I'm probably the only local, half a world away who has been watching the US Olympic swimming trials religiously online. After 2008 when the team had training camp here before Beijing, an online friend and I decided to wait around to try and meet the team on two evenings. I did so, four times in total since the team hotel was downtown. Those were the days of being a crazy fan. For example, heading downtown early Saturday afternoon before going for a music festival (thanks to having a free ticket from Joe) with bands I sort-of listened to during my teenage days (New Found Glory and Lost Prophets) and Travis that were playing. Boy, did I get lucky. And I must say, August 2, 2008 was one of the coolest days of my life meeting a ton of Olympians who had won medals/would be crowned.
The races were spectacular I must admit. My condolences to those who came so close but didn't make the team. Ie: Garret Weber Gale, who was part of the historic 4 by 100 free relay in Beijing, the senior statespeople like Ed Moses, Megan Quann-Jendrick, the mid-distance fly Kim Vandenberg, teenage sensation Amanda Beard and the list goes on on who I was rooting for.
Members from the 2008 team that will be competing in London that I have met:
Matt Grevers, Elizabeth Beisel, Rebecca Soni (the double breaststroke queen) and her boyfriend, Ricky Berens, Chloe Sutton, Kathleen Hersey, Kara Lyn Joyce (not too pleasant I must admit.) Ryan Lochte (*gasp, ladies you can start throwing rocks me*), Cullen Jones, Brendan Hansen and Eric Shanteau aka the guys I've camwhored with when I met them. I've met Eric twice and he was really humble and friendly. Brendan was laid back as chill.
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