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—530 athletes from 45 states who will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
They are competing in sports 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 a coveted Olympic medal.
It's time to meet the Olympians from Maryland! Like an athlete named, ah, Michael Phelps.
Here are a few quick facts about your Olympians!
Carmelo Anthony
Sex : Male
Competing in Basketball
Event / position / class : Forward
Age : 28
From : Baltimore
David Banks
Sex : Male
Competing in Rowing
Event / position / class : Eight
Age : 28
From : Potomac
Matthew Centrowitz
Sex : Male
Competing in Athletics
Event / position / class : 1,500m
Age : 22
From : Arnold
Farrah Hall
Sex : Female
Competing in Sailing
Event / position / class : Women's Windsurf
Age : 30
From : Annapolis
Katie Ledecky
Sex : Female
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 800m free
Age : 15
From : Bethesda
Angel McCoughtry
Sex : Female
Competing in Basketball
Event / position / class : Forward
Age : 25
From : Baltimore
Scott Parsons
Sex : Male
Competing in Canoe/Kayak
Event / position / class : Kayak - Slalom K1
Age : 33
From : Bethesda
Michael Phelps
Sex : Male
Competing in Swimming
Event / position / class : 200m IM; 400m IM; 100m fly; 200m fly;
Age : 27
From : Baltimore
Caroline Queen
Sex : Female
Competing in Canoe/Kayak
Event / position / class : 800m free relay
Age : 20
From : Darnestown
Suzanne Stettinus
Sex : Female
Competing in Fencing, Swimming, Running, Shooting and Horseback Riding
Event / position / class : Women's Modern Pentathlon
Age : 24
From : Parkton
Julie Zetlin
Sex : Female
Competing in Gymnastics
Event / position / class : Rhythmic - all-around
Age : 22
From : Bethesda
Looking for a way to celebrate the Olympics locally? You can find local events for Olympic Fun Day on July 28 on the Let’s Move website, which has a page about how to set up your own local Olympics.
Also check out our Directory and Events Calendar for listings of places where you can learn and participate in Olympic sports ranging from basketball to karate, gymnastics, swimming and more.
I had the privilege of interviewing Suzanne last month. Check it out here: http://patch.com/A-tRqF