The 2012 Olympics visited USC today with a cast of dignitaries led by Sebastian Coe, the chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, who is also a four-time medalist. He won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in the 1500m distance run.
Coe was joined by Trojan Olympians Rebecca Soni (three-time medalist, including gold in the 2008 200m breaststroke); Ous Mellouli (2008 gold medalist in the 1500m freestyle); Tasha Danvers (2008 bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles); Richard Charlesworth (2008 Olympian); and legendary broadcaster Al Michaels. Plus, USC athletic director Pat Haden, track and field head coach Ron Allice and swimming head coach Dave Salo were part of today's media event at McDonald's Swim Stadium.
Coe, who addressed an Annenberg sports writing class and the USC swim team, credited Los Angeles as one of the most important Olympic cities dating back to Babe Didrickson Zaharias' three gold medals in 1932 advancing women's athletics. And then again in 1984, he emphasized the importance of the introduction of the women's marathon, which was once considered "too strenuous" for female athletes.
Here's a look at the day's event and the participants mentioned courtesy of John McGillen...
First photo caption from left: Mellouli, Soni, Danvers, Coe, Haden, Salo, Allice and Michaels
Coe was joined by Trojan Olympians Rebecca Soni (three-time medalist, including gold in the 2008 200m breaststroke); Ous Mellouli (2008 gold medalist in the 1500m freestyle); Tasha Danvers (2008 bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles); Richard Charlesworth (2008 Olympian); and legendary broadcaster Al Michaels. Plus, USC athletic director Pat Haden, track and field head coach Ron Allice and swimming head coach Dave Salo were part of today's media event at McDonald's Swim Stadium.
Coe, who addressed an Annenberg sports writing class and the USC swim team, credited Los Angeles as one of the most important Olympic cities dating back to Babe Didrickson Zaharias' three gold medals in 1932 advancing women's athletics. And then again in 1984, he emphasized the importance of the introduction of the women's marathon, which was once considered "too strenuous" for female athletes.
Here's a look at the day's event and the participants mentioned courtesy of John McGillen...
First photo caption from left: Mellouli, Soni, Danvers, Coe, Haden, Salo, Allice and Michaels
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