Tag Archives: athlete

Genetic Test Promises to Tell If Your Baby Will Be a Star Athlete

Have you ever heard of the snake oil salesman? This was a vendor that travelled all around selling special concoctions that were supposedly good for curing anything that ailed you from thinning hair to heart attack. But the sales of these potions relied more on the conning ability of the salesman rather than the veracity of the the substance. Today we use the term to denote someone who is selling something that has no scientific basis or proven fact behind it. Today’s snake oil salesman may just be a company called Atlas Sports Genetics. This company wants to test your … Continue reading →

Paul Hamm (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Paul and his brother Morgan were featured as two of People’s “Most Eligible Bachelors” in 2004. . Meet Paul Hamm Paul Elbert Hamm was born to Sandy, a former All-American diver, and Cecily. Their older sister Bets competed in gymnastics for Iowa State University. Both Paul and his twin brother Morgan are documenting their return to competitive gymnastics on the road to the Beijing Olympic Games. Fans can watch their progress by downloading clips of … Continue reading →

David Durante (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. In 2004, after not being named to the Olympic team, David traveled to Athens to cheer on his friends in competition and take in the Olympic experience so he’d be ready in 2008. Meet David Durante David Durante is the middle of three children born to Robert and Juliana Durante. He graduated from Stanford University with a major in human biology and a minor in psychology. David’s older brother, Marc, 31, works for Merck Pharmaceuticals … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Brendan Hansen (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Brendan had the honor of being selected captain of the U.S.A. team captain at the Melbourne World Championships in 2007. A college graduate, swimming runs in Brenden’s blood. Meet Brendan Hansen Brendan has been swimming for the major part of his life earning a spot on the Junior Nationals team at the age of 12. He is one of three siblings that swim. His older brother Sean swam for Lafayette (Pa.) College and now coaches … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Ian Crocker (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Ian won Olympic gold in 2000 and 2004. His success has roots in overcoming personal adversity to reach for success in life and the Olympics. Meet Ian Crocker Ian Lowell Crocker was born to Richard and Gail Crocker. Richard is a lab technician and Gail manages a cardiac rehab facility. He has one sister, Amy, and three cats, Murphy, Hazel and Dinah. Ian started showing signs of depression in high school. Early in college, he … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Natalie Coughlin (2008 Swimming Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Natalie is a fantastic role model for young women with her comeback from a shoulder injury and her focus on recovery and excellence. She found that excellence in 2004 and she’s looking forward to more in 2008. Meet Natalie Coughlin Natalie Anne Coughlin is the oldest daughter of James, a police officer, and Zennie, a paralegal. Her younger sister, Megan, attended UC Davis. She was awarded a full four-year scholarship to UC Berkeley, and volunteered … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Donny Robinson (2008 Cycling Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. This is a great way to educate our kids and ourselves on the sports, the competitors and the dream of Olympic Gold that for many of these athletes began many years ago and will culminate this August in Beijing. Meet Donny Robinson Donny first competed in BMX at age 6. That same year, he started his eight-year training in gymnastics, and he credits the tumbling maneuvers he learned to being injured less when flying or … Continue reading →

Focus on the Olympics: Sarah Hammer (Cycling Hopeful)

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Welcome to our first Focus on the Olympics article that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Up first, we’re going to look at cycling. This is a sport many of us are familiar with or as parents have taught to our kids. Meet Sarah Hammer Sarah’s pursuit for perfection seems to go well beyond the number 1 world ranking she owns within the sport of cycling. She strives to live an all-around life. Hammer spends time developing her off the bike gifts as she diligently works to excel in her … Continue reading →

Tennis Star Turned Nun

She used to be known as the “brat of the women’s tennis tour,” now she’s known as Sister Andrea. Sometimes miracles do happen. At least that’s what those close to Andrea Jaeger believe. Twenty-five years ago Jaeger was the No. 2 women’s tennis player in the world. She was a hot commodity and didn’t let people forget it. She had a reputation for screaming at linesmen and was standoffish to competitors. Fast forward to the present and you’ll find the former tennis star wearing a traditional habit, surrounded by a group of young cancer survivors in the halls of Cincinnati … Continue reading →

Trump Wants A Jock In The Family

Looking at Donald Trump I would have never pegged him as an athlete. This week I found out that my presumption about him was right. Trump’s daughter Ivanka tells “Stuff” magazine in its September issue that her father has always dreamed of being an athlete, but will settle for her dating one. “He has very strong opinions – which I try not to listen to,” Ivanka tells the magazine. The 24-year-old who holds the title of vice president of real-estate development for the Trump Organization is used to following the advice of her boss (and dad), on business matters only. … Continue reading →