Five Athletes from Northern Virginia Head to Olympics

They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. This week, it pays off as 529 athletes from 45 states get their chance to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. 

The athletes, including those from Northern Virginia, are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball

Here are a few quick facts about your Northern Virginia Olympians:

Giuseppe Lanzone 
Sex: Male 
Rowing
Event/position/class: Eight
Age: 29
From: Annandale

See: 

Kate Ziegler
Sex: Female
Swimming 
Event/position/class: 800m free
Age: 24
From: Great Falls 

See:

Terrence Jennings 
Sex: Male 
Taekwondo
Event/position/class: 68kg
Age: 25
From: Alexandria

See:

Claire Laubach
Sex: Female
Competing in field hockey
Event/position/class: Defense
Age: 28 (she'll turn 29 on July 29)
From: Bristow 

Matt McLean
Sex: Male
Competing in Swimming
Event/position/class: 800m free relay
Age: 24
From: Sterling 

Also from Virginia:

• T'erea Brown, Hampton, 400m hurdles
• Francena McCorory, Hampton, 400m 
• William  Coleman, Hampton, equestrian eventing
• Gabrielle Douglas, Virginia Beach, gymnastics
• LaShawn Merritt, Portsmouth, 400 m
• Caroline Nichols, Virginia Beach, field hockey
• Reid Priddy, Richmond, volleyball
• Shannon Taylor, Midlothian, field hockey
• Kellie Wells, Richmond, 100m hurdles

Looking for a way to celebrate the Olympics locally? You can find local events for Olympic Fun Day on July 28 on the Let’s Move website, which has a page about how to set up your own local Olympics.