London 2012 Olympics: Introducing Your Florida Athletes

See also "Six South Florida Athletes To Keep Tabs On During the Games" and "London 2012 Olympics: South Florida Athletes (Photos)"Something called "the Olympic Spirit" is in the air, and suddenly, we're suppose to care about equestrian sports and whether or not China is sending 10-year-olds to destroy capitalism whilst...

By Jose D. Duran

July 27, 2012

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See also "Six South Florida Athletes To Keep Tabs On During the Games" and "London 2012 Olympics: South Florida Athletes (Photos)"

Something called "the Olympic Spirit" is in the air, and suddenly, we're suppose to care about equestrian sports and whether or not China is sending 10-year-olds to destroy capitalism whilst competing against Team USA in women's gymnastics. So why should you care?

Well, if you have any state pride, 31 athletes from Florida (by Team USA's standards) will be competing for the gold. This includes previous gold-medal winners Ryan Lochte, Venus and Serena Williams, and Anna Tunnicliffe, whose name you probable don't recognize, but trust us she sailed her way to gold in Beijing.

There are also plenty of newcomers, including America's hope for gold in men's gymnastics, Danell Leyva, and triathlete Manuel Huerta.

Well, in case you want to bask by proxy in Floridian athletes glory, here is the full list of compitetors from the state as provide by Team USA.

It oddly enough categorizes Fort Lauderdale's Sanya Richards-Ross as coming from Texas, and, more understandably, LeBron James representing Ohio.

If you're more of visual learner, check out our complete slide show of all of the South Floridians competing for Olympic gold.

Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation), Volleyball
Laura Bennett (North Palm Beach), Triathlon
Bob Bryan (Wesley Chapel), Tennis
Mike Bryan (Wesley Chapel), Tennis
Chris Colwill (Brandon), Diving
Phil Dalhausser (Ormond Beach), Volleyball
Brian Fatih (Miami), Sailing
Sylvia Fowles (Miami), Basketball
Jared Frayer (Clearwater), Wrestling
Justin Gatlin (Pensacola), Athletics
Ryan Harrison (Bradenton), Tennis
Manuel Huerta (Miami), Triathlon
John Isner (Tampa), Tennis
Lacy Janson (Sarasota), Athletics
Hunter Kemper (Longwood), Triathlon
Tina Konyot (Palm City), Equestrian
Danell Leyva (Homestead), Gymnastics
Sarah Lihan (Fort Lauderdale), Sailing
Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach), Swimming
Tony McQuay (West Palm Beach), Athletics
Mark Mendelblatt (Miami), Sailing
Emil Milev (Tampa), Shooting
Trevor Moore (Naples), Sailing
Karen O'Connor (Ocala), Equestrian
Robin Prendes (Miami), Rowing
Paige Railey (Clearwater), Sailing
Zach Railey (Clearwater), Sailing
Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation), Sailing
Brittany Viola (Orlando), Diving
Serena Williams (Palm Beach Gardens), Tennis
Venus Williams (Coral Gables), Tennis

The opening ceremony -- which will apparently includes Mary Poppins in a death-battle with Voldemort -- kicks off today at 9 p.m. London time (4 p.m. EST), but NBC 6 (WTVJ) will be airing the event on tape delay at 7:30 p.m.

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Jose D. Duran is associate editor of Miami New Times where he primarily oversees the arts and culture and music beats. Jose joined the New Times staff in June 2008 but has been covering Miami culture since 2005. His work has also appeared in publications likeVice, Billboard, and Spin. He’s earned numerous accolades including placing first for Weekly Newspaper Contest: Business Reporting from the Florida Press Association in 2020; placing third for the Writing: Light Feature from the Florida Press Club in 2019; and placing third in Weekly Newspaper Contest: Best Obituary from the Florida Press Association in 2015. Jose holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Contact: Jose D. Duran

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Twitter: @jose_d_duran