Community Corner

Olympics 2012: Fun Facts About Team USA

Here is some interesting trivia ahead of the games, which kick off Friday in London.

The 2012 Summer Olympics begin Friday and the United States will be sending 530 athletes, 11 of whom are from Michigan.

Here are some fun facts about Team USA:

  • The 2012 team is comprised of 269 women and 261 men, marking the first time in history that Team USA features more female athletes.
  • The United States will be represented in 25 sports (38 disciplines) and 246 of the 302 medal events that will be contested in London.
  • The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team features 228 returning Olympians, including seven five-time Olympians, 21 four-time Olympians, 57 three-time Olympians and 143 two-time Olympians.
  • The seven U.S. Olympians headed to their fifth Olympic Games include the following:
    • Amy Acuff, track & field
    • Phillip Dutton, equestrian – eventing
    • Khatuna Lorig, archery
    • Emil Milev, shooting
    • Karen O’Connor, equestrian – eventing
    • Kim Rhode, shooting
    • Danielle Scott-Arruda, volleyball – indoor
  • The most decorated female is Natalie Coughlin with 11 medals (three golds, four silvers, four bronzes).
  • The most decorated male is Michael Phelps with 16 medals (14 golds, two bronzes).
  • The oldest Olympian on Team USA is equestrian athlete Karen O’Connor, 54.
  • The yongest Olympian on Team USA is swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15.
  • The average age on Team USA is 27.
  • The tallest member of Team USA is basketball center Tyson Chandler at 7 feet, 1 inch.
  • The shortest member of Team USA is a three-way tie between diver Katie Bell, wrestler Clarissa Chun and gymnast Gabby Douglas, all at 4 feet, 11 inches.
  • Team USA features two sets of twins in tennis players Bob and Mike Bryan and rowers Grant and Ross James. 
  • Team USA siblings include the following:
    • Swimmers Alyssa and Haley Anderson
    • Taekwondo athletes Diana and Steven Lopez
    • Sailors Paige and Zach Railey
    • Field hockey players Julia and Katie Reinprecht
    • Water polo players Jessica and Maggie Steffans
    • Tennis players Serena and Venus Williams.
  • Sixty-seven members of Team USA have children. There are 54 dads and 13 moms.
  • Serving in the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program are Spc. Dennis Bowsher (modern pentathlon), Sgt. 1st Class Dremiel Byers (wrestling), Spc. Justin Lester (wrestling), Sgt. Spenser Mango (wrestling), Sgt. John Nunn (track & field), Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sanderson (shooting) and Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski (shooting).
  • The following shooters serve in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit: Sgt. Glenn Eller, Sgt. Vincent Hancock, Sgt. Michael McPhail, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, Staff Sgt. Joshua Richmond and Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft.

Source: U.S. Olympic Committee

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