Track & Field / July 27, 2012

#OlympicCanes Central

Eleven members of the Hurricanes family are set to particpate either as athletes or coaches during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. The Opening Ceremonies will be held on July 27, with the Closing Ceremonies scheduled for Aug. 12. In between, use this page for links and schedule information for all things UM in London. In addition, follow the official #OlympicCanes Blog for pictures, video and more. See below for media coverage.

August 8

August 9

August 10

DIVE: Viola (Prelims)
14th, qualified for semis
Results

TRACK: Brown (400m Hurdles Finals)
Sixth Place
Results

TRACK: Ahouré (200m Finals)
Sixth Place
Results

DIVE: Viola (Semis)
15th
Results

TRACK: Williams (4x100m Relay)*
3:20 p.m. EST
Results

* – anchor leg

TRACK: Williams (4x100m Relay)
Gold Medal
Results

London2012 | NBC Olympics | Full Olympics Schedule | #OlympicCanes | ACC in London

Friday, August 10

Lauryn Williams added a gold medal to her resume as Team USA smashed a world record to win the 4x100m relay. Williams ran the anchor leg in the preliminaries on Thursday as part of the relay pool. The sprinter also won a silver medal in the 100m dash in Athens in 2004.

Associated Press: Friday’s Olympic Medalists
Associated Press: U.S. smashes women’s 4×100 mark
Christian Broadcasting Network: Disappointment Led to New Focus
Detroit Free-Press: Ex-Detroiter Lauryn Williams wins gold despite not running in women’s 4×100 relay
Times Online: Williams gets her gold: Relay team breaks world record

DEEM
Associated Press: US women set to earn more medals than ’08

Thursday, August 9

Competing in the 10m platform, diver Brittany Viola wrapped up her first appearance at the Olympics with a 15th-place finish in the semifinals. In track and field, Lauryn Williams ran the anchor leg for Team USA to help the squad win its heat and advance to the finals in near-record time. Watch the race here. It marked her third Olympic Games.

DEEM
USA Today: Relays ahead, and U.S. teams better get on the stick

VIOLA
Associated Press: Brittany Viola falls short in diving semifinals
Associated Press: China’s Chen dominates 10-meter platform semis
MLB.com: Viola watches daughter in Olympic platform diving
NBC Miami: Viola Fails to Qualify in Diving Finals
Star Tribune: Viola, dad share bond of big-stage pressure
Washington Post: No sweet music: Brittany Viola misses out on 10-meter Olympic diving final

WILLIAMS
Chicago Tribune: U.S. set pace in women’s 4×100 heats
CTV: Rest of Day 13 – Athletics
Miami Herald: Olympic Roundup
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Relay redemption: Williams finishes blazing prelim run
Times Online: Williams, teammates finish 1st in 4×100 prelims

Wednesday, August 8

In a busy day for the #OlympicCanes, two track stars ran in finals and one diver made her London debut. Running in her second finals of the Games, Murielle Ahouré placed sixth in the highly-competitive 200m dash. She also appeared in the finals of the 100m dash. Right before her race at the Olympic Stadium, T’erea Brown earned sixth in the 400m hurdles. In her first Olympics, Brown set a personal best in the semifinals on Monday. Brittany Viola secured a spot in the semifinals of the 10m platform diving competition after a strong showing in her debut.

AHOURÉ
SB Nation: Brown Finishes 6th In Women’s 400m Hurdles, Murielle Ahoure 6th In 200m

BROWN
Associated Press: 49ers CB Cory Nelms has his Olympic moment
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: San Francisco 49er player beams with pride at girl friend’s Olympic run
San Jose Mercury News: Nelms ‘definitely proud’ of girlfriend’s sixth-place finish in Olympic hurdles
WCSC: Charleston native finishes in 6th place at London Olympics
Virginia-Pilot: Hampton High’s Brown runs in 400m hurdles finals

VIOLA
Associated Press: Ex-pitcher Frank Viola’s daughter goes for Olympic gold in platform diving
Associated Press: Minnesota’s Brittany Viola advances to 10-meter platform diving semifinal
KLAS: Viola dives in Olympics with famous dad on hand
Sun-Sentinel: Former UM diver Viola reaches semifinals
Telegraph: Platform diving starts

WILLIAMS
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Rochester native to anchor relay team

Tuesday, August 7

After posting a second-place finish of 22.49 in heat two of the 200m dash, sprinter Murielle Ahouré qualified for her second finals in London. She will run for a gold medal on Wednesday.

Athletics Africa: Makhloufi nicks Gold for Algeria; Ahoure, Rudisha and others claim final slots
Bleacher Report: Women’s Olympic 200-Meter Dash 2012: Previewing Favorites and Dark-Horse Runners
Trinidad And Tobago Newsday: Sprinters race into 200m final
Washington Examiner: Ivory Coast sprinter with local ties advances to 200-meter final

BROWN
MLive: Seeing Isn’t Believing
Sacramento Bee: 49ers’ Nelms has a stake in London Olympics with girlfriend T’erea Brown

VIOLA
Bleacher Report: Bold Predictions for 10m Platform
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Diver Viola finds a new route to the Olympics
Northern Voices: Olympic women’s diving schedule: Can US win a gold

Monday, August 6

T’erea Brown and Murielle Ahouré each recorded strong times at the Olympic Stadium to move on to the next round. Brown set a personal best in the 400m hurdles (54.21) to advance to the finals of the event in her first appearance at the Olympics. Running in her second event this week, Ahouré won her heat in the first round of the 200m dash with a time of 22.55, the second fastest in the field overall.

AHOURÉ
ABC: Olympic Roundup
Sun Sentinel: South Florida Athletes in Position for Gold

BROWN
CSN Bay Area: 49ers DB excused to watch girlfriend qualify for Olympic final
Contra Costa Times: Nelms and Browns have a speedy relationship
Daily Press: Hampton’s Brown advances to finals of 400-meter hurdles
NBC Wavy: Hampton’s T’Erea Brown makes finals
San Jose Mercury News: Nelms watches long-time girlfriend advance in Olympic hurdles
RunnersWeb: Olympic Wrapup
Virginian-Pilot: Hampton High’s Brown advances in 400m hurdles

MICHEL
Cornwell: Michel proud of team after waving farewell

Sunday, August 5

In her Olympic debut, T’erea Brown ran a personal best (54.72) to finish second in heat one and qualify for the semifinals of the 400m hurdles. Sixteen athletes will run in Monday’s semifinals, with eight moving to the finals on Wednesday. In volleyball, Team GB fell to Japan, 3-0, to wrap up action in the Olympics. Ciara Michel had seven spikes, while Savanah Lead recorded 14 spikes and eight digs. The host nation went 1-4 in pool play in its first-ever appearance in the sport at the Olympic Games.

BROWN
Arizona Republic: 400m Hurdles Update
SB Nation: T’erea Brown Qualifies For 400m Hurdles Semifinal
Washington Times: Checking in on the D.C., Maryland and Virginia athletes

LEAF/MICHEL
NBC Olympics: Japan finishes prelims with sweep of British
Reuters: Crowd favorite GB women slide out of Games
Orange UK News: GB women end with defeat
The Guardian: Team GB exit women’s volleyball with defeat by Japan
Washington Post: Volleyball Roundup

RAILEY
Bettor: Zach Railey Satisfied With Performance In 2012 London Olympic Games

Saturday, August 4

Murielle Ahouré qualified for the finals of the 100m dash with a time of 11.01 in the semifinals. Running out of lane three, the sprinter started strong, but finished seventh in the event (11.00). She will next run in the 200m dash preliminaries on Monday.

24 Hours Vancouver: Olympic athletes on fast track to 100M success
Star Africa: Okagbare, Ahoure sprint into 100m finals
Toronto Star: Olympic athletes on fast track to 100M success
Washington Post: Field set for women’s 100-meter final

GENERAL
Miami Herald: A lot of drama, success after first week of London Olympics
Sun Sentinel: Olympic updates for Miami alumni in London

Friday, August 3

In her Olympic debut, Murielle Ahouré set a personal and Ivory Coast national record with a time of 10.99 in the 100m dash to win heat seven. She will run in heat three of the semifinals on Saturday, hoping to advance to the finals later on in the night. In volleyball action, Team GB suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Dominican Republic to drop to 1-3 with one pool play match remaining. Zach Railey wrapped up his second appearance at the Olympics with a 12th-place finish in the standings in the sailing Finn class.

AHOURÉ
Associated Press: Jeter leads quick women’s 100 heats at Olympics
Associated Press: Women say ‘fast track’ awaits men’s sprinters
Associated Press: Sub-11 no big deal on fast day at Olympics
McClatchy Newspapers: A cauldron of competition: Here comes track and field
Star Africa: Okagbare,Ahoure power into semis
Virgin Islands Daily News: Training Duo Advances to Semis

LEAF/MICHEL
SportsBeat: Women’s Games hangs in balance
NBC Olympics: Dominicans’ win has them thinking quarterfinals

RAILEY
Associated Press: Ainslie wins 10th race to set up medals showdown
New York Times: A Valued Adjunct to the U.S. Sailing Team
Tampa Bay Times: Clearwater’s Zach Railey done in Olympic sailing

WILLIAMS
Associated Press: U.S. Showdown With Jamaica Begins With Women’s 100-Meter Heats

Thursday, August 2

Zach Railey recorded 12th and eighth-place finishes in day four of sailing action in the Finn class. He is currently in 12th place overall, needing to be in the top-10 to advance to the Medal Race with two qualifying competitions to go.

Tampa Bay Times: Clearwater’s Zach Railey in tough spot with two races left
U.S. Sailing: Daily Report

BROWN
Daily Press: T’Erea Brown: New name, same speed

DEEM
Denver Post: U.S. medal hopes lean heavily on track and field team
USA Today: Sprinters could find fast track, records, if weather allows
Washington Post: U.S. Track Runners Prepare for Busy Schedule

LEAF
Santa Cruz Sentinel: Former Marin Academy volleyball standout Savanah Leaf having a ball on Team GB

MICHEL
Sports Beat: Home Court Advantage the Difference

ROSS
The Star Phoenix: Ross savours his Olympic swan song

VIOLA
Queens Chronicle: Queens Olympians shine in London

Wednesday, August 1

Reuben Ross finished in sixth place in the 3m synchronized springboard diving event with partner Alexandre Despatie. It was the second appearance for Ross at the Olympic Games. In volleyball action, Team GB suffered a tough 27-25 loss in the opening set against Italy and did not recover, falling to 1-2 in pool play with two matches remaining.

DEEM
The Star: Strong US athletics squad targets 30 medals at the Games

LEAF/MICHEL
London Standard: Back on home ground: US-based athletes make the most of competing in London
NBC Olympics: Italians sweep Britain to stay atop Group A
Somerset: Ciara Michel: Claiming Team GB’s first ever volleyball win at London 2012 an amazing feeling
The Independent: Team GB women brushed aside as Italy ease to volleyball victory

RAILEY
BYM: U.S. London Olympic Sailing Team update

ROSS
Boxscore News: Sixth place for Canadians Despatie and Ross in men’s three-metre Olympic synchro
Canadian Press: Despatie, Ross 6th in three-metre synchronized diving at London Olympics
CBC: Canada’s Despatie, Ross finish 6th in synchro diving
CJME: Family supports Pilot Butte’s Olympic diver Reuben Ross
Global Regina: Pilot Butte’s Reuben Ross misses the podium after disappointing dives
Long Beach Press-Telegram: Photos: Men’s Synchronized Diving gold medal event at the London
National Post: How the Canadians did on Day 5
The Globe and Mail: Divers Alexandre Despatie and Reuben Ross sixth in three-metre synchro
The Sentinel: Alexandre Despatie bounces back in Olympics after hitting head on board six weeks ago
Toronto Star: What Canada Did: Day 5
Vancouver Sun: Alexandre Despatie, Reuben Ross sixth in synchro springboard

WILLIAMS
Adage: Olympic Athletes Rebel Against Social-Media Rules

Tuesday, July 31

Zach Railey made a move up the standings with second and eight place finishes on Tuesday morning. He is currently in 13th place with four qualifying races to go in the Finn class. Watch a replay of the races here.

Associated Press: Dane keeps lead over Ainslie in Olympic Finn class
Los Angeles Times: Olympic Roundup
Sail World: Strong day 3 for US Sailing Team

BROWN
Baltimore Sun: Olympic ink: 40 more tattoos on the world’s best athletes

DEEM
AFP: Jamaica’s 2008 success a wake-up call – US coach
Washington Post: Track coaches not tipping hand on relays

LEAF
San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch: Leaf’s Olympic Volleyball Team to Face Italy

ROSS
Global Montreal: Olympics preview: Wednesday, August 1

VIOLA
Sun-Sentinel: Olympic diver: ‘With exercise comes longevity’

Monday, July 30

Savanah Leaf and Ciara Michel helped Team GB win its first ever indoor volleyball match at the Olympics with a hard-fought 3-2 victory. From the BBC: “…the historic point came at 00:37am as Ciara Michel won a block at the net, some of the Team GB players fell to their knees in tears.” Leaf, the youngest member of the team, finished with eight spikes, while Michel had four kills and two aces. Watch a replay of the thrilling match here. The host nation improved to 1-1 in pool play with three more matches left. Sailer Zach Railey finished 13th and 17th, respectively, in two races on the day. He sits in 13th overall with six qualifying races remaining.

LEAF/MICHEL
BBC: Great Britain record maiden win
Brent & Kilburn Times: Team GB volleyball inspired to victory over Algeria
Daily Mail: Volleyball women secure historic first-ever Olympic win
NBC Olympics: British women make history with five-set win
The Star: Sheffield based team claim historic win

RAILEY
Bloomberg: British Olympic Sailors Say Bay Currents Provide Home Advantage
Sail World: Busy day for Team USA
Sports Network: British sailing crew moves up to 1st in Star

Sunday, July 29

Zach Railey, a 2008 silver medalist in Beijing, began competition in the Finn Class in sailing on Sunday morning with a 10th and 15th-place finish. Eight races remain in the preliminaries prior to the medal race. Click here to listen to Railey talk to U.S. Sailing.

Reuters: Sailing Day One
Sail World: London Olympics – Day 1 for the US Sailing Team
SB Nation: Local Athletes Ready To Compete On Day Three
Tampa Bay Times: Clearwater’s Zach Railey has tough day on the water
U.S. Sailing: Daily Report: U.S. Olympic Sailing Team

WILLIAMS
USA Today: Athletes tweet demands for change to IOC rule

VIOLA
Yahoo: Athletes from Florida in the 2012 Summer Olympics

Saturday, July 28

Savanah Leaf and Ciara Michel each made history as they took part in Team GB’s first-ever indoor Olympic volleyball match, but the hosts fell to No. 9 Russia, 3-0. Click here for the box score and here to watch a replay of the match.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Team GB makes history
Daily Mail: World volleyball champs Russia are too much of a tall order for rookie Brits
Press Association: Volleyball’s Michel spots stars in Olympics village
Reuters: Britain swept in first-ever Olympic match
Telegraph: Great Britain women’s volleyball team buoyant despite debut loss to Russia

DEEM
Boston.com: Ask an expert: Track coach answers your questions

GENERAL
Sunshine State News: Rick Scott Cheers Florida’s Olympians in London

RAILEY
U.S. Sailing: Daily Report: U.S. Olympic Sailing Team

Friday, July 27

The 2012 Olympic Games officially begun with the Opening Ceremonies held inside the Olympic Stadium in London. Following several acts, the athletes and coaches entered in the Parade of Nations. The night ended with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron and a performance by Paul McCartney. Click here to view photos taken by #OlympicCanes and here for tweets.

Associated Press: With royalty and rock, Britain opens its Olympics

Information	Links	Schedule (Times EST)
RANDY ABLEMAN USA Diving Assistant Coach Fifth Olympics	Miami Bio Release UM Hall of Fame @USADiving USA Diving	Diving July 29-Aug. 11 Full Schedule
MURIELLE AHOURÉ Ivory Coast Track & Field 100m, 200m First Olympics	Olympic Bio Release IAAF Times @MurielleAhoure Ivory Coast Olympics	100m 8/3: First Round (1st) 8/4: Semifinals (3rd) 8/4: Finals (7th) 200m 8/6: Prelims (1st) 8/7: Semifinals (2nd) 8/8: Finals (6th)
T’EREA BROWN USA Track & Field 400m Hurdles First Olympics	USATF Bio Release @TereaBrown USA Track & Field	8/5: First Round (2nd) 8/6: Semifinals (3rd) 8/8: Finals (6th)
AMY DEEM USA Track & Field Women’s Head Coach First Olympics	Miami Bio Release @MiamiTrack USA Track & Field	Track & Field Aug. 3-11 Full Schedule
SAVANAH LEAF Great Britain Volleyball First Olympics	Olympic Bio Release Blog GB Volleyball \| More	7/28 vs. Russia: L, 3-0 7/30 vs. Algeria: W, 3-2 8/1 vs. Italy: L, 3-0 8/3 vs. Dom. Rep.: L, 3-0 8/5 vs. Japan: L, 3-0 Final Statistics
CIARA MICHEL Great Britain Volleyball First Olympics	Olympic Bio Release @vb_ci GB Volleyball \| More	7/28 vs. Russia: L, 3-0 7/30 vs. Algeria: W, 3-2 8/1 vs. Italy: L, 3-0 8/3 vs. Dom. Rep.: L, 3-0 8/5 vs. Japan: L, 3-0 Final Statistics
ZACH RAILEY USA Sailing Finn Class Second Olympics 2008 Silver Medalist	NBC Bio U.S. Sailing Bio Release Website @zachsail U.S. Sailing	7/29: Race 1 (10th) 7/29: Race 2 (15th) 7/30: Race 3 (13th) 7/30: Race 4 (17th) 7/31: Race 5 (2nd) 7/31: Race 6 (8th) 8/2: Race 7 (12th) 8/2: Race 8 (8th) 8/3: Race 9 (12th) 8/3: Race 10 (19th) Final Standings (12th)
CALVIN ROBINSON France Track & Field Personal Coach Second Olympics	Miami Bio Release Mickael Hanany France Track & Field	8/5: Qualification: T8th 8/7: Finals: 14th
REUBEN ROSS Canada Diving Synchro 3m Springboard Second Olympics	Olympic Bio Canada Bio @ReubenRoss Canada Diving	8/1: Sixth Place
BRITTANY VIOLA USA Diving 10m Platform First Olympics	Olympic Bio Release Website @BrittanyViola U.S. Diving	8/8: Prelims (14th) 8/9: Semifinals (15th)
LAURYN WILLIAMS USA Track & Field Relay Pool Third Olympics 2004 Silver Medalist	Olympic Bio USATF Bio Website @LaurynCWilliams USA Track & Field	8/9: Prelims (1st)* 8/10: Finals (Gold) * – anchor leg