The opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held on Friday night with the competition beginning this weekend. I must admit that I am a sucker for the Summer Olympics.
I have been a fan of the games ever since I was a child. I could remember that great 1968 USA Team when I was just three years old. By 1972, when I was a little older, I was all into the Olympics. And I am still to this very day.
Naturally, I will be keeping a close out on our USA men’s and women’s basketball teams. However, my true passion is the track and field competition. There’s nothing like it. From the 100-meter dash to the marathon, I watch it all.
It is even better when there are local athletes in the field. That is the case again this year with the presence of former East St. Louis star Dawn Harper, who is trying to become a two-time gold medalist in the 100-meter high hurdles. You also have former Festus High star Brittany Borman, who will be competing in the women’s javelin.
Another local athlete, former Berkeley star Mike Rodgers, qualified for the men’s 4×100-meter relay pool. However, Rodgers will not be competing in London due to a stress fracture in his leg. Rodgers was a 2008 Summer Olympian and a 2009 World Champion.
Junior Olympics
Many of the St. Louis area’s top track and field athletes are headed to Houston, TX. this weekend to participate in the Amateur Athletic Union Jr. Olympic Games. The Junior Olympics will begin on Saturday and will run until Aug. 3. We always look forward to our athletes representing the STL and bringing home an abundance of medals. This year should be no different.
Summer League All-Star
Former Chaminade College Prep All-American Bradley Beal was selected to the Las Vegas Summer League All-Star Team after an excellent showing in his first games with the Washington Wizards. Beal averaged more than 17 points a game in the Wizards’ five games in Las Vegas. He was selected by Washington with the third pick in the recent National Basketball Association Draft.
Basketball camps
The St. Louis Sportscenter will be presenting a series of basketball camps in the month of August. The Pee Wee Lenard Ball Handling Camp will be held from August 6-8 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Shooting Camp with Erwin Claggett will be held on August 6-8 from 1-4 p.m. The Big Man Camp with Anthony Bonner will be held on August 13-15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The Defensive Camp with Pee Wee Lenard will be held on August 13-15 from 1-4 p.m. The cost of the camp is $120 per camper. For more information, contact camp directors Dan Otto (314) 210-3358 or dotto@sportscenter.com or Pee Wee Lenard at (708) 646-9181. The St. Louis Sportscenter is located at 6727 Langley Avenue.
