They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. They are among the best of the best and are ready to prove their mettle. 529 athletes from 45 states will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
They are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball. For everyone, from swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15, to 54-year-old equestrian jumper Karen O’Connor, these Games represent the culmination of all the hard work and dedication they've put in to win the coveted medal.
It's time to meet the Olympians from Minnesota!
Here are a few quick facts about your Olympians!
Rachel Bootsma
Sex : Female
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 100-meter backstroke
Age : 18
From : Eden Prairie
Chas Betts
Sex : Male
Competing in Wrestling
Event / position / class : Greco-Roman 84kg
Age : 26
From : St. Michael
Dan Chandler
Sex : Male
Coach in Wrestling
Event / position / class : Greco-Roman
Age : 60
From : Minneapolis
Kara Goucher
Sex : Female
Competing in Running
Event / position / class : Marathon
Age : 34
From : Duluth
Amanda Smock
Sex : Female
Competing in Track and Field
Event / position / class : Triple Jump
Age : 29
From : Melrose
Grandmaster Eui Lee
Sex : Male
Coach in Taekwondo
From : Maple Grove
Lindsay Whalen
Sex : Female
Competing in Basketball
Age : 30
From : Hutchinson, plays for the Minnesota Lnyx
Kevin Love
Sex : Male
Competing in Basketball
Age : 23
From : California, plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves
Seimone Augustus
Sex : Female
Competing in Basketball
Age : 28
From : Louisiana, plays for the Minnesota Lynx
Maya Moore
Sex : Female
Competing in Basketball
Age : 23
From : Missouri, plays for the Minnesota Lynx
Lindsey Berg
Sex : Female
Competing in Volleyball
Age : 31
From : New Ulm, played at University of Minnesota
Ali Bernard
Sex : Female
Competing in Wrestling
Event / position / class : 72kg freestyle
Age : 26
From : New Ulm
Kelci Bryant
Sex : Female
Competing in Diving
Event / position / class : 3-meter synchronized
Age : 23
From : Minneapolis, played at University of Minnesota
Sam Hazewinkel
Sex : Male
Competing in Freestyle Wrestling
Age : 29
From : Minneapolis
Megan Kalmoe
Sex : Female
Competing in Rowing
Event / position / class : Quadruple sculls
Age : 28
From : Born in Minneapolis, grew up in South St. Paul
Alex Meyer
Sex : Male
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 10K open water
Age : 24
From : Born in Rochester
Hugh McCutcheon
Sex : Male
Women's Volleyball Coach
Age : 42
From : coach at University of Minnesota
Susie Scanlan
Sex : Female
Competing in Epee fencing
Age : 21
From : St. Paul
Alise Post
Sex : Female
Competing in BMX cycling
Age : 21
From : St. Cloud
Roberto Sobalvarro
Sex : Male
Women's epee fencing coach
Age : 54
From : Owatonna
Jillian Tyler
Sex : Female
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 100-meter breaststroke
Age : 23
From : Minneapolis
Brittany Viola
Sex : Female
Competing in Diving
Event / position / class : 10-meter platform
Age : 25
From : Born in St. Paul, daughter of former Twins pitcher Frank Viola
Dan Chandler has been named as an official Olympic coach for Greco Roman Wrestling. Dan was on three Olympic teams as an athlete and has been an Olympic Greco Roman Wrestling coach several times (six or seven times). He was originally from Anoka. He is Chas Betts' coach. In 2008, he helped coach Jake Deitchler at the Beijing Olympics.
http://plymouth-mn.patch.com/articles/wayzata-hs-swimmer-takes-unconventional-olympic-path