LDS athletes enjoy golden Games in Beijing
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BEIJING, CHINA
Several LDS athletes returned home from the 2008 Summer Games with Olympic hardware draped around their necks.
• New Zealand shot putter Valerie Vili said she wanted to put pressure on her opponents early in the women's event finals at the Beijing Olympics. So on her first of five attempts that all surpassed 20 meters, she logged a best put of 20.56 that not only put pressure on her peers but earned Vili the gold medal.
"To come out on top feels amazing," she said shortly after her gold-winning performance. "I can't explain what's going on through my head right now. I couldn't have asked for a better day or moment."
And after a teary medal-stand moment with the New Zealand anthem playing, Vili was still living the moment.
"I was so emotional and happy," said the 23-year-old Rotorua native who resides in Auckland. "We achieved what we came here to do."
• American volleyball players Ryan Millar and Rich Lambourne were part of the gold medal winning squad that defeated defending Olympic champion Brazil in four sets on Aug. 24.
Brother Millar, a former BYU standout, had eight kills and three blocks, while former Cougar teammate Rich Lambourne added a tied-for-team-best 12 digs.
The 2008 Summer Games marked Millar's third Olympic appearance. Lambourne, who served a mission in Japan, was an alternate for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team.
• Natasha Kai, a Church member from Laie, Hawaii, and a forward on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, played the final minutes in the Aug. 15 gold medal final. The American side defeated Brazil 1-0 in a grueling match that went into extra time.
• LDS softball players Tairia Flowers and Laura Berg were members of the U.S. women's softball team that was upset by Japan 3-1 in the tournament final. The two Californian residents were awarded a silver medal.
• American swimmer Lacey Nymeyer also brought Olympic silver home to Tucson, Arizona, as a member of the runner-up 4x100 freestyle relay team. (See Church News, Aug. 16, 2008.)
