One of my favorite aspects of watching the Summer Olympic Games is having the opportunity to watch the many standout African-American athletes who have become stars in what are considered non-traditional sports.
You will always find African Americans on the medal stand in sports such as track and field, basketball and boxing. The Olympics also provide a great chance for our young people to see that they can make it in swimming, gymnastics, fencing and other sports. That gets me a little excited. Of course, Venus and Serena Williams are competing in tennis, but they are well-established. If you are parent with a child who likes sports, but may not be equipped for basketball, football or track, take heart. There are some other alternatives if you work hard and are committed.
Here are some of those talented athletes to watch:
Gabrielle Douglas (Gymnastics): The 4’11” dynamo has qualified for the women’s all-around and helped the USA women’s team to a gold medal. Nicknamed the “Flying Squirrel,” she is an incredible and dynamic performer.
Cullen Jones (Swimming): A gold medalist in the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay in 2008, Jones returned to earn a silver medal in the same event last weekend.
Nia Neal (Swimming): The 17-year old became the second African-American women to become an Olympian. Earned a silver medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay.
Anthony Ervin (Swimming): Ervin joined Jones on the USA men’s swimming team in London.
John Orozco (Men’s Gymnastics): The Bronx, N.Y. native is a member of a very good USA men’s team.
Jennifer Abel (Diving): The Canadian teenager earned a bronze medal in the synchronized diving competition.
Daryle Homer (Fencing): Homer finished in sixth place in the men’s Sabre competition earlier this week.
Maya Lawrence (Fencing): She will compete in the women’s Sabre competition later this week.
Nzingha Prescod (Fencing): Another member of the women’s fencing team.
Paige McPherson (Taekwondo): Miami native defeated a silver medalist to earn a spot on the Olympic team.
Spenser Mango
Good luck to former CBC star wrestler Spenser Mango, who will be making his second Olympic appearance in Greco-Roman wrestling. Mango will be competing in the 55-kg class (121 pounds). Mango finished eighth in his weight class in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Wild Surge
The St. Louis Surge earned a wild card berth for the upcoming Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League National Championships, which will be held in Miami from Aug. 3-5. The Surge are looking for help in the form on donations to help them reach Miami. You can visit their website at www.stlsurgebasketball.com and click to donate with PayPal to the St. Louis Surge 2012 WBCBL National Championship Fund.
Battle for the Legends
The Battle for the Legends Basketball Classic will be held on Friday, Aug. 3 at the Wohl Center (1515 N. Kingshighway). The three-game alumni event will feature many of the area’s former stars. WITTS will take on Big Game at 6 p.m., followed by Team Holla vs. Team Push at 7:15 p.m. and Vashon vs. Take Over at 8:30 p.m. Admission for the event is $8.
River War Alumni
The River War Alumni Basketball Games will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Vashon High (3035 Cass). It will feature four games with some of the former area greats from Darius Miles, Jimmy McKinney to Julian Winfield. The Class of 2000s game will be at 3 p.m., followed by the Women’s game at 4:30 p.m. The Classes of ‘85-’89 game will be at 6 p.m. with the Classes of 1990’s game at 7:15 p.m.
King C Classic
The Fourth Annual King C Basketball Classic will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11 at North County Tech (1700 Derhake) in Florissant. You can sign up your 3 on 3 team or 5 on 5 team uptil Aug. 4. For more information, contact King C at (314) 477-4179.
