaneous
2012 Olympics: Khatuna Lorig, West Hollywood, archery
2012 Olympics: Russell Westbrook, Long Beach, basketball
2012 Olympics: Rena Wang, Arcadia, badminton
2012 Olympics: Tony Gunawan, Orange, badminton
2012 Olympics: McKayla Maroney, Long Beach, gymnastics
2012 Olympics: Ronda Rousey, Riverside, mixed martial arts
2012 Olympics: Chris Abalo, Burbank, rifle
2012 Olympics: Amber Neben, Irvine, road cycling
2012 Olympics: Alex Osborne, Sherman Oaks, rowing
2012 Olympics: Esther Lofgren, Newport Beach, rowing
2012 Olympics: Michelle Theriault, North Hills, synchronized swimming
2012 Olympics: Erica Wu, Arcadia, table tennis
2012 Olympics: Sarah Hammer, Redondo Beach, track cycling
2012 Olympics: Misty May-Treanor, Los Angeles, volleyball
Soccer
2012 Olympics: Shannon Boxx, Redondo Beach
2012 Olympics: Sydney Leroux, Los Angeles
2012 Olympics: Amy Rodriguez, Lake Forest
Swimming
2012 Olympics: Tyler Clary, Riverside
2012 Olympics: Jessica Hardy, Long Beach
2012 Olympics: Jason Lezak, Irvine
2012 Olympics: Chloe Sutton, Mission Viejo
Track and Field
2012 Olympics: LaShinda Demus, Long Beach
2012 Olympics: Carmelita Jeter, Torrance
2012 Olympics: Jason Richardson, Inglewood
Water Polo
2012 Olympics: Tumua Anae, Newport Beach
2012 Olympics: Tony Azevedo, Long Beach
2012 Olympics: Ryan Bailey, Long Beach