With the Olympics just getting underway in Beijing, it is only right that we recognize our fellow Georgians who are there competing! With nearly 50 athletes from Georgia participating in the 2008 Olympics, the athlete who has arguably attracted the most attention is 24-year-old swimmer Eric Shanteau. The Parkview high school graduate has been training for 15 years. Just weeks before the U.S. Swimming Trials in Omaha, Neb. last month, Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He decided to put off surgery until he returns from Beijing, and will still compete in the 200-meter breaststroke.
While all the local athletes may not have a story as compelling as Eric Shanteau, it is still an honor to have Georgia represented by so many amazing athletes!
Here is a list of just some of the athletes that will be representing us in Beijing:
Dexter Fowler
Benn Fraker
Robert Ginepri
Vincent Hancock
Cheryl Haworth
Kathleen Hersey
Reese Hoffa
Sada Jacobson
DeLisha Milton-Jones
Adam Nelson
Raju Rai
Colby Rasmus
Eric Shanteau
Angelo Taylor
Terrence Trammell
Dee Dee Trotter
Reggie Witherspoon
You can watch the Olympics beginning at 7:30 pm ET/PT on NBC. For more information, please visit the official 2008 Beijing Olympics website at http://en.beijing2008.cn/.
Written by Renee Fouquet
