America.gov-Sports: 2008 Olympics

“Redeem Team” Brings Back U.S. Basketball Glory

Paul Levitan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:23:52 -0400

In the Beijing Olympics the U.S. men’s basketball team earned its Redeem Team nickname, returning the Olympic gold medal to the United States. The U.S. team’s excellent play has engendered many comparisons of this Redeem Team to the original 1992 Dream Team.

2008 Paralympic Games to Begin in Beijing

Alexandra Abboud — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:39:24 -0400

4,000 Paralympic athletes have traveled to Beijing from 140 countries to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17. Athletes will compete for over 470 gold medals in 20 sports including rowing, which will appear in the Paralympic program for the first time.

What’s next for Michael Phelps?

Paul Levitan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:31:07 -0400

In terms of medals, Michael Phelps became the greatest Olympian of all time this week. He will leave Beijing with a total of 14 career golds -- a record eight of those earned in a single Olympics (seven in world-record time). Although Phelps is done competing here, his Olympic career isn't finished.

Sports Come and Go from the Olympics

Kelly Bronk — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:49:19 -0400

Throughout Olympic history, many unusual sports like tug of war, croquet and jeu de paume have been contested at the games. There are two main criteria for a sport to be eligible for inclusion: It must have an international association or governing body, and the sport must be practiced widely by men and women around the world.

Beijing’s Olympic Village Provides Comfort, Duck for Athletes

Tommy Hine — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:39:01 -0400

Nothing but glowing praise has been heard for the new apartment complex in the Olympic Village that is housing the world's best athletes. "The facilities are excellent, probably the best Olympic venue and village that I've been at yet," said veteran U.S. archer Butch Johnson.

U.S. Olympic Fencers Make it a Triple Feat

Paul Levitan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:43:13 -0400

In a strong return to Olympic action in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the United States swept the medals in women’s sabre. Mariel Zagunis wins the gold medal for the second straight Olympics, Sada Jacobson the silver, and Becca Ward the bronze.

U.S. Olympians: Aged to Perfection

Paul Levitan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:15:28 -0400

A number of U.S. Olympians, like Libby Callahan, are older then 50. This may be the start of a new trend, as age is no longer a limit for Olympic competition.

Athletes Can Give Back Through “Team for Tomorrow”

Paul Levitan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:38:41 -0400

Team for Tomorrow is a new humanitarian relief effort through which U.S. athletes will offer assistance to people around the world who are in need.

Opening Ceremony Kicks Off 2008 Summer Olympic Games

Kelly Bronk — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:44:16 -0400

More than 90,000 athletes and spectators will attend the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Lopez Lomong will carry the American flag and lead the United States team into National Stadium. Lomong came to America in 2001 as part of a program to relocate refugee orphans from war-torn Sudan.

2008 Games Could Mark “Strike Three” for Baseball in Olympics

Ralph Dannheisser — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:24:57 -0400

The 2008 Summer Games may be the last time baseball is played in the Olympics. Baseball will be eliminated starting in 2012, but supporters are hopeful for its return in 2016. Eight baseball teams will take part in the Beijing Olympic Games August 13-23 at the specially built Wukesong Baseball Field.

Olympic Swimmer Tackles Fifth Olympic Games at 41

Aimee Berg — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:01:32 -0400

Dara Torres has swum in four Olympics spanning three decades. In between her swimming career she also has worked as a sports commentator and related jobs. Torres is now heading to Beijing to compete in her fifth Olympics and seize the chance to become the oldest swimming medalist in history at age 41.

U.S. Olympic Team Reflects America’s Global Roots

Domenick DiPasquale — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:53:38 -0400

With the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games just days away, athletes from around the world are converging on Beijing. Among the members of the U.S. Olympic team competing in the games are some who were born elsewhere in the world but now call the United States home.

Sports Exchanges with Iran Build Bridges

Paul Levitan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:17:28 -0400

In the run-up to the Olympics, the State Department brings to the United States two Iranian national teams, the table tennis and basketball teams, to practice and compete in the United States as part of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Americans Passionate, Patriotic About Olympic Games

Eric Green — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:25:53 -0400

Americans will closely follow the 2008 Olympic Games in China from August 8 to 24, Olympic experts tell America.gov. The allure of playing on a world stage and “cultural pride” is attracting top U.S. athletes, such as basketball stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, to compete in the Olympics.

Sports Films Make Strong Showing at U.S. Film Festival

David Minckler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:04:11 -0400

Sports films make a strong showing at Silverdocs, one of America’s most respected documentary film festivals, with two films on the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. Other films look at a baseball team in Israel, women’s football (soccer) in the United States and Iran, and a football competition for homeless men.

U.S. Men’s Basketball Team Aims for Olympic Glory

Kelly Bronk and Samantha Berk — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:49:34 -0400

Mike Krzyzewski, coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, is looking forward to leading his team in its quest for a gold medal in Beijing. Krzyzewski fielded questions about preparing for the Olympic Games in a State Department webchat June 27.

Roster for U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team Announced

Kelly Bronk — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:13:54 -0400

When the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team hits the court in Beijing this August, the team will feature several experienced Olympians leading the way as the United States begins its quest to recapture the gold. The 12-player U.S. team, announced June 23, includes five players with previous Olympic experience.

An Interview with Famed U.S. Diving Coach Ron O’Brien

Paul Levitan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:52:28 -0400

A conversation with Ron O’Brien, U.S. head Olympic diving coach for seven straight Olympic Games. Ron O’Brien coached Greg Louganis to a double gold medal performance in the 1988 Olympic Games.

A Conversation with a Top Paralympics Track Athlete

Paul Levitan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:41:17 -0400

April Holmes, who lost part of a leg in a train accident, is an extremely busy athlete, speaker and director of the April Holmes Foundation (developed to promote more opportunities for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities). She was able to provide us with a snapshot of what it is like being a Paralympian.

China, United States Cooperate on Olympics Security

Michael Buchanan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:50:00 -0400

Twenty-eight sports, 11,000 athletes and millions of spectators figure to provide a considerable security challenge for Olympics advisers in Beijing this summer. As China prepares for the games, though, it has the expertise and resources of several U.S. agencies at its disposal.

Asian Americans First Won Olympic Gold 60 Years Ago

Melody Merin — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:12:23 -0400

In 1948 in London, Sammy Lee and Victoria Manalo-Draves became the first Asian-American athletes to win gold medals at the Summer Olympics. Overcoming discrimination to train and compete, the two paved the way for the many Asian-American Olympic athletes who would follow.

Olympic Sports Administration in the United States

Charlene Porter — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:24:35 -0400

U.S. athletes who dream of competing in the Olympics will rely on private contributions, corporate donations and the work of many volunteers. Unlike in many other nations, the federal government does not provide significant financial support for sport endeavors. Instead, a broad, grassroots network of organizations performs that function.

U.S. Olympic Basketball Continues Quest for Gold

Paul Levitan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:18:21 -0400

The U.S. Olympic basketball team goes to Beijing with a special mission: to recapture the gold medal for the first time since 2000. The team is planning to field basketball standouts, and it will be directed by renowned Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski. But experts say the Americans face steep competition.

Chicago’s 2016 Olympic Bid Emphasizes Accessibility

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:17:44 -0400

Chicago promises to make the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics accessible, spectacular and user-friendly if awarded the right to host the games. The U.S. metropolis is among seven cities competing for that privilege. Chicago is attempting to distinguish its bid by promising to make the games as easy as possible.

BMX Riders Need Endurance, Agility, Explosive Power

Paul Levitan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:06:48 -0400

Bicycle motocross (BMX) is a new Olympic event in which Mike King has been involved for more than 30 years. As recently named BMX program director for USA Cycling, a family of organizations that promote different bicycle sports, Mike discusses BMX in an interview with Olympic Coach e-zine, published by the United States Olympic Committee.

Olympic Games Are World’s Biggest Magnet for Publicizing Causes

Eric Green — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:56:42 -0400

The Olympic Games offer the optimum moment for individuals or groups to share their grievances and demands with the world, several leading U.S. sports journalists tell America.gov. The Olympics, where teams from more than 200 countries compete, attract the attention of the entire world.

1988 Olympics Was Watershed for U.S. Mens Soccer

Charlene Porter — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:14:54 -0400

A former U.S. Olympic soccer (football) player recalls the 1988 games in Seoul when U.S. soccer made a breakthrough in international rankings. The U.S. men lost, but competed well against strong rivals, Tab Ramos remembers. “As long as you’re doing what you can to help your team, then you should be proud of that,” he writes.

Bart Conner Recalls Olympic Joy of “Just Being There”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:21:11 -0400

Bart Conner recalls his award-winning career in gymnastics and his gold-medal winning performance at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. An injury months before the Games almost shattered his dream to compete, but he was able to recover in time. The enthusiasm of the U.S. crowds helped carry the gymnastic team to victory, he says.

Last Steps Are Most Vivid and Painful, Runner Says

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:18:15 -0400

Romanian Olympic gold medalist Gabriela Szabo describes the experience of running the final yards of a 5,000-meter race in detail -- from the sounds in her ears to the pain in her legs. The world-class athlete also recalls her experiences in the Olympic Games and explains how she helps motivate youngsters in sports today.

Olympic Athlete Shares Her “Sense of the Water”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:11:57 -0400

U.S. swimmer Janet Evans competed in the Olympics for the first time at age 17, winning three gold medals. She was a more mature person at her last Olympics in 1996 and realized that the true honor of the experience was representing her country, and sharing the events with dedicated athletes from scores of nations.

A Conversation with Olympic Volleyball Coordinator Diane French

Levitan Paul — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:28:00 -0400

A Conversation with Diane French: an Olympian in 1980 and currently the technical coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team.

An Interview with Steve Fraser, United States Greco-Roman Wrestling Coach

Paul Levitan — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:54:33 -0400

Greco-Roman wrestling’s first gold medalist in 1984 discusses coaching the United States national team in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.

A Conversation with U.S. Olympic Weightlifter Cheryl Haworth

Levitan Paul — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:17:29 -0400

A conversation with U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete and two-time Olympian Cheryl Haworth (weightlifting, 2000/bronze, '04)

Views Mixed on Boycotting 2008 Beijing Olympics

Eric Green — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:33:42 -0400

Debate continues on calls from human rights and press freedom groups for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to protest the Chinese government's repression of journalists and human rights activists and its policies toward Sudan, but some argue that a boycott would accomplish nothing and could be counterproductive.

Kevin Han Has Taken a Journey of Olympic Proportions

Paul Levitan — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:21:04 -0400

Kevin Han, one of the most decorated athletes in badminton as a three-time Olympian, two-time Pan American Games gold medalist, six-time National Champion and United States Olympic Committee Badminton Athlete of the Year from 1994-2002, talks about the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Legacy of an Olympian: Making the Transition from Competitor to Coach

Paul Levitan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:08:53 -0400

Nathalie Bartleson, a 1996 synchronized swimming Olympic gold medalist, discusses her transition from being an Olympic athlete to being an Olympic coach. Bartleson is currently in the Management Development Program conducted by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Athleticism, Politics Indomitable Parts of Olympic Games

Eric Green — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:35:39 -0400

The Olympic Games have showcased athletic achievement and harmony among nations. But critics say those noble goals have been submerged by an overemphasis on national pride and politics.

U.S. Funding of Olympic Athletes a Private and Community Affair

Michael Jay Friedman — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:23:53 -0400

America's Olympic effort is coordinated by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Unlike most national Olympic committees, USOC receives no continuous federal government subsidy, relying instead on corporate and individual contributions and on the proceeds of its direct marketing program.

Olympic Program Helps Refugees, Displaced People Worldwide

Eric Green — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:48:15 -0400

The international sports community is reaching out to many of the world’s 20 million refugees and internally displaced people in an effort to meet some of their basic needs and provide hope for a better future.

U.S. Skating Champion Donates Olympic Winnings to Darfur Refugees

Helen I. Rouce — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 12:06:51 -0400

U.S. speed skater Joey Cheek, who won the Olympic gold medal February 13 in the 500-meter speedskating event at Torino, Italy, is using his winnings to help refugees from the Darfur region of western Sudan.