Morgan Hamm (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Morgan and his brother Paul were featured as two of People’s “Most Eligible Bachelors” in 2004. Meet Morgan Hamm Morgan Carl Hamm was born to Sandy, a former All-American diver, and Cecily. Their older sister Betsey competed in gymnastics for Iowa State University. Morgan is 30 minutes older than Paul. The twins grew up on a farm in Waukesha, Wis., and trained on makeshift equipment. Their father, Sandy, built a pommel horse from an old … Continue reading →

Paul Hamm (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Paul and his brother Morgan were featured as two of People’s “Most Eligible Bachelors” in 2004. . Meet Paul Hamm Paul Elbert Hamm was born to Sandy, a former All-American diver, and Cecily. Their older sister Bets competed in gymnastics for Iowa State University. Both Paul and his twin brother Morgan are documenting their return to competitive gymnastics on the road to the Beijing Olympic Games. Fans can watch their progress by downloading clips of … Continue reading →

David Durante (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. In 2004, after not being named to the Olympic team, David traveled to Athens to cheer on his friends in competition and take in the Olympic experience so he’d be ready in 2008. Meet David Durante David Durante is the middle of three children born to Robert and Juliana Durante. He graduated from Stanford University with a major in human biology and a minor in psychology. David’s older brother, Marc, 31, works for Merck Pharmaceuticals … Continue reading →

Alexander Artemev (2008 Gymnastics hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Alexander’s family emigrated from Minsk when he was younger and his father is a champion in his own right. Meet Alexander Artemev Alexander “Sasha” Artemev is the only child of Vladimir and Svetlana Artemev, who are both gymnastics coaches. Alexander was born in Minsk, Belarus and emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1994. His father, Vladimir, was a member of the Soviet National Team (1977-87) and was the USSR national all-around champion … Continue reading →

Guillermo Alvarez (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. We looked at swimmers last week, we’re heading inside to the gymnastics floor this week. Meet Guillermo Alvarez Guillermo Alvarez is the youngest child of Janet, who works in the radiology department at Idaho State University, and Amando Alvarez, a Spanish instructor at Idaho State University. He has two brothers and a sister: Jaime, Magdalena and Marco Antonio. In 2005, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in psychology and was awarded … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Jason Lezak (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Jason Lezak is a two-time Olympic medalist who has a record for breaking records. Meet Jason Lezak Jason began swimming at age five with the Irvine Novaquatics. When he was 10, he had to make a tough decision between the finals of a run, hit, and throw competition at Angel Stadium for baseball and the Junior Olympics for swimming. Swimming turned out to be his choice and he went on to win a couple events … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Ryan Lochte (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Ryan Lochte’s parents were both swimming coaches and helped him achieve his dream of representing his country in the Olympics. Meet Ryan Lochte Ryan started swimming competitively at the age of 9. His parents were swimming coaches and his mother was his first coach with his father taking the primary role as he grew older. In 1992, he watched the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain where Pablo Morales won a gold medal in the 100-meter … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Aaron Peirsol (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Aaron started breaking records at the age of 15. Meet Aaron Peirsol Aaron is known for being California-style laid back. Though he hails from the Los Angeles area, he doesn’t seek any media attention. “I don’t like it to be too hyped-up for too long,” Aaron said. “I’m pretty mellow, pretty laid-back. I don’t want it to be too much at once. I’m swimming for better reasons than being a celebrity; I mean if I … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Chip Peterson (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Chip’s love of the water is a family thing dating back to World War II and the Navy. Meet Chip Peterson Chip comes from a water-loving family that includes his brother, Perry, who swam through high school and continues Masters swimming today; his father, Pete, who studies sea life and teaches marine biology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and is still a recreational swimmer; and his grandfather, who captained a Naval ship during … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Larsen Jensen (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Larsen, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, calls his dad the most influential person in his life because of his toughness and integrity. Meet Larsen Jensen Larsen Jensen is the son of Alan and Barbara Jensen, almond farmers in Bakersfield, California. His mother, Barbara, was a competitive swimmer and his younger sister Lindsey is a diver. He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 2003. In May 2007, Jensen graduated from the University of Southern California … Continue reading →