Tagged: Olympics

The Idaho Legislature wants to honor two-time Olympic gold medal cyclist Kristin Armstrong.  The Boise resident won gold in last year’s London Olympics and in 2008’s Beijing Olympics.

Representative Hy Kloc (D-Boise) introduced the measure today. “We’d like to commend her for her community work, her outstanding attitude, her focus, and her exemplary conduct.” 

Kloc said Armstrong climbed to the top of her profession even in the face of health problems. “In 2001, Kristen was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and that didn’t stop her.” 

Boise native Nick Symmonds took fifth place today in the men’s 800 meter run at the London Olympics. A group of hometown fans got together to cheer him on.

About 70 people watch Olympic coverage at Bishop Kelly High School. Staff, students, and alumni scan the screen for one of the school’s most notable grads. They cheer every time they get a glimpse of Nick Symmonds.

Just seven people and 800 meters separate Nick Symmonds from a gold medal. Symmonds runs this Thursday afternoon in London at 1:00 Mountain Time in the men’s 800 final. But his career began in Boise.

Updated Thursday:

Idaho cyclist Kristin Armstrong won a gold medal Wednesday in the individual time trial in London.  The 18-mile course is a race against the clock and this event is Armstrong’s specialty.  She says now she's retiring. "No more competitive cycling for me," she explained in a text message from London. "This has been a challenging yet rewarding experience." 

Oscar Pistorius looks like a normal guy, from the knees up. He looks fit, well-dressed, and capable. But without the lower half of his calves and shins, his ability to sprint in the 2012 Olympics were called into question. That is, until a University of Idaho professor helped prove Pistorius can compete beside anyone in the world.

Pistorius was born without fully-developed lower legs. He has used two prosthetic legs all his life. That won’t stop him from racing in the Men’s 400 Meter August 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

A two-time Olympic champion from Beaverton, Oregon will be the flag bearer for Team USA during Friday's Opening Ceremony at the London Games. U.S. team captains chose fencer Mariel Zagunis for the honor.

Meanwhile, one of the fans cheering the athletes on will be another Northwesterner who revolutionized the high jump.

Today's technique for clearing the high jump bar is called the "Fosbury Flop." It's named for Dick Fosbury, who invented the unusual style in 1963 in southern Oregon.