News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Let the Olympic Games Begin!

Let the Olympic Games Begin!

Local Athletes Compete in Beijing

By Michael P. Neufeld
Friday, August 8, 2008

Beijing, China – The athletes of the world have come together for the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing including three with connections to the mountain communities. The opening ceremonies (which will be broadcast tonight on KNBC Channel 4) were attended by US President George W. Bush.

The three athletes who have local connections include Marathon runner Ryan Hall from Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead's women's freestyle wrestler Marcie van Dusen and air pistol contestant Brenda Shinn who has relatives in Running Springs.

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with U.S. Olympic runner Lopez Lomong in Beijing prior to Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Lomong, a survivor of the violence in his native Sudan, now a U.S. citizen, was selected by his teammates to lead the U.S. Olympic team into Olympic National Stadium carrying the United States Flag at the Opening Ceremony. (Photo by Eric Draper/White House.)

Over the next few days, RIMOFTHEWORLD.net will present profiles of each athlete and follow their dreams of winning Olympic gold!

One World One Dream is the theme of the Beijing Olympic Games and for the next two and a half weeks the Olympic flame will burn brightly over National Stadium where the opening ceremonies were held.

President George W. Bush shares a moment with members of the US Olympic team in Beijing prior to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. (Photo by Eric Draper/White House.)

Staging the Beijing Olympics involves over 70,000 volunteers, attracted 21,600 media representatives from around the world and over 10,700 athletes will "go for the gold." The United States has almost 600 athletes competing including Hall, van Dusen and Shinn.

The oldest US competitor is 58-year-old sailor John Dane III and the youngest are two 15-year-old divers Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu. Hall and van Dusen are 26 and Shinn is 42.

In the 2004 Olympic Games, the US captured the most medals with 103, followed by Russia's 92 and China's 63. The gold medal count was even closer with the USA capturing 35, China 32 and Russia 27.

There are 37 different venues being utilized for the Beijing Olympics including one in Hong Kong for equestrian events.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're aware of additional Olympic competitors with significant mountain connections please send an e-mail to news@RIMOFTHEWORLD.net.