Disclaimer
Although all efforts have been taken to ensure that the posts in this blog are accurate, at times mistakes do happen and erroneous information gets posted. Readers are requested not to take the information posted in this blog at face value and verify other credible and reliable sources.
Alexandre Bilodeau born September 8, 1987 is a freestyle skier from Montreal, Canada. He won gold in the Men's Moguls event in the recently concluded 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He speaks fluent French and English and currently resides in Rosemère, Quebec.
His His heroes are his brother Frédéric and Canadian freestyle skier Jean-Luc Brassard. He enjoys skiing and playing the piano during his freetime.
During the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, Olga Korbut of USSR was the media darling. She was 17 years old and only stood 4ft 11in tall. After her disappointing performance in the uneven bars, she won the floor and beam titles, her third gold medal as a member of the team. These victories won her name and accolades not only in USSR, but the world over. In 1986, she moved to United States and in 1988 she was inducted in
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Satoshi Ishii is a Japanese Judoka who won gold during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won the medal in the +100kg category. After he won the gold medal, he upset officials at the Japanese Judo Federation by saying that he would use his talents in the growing sport of
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Currently, he has signed a provisional contract with the Japanese MMA Organization.
Waldemar Cierpinski born on August 3, 1950 at
Neugattersleben (formerly in East Germany) was a two time Olympic Marathon winner. He won gold during the 1976 Montreal Olympics and 1980 Moscow Olympics. He could not participate in the 1984 Summer Olympics due to the Olympics boycott call called by the Eastern bloc. Although allegations of performance enhancing drugs being used were raised, nothing was proved and as a result, both his Olympic gold medals still remain. He is now the member of the German Olympic Committee.
Liu Xiang born July 13, 1983 is China's most successful athlete. Liu was a 21 year old student at the East China Normal University when he won gold in the 110m hurdles during the 2004 Athens Olympics. He has the record of being the first Chinese (and also the first Asian) to win an Olympic gold in a men's track and field event. He is also the first Chinese athlete to win the "triple crown" of athletics: World Record Holder, World Champion and Olympic Champion.
He could not compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to injury. Liu maintains a low profile, but is one of the most popular athletes in China.
Ivar Ballangrud from Norway was one of the speed skating greats of his era. He was one of the best speed skaters for 15 years from 1924 to 1939. Born on 7 March 1904, he was a member of the "Handeland Trio". Ivar made his international debut when he was only 19 years old. He took part in the 1928 Olympics and won gold in the 5000m event. He also won a bronze medal in the 1500m in the same winter Olympics.
During the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, Ivar did not have luck on his side and only won a silver medal in the 10000m event. However, his luck was about to be changed as he won gold in the 500m, 5000m and 10000m speed skating events during the 1936 Winter Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the 1500m speed skating event in the same Winter Olympics. He is hailed a national hero in his country and is greatly admired for his feats in the world of speed skating. He died on 1 June 1969.
Hyun-Soo Ahn born on 1985 in Seoul, South Korea is a Short Track Speed Skater. He has revolutionized short track speed skating and has won four Olympic medals till date. He learnt skating when in elementary school.
It was only after he saw his heroes Jee-Hoon Chae and Dong-Sung Kim on television during the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer that he felt that he too can become a great short track speed skater. The first Olympics that he participated in was in the 2002 Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City. Unfortunately he did not win any medals during the 2002 Winter Olympic games.
However, fortunes changed for him during the 2006 Torino Olympics where he ended up winning individual gold medals in the 1000 meters and 1500 meters short track speed skating events. He also won gold in the 5000 meters relay and a bronze in the 500 meters event. He is also the first Korean to have won three medals in a single Winter Olympics.
Posts
