2016 Olympic Games 2016

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Saturday Olympic Recap: Men's Relay Struggles End With 4x4 Gold Billy Simpson Aug 20, 2016

After the US men faced disappointment in the 4x100m relay when a DQ took away their bronze medal, this 4x400m became even more important. Add in the fact that in the last Olympics the US men only took home silver when they were usually perennial god medalists in the event and that they were fighting with rival Jamaica, this race held a lot of significance. 

Flashback Friday: Brianna Rollins High School Career Slideshow Todd Grasley Aug 19, 2016

Miami Northwestern class of 2009 alumni Brianna Rollins won just one state championship in her high school career. The hurdler/jumper captured the 300m hurdle crown in 2009 with a personal best of 42.56s. Recently, Rollins, who spent her college years at Clemson, led a 1-2-3 sweep for the USA women at the Olympic Games. Her high school coach, Carmen Jackson, was on hand to witness her golden moment. Take a trip to Rollins high school days and check out her state winning race as well as our photo slideshow!

Throwback Thursday: Jenny (Barringer) Simpson's Running Career In Photos Todd Grasley Aug 18, 2016

Mike Leary, a longtime Florida photographer (and father of stellar Florida high school runner Ryder Leary), sent us some of his favorite photos he shot during the high school and college career of local celebrity Jenny (Barringer) Simpson who recently made history becoming the first woman to medal in the 1,500m at the Olympic Games, when she earned the bronze medal on Tuesday night in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Rollins Leads Hurdle Sweep, Gatlin Fails To Make 200m Finals Billy Simpson Aug 17, 2016

Miami Northwestern class of 2009 alumni Brianna Rollins was GOLDEN in the women's 100m hurdles leading a Team USA sweep in that event while Woodham HS (Pensacola - now closed) alum Justin Gatlin failed to make the 200m final, and event he was projected to medal in. Tianna Bartoletta who used to train at IMG Academy and resides in Tampa won Olympic gold in the long jump while Tori Bowie who trains with the Pure Athletics group in Clermont added a bronze in the 200m dash to go with her 100m silver!

Jenny Simpson First American Woman To Medal In 1,500m: Brings Home Bronze Todd Grasley Aug 16, 2016

Jenny Simpson made history Tuesday night becoming the first American woman to win a medal in the 1,500m run. Simpson (Barringer), a 2005 graduate of Oviedo High School, and multiple state champion in the Sunshine State, stood her ground in a slow and tactical race early on. With 400 meters to go, Simpson made her move and kicked her way to a third place finish and time of 4:10.53 behind Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, the 2015 world champion and world record holder at 1,500m (4:10.27), and champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon of Kenya (4:08.92)

Road To Rio: Palm Beach Lakes Alum Eddie Lovett Ready To Make His Mark On 110 Hurdles Todd Grasley Aug 14, 2016

Palm Beach Lakes class of 2010 alumni Eddie Lovett was a part of two high school 110m hurdles championship, and while at Florida racked up an indoor title in 2013, two runner-up finishes outdoor in 2013 and 2014, and was a member of four national championship teams (2 indoor, 2 outdoor). We caught up with Lovett in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where he will be competing in the 110m hurdles for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Road To Rio: Last Pure Athletics Workout Before Games Todd Grasley Aug 13, 2016

The Adidas based Pure Athletics Training Group in Clermont, Florida boasts nearly a dozen Olympians in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. We caught up with the group before they left for one of their last workout sessions at the National Training Center in Clermont. See how sprinters Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Shaunae Miller, Nickel Ashmeade, Alonso Edward, and Tony McQuay get prepared for the biggest stage in sport!

All Access: Trayvon Bromell's Olympic Training Log Todd Grasley Aug 12, 2016

Trayvon Bromell is one of the top young sprinters in the world and has his eyes set on a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Bromell's Coach Mike Ford gave us an exclusive look at the training log for his star athlete during his time in Brazil on the eve of the first round of the 100m dash.

What To Watch: Florida T&F Stars In Olympic Games Todd Grasley Aug 12, 2016

Track and field starts today! Three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson will compete in the first round of the women's 1,500m run in primetime tonight at 7:30 p.m. Simpson, who graduated from Oviedo High School in 2005 and is one of over a dozen track and field standouts competing the Olympic Games, that are from Florida. Take a look at who is competing and when you can cheer them on!

Road To Rio: Watch All Olympic Pre-Meet Interviews Todd Grasley Aug 11, 2016

Central Florida serves as a training ground for dozens of elite track and field athletes, many who will be competing over the next two weeks in Rio at the Olympic Games. Our Zack Bias made a trip to Montverde to chat with seven-time Olympic medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica who is competing in her fifth Olympic Games, as well as members of the Pure Athletics Group. after their final workouts in the U.S. Pure Athletic athletes include Shaunae Miller, a favorite to medal in the 400 meters, Trinidad & Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Alonzo Edwards who was the flag-bearer for Panama in the opening ceremony, and former Florida high school standout and University of Florida alumni Tony McQuay.

Road To Rio: Former Colonial Grenadier, Florida Gator Andres Arroyo To Compete For Puerto Rico Todd Grasley Aug 10, 2016

Andres Arroyo idolized Roberto Clemente as a kid growing up. Like Clemente, the former Colonial Grenadier, dreamed of roaming the outfield in baseball's major leagues. As he entered high school, those dreams changed and track and field called his name. Now, at the University of Florida, Arroyo will compete in his first Olympic Games in the 800m, and represent his birthplace of Puerto Rico. We caught up with him to talk about his road to Rio, the Olympic Games, and much more.

Future Olympic Hopeful Damion Thomas Of Northeast High School Living Out Olympic Dream Todd Grasley Aug 7, 2016

Northeast High School senior Damion Thomas is one of the top hurdlers in the country and one of the best in the world. Thomas is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil at the Olympic Games, but he's not competing. He was selected at part of the TD Ameritrade Olympic Hopefuls program, which sends promising Tokyo 2020 Olympians, to the games for a week of mentorship, training opportunities, and a look at what it is like to be in the best environment in all of sports. 

Florida Olympians Share Opening Ceremony Moments Todd Grasley Aug 6, 2016

The state of Florida is well represented at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. From the high school ranks, to those who went to college here, and call the Sunshine State their training ground as professional athletes. Over the next two weeks we will give you an inside look at their Road to Rio and experiences at the Olympic Games.  See how former Florida high school stars enjoyed the Opening Ceremony on Friday night.

All Access: Team USA 4x100m Relay Practice Todd Grasley Aug 5, 2016

The Team USA men's 4x100m relay will face off against defending gold medalists Jamaica at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio with the fastest sprinters from both nation's coming together and gunning for the top spot.  Baylor Associate Coach, Mike Ford, who coaches Trayvon Bromell, gave us an inside look at Friday's practice.