Olympians That I Choose to Admire

I only caught the last few minutes on the treadmill at the gym. Interesting that they must find it faster overall to take the time to refuel in a < 2hr competition. They are certainly burning the calories though, was an exciting finish too. Would love to see what the net numbers look like with and without the pit stop.

As an aspiring weightlifter I am a bit partial in my amazement. The biggest moment for me performance wise was Ilya Ilyin from kazakhstan. He is massively strong and his technique is amazing. Its a pleasure to watch the guy lift. At this years games he set a WR in the clean and jerk and had a WR total for the C&J and snatch, making it look so easy in the process. The guy laughs and jokes around while he competes.

Video of him C&J 233kg, a little over 500lbs to set both WRs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ2-r3pM9xQ&feature=related

I'm not typically a sprint watcher, but for years I have thought Bolt is simply AMAZING from a purely athletic perspective.

Phelps is amazing too, I just haven't followed swimming as much, even though I like it better.

I didn't watch every second of the Olympics, but what I did see of Missy Franklin left me in awe.  Great kid, great family.  

Missy Franklin.  Cool kid cool family

Claressa Shields. Another cool kid who has overcome a LOT.  Also just 17 from a really tough situation wins a gold medal in womens boxing. 

Gymnastics is just so frigging hard, and hard on your body.  God bless them all

Oksana Chusiotinva.  She is amazing.  37 at I think her 4th or 5th olympics in gymnastics.  UNHEARD OF.She kept on because her son got leukemia and the only way to pay for treatment was to do gymnastics although I suspect he is good to go by now.

Didn't Mary Lou Retton have to have one or both of her hips replaced?

Mark

I am an unabashed Carmelita Jeter fan.

Actually all the track ladies were super impressive - and not just the runners.

I've gotta agree with ya there.  Man, her interviews after races just dripped with determination/emotion.  I know it's cliche, but it just seemed to me she really did put 110% into everything she did.

When did they TELL you who you should admire? 

Missy Franklin

Dana Vollmer

Michael Phelps

First, I'd admire the determination and desire of all aspiring and participating Olympic athletes.

Two that stick out for me are:

Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich : this guy was written off by even his home country. Media in Uganda pretty much said he had no chance to win the Olympic marathon especially against such a strong field from Kenya. Major props to Stephen for proving everyone that doubted him wrong!

Kristin Armstrong: here is an athlete and mother that seems to excel at everything she attempts. After diagnosis with arthritis that ended her triathlete career, she took up competitive cycling and became on e of the best in just a few short years.

Congrats to all of the athletes from all countries. Another successful Olympics. Another chance for the world to unite.

PS: One 'Olympic athlete' (or 2 depending on how you see it) that I DO NOT admire are:

1.Kim Jong Il

2. Kim Jong Un

It was sad to hear the North Korean athletes give all of the credit for their successes to these tools.