Aretha Thurmond: My Favorite Athlete in Seattle - or at least very close to it

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/stevekelley/2008/08/aretha_thurmond_my_favorite_at.html

Podcast Interview with Three Time Olympian Aretha Thurmond

http://www.toomerscoffeecommunity.com/2008/08/12/interview-with-three-time-olympian-aretha-thurmond/

Washington discus thrower Aretha Thurmond qualifies for Olympic final

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/olympics/2008117620_olythurmond16.html

Qualifying Round of the Women’s Discus

I felt very prepared for last nights qualifying round of the women’s discus.  I was in the B group with 19 throwers in each flight.  My warm up throws were pretty nice and relaxed.  I was pretty excited on my 1st throw and I got a little anxious with the upper body and threw 58.70meters.  I came back on my 2nd throw a little more relaxed and I hit the auto with 61.90meters.  My final is on Aug. 18th at 7pm.  We have two American women in the final.  I don’t know when is the last time we have had 2 Americans in an Olympic Final. It’s fun being apart of History.

I am so excited to be competing in my first Olympic Final.  Now I can work on bringing home a Medal!!!!

Click here for results of the 2 sections, http://www.iaaf.org/oly08/results/eventCode=3659/racedate=08-15-2008/sex=W/discCode=DT/combCode=hash/roundCode=q/results.html#det

Click here for the start list of the final, http://www.iaaf.org/oly08/results/eventCode=3659/racedate=08-18-2008/sex=W/discCode=DT/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/startlist.html#det

Happy Birthday in Beijing

One of the best things about competing in a summer sport and having a summer birthday is I get to celebrate around the world.  With a 14 hour timezone difference I was able to celebrate for 2 days.  While it was August 14th Beijing it was still August 13th back home.  I have told some teammates that I am going to celebrate all week because I have my 1st round of competition on the 15th and then the 2nd round on the 18th.

When I got back to my room from practice I was surprised with a beautiful bouquet a roses and a bath and body works bath set, from my friend Kristin Heaston.  Now my room looks good and I smell good too.  Lots of athletes and staff sang happy birthday songs through out the day.  Watch the video of Amber Campbell (USA Hammer Throw) we were jammin’ on that one.  I was later surprised with cupcakes from two of our team doctors Ross Flowers and Monique Burton and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better I got another bouquet of flowers from BOCOG (The Beijing Olympic Committee Organization Government).

When I checked my email I had birthday wishes from family and friends back home.  I feel like this is the birthday that never ends.  One of the Olympic coaches said it best, “you are blessed”.

    

Happy Birthday Song in Beijing

Ping Pong Battles Continue…..

USA Track and Field Training Camp

Our Training camp has been awesome.  Our staff has worked hard to make us feel at home.  We have an American Chef here who is fantastic.  He is mixing our favorites in with Chinese cuisine.  Breakfast has your choice of ready to order omelets, toast from freshly baked bread, bacon, an array of fresh fruits, cereals and my favorite coffee.  The best dish I have had so far is the sweet and sour shrimp, butterflied prawns in a tempura batter with the best sauce I have ever tasted, mmm good.

The athlete lounge has wireless Internet, table tennis (ping pong), bowling alley, lounge area, dominoes, playing cards, a variety of board games and of course snacks.  I have been playing a lot of dominoes and spades.  Trying my best not to hurt anyone’s feelings, the games can get intense.  But not as intense as the ping pong games those have been fierce.  Check out latest video of a ping-pong war.

We even have a movie theater lounge with lazy boy style chairs and movies playing all day long.  Tonight we are going to have an opening ceremonies viewing party for those of us not marching in the ceremony.

The medical training room is top notch.  We have a great team of athletic trainers, massage therapist and chiropractors keeping us healthy and ready to go each day.  And of course every-one’s favorite a giant ICE Bath for recovery.   There is a nice indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

I know you saw the video of our awesome training facility.  My training has been going really well and I am excited to start competing next week.  Here are some pictures of our adventures so far.  We went on an outing one day this week and found a Starbucks, MMM GOOD!

Team USA Throwers Ready For Big Tosses In Beijing

http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/display_article.php?id=24876

These Games are heavy with anticipation and drama

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2008096237_olykelley07.html

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