A Moment To Remember Forever

Matt Grevers' performance in Beijing has been spectacular. He shocked the nation when he qualified for the backstroke event at the USA Olympic Trials. He was not even training for backstroke, but his speed and talent secured him a spot the USA Olympic Team.

Now in Beijing, he's grabbed the world's attention. Matt earned an Olympic Gold Medal, Olympic Silver Medal, a World Record and Olympic Games Record. He is yet to swim the 4x100 Medley Relay on Friday.

Way to go Matt!

Experiencing Beijing Culture

NBC filmed a special profile segment Mark Warkentin, the first American open water swimmer in history to swim in an Olympic Games. NBC wanted to show our elite athlete getting a taste of the local culture. The national television show invited a Tai Chi instructor to teach Mark the basics of the Chinese Tai Chi art.

The segment is set to air a few days before Mark's big race.

Leaping into Beijing

Follow USA Diving Olympian Nancilea Foster's daily journey in Beijing on her personal blog.

http://nancilea.blogspot.com/

Nancilea reflects on her first days in Beijing.

"Yesterday morning was our first trip to the pool. Before we got in the water, we took a bunch of pictures. I even climbed up to 10M and took some from there. The pool looks great.

I am finally here in the village. YAY! The last several days have been filled with all kinds of adventures. On Sunday night we had a send off gala that was quite fancy. We started the evening with a diving show. It was a little strange because we were marched out in front of the crowd, and in many ways it felt like a meet, but with no warm up time, and lots of down time in between march out and when we did our dives. Afterwards, we got showered and all dressed up (the event was casual elegant).

I found out what my Olympic Suit will look like! I am sponsored by TYR, and they have done a great job with my suit.

We made it to the village, and got our room assignments. We are sharing a suite with Judo one floor above the rest of the divers. I’ve just met the girls once this morning, but they seem really nice."

Leaping into Beijing

Indroducing Olympian Nancilea Foster!

My event is 3 meter diving.

My name is pronounced Nancylee.

I call the Woodlands, Texas home.

My husband and parents will be visiting me in Beijing.

My faith inspires me.

I just won Sr. Nationals before I left for Beijing.

I am Beijing Bound!

Leaping into Beijing

Meet USA Olympic Diving Coach Jeff Huber

3-Time USA Olympic Diving Head Coach - 2000, 2004, 2008.

I've placed a female diver on each of the last 3 Olympic Teams.

I'm head diving coach of Indiana University.

I coach all ages. It's my passion.

I've been a part of Team TYR for over a year.

I have my PHD in Educational Psychology which helps me educate divers on this mental challenges in diving.

When I'm not at the pool, I spend time with my two grown children and my wife.

I can't wait for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Leaping into Beijing

Coach Jeff Huber works with divers at the 2008 Sr. National Diving Championship in Pasadena. His club team had 19 divers at the meet (all in TYR), more than any other team in the nation. This is just days before he left for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Go Hoosiers!

Olympic Voice from Beijing

"On Monday night we went to the Water Cube, which is only a couple of hundred meters away from our dorms, but takes 20 minutes to get to because you have to walk to the bus depot and then drive around the village to get to the venue. We’ve all seen the Water Cube and gawked at it for the past 2 years, but finally seeing it was pretty special. It really is different than any other pool I’ve ever seen because the architecture of the building was given more planning and thought than any natatorium before it. The interior of the Water Cube is beautiful, and the spectator seating goes up and up and up.

The dorm buildings are neatly organized into rows and each country has a group of rooms together in one building or, in a few cases, the entire building.

The Village cafeteria, think of a room the size of Costco. Now, put about 5 buffet restaurants in there and add a McDonalds. Throw in a couple of thousand chairs and you have your Village cafeteria. The food is excellent and there are Chinese people everywhere interested in making the experience enjoyable. Six people served me one piece of chicken and a scoop of rice, and when the sixth and final person handed me the plate they all looked at me, smiled and said “Enjoy your lunch.”

I’m enjoying everything."

Olympic Voice from Beijing

Olympian Mark Warkentin writes on his first day in Beijing.

"I’m having an incredible time so far. I don’t know what you’ve heard or read about this Olympics, but I can assure you that this place is about ready to burst with excitement. Everything is huge, everything is organized, everything is planned and prepared and just in case there’s a problem there’s 50 Chinese standing on every street corner willing to help. The people are motivated, friendly and well-spoken. The facilities are state-of-the-art. The food is spectacular.

We arrived in Beijing in the afternoon, and hundreds of people were waiting for us at the airport. We were hurried onto buses and taken by police escort through Beijing. In preparation for the Olympics, Beijing did a bit of an environmental makeover. Thousands of trees line the sides of the freeway from the airport, so much so that it felt like we were going away from a city rather than towards the city. A thick blanket of greenery was our only view until we were in the middle of Beijing.

The Olympics dominate every aspect of Beijing and for a tourist coming to the city you’d probably miss out on the typical cultural experience. The city in clean as a whistle and the streets are free of congestion. The planning for this event is obvious at every turn, and, with the barricades, high-tech name tags, and general security presence."

Arriving at the Water Cube

Matt Zimmer arrived in Beijing just days ago. He met with Team TYR USA swimmers Mark Warkentin, Eric Shanteau, Matt Grevers and TYR coaches for the first time on Monday at the Water Cube. The athletes are on a tight schedule with very little access. They are all in good spirits and health.

Just 3 DAYS until the Opening Ceremonies of the greatest sports event for swimming in the last four years. Remember on 8-8-08 the grand spectacle kicks off with TYR athletes from around the world at the same place at the same time.

Singapore Training Trip

Mark took time from his busy training session to visit the local culture in Singapore. He visited the Raffles Hotel, a famous historic landmark in the city. With a strict dress code for visitors, Mark ran back to the hotel to wear his finest attire.

Mark talks about the experience...

"Unfortunately I arrived too late to participate in the afternoon tea, but I wandered around the hotel lobby and courtyard and got a picture taken in the historic Billiard Room.  I also went to the Long Bar (located in the Raffles Hotel), site for the creation of the Singapore Sling.  As a member of the USA Swimming Swim Team I am bound by an honor code not to consume any alcoholic beverage until after the Olympics, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity completely, so I ordered the famous drink virgin style. This may be my only time in Singapore and as the local saying goes: “Where else should one partake of the Singapore Sling but at the Raffles Hotel.”

Singapore Training Trip

Mark Warkentin trained for the last two weeks with the rest of members of the USA Swimming Team in Singapore.

Mark tells about the young children eager for autographs at the pool.

"The autograph books themselves are incredibly impressive. Many of the people would take a picture one day then return with the developed photo the next day. All the athlete photos would be organized alphabetically and next to each photo was an accompanying athlete biography. It’s not hard to see why Singapore is an incredibly successful country."

Olympic Trials: Olympian Eric Shanteau

Olympian Eric Shanteau's solid performance and drive secured him a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in the 200m Breaststroke. At the last Olympic Trials, Eric came in 3rd in two events. Now he did it! We know his hard work and determination paid off.

Olympic Trials: New Olympian Matt Grevers

Matt Grevers discovers he reached his lifelong goal to be an Olympian. Way to go Matt! We are so proud of you!

Olympic Trials: Matt Grevers

Matt Grevers prepares for the most important race of his life. Under the radar, Matt earned a spot beating some of the fastest backstrokers in the sport. That's our guy!

Olympic Trials: Mark Warkentin

Olympian Mark Warkentin was honored by Swimming World TV with a special plaque. Mark is at the Olympic team training camp with team members in Palo Alto for the next two weeks.

Olympic Trials: Queen Mary in Tracer Rise

There's no doubt when you watch Queen Mary that she puts a smile on your face. Her energy spreads across the pool deck. She was at the Olympic Trials to enjoy the moment and swim her heart out.

Olympic Trials: Go Queen Mary!

Mary DeScenza had a full cheering squad with Mr. DeScenza, Mrs. DeScenza and Katie DeScenza.

Olympic Trials: Associated Press

World Record Holder Doug Van Wie took time from his busy swimming schedule to chat with the Associated Press TV about Tracer Rise. The black and gold looked incredible.

Olympic Trials: Swimming into the Lobby

Filled with swimmers, the Hilton Garden Inn in Omaha was decked out in full TYR down to the hotel key cards and elevator pictures.

Olympic Trials: Full Size Banners

60 foot banners of Olympians Matt Grevers and Amanda Weir captured the eyes of anyone passing by.