Olympic Principles

Photo Credit: David lassman / P-S

American Olympians have already done us proud even before they compete in their respective events. Sudanese immigrant, recent American citizen and 1,500 meter participant, Lopez Lomong, was chosen by the US Team captains to be the flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremony.

Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong was chosen by his U.S. Olympic teammates Wednesday to be the American delegation's flag-bearer at Friday's Opening Ceremonies, a move that will cast an additional spotlight on the controversy over humanitarian abuses in Sudan's embattled Darfur region as the Beijing Games begin.

The announcement of the vote by U.S. Olympic team captains came just hours after the Chinese government rescinded the visa of 2006 Olympic speedskating gold medalist Joey Cheek, the co-founder of Team Darfur, a group of athletes that aims to raise awareness about the conflict in Sudan and has been pressing China to do more to help end the fighting.

Lomong is an active member of the organization. "This is the most exciting day ever in my life," Lomong, 23, said in a statement. "It's a great honor for me that my teammates chose to vote for me. I'm here as an ambassador of my country, and I will do everything I can to represent my country well."

Photo Credit: Ricardo Mazalan / Associated Press

Hat Tip: AmericaBlog:

Olympic Fever

I love the Olympics. Ever since those days in 1984 when LA played host to the event I've always watched with awe at the spectacle.

In honor of the Olympics the Dodgers PR staff have been kind enough to share some photos of some Olympians at Dodger Stadium. Check them out below.

Photo Credit: Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers

Dodger Hall of Famer and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda exchanged jerseys with the USA Women’s Softball Team Coach Mike Candrea before the Dodgers’ April 23 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team also unveiled its’ Olympic jersey on the field at Dodger Stadium that day, and Lasorda, who managed the U.S. Baseball team to its first and only gold medal in baseball in the 2000 Olympics, also gave a pep talk to the women’s softball team during the game.

Photo Credit: Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers

The Women’s Olympic Water Polo team was introduced on the field before the Dodgers’ July 13 game against the Florida Marlins and team captain Brenda Villa threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Photo Credit: Jill Weisleder/LA Dodgers