The Golden One

The Olympics can show the fortitude of top-shape athletes from all around the world with skill, determination, and dreams as big as the planet itself. The stories of these hardworking athletes that captivates the nation as we watch every four years to find that special person who represents their country well and compete for what some may think as the ultimate prize, the Olympic Gold. But it's only a few moments that will forever live in our minds and in the history books: The Dream Team in 1992, Kerry Shrug's will to overcome an sprained ankle in the 1996 Summer Games to win Gold for Team USA, Vince Carter's dunk over Frederick Weiss in 2000, and the start of Micheal Phelps dominating run from the 2004, 2008, and 2012 games. What we just witnessed in week one of the 2012 Summer Games could be nothing short of remarkable, with one Gabrielle Douglas performance in the All-Around.

The road for which Gabrielle, well Gabby, Douglas is one was very long road to travel in a very short amount of time. Her story begins as a native of Virginia Beach, VA and her dreams and goals to make an Olympic team saw some very tough hurdles to climb. After moving away from her family, a decision as tough as any young teenager should make, to Des Monies, IA to train for what could be her shot at Olympic Gold.

Douglas struggled a lot with her consistency and in her senior national debut, finished 7th in the all-around, while struggling with the balance beam, an event that's her favorite. Gabby Douglas could also be deemed as lucky, she made her debut in 2011 and was able to complete in the World Championships as she made the eligible by one day (Her Birthday is December 31st, 1995). She did very well on the uneven bars, to help the US bring home gold in those championships. This performance will help pave the way for her new nickname as she is known as the "The Flying Squirrel".

Douglas was invited to compete 2012 American Cup, only as an alternate and did well enough to catch the eyes of the other Olympic hopefuls. She had some struggles in Pacific Rim Championships, but was able to finish strong on the bars which would lead to the Olympic Trails. This is where Douglas exploded onto the scene with securing the only automatic spot on the USA team for the 2012 Summer Games. (Note: the USA reduced the number of spots from 7 to 5 gymnast). She finally defeated friend and teammate, 2011 all-around World Champion Jordyn Wieber, as the two would become the leaders of what will soon be known as the Fabulous 5.

With her dreams finally within reach, this is now a new experience for a young lady who just a few years ago had to make what was at the time, the most difficult and toughest decision of her life. Now that she's in London at the Olympics, it was time for the world to be introduced to one Gabrielle Douglas. She did not disappoint, as she was beyond fabulous in her events, winning the team gold and become the new darling of the All-Around. A few cry from the 7th place finish she did in last year's senior nationals. Just like that, from nowhere to the Queen of gymnastics and new American hero for young girls who someday expire to be like Gabby Douglas. I must say, what a ride.....what a ride. Thanks Gabby for your hard work, being strong and dedicated.

First Week Complete for 2012 Summer Olympics

As the first week of the 2012 Summer games complete, we've seen some historical, heroic and heart-filled events so far. From the domination of the Men and Women USA basketball team, the battle of aqua-supremacy in swimming, the unstoppable force of the USA women's soccer team, and the capativating heart-filled performance of the Fabulous 5 ladies of the USA gymnastics team.

After hanging 86 points and yes I mean 86 point win against the Nigerian Basketball team, the Men's USA basketball team, whom we're being compared to the likes of the 1992 Dream Team, may have some bargaining points with this dominating win. With the likes of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony just to name a few, this team is on a mission of arguably being the best USA Olympic team ever assembled. With the elimination round upcoming for this team, the only concern that they have to worry about it the play of bigger, taller teams
that they could possibly face.

As for the Women's basketball team, it's business as usual for these ladies as they continue their dominance in Olypmic play. Seeking their 5th straight (7th in all) Gold medal in Olympic play, the women basketball team lead by Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird and Seimone Augustus just to name a few. As pool play ends, the women preparing for what could be a rematch of 2008 gold medal final with Team Australia. These ladies are the overwhelming favorites to win, but we'll have to see how they can fare up in the elimination rounds that start later on this week.

In swimming, the battle for aqua-supremacy, Micheal Phelps could be one of the best Olympic athletes to ever complete in the Olympics. As he dawns on, what could be his last Olympic run, he's already captured the medal record of 18 medals held previously by Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina. Phelps could end up with 22 medals when he's events are complete. 18 of which are gold medals. Phelps as confirmed that this is his final run, as he'll retire from Olympic completion after these games.

USA women's soccer team looks to redeem themselves from the last year's World Cup Final disappointment with a complete dominance of this year's Olympic Game. Winning every match so far in these games, Team USA seems to be a collision course for a rematch of the World Cup Final with Japan. These women have a bitter taste in their mouths and would love to seek revenge against the World Cup Champs. If that is the case and if its like the last time those two took the field, we're in a for a great gold medal game.



Finally, the hearts of this nation was captured by 5 beautiful young ladies of USA gymnastics team. Gabrielle Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Allyson Raisman, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney will forever be known as the Fabulous 5 (or Fab 5 in short). With Gabby Douglas coming from virtually nowhere over the last 18 months, to winning gold in the All-Around, she became the first African-American to do so. Aly Raisman tied for 3rd in the all-around, but lost the tie-breaker to Russian gymnast Aliya Mustafina. These ladies dominated in the team final, as Jordyn Wieber overcame her disappointing mistake in the qualifiers to deliver key performances to help seal the win for team USA.