Ohio Athletes Competing in the Olympics.....

(by Matt McGowan)Thirty-two athletes competing in thirteen different events in the 2008 Olympics have strong ties to Ohio. Many were born in Ohio or went to college here or now live in and train in Ohio. A total of 45 Ohio Olympians will represent 11 countries. There are 17 current or former Ohio State athletes competing for seven countries.

Track and Field is the largest US team and nine Ohioans are part of the team.

The Ohio athletes include:

Hyleas Fountain who is from Pennsylvania and now living and training in the Kettering area will compete in the hepthalon where she owns the highest score this season.

Kent State University and Mogadore High School Kim Kreiner made her second Olympic team in the javelin.

A.G. Kruger the strength and conditioning coach at Ashland University will compete in his second Olympic Team in the hammer throw.

Brigham Young University and Broadview Heights High School graduate Josh McAdams will compete in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Firestone High School and Arkansas LaShaunte’a Moore is part of the 4 x 100 meter relay pool.

Former University of Cincinnati and Wyoming High School athlete David Payne will be in the 110 meter hurdles.

Former University of Cincinnati and Walnut Hills High School runner Mary (Danner) Wineberg 400 meters and 4 x 400 meter relay.

Columbus born Amber Campbell will compete in the hammer throw while Cincinnati born Erica McLain will compete in the triple jump.

Three Ohio athletes will be returning to the Olympics after already winning Gold medals.

Logan and Ohio State University’s Katie Smith has two Gold Medals in basketball. Stow’s swimmer Mark Gangloff and former Ohio State University’s rower Bryan Volpenhein in the men’s eight each return to the Olympics with one Gold medal.

LaBron James and Michael Redd hope to win Gold for the men’s basketball team.

Cincinnati’s Rau’shee Warren and Cleveland’s Raynell Williams hope to take home medals in boxing.

Perrysburg’s Anna Tunnicliffe is a favorite to win the women’s laser radial sailing event.

Cincinnati natives Bridget Sloan will compete on the gymnastic team while Heather Mitts will be part of the women’s soccer team which hopes to medal.

Cleveland’s Andy Hrovat will be on the wrestling team.

Westlake’s Margot Shumway will be a rower in the quadruple schulls.

2004 all-around gymnast Gold medalist Paul Hamm and his twin brother Morgan both had to withdraw from the team because of injuries. Fellow Ohio State graduate Raj Bhavsar was added to the gymnastic team.

Check back for daily for –

Olympic blogs: http://www.runohio.com/aggregator/sources

Olympic pictures: http://www.runohio.com/show/galleries

Olympic updates: http://www.runohio.com/home_national

and http://www.runningnetwork.com/read_feature/special-coverage

Check out the Home Depot Olympic ad with Ohioans - A.G. Kruger and Mary Wineberg

Good luck to all of the Ohio and US athletes

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