Firing up the Olympic Zone time machine…

One of the things I hate about TV news is that we can be lousy at following up.  So today, as a public service,  I’m following up on a May 1994 KCRA Athlete of the Week.

Suzy Powell is going for her 3rd Olympics this weekend in Bend, Oregon, at the Olympic Track & Field Trials. 

You know how parents always say they love their children equally?  That even Steven approach doesn’t fly with me when it comes to Olympians.  There are some I’ve adored.  There are some whose names I’ve forgotten five minutes after I’ve interviewed them.  Some I’ve borderline stalked.  And a few have borderline stalked me back for more coverage. 

But, very few are like Suzy Powell.

There are two types of Olympians.  Children and grownups.  Suzy is a grownup.  But, KCRA has covered the discus diva since she was an adolescent smashing world records while a student at Downey High School.

After the trials, Suzy will know if she’s going to compete in her 3rd Olympics.   She is as composed and confident now, as she was when we profiled her for the first time 14 years ago. 

Here’s an Olympic Zone flashback to Suzy Powell…circa 1994. 

 

 

Guest blogging from an Olympic medalist

Guard Young isn’t Deirdre Fitzpatrick.  But he’s playing me…online.

Guard, a 2004 silver medal Olympic gymnast, just returned from the Mens Olympic Gymnastics Trials.   Guard now lives in Yuba City with his wife and sons.  When I found out he had a journalism degree, I couldn’t resist pawning my work off on him.

Here is my new BFF Guard Young’s account of what went down at the Trials. -Fitz

From Guard Young:

The 2008 Olympic Trials was one of much excitement and much controversy.  Lin the heart of historic Philadlelphia, the final official qualifying round to the 2008 Olympic Teams was to say the least ELECTRIFYING. 

Olympic Champion Paul Hamm, who did not compete due to a broken hand suffered at the National Championships three weeks prior, was named to the team without sticking a single landing.  Some might argue that a “wait and see” attitude would be best before finalizing his spot on the team.  However, I believe that by adding Paul to the team, he’ll be able to fully focus on healing and getting back to the top of the sport.

Oklahoma Sooner Gymnast Jonathan Horton also earned a coveted spot on the team by finishing first. Horton has been criticized for his inconsistencies this year.  All these concerns were squashed by his amazing performance on the final night of the trials when he nailed all six events.

 The other four men on the team include:  Kevin Tan, Joseph Haggerty, Justin Spring, and Morgan Hamm.

What to look for: 

The US men should be very competitive on the high bar, parallel bars, and floor exercise.  The US should do well on the vault but will not be able to leap ahead of teams if they fall behind.

Paul Hamm could possibly defend his Olympic title.  Fatigue might have been Paul’s biggest adversary.  With longer and harder routines, the lack of preparation may turn out to be the difference in medal color.

 

Kevin Tan is one of the fvorites to medal on the rings.  Justin Spring is one fo the most exciting gymnasts to watch on th eparallel bars and high bar.  But with a reconstructive kneww less than a year ago, a stuck landing might be out of the question and the difference in a finals berth.  -Guard Young