Our Olympic Ties

Although there are numerous amazing athletes and exciting events taking place every day of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, there are a few that I --and undoubtedly many in West Des Moines -- are watching especially closely.

As anyone who has met Shawn Johnson would expect, the young gymnast has made West Des Moines, Iowa, and our entire country proud. Not only is she a consistent contender and extremely talented performer, she has represented the United States with the poise and grace of someone far older. Shawn's terrific, wholesome personality has clearly captured the hearts and minds of Olympic-watchers everywhere, if you pay attention to commercials, announcers, web ads -- or any form of media in existence! We have been watching you, Shawn, and we are thrilled to call you one of our own. Shawn's coach, Chow, the coach of the Olympic team, has also received a little of the spotlight during these games, and he deserves every bit of it.

Another event of particular interest to many residents of West Des Moines and the Metro area is the triathlon taking place in a few days. The last two members of the 6-person US team qualified right here in West Des Moines on the Valley Southwoods school campus. 55 men and 55 women will compete on the 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run course. The course will feature the Ming Tombs Reservoir, said to be an awe-inspiring place.

The U.S. is one of just five countries to field a full team of six for the Olympics. Hunter Kemper, who qualified in West Des Moines, is competing in his third Olympics. Sarah Haskins, a former teacher who was the top American finisher in our triathlon, is competing there for the first time.

The team has spent the first week of the Olympics after Opening Ceremonies at a training camp in South Korea to get acclimated to the heat, humidity and time zone change, and to relax.

The women's triathlon will air live on NBC at 9 pm on August 17 (see more information on the event here). That's also the first night of the individual events competition for women's gymnastics. Our hopes are high and our cheers are loud (even if they are directed at a television).