The Olympics

 U.S.A. Participation in the Olympics

How many American athletes participated in the London Olympics?  539

What other Americans will be involved and what role will they play?

Security Guards- making sure that the crowds stay under control and the athletes are safe
Volunteers in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies- they will have done rehearsals and will be acting in the ceremonies
Spectators- buy the tickets and watch the Olympic Games
Announcers- they narrate the whole event and give inside information
Coaches- they motivate the athletes and give them a strategy
Doctors- make sure that the athletes are safe and if an accident occurs can help diagnose the athlete
Parents of the Athletes- must buy tickets to watch their children

When did USA first participate in the games? The first Olympics the USA participated in were the 1896 Olympics, hosted by Athens, Greece. In these Olympics the U.S.A. sent 14 athletes to compete in 4 events: track and field, shooting, and swimming.

Has the USA ever missed any of the Olympic Games? If so, why? The only Olympics that have ever been cancelled are: the 1916, the 1940, and the 1944. The 1916 Olympics were cancelled because of World War 1, the 1940 and the 1944 Olympics were cancelled because of World War 2.

How are the athletes chosen and who chooses them? In individual sports, there are certain time standards or scores that you need to reach to go to the Olympic trials. Then, there are two different competitions in the Olympic Trials: the prelims and the trials. Then, in each of the races or competitions, the people with the two fastest time or highest score in that competition make it to the Olympics.

In team sports, to pick the players Olympic Officials (who are part of the Olympic Committee) hold ‘tryouts’ and try to pair the best athletes together to see if they work well together. The best athletes put together to form the best teams will be in the Olympics.

In which sports will American athletes participate? Archery, Athletics (track and field), Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field hockey, Gymnastics, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Soccer (football), Swimming, Synchronised swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

Which athlete carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies...in the closing ceremonies?  Who chooses the flag bearer and how?
Fencer Mariel Zagunis carried the American flag in the opening ceremonies of th e London 2012 Olympics. In the closing ceremonies the flag was carried by Bryshon Nellum of 4x400 meter relay team. The athlete to carry the flag in the opening ceremonies is chosen by a vote of the other athletes on the American Olympic Team, and the closing ceremony flag-bearer is chosen by a vote of the Olympic Committee.

Who are the most famous American athletes that took part in the games?

Hope Solo was the Americans goalie in woman’s soccer in the 2012 Olympics.  She is five foot nine and she is thirty one years old.
 Michael Phelps in the 2012 Olympics won 4 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and zero bronze medals.  He is 27 years old and he is six foot four.
Gabby Douglas participated in the 2012 Olympics. She won 2 gold medals. She is from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
How many medals did USA win at the London Olympics?
 The U.S.A. won 46 gold medals, 29 silver medals, and 29 bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics. That is 104 in all.

What is the highest number of medals ever won by an American athlete at the summer games? Who was the athlete and what sport did he/she participate in?
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympican with 22 medals total, 18 of those were gold. He is a swimmer.
How does the American Olympic Committee support American athletes?
The American Olympic Committee supports American athletes by sending officials to help choose teams for the Olympics, provide training centers, funds, and support staff.
Three Biographys of Famous Olympians:
Michael Phelps:
Michael Phelps started swimming at age 7. His first Olympics were the 2000 Summer Olympics, but he didn’t win any medals. In the most recent Olympics, in London, he won 4 gold medals, 2 silver medals. In total, he has won 19 medals. He is now the most decorated Olympian ever.
Hope Solo:
Hope Solo was the Americans goalie in woman’s soccer in the 2012 Olympics.  She is five foot nine and she is thirty one years old. She started her soccer carrer in her high school team as a forward. She was named All American twice, by Parade magazine.
Gabby Douglas:

Gabby started gymnastics when she was 6 years old. When she was very talented and in 2010, when Gabby was 14, she moved to Iowa away from her family to be trained by Liang Chow, who trained Shawn Johnson and many other Olympic Gymnasts. Gabby Douglas participated in the 2012 Olympics. She won 2 gold medals, including the All Around Competition.