Patriotism is on the rise, there’s a increasing sense of national pride that only comes around once every four years and people are asking questions like, “Handball is a sport?” and “Wait, seriously, trampoline is in the Olympics?!” That can only mean one thing -- the Summer Olympics are almost here! Join us for our daily news round-up from the 2012 London Games. Only 37 days to go!
Medal Stand: Dumais, Ipsen Lead U.S. Olympic Trials For Diving, Horses Take A Flight
Today’s news round-up from the 2012 Summer Olympics, including the trials schedule for Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, Queen Underwood getting a special call and horses flying on planes.
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DIVING
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Diving continued Monday night with the preliminary and semifinals of the men's 3M synchronized competition. The leaders heading into Friday's finals are three-time Olympian Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen. Dumais is trying to join Greg Louganis as the only American man to make four Olympic teams. He and Ipsen scored 876.00 points, with Chris Colwill and Drew Livingston in second at 849.33. David Bonuchi and Michael Hixon were third at 779.28.
“We had a wake-up call in the preliminaries. The competition was great out there,” Ipsen said. “It was very nerve-wracking, but we’ve been training hard and I’m happy with our semifinal score.”
The finals being Thursday and wrap up Sunday. The men’s 3M Synchro finals are 11 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC Sports Network.
SWIMMING
The U.S. Olympic Team Trails for swimming don’t start until Monday, but anticipation is already building, particularly the excitement of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte once again dueling in the pool. Even though Phelps has not yet announced the events he plans to swim, and Lochte has only said he’s doing the 200m and 400m IM, the 200m backstroke, 200m freestyle, and he “might be picking some other events too,” the idea of the two rivals battling has led to speculation, like this at NBC Olympics. They both announced their events on Tuesday! Click here to read all about it!
BOXING
The United States will be represented in all three women’s weight divisions as women’s boxing makes its Olympic debut in 2012. Originally, the IOC’s Tripartite Commission did not have a boxer for the lightweight slot, which meant the berth went to the next place finisher at the 2012 Women’s World Championships, which in this case was Queen Underwood.
“I’m just so happy right now. I’ve been waiting for this second chance and it means a lot to be able to go to the Olympics,” Underwood said. “All I heard was welcome to the Olympic Team and I just couldn’t control my emotions. I am just happy and thrilled that they chose me. This is just awesome.”
EQUESTRIAN
Among the first U.S. athletes to arrive in London? The elite U.S. three-day eventing equine squad arrived Monday after taking a red eye FedEx flight.
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