espnW Blog: 2012 London Olympics
Courtesy of Jessica HardyThere are some days when the absolute last thing I want to do is wake up before dawn on a cold morning and jump into an equally cold pool. But there is one thing that makes it so much better: my fiancé Dominik Meichtry is right there with me.
Courtesy of U.S. Paralympics Every elite athlete is competitive, but my competitiveness is borderline crazy. I always want to be No. 1, even when it comes to finishing an ice cream first or walking through the door first. It's no fun to play board games with me, because I have to win, every time.
David Dow/NBAE/Getty ImagesTo be honest, I don't miss one bit of the relaxed pace of la vida Española. I played overseas in Spain during the WNBA offseason, and it was amazing. But let's just say there haven't been too many siestas on the schedule since I got back.
AP Photo/Paul BeatyFour years ago, I was standing on an Olympic podium, wearing a gold medal, and still thinking to myself how I could have been better. It had nothing to do with my performance -- it was all how I looked.
Courtesy of Meghan O'Leary Meghan O'Leary is blogging for espnW throughout her training with the U.S. national rowing team.Many Olympic dreams will come true this year, but not mine. I'm not allowed to talk publicly about the selection process until the team is officially named on June 22, but I know that I won't be on that final squad to London.
Annika Dries Annika Dries will be blogging for espnW throughout her training for this summer's London Olympics. Check back in June for more from Annika on the journey.Though we're still 73 days from the opening ceremony, I've already had a taste of what the Olympics is going to feel like.
I made it onto the Olympic team!When I was 8, I wrote down, "I want to go to the Olympics" on a little piece of paper that I rolled up, wrapped with a string and placed in a pretty box smaller than my palm.
Jaclyn KitnzerDear Self,Be vulnerable. Put yourself out there. Communicate. Ask for help. Let others make you better. Give kindness and receive it. Share your load. Don't hide behind bravado, or pretty hair.
Courtesy of Lashinda DemusLashinda Demus, the reigning world champion in the 400-meter hurdles, is blogging about her journey to the London Games for espnW. "target="new">Click here to read her first blog.I'm not sure what the average morning looks like at your house, but at mine, the cast of characters often includes me, getting ready to go to practice; my husband, getting ready to start the day; our sleepy 4-year-old twins; and, amidst the usual chaos of barking dogs and backpacks and gym bags and breakfast dishes, a drug-tester, who shows up unannounced and demands that I produce a urine sample.
Diego Schaaf Ariel Hsing will be blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer.Maybe the best part about the world championships last month can be described in two simple words: German sausages.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose SanchezMidfielder Megan Rapinoe will be blogging for espnW as the U.S. women's soccer team prepares for the 2012 London Olympics. It's important to be able to laugh at yourself, and believe me, this month I've had tons of opportunities to do that.
AP Photo/Mark J. TerrillGoing through a moment of crisis transformed me, humbled me and brought out what mattered most in my life. During my suspension from competing, I probably would have lost my spirit completely if I didn't have a loving group of family and friends there supporting me through it all.
Meghan O'Leary Meghan will be blogging for espnW throughout her training leading up to the Olympics in London this summer. She delivers this installment from the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
AP Photo/David J. PhillipShawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer.Say "camp" to an ordinary kid and she'll probably tell you about bonfires and sing-alongs and arts and crafts.
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesTamika Catchings is blogging for espnW throughout the year. Check back in May for more from her about the WNBA and Olympic team training camps.After the selection committee's announcement on Friday, I can officially say that I'll be on my third Olympic team this summer in London.