I am so excited for the Olympics to start! I always love them - but this year as an Iowan we have so many Olympians to be proud of.
By this time next week, one of the most recognizable women in this country will be Shawn Johnson - who is expected to win Gold in gymnastics. She lives nearby and recently I had some women tell me I look exactly like 16-yr old Shawn - lol. Heck, I have 2 inches on her 4'8' frame - plus I could be her mother
Who else is getting excited about the Olympics??
Besides Shawn, Iowa has a lot of other athletes to follow:
Lolo Jones from Des Moines will run the 100-meter hurdles - a lot of people are predicting she'll win gold.
Jenny Barringer - Webster City native will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Ben Askren - wrestler, who won two NCAA titles at Missouri, was born in Cedar Rapids.
Doug Schwab - wrestler from Osage and attended the University of Iowa.
A.G. Kruger - hammer thrower is from Sheldon and went to Morningside College in Sioux City.
Christine Thorburn - cyclist went to Pleasant Valley High School and Grinnell College.
Also, with Iowa ties:
Jason McCartney - cyclist resides in Coralville.
Nancilea Underwood-Foster - diver attended the University of Iowa.
Leigh Smith, javelin - Grew up in Central Iowa and moved away as a teen.
Do you have Olympians near you?? And is the media going nuts over them??