Strength is Beauty: Spotlight on Some of Southern California's Olympic Women

If you are like me, you have been twiddling your thumbs for four years now, anxiously anticipating the Olympic madness to start up again.  Everything from the corny (yet inspiring) television commercials that give you goosebumps, the nation rallying together to cheer, holding your breath - hoping gymnasts stick their landings, getting wrapped up in emotional background stories of athletes who have overcome  devastating circumstances, and, if you're REALLY as nerdy as me, tearing up when athletes are standing on the podium listening and singing along to their country's national anthem.  It's all. so. good.
Getting excited yet!?!?!

***** U - S - A!!!!  U - S - A!!!!! *****

If you haven't been too in tune with this summer's U.S. Olympic hopefuls, get researching!  There are some amazing stories that will create fans out of even the least likely sports watchers.  I'm sure you are wondering why a salon is even blogging about sports.  We believe beauty is about being strong - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually...you name it.  Well, we've got some pretty strong young women from right here, in Southern California, who are currently in London preparing for something they have been training their whole lives for.  If you are not sure who to be rooting for in the upcoming games...here are some SoCal locals we think you should watch out for.  These beauties represent strong women at their finest!

SWIMMING:

R*E*B*E*C*C*A    S*O*N*I

home: Manhattan Beach
age: 25
gold medals: 2
competitions: 100m & 200m breaststroke, 4x100m relay

Rebecca is a local Los Angeles resident who is also a part of the Trojan Family at University of Southern California.  Among the many swimming races she'll be competing in, she's a sure bet in the women's 200 meter breaststroke so be sure to watch and cheer!



SOCCER:

A*B*B*Y   W*A*M*B*A*C*H

home: Manhattan Beach
age: 32
gold medals: 1
position: forward

Abby has been the face of women's U.S. Soccer for some time now.  She scored the winning goal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens off a header in overtime, but was unable to compete in the 2008 games due to a broken leg.  Since then she has been the leading scorer for the U.S. women's team and since the U.S. men didn't qualify, Abby and the girls are going to have to hold it down for us on the soccer front!




BEACH VOLLEYBALL:

K*E*R*R*I   W*A*L*S*H

home: Manhattan Beach
age: 33
gold medals: 2

Kerri Walsh is back with her beach volleyball partner Misty May to take the gold yet again in their third run at the Olympics.  This dynamic duo has been described as the best beach volleyball pair in the history of the sport.  And the two cannot be stopped.  Many of you have seen them playing and/or training down in the sand in Hermosa and Manhattan. Watch Kerri rock the world yet again this summer - all while simultaneously rocking the U.S. bikini!


GYMNASTICS:

M*C*A*Y*L*A*   M*A*R*O*N*E*Y

home: Long Beach
age: 16
gold medals: none yet!

How can you not cheer for this fresh faced up-and-comer!?!  At age 16 (wow!) this young gymnast is in London for her first go at the Olympics.  She's a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the vault - so be sure to watch out for high scores on Maroney's olympic debut!


Olympic opening ceremonies will be happening this weekend!  Be sure to tune in (or if you're like me - get ready to be glued to the television for 2 weeks straight), and join the rest of America in cheering for our athletes who are competing over in London.  These men and women are doing what they love, what they have worked for and committed their lives to.  Strength is beauty!  Rock it team USA!!!!