Handful Of Metro Detroit Athletes Compete In London Olympic Games
DETROIT (WWJ) - A handful of local sports stars will be among the thousands of athletes from all over the world who will compete in the Olympic Games over the next two weeks in London, England.
Nearly 11,000 athletes from 205 nations will participate in 300 events, each vying to have that gold medal placed around their neck.
While over 30 athletes with ties to the state of Michigan are headed to London for the Summer Games, only a few of them have called or currently call Metro Detroit their home.
Betsey Armstrong, 29
Armstrong was born and raised in Ann Arbor, although she currently resides in California.
Armstrong's event is women's water polo, where she plays goalie. Her first competition day is July 30.
Armstrong was an olympian in 2008.
Desiree Davila, 28
Davila was born and raised in California but currently resides in Rochester Hills.
Davila's event is track and field, where she'll compete in the women's marathon. Her competition day is Aug. 5.
.
Jake Herbert, 27
Herbert, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, currently resides in Ann Arbor.
Herbert's event is wrestling, where he'll compete in the men's 84-kg freestyle. His competition day is Aug. 11.
.
Kara Lynn Joyce, 26
Joyce relocated to Ann Arbor with her family in 2001 before moving to Athens, GA for college.
Joyce's event is swimming, where she'll compete in the women's 50-meter freestyle. Her first competition day is Aug. 3.
.
Thomas Peszek, 27
Peszek was born and raised in Farmington Hills and now currently resides in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Peszek's event is rowing, where he'll compete in men's pair. His first competition day is July 28.
.
Jeff Porter, 26
Porter, who is originally from New Jersey, currently resides in Canton.
Porter's event is track and field, where he'll compete in the mens 110-meter hurdles. His first competition day is Aug. 7.
.
Allison Schmitt, 22
Schmitt was raised in Canton and is now attending school at the University of Georgia.
Schmitt's event is swimming, where she'll compete in the women's 200- and 400-meter freestyle and 400- and 800-meter freestyle relay. Her first competition day is July 28.
Schmitt was an olympian in 2008.
Peter Vanderkaay, 28
Vanderkaay was born in Royal Oak and raised in Rochester before moving to Gainesville, Fla. in 2010 to train.
Vanderkaay's event is swimming, where he'll compete in the men's 400-meter freestyle. His competition day is July 28.
Vanderkaay was an olympian in 2004 and 2008.
Lauryn Williams, 28
Williams is a Detroit native who currently resides in suburban Pittsburgh, Penn.
Williams' event is track and field, where she'll compete in the women's 100-meter relay. Her first competition day is Aug. 9.
Williams was an olympian in 2004 and 2008.
At least 26 athletes and coaches with ties to the University of Michigan will also be at this year's London Olympics -- including 14-time gold medalist Michael Phelps and track and field standout Nick Willis, who was named flag bearer for New Zealand.
Find more information, including a complete TV schedule, at www.london2012.com.
