Football, baseball and basketball typically dominate the attention of the American sports fans, however every four years, the Olympics steal the spotlight.
While not everyone knows as much about Olympic sports since they are not televised nearly as often as the other sports, people take a lot of pride in watching citizens of their country compete against the best in the world.
Throughout their collegiate careers, these athletes may not have garnered same attention and adoration, as quarterbacks or point guards, but all eyes will be on the athletes in London at the Olympics.
There will be a total of 14 people with ties to ASU at the games. The Sun Devils will be represented via six countries, one current athlete, 12 former athletes and one coach.
The lone current student-athlete is junior diver Riley McCormick, who sat out last season to focus on and train for the Olympic Games. McCormick also appeared in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he placed 16th in the 10-meter platform. In his two seasons at ASU, McCormick has won two Pac-12 Championships and was named the conference diver of the year in both seasons.
Former ASU wrestler Zeke Jones will be coaching in his fifth Olympics. Jones wrestled at ASU from 1987-90 and won four Pac-10 crowns during his tenure in Tempe. Jones won silver at the 1992 Olympics and has been the Team USA Freestyle Coach since 2009.
McCormick, Jones and the rest of the Sun Devils travelling to London are listed below with their event and the country they are representing.
Olympian | Event | Country |
Kyle Alcorn | Track and Field | USA |
Micky Benedetti | Diving (3m Springboard) | Italy |
Kelsey Campbell | Wrestling | USA |
Desiree Davila | Marathon | USA |
Amy Hastings | Track and Field (10,000 Meters) | USA |
Zeke Jones | Wrestling (coach) | USA |
Amy LePeilbet | Soccer | USA |
Riley McCormick | Diving (10m Platform) | Canada |
Rowie Webster | Water Polo | Australia |
Ryan Whiting | Track and Field (Shot put) | USA |
Alison Williamson | Archery | Great Britain |
James Harden | Basketball | USA |
Eric Boateng | Basketball | Great Britain |
Ike Diogu | Basketball | Nigeria |
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.