Well the first week of the Olympics is drawing to an end, and with that comes an end to most of the swimming, gymnastics, and a few other events. There were some surprises like Granbury's own Dana Vollmer, 17 year old Missy Franklin, and gymnast Gabby Douglas. There was also the expected like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. With the second half starting, the track and field events start, and the soccer, volleyball, and basketball start the knockout rounds. There are many stars that are in this group that begin in the second half and should be watched closely as well.
With the track events starting there are quite a few people to watch. When talking about track you have to start with Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, and the rest of the Jamaican and American Track teams. Bolt is the best in the world right now in the short distance track events, but faces competition from his own teammate Yohan Blake, who has had success against Bolt in the months leading up to these Olympics. On the American front, look for Baton Rouge native Lolo Jones to have a big impact on the women's side. Not only is she a favorite to medal in a couple events, she brings an electric personality and great story that will make her a fan favorite in London. I can't talk about track and field without giving some props to Red Oak's own shot putter Michelle Carter. She is the daughter of former NFL player and Olympian Michael Carter, so she has someone to help her with the experience as she competes in her first Olympics. She may not be the favorite, but could have a chance at an upset in these games. I also want to wish good luck to Louisiana Tech's Olympians Chelsea Hayes, Jason Morgan, and Ayanna Alexander.
With the other team events entering the knockout rounds, the United States should have a huge presence in basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, water polo, and women's soccer. On the basketball front, we know what to expect. The United States is the overall favorite as it is a team full of the NBA's best including Lebron James and Kobe Bryant among others. The women's volleyball team is the best in the world and should battle Brazil for the gold medal in that sport and they have already beat the Brazilians and number three China in these Olympics. The men's and women's beach volleyball teams have top teams on each side. Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser are a very strong team that could play for a gold medal as long as they stay consistent. The Golden Girls, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings, are the overall favorites for the third Olympics in a row. They have only lost one set in three Olympics thus far, and their main competition will come from the Brazilians as well. The women's soccer team has been dominant so far and should have a good shot at a gold medal run as well.
It has been fun watching the Olympic stories unfold in front of us thus far, and I look forward to the same in the weeks to come. The great thing about the Olympics is that athletes in lesser sports get the recognition they deserve on a world wide level. Athletes you would have never heard of are writing their own history each and every day, and that is the awesome things about sports, you never know what is going to happen.
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