London 2012 #1

This is entry one of many which will let all my friends and family know the preparation, travel, opening ceremonies, competition, and close of the 2012 London Olympics. I will try to be as candid as possible and give insight to a coaches perspective on the Olympics. The two athletes I have the pleasure of working with are Jamie Nieto and Will Claye. 
    Jamie is a high jumper and this is his second Olympics. In 2004 he finished 4th, so this time he wants the redemption of a medal. Jamie is coached and has been coached by high jump guru Cliff Revelto. I'm Jamie's day to day guy since Cliff lives in Manhattan, Kansas and Jamie lives and trains in Chula Vista. I just help monitor Jamie's practices and workouts. At meet time Cliff watches and coaches him, I just try to give him moral support. Jamie and I have had a plan and we have accomplished many of our goals by the grace of God. Jamie is a true friend and I learn from Jamie as much as he learns from me. Jamie will truly be successful in anything he does in life because he has amazing balance and maturity. Jamie has truly shown me at this level its really about the athlete and reaching their goals and I'm glad he has allowed me to be such an integral part of his already amazing season. 
  Will is my other athlete. Will is like a little brother to me and I truly feel blessed to work with him. He is truly grounded in his faith, as is Jamie, and that is why we truly have a great connection. It truly feels God has put us together. Will is the World Indoor Champion in the triple jump and 4th in the long jump. We have big goals for the Olympics and have truly reached the end point of the journey we set out on. Will is a very special athlete. He is one of only two athletes who is in multiple events on the US team (Galen Rupp being the other). He also is a part of the new breed of athletes on the Olympic team; Brigetta Barrett, Marquise Goodwin, Christian Taylor, Erik Kynard, Ashton Eaton and Matt Centrowitz, who are fearless and have had international success at a young age. It's exciting to see these athletes compete and Will along with these athletes are the face of USATF for years to come. 
  On Wednesday Jamie heads over to Monaco to compete in the Diamond League meet there. It will be his last competition before the games. His preparation has been great and he will be ready to be amazing. On Friday Will and I head over to London. We have decided to forgo any meets before the game and work on getting razor sharp in preparation for the games. This is Will's first Olympics but he is already a seasoned veteran, and we are excited about his chances going into the Olympics. 
Until next time stay blessed and safe for each day is a blessing.