SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW Utah to Rio Meet athletes with ties to the Beehive State competing in Is Rio Ready? Brazil welcomes the world under a barrage of criticism and variety of troubles

How winning a medal would make Jazz guard Raul Neto a legend in Brazil Plus breakdowns for , swimming, and track FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SLTRIBSPORTS FOR UPDATES FROM RIO S2 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

INDEX

9 20 34 How to watch the Games Coming into his own A legend already. At 19. Avoiding the Olympics on TV is practically unavoid- has emerged as one of the bright Katie Ledecky may be the closest thing to a sure able with the amount of hours NBC will broadcast young talents for USA men’s thing for the U.S. in the pool 10 22 36 Studying the Zika effects Sacrifices pay off An errant shot in Rio A professor will lead a USOC Devery Karz stopped running, started rowing, and Golf’s return to the Olympics has been disrupted committee studying the virus’ effects on people her life was changed forever by a spate of withdrawls by top players 11 24 37 Will Rio pull off the Games? Four Jazzmen have big hopes Competing without a nation There have been no shortage of problems and Raul Neto, and , and Joe The Refugee Team is not the first case of athletes controversies as the world’s eyes turn to Brazil Ingles each will lead their countries against the U.S. from different nations competing together 12 28 38 Get to know Team Utah How the U.S. got back on top The cost of gold? Not much More than 20 athletes and coaches will be compet- In different Games, both the USA men’s and wom- Rio’s gold medals are actually silver medals with a ing in the colors of nine separate countries en’s programs made steps to world dominance coating of gold ... and made of recycled materials 16 30 39 The man The first family of track Helping hands help athletes Jared Ward’s family support and analytical ap- is one of the leading lights for the For several low-profile Olympic qualifiers, assis- proach to running has paid off in the marathon USA, and his wife Brianne will compete for tance from others has made it all possible 18 32 40 Cougar and Ute play to win The star on the TV time for some unknowns Who says BYU and Utah people can’t get along? Ca- may be one of the best gymnasts ever Advertising companies will deviate from the norm sey Patterson and prove that idea wrong as she begins her quest for Olympic triumph and use wrestlers and fencers to promote products

OUR TEAM IN BRAZIL

The Salt Lake Tribune will have you covered in . The Tribune is send­ ing three veteran journalists to cover the 2016 Summer , led by colum­ nist Kurt Kragthorpe, , an Olympics veteran who has covered six Summer and Winter Games dating to Nagano in 1998. Kragthorpe will be joined by Olympics and winter sports beat writer Christopher Kamrani, left, who is covering his first Games, and longtime Tribune photographer Rick Egan, who is also covering his third Olym­ pics. The Trib trio will focus their coverage on the 22 athletes with Utah ties who will be competing in Rio, but will also stay on top of the big stories and give readers a regu­ lar taste of the sights and sounds of perhaps the most exotic locale ever chosen to host an Olympics. You can find their coverage across all of The Tribune’s publishing plat­

ABOVE: LEAH HOGSTEN | The Salt Lake Tribune forms, including the print edition and www.sltrib.com. That’s where you’ll also find REST OF PAGE AND COVER | File photos, The Associated Press and the Tribune the Trib’s Olympics blog, which will be up and running on Friday. WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S3

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

When dreams come true It remains, in nearly every person’s mind, the greatest single collection of talent on one bas­ ketball team. The original ‘Dream Team’ in 1992 captivated the world in Barcelona, Spain, rout­ ing opponents with a style and personality that remains vivid in the minds who watched. The were one of two NBA teams to have two players on the Dream Team as , left, and Karl Malone both won gold medals — then added gold medals in 1996 in the Centennial Games in .

Associated Press file photos S4 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

Golden memories Representing the in basket­ ball has proven to be a winning endeav­ or for many Utahns. Legendary girls prep star Natalie Williams, center, who went on to fame in the WNBA, helped lead the U.S. women’s team to a gold med­ al in 2000. While Stockton and Malone were the original Jazzmen playing for the U.S. in the Olympics, , left, and Carlos Boozer continued the tradition. Boozer played on the 2004 team that set­ tled for bronze, but he and Williams won gold in 2008 in .

(MEN’S BASKETBALL) CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune (WOMEN’S BASKETBALL) FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S5

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

Mission accomplished Cael Sanderson left col­ lege with four NCAA ti­ tles, an unbeaten record and the unofficial title of the greatest wrestler in college history. But he didn’t stop there, continu­ ing on the world stage until earning gold in 2004 in Athens.

Associated Press file photos S6 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

You can’t fake the emotion Hugh McCutcheon is one of the most recognizable names in BYU volleyball, as a player in the early 1990s then as an assistant at the start of his coaching ca- reer after graduating. McCutch- eon led the U.S. men’s team to the gold medal in 2008, its first in 20 years, to cap an emo- tional event in which McCutch- eon missed three matches to be with his family after his father- in-law was killed in Beijing and his mother-in-law was serious- ly injured. One of McCutcheon’s top players in 2008 was Ryan Miller, bottom right, another former Cougar. Women’s volley- ball star , a Highland graduate, was the anchor of a United States team that enjoyed success of its own, winning sil- ver medals in 2008 and 2012 and playing in four Games overall.

CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S7

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

The unsung heroes Carlos Arroyo, right, may not be a player who Jazz fans remember for his NBA exploits, but he’s forever re- membered in Puerto Rico for leading his team to a 92-73 win over the Unit- ed States in group play in 2004 in Ath- ens. Two Salt Lake Bees players, Kevin Jepsen, top left, and Matt Brown, bot- tom left, took time out from the Pa- cific Coast League season to help the U.S. win a bronze medal in 2008.

(BASEBALL) CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune (ARROYO) FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press S8 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

LEGENDARY UTAH OLYMPIANS

A moment caught in time Blaine Lindgren of Salt Lake City, top, clears the last hurdle in the 110- meter hurdle race in the 1964 Olym- pics. Lindgren crossed the line believing he had won, but because he did not break the tape, Hayes Jones of Detroit, left, was awarded the gold and Lindgren was given silver.

Associated Press file photo WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S9

SPOTLIGHT • HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES Little will escape NBC’s eyes in Rio

SCOTT D. PIERCE

On Television

f you could record and watch every bit of NBC’s coverage of the Rio Olym- pics on all of its platforms — broadcast TV, cable TV and online — it would take Ialmost 281½ days. And that’s watching the 6,755 hours with no time for sleeping, bathroom breaks or getting something to eat. And yet, there will be those who complain about what NBC does. I can almost hear them whining already, be- cause we’ve heard it before: • There’s too much focus on Americans. Well, duh. NBC is airing the Games in the United States. And Americans are, overall, more interested in Americans. • There are too many warm-and-fuzzy features about the athletes. I could live with fewer of FELIPE DANA | The Associated Press those myself. NBC’s theory is The Barra da Tijuca beach is seen in Rio de Janeiro. The city has been overshadowed by security threats, violence, the Zika virus that they have to make view- and a political scandal ahead of the Olympic Games, an event which will be covered thoroughly by the NBC family of networks. ers care about the athletes to engage their interest … and it a one-hour time difference Rio numbers are simply stag- one devoted to basketball and 281½-day viewing total. seems to work. between Rio and New York, gering. Including: the other to soccer. • And online, NBCOlym- • Tape-delaying some NBC promises these will be • The NBC broadcast net- We don’t have a list of pics.com and the NBC Sports events is not just annoying, the “most live Olympics ever.” work (including Utah affili- which providers will car - app will live stream 4,500 to- it’s downright un-American! The sheer volume of what ate KSL-Ch. 5) will air 260½ ry the basketball and soccer tal hours. That includes all Actually, it’s quintessential- NBC plans is astounding. hours of the Games — from channels, but you’ve got to Olympic competition, includ- ly American. NBC paid $1.23 NBC telecast 15 hours from the Opening Ceremonies to figure that Comcast — which ing what we’ll see on TV. billion for the rights to the Rio the 1964 Winter Games and the Closing Ceremonies and owns NBC — will be on board So, OK, if you want to see Olympics and will spend hun- 37 hours from the 1972 Win- all manner of high-profile with the 779 hours of coverage all the events it will only take dreds of millions more in pro- ter Games, and the network’s events in between. planned for the two channels. you 187½ days. duction costs, and it has ev- first effort of the modern • Cable channels Bra- • NBC’s Spanish-language Which is still pretty amaz- ery right to air what it wants TV era — the 1988 Summer vo (94½ hours), CNBC (42 channels — broadcast net- ing. when it wants. Holding some Games — totaled 179½ hours. hours), the Golf Channel work Telemundo and cable’s Just think of how much events for prime-time maxi- When NBC was here (115 hours), MSNBC (78½ NBC Universo — will car - that will give viewers to com- mizes ratings and advertising in Utah for the 2002 Win- hours), NBC Sports Network ry 273½ hours of Olympics plain about. dollars. ter Games, it amped things (330 hours) and the USA Net- coverage. It comes as a shock to some, up considerably — to a now- work (110½ hours) will all air That will be a different ver- Scott D. Pierce covers TV for but there is no constitution- paltry seeming 375½ hours Olympics coverage — as will sion of what’s airing in En- The Tribune. Email him at al right to watch the Olym- (on NBC, CNBC and MSNBC). two “special channels pro- glish, so you could deduct [email protected]; follow him pics live. Although with just Any way you look at it, the vided to distribution partners,” nearly 11½ days from the on Twitter @ScottDPierce. S10 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT • ZIKA VIRUS U of U doctor spearheading study face of domestic Zika research. health of both sexes. Right 500,000 athletes, media and Byington part of It started with a phone call. now, studies have shown spectators about to converge The U.S. Olympic Com- that Zika can remain active on Rio, Byington said peo - group studying the mittee’s chief medical offi- in men’s sperm for as long as ple should not let their guard cer phoned the Utah doctor six months if a person showed down. disease’s effects. and the pair ended up having symptoms of the virus. The “The mosquito popula- a two-hour conversation. On goal of the study is help en- tions decline in winter, but March 4, it was announced sure that those going to Rio you have to remember where By CHRISTOPHER KAMRANI that Byington was going to can safely plan time to con- Rio is: It’s a tropical country … The Salt Lake Tribune serve as the chairwoman of a ceive. they don’t disappear,” Bying- USOC panel formed to advise, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek ton said. “You’re never going The reports from Brazil follow and study the Zika vi- Murthy said in a conference to get a mosquito bite in the started flashing on Dr. Carrie rus before and after the Games. call last week that the world winter here. That is not going Byington’s computer screen is learning about the re - to be true in Rio.” last summer. PART OF THE PROCESSING CHRIS DETRICK | The Salt Lake Tribune al-time evolution of the Zika Preventing contact with Physicians in the country CENTER • Last Sunday, By - Dr. Carrie Byington is chair­ virus, which first emerged in mosquitoes is the first and that will be hosting the 2016 ington began posting updates woman of a USOC panel the 1940s in Africa and parts the most ideal line of defense. Summer Olympics filed re- on her Twitter account from studying the Zika virus. of Southeast Asia. While the disease can be trans- ports for health care profes- . The updates contin- “Despite the fact that it’s mitted sexually, the mosquito sionals around the globe to ued through the week. Ath- with the USOC a definitive been around, only in the last remains public enemy No. 1. read and digest. A specialist letes and coaches associated yes or no on Zika. The study year that we discovered that Byington said being housed in in general pediatrics and pe- with U.S. archery, rowing, cy- will feature antibody tests, in this a virus that can be trans- areas with glass or screens is diatric infectious disease at cling and shot put all voiced which the team will look into mitted through sex,” Murthy a priority to avoid exposure to the University of Utah, By - their support — and agreed the RNA (ribonucleic acids), said. “There’s more and more the insect. And because mos- ington started seeing sto- to serve as study subjects — in which can carry the genetic that’s being understood each quitoes can thrive inside in ries from Brazil of a myste- the research led by Byington. information of the virus. day.” tropical climates, it’s critical rious disease that physicians Her team aims to enroll Much of the study is also The study of athletes will guests leave their windows and feared had a direct correlation 1,000 U.S. athletes, coaches based on self-collection. not be particular to any sport doors shut at all times. The to a growing number of new- and staffers before the Rio There will be a finger poke or venue, Byington said. The USOC is also recommending borns entering the world with Games kick off. Before reach- in the kit to test blood, a sa- same amount of track and U.S. athletes travel to Brazil microcephaly — a condition in ing the athlete-processing liva swab and a receptacle for field athletes will be sought as with DEET-containing mos- which a baby’s head is signifi- center in Houston, the group a urine sample supplied to swimming or basketball. It’s quito repellent. cantly smaller than normal, already had enrolled about those who agree to participate. equally likely that every ath- “All the things that we can more often due to abnormal 200. Byington said the team Research has shown that lete is going to have exposure do to try to limit their mos- brain development. was going to see upward of four out of five people who to mosquitoes. quito exposure, we’ve talked A few months later, Bying- 600 athletes, coaches, health are infected with the virus about,” Byington said. “But ton addressed medical stu- care professionals and exec- don’t show symptoms. But ‘A PRETTY UNIQUE SITUA­ it’s a world out there, and if dents and full-time physi- utives associated with the regardless of whether some- TION’ • Zika symptoms are they’re going to be interacting cians at University Hospital. USOC before Friday’s Open- one shows symptoms in Rio, akin to getting the flu. They in the environment, there’s no She asked the audience how ing Ceremony. The hope is to the tests Byington’s team typically last five to seven way to prevent 100 percent many in attendance had ever keep the remaining 200 slots will conduct would still de- days and include fever, joint from mosquito exposure. Just heard of Zika. open for Paralympians sched- fine whether Zika was in pain, rashes, eye pain and red trying to have them prepared “No hands went up,” Bying- uled to travel to Brazil weeks someone’s system. The study eyes. There is no specific drug as possible.” ton said in a recent interview. after the Aug. 21 Closing Cer- was recently funded by the to treat Zika, so if athletes be- These Olympics could be Zika, she explained, was emony. National Institutes of Health, come sick, treatment will be remembered for the multi- about to become a new infec- In the same arena where specifically to be conducted based on symptoms. tude of challenges facing the tious disease with which every Olympic superstars and med- for USOC members. Bying- However, the anxiety about host city, and Zika is big part doctor, nurse and medical stu- al hopefuls pick up their ath- ton said the plan is to share Zika has begun to subside in of that equation. dent in the world would need lete identification and Open- real-time information with recent weeks. The Olympics Hosting an Olympiad in the to become “very familiar.” In ing Ceremony uniforms, physicians across the globe will take place during Brazil’s midst of an epidemic? that meeting, she told attend- they’ll also be whisked by once data collection begins. winter season, when mosqui- “I feel like it’s a pretty ees that the virus was emerg- Byington’s Utah-based team “There’s a lot of men and to activity is at a minimum. unique situation,” Byington ing as a new congenital syn- to hear the pitch. “We’re one women going [to Rio], and Marty Cetron, director of the said. “I think a majority of drome out of Brazil. Around more piece of the processing,” they want to know,” Bying- Division of Global Migration athletes, they’ve worked so the same time, information Byington said. Athletes will ton said. and Quarantine for the Cen- hard to get to this point and from research on the disease be asked if their blood can The Utah doctor says the ters for Disease Control and there’s very little that’s going confirmed the scariest med- be drawn before traveling to study will include as many Prevention (CDC), said this to stand in their way.” ical suspicions: Zika had po- Brazil and after their return women as possible. A key to past week that reported Zika tentially devastating effects stateside. understanding the virus, how- infections in Brazil have de- Tribune reporter Alex Stuckey on pregnant women and their The purpose of the study ever, requires equal numbers clined dramatically since the contributed to this story. children. is to be able to give athletes, of men and women because epidemic peaked in March. [email protected] Soon, Byington became the coaches and others associated it affects the reproductive Still, with about 350,000 to Twitter: @chriskamrani WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S11

SPOTLIGHT • THE PROBLEMS IN RIO There’s trouble in paradise

Russian President Vladimir Putin may have authorized doping-related cheating and other violations of the Olym- pic spirit, but I’m thankful to him for spending that $50 bil- lion to make the 2014 Games work. That kind of money KURT buys efficient transportation KRAGTHORPE and dependable security, ev- erything I want in an Olym- pics. eeking some assurance In contrast, Brazil’s econ- about the Olympic ex- omy hardly resembles its lev- perience awaiting me els of 2009, when the country in Rio de Janeiro, I ar- was awarded the Olympics. ranged to meet my all- And now, picturing these time favorite Brazilian, Games being staged in Chica- SJonathan Tavernari. go instead of Rio is only natu- This breakfast conversa- ral, if counter-productive. tion would follow the tradi- Tavernari remembers be- tion of asking for insight from ing in Provo in ’09 when the natives of Olympic host coun- announcement came of Bra- tries, including my Chinese zil’s landing the Olympics. next-door neighbors, Canadi- His first thought had nothing an golfer Mike Weir and Rus- to do with pageantry or patri- sian basketball player Andrei otism, but was just pragmat- Kirilenko, who promised me, ic. He wondered what they “You’ll love it.” would do about the favelas, To my surprise, after all of the slums within urban ar- the concerns about securi- eas. Since then, plenty of oth- ty and other issues, I did love er issues have surfaced. Sochi. So in my chat with Tav- Concerns emerge in the ernari, a former BYU basket- run-up to every Olympics, and ball star, amid reports of the then everything seems to turn troubles Rio is having in pre- out well. This might be the paring for the Games, this one time the problems over- became the critical question: whelm the Games, though. “I “How can you assure me that pray nothing bad happens,” it will all be ready?” Tavernari said. The problem? Tavernari He’ll watch the Games in- rhetorically was posing that CHARLIE REIDEL | The Associated Press terestedly with his wife and question, rather than me ask- Workers prepare a stage at Olympic Park as they make preparations for the upcoming Olympics 3-year-old son in Riverton, ing him. If A.K. was relent- in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Preparations have been plagued by issues surrounding housing, water while preparing for anoth- lessly encouraging about So- quality, politics, crime and terror concerns. er basketball season in Italy chi, J.T. was doggedly realistic (he’s half-Italian, as he likes about Rio. homeland successfully stag- And welcome to Bra- But J.T. sure made it to clarify). After breakfast, J.T. As he described himself es the Olympics and makes a zil. work in this context. assigned me some homework in comparison to his friend, good impression, gloss over Having grown up in “I’m Brazilian,” in the interest of understand- Jazz guard Raul Neto, having all of the problems regarding Sao Paulo, Tavernari he said. “I know ing the culture. The two “Tro- played with him in Brazil’s transportation, housing, pol- attributes his excel- there’s going to be a pa de Elite” movies would be national team program, “I’m lution in outdoor water ven- lent English partly to way they’re going to instructive, he said — “a 100 outspoken. He’s completely ues and crime. I mean, we’ve watching “The Fresh fiasco this.” percent accurate depiction of the opposite of me.” all heard about body parts Prince of Bel-Air,” al- And then one of Rio de Janeiro,” showing the Understand, Tavernari washing up on Copacabana, though I wonder if Tavernari • ‘I us said, “You can’t interaction of drug lords and is a very friendly, engaging site of the Will Smith character’s know there’s fault me for being corrupt police. person, and he offered sug- competition. vernac- going to be worried.” Again, not helping. gestions about my safety Tavernari laughed. “That ular truly was a good a way they’re Again, that was and satisfaction of covering ain’t nothing,” he said. “That’s influence or if he ever going to fias­ J.T., you know, try- [email protected] the Games. He’s hoping his daily news.” used “fiasco” as a verb. co this.’ ing to be helpful. Twitter: @tribkurt S12 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

TEAM UTAH • ATHLETES WITH STATE TIES COMPETING IN RIO Meet your 2016 Utah Summer Olympians Nearly two dozen athletes will be of interest to Utahns in Rio. By KURT KRAGTHORPE The Salt Lake Tribune FILE PHOTO | The Salt Lake Tribune FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press The usually accurate Sports Illustrated projec- tions say only one athlete with Utah ties will win Andrew Bogut Boris Diaw a medal in the 2016 Olympics — and she grew up in eastern Washington, played just one season of Australia, men’s basketball France, men’s basketball basketball for the University of Utah and is com- Having injured his knee during the NBA Finals The Utah Jazz acquired Diaw in a trade with San peting for Australia. while playing for Golden State, Bogut is recover- Antonio in early July, while he was helping France Leilani Mitchell may be Team Utah’s only medal ing on a timetable that may make him available qualify for the Olympics. He’s the French captain favorite in Rio de Janeiro, but she’s hardly the only for Australia’s opening game, Aug. 6 vs. France. and a national team fixture. Jazz teammate Rudy interesting contestant. These 22 athletes (includ- The final roster is due the previous day. Bogut Gobert may take some of Diaw’s playing time af- ing alternates) who graduated from a Utah high played for the Aussies in the 2004 Olympics pri- ter not playing in the qualifying tournament, but school, attended college in the state or currently or to his sophomore season at Utah and compet- the 6-foot-8 Diaw will remain vital to the team as a play for a Utah professional team will represent ed again in 2008, but was injured in 2012. Bogut, scorer, rebounder and passer. France will meet the nine countries in nine sports. 31, has been traded to the . U.S. team Aug. 14, the last day of preliminary play.

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Salt Lake Tribune Kim Gaucher Jake Gibb Rudy Gobert Canada, women’s basketball USA, beach volleyball France, men’s basketball The former Kim Smith is the only Ute women’s Gibb reached the quarterfinals in Beijing in The Jazz encouraged Gobert to target “active basketball player to have her jersey retired, so her 2008 and in 2012 with former partner rest” and “strength development” during the sum- No. 4 hangs alongside Bogut’s No. 4 in the Hunts- , and now the University of Utah mer, after he missed about one-fourth of the 2015- man Center. Gaucher recently spent two seasons alumnus from Bountiful will team with former 16 season with a knee injury. Team officials secret- on the Utah administrative staff, but since has re- BYU volleyball player Casey Patterson in Rio. ly may have hoped France wouldn’t qualify for the turned to pro basketball in France. At age 32, she Gibb, 40, is motivated for another Olympics. “If Olympics, but they’re supporting his participation remains one of Canada’s top players and is one of I feel like I have a real chance at medaling at an in Rio. France will rely on him as an inside pres- three former Utes expected to have big roles for a Olympics, I want to go,” he said. “I don’t want to ence, particularly against USA centers DeMarcus team that’s ranked No. 9 in the world. sneak in just to be an Olympian.” Cousins and DeAndre Jordan. WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S13

TEAM UTAH • ATHLETES WITH STATE TIES COMPETING IN RIO

FILE PHOTO | Courtesy University of -Berkeley FILE PHOTO | The Salt Lake Tribune FILE PHOTO | Courtesy USA Rowing Long Gutierrez Joe Ingles Devery Karz Mexico, men’s swimming Australia, men’s basketball USA, women’s rowing Now attending the University of California, The Jazz’s Gordon Hayward cited his expect- A graduate of Park City High School, where she Gutierrez graduated from Brighton and holds 50 ant wife’s late July due date as his reason for competed in cross country and track and field, swimming records in Utah, counting prep, short- turning down a U.S. Olympic invitation, but skip- Karz, right, teamed with Kate Bertko to earn a course and long-course competition. He qualified ping the Games never was a consideration for In- spot in Rio in the women’s lightweight double for the 100 butterfly in Rio and may draw Michael gles, whose wife, Renae, delivered twins (a boy sculls event. Karz had never tried rowing until Phelps in a preliminary race. Gutierrez was born and girl) July 25. Ingles, who averaged 4.1 points she attended Oregon State and she ended up be- in Mexico City and his family moved to Utah when for the Jazz in 2015-16, is an Olympic veteran and ing named the team’s Most Valuable Oarswoman he was 2. He swam for three of Cal’s winning relay a key player for the Boomers. He posted 11 assists in 2011. She’s only the second Oregon State rower teams in the 2016 Pac-12 Championships. in an exhibition win over the Pac-12 All-Stars. ever to qualify for the Olympics.

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Salt Lake Tribune FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press Leilani Mitchell Raul Neto Chirine Njeim Australia, women’s basketball Brazil, men’s basketball Lebanon, women’s marathon The 5-foot-5 Mitchell thrived in her only season With a big gap in age from 33-year-old Marcelo A former Ute skier, Njeim will become the 28th as a Ute active player, averaging 16.8 points, 7.5 as- Huertas to the 24-year-old Neto among Brazilian woman to compete in both the Summer and Win- sists and 4.1 rebounds as the Mountain West Play- guards, Neto is a major part of the team’s future. ter Olympics, historian Bill Mallon told the Chica- er of the Year in 2008. Former Utah coach Elaine He appeared in only three of Brazil’s six games in go Tribune. Njeim, 31, who grew up in Beirut and Elliott labels Mitchell “the best pure point guard” London in 2012, but will be in the rotation in Rio, attended Rowmark Ski Academy in Salt Lake City, in her long tenure. The WNBA veteran’s moth- if not the starter. Neto started 53 games for the skied for Lebanon in three Olympics, most recently er is Australian, and Mitchell has played her way Jazz last season while was injured, in 2010. Now living in , she took up running onto the team at age 31. Sports Illustrated picks the but will face increased competition this year with and beat the Olympic qualifying standard of 2 hours, Opals to win a bronze medal in Rio. the team having traded for George Hill. 45 minutes in the in January. S14 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

TEAM UTAH • ATHLETES WITH STATE TIES COMPETING IN RIO

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press Thretton Palamo Casey Patterson USA, rugby USA, men’s beach volleyball Canada, women’s basketball The former Ute running back and defensive end The former BYU volleyball player describes One of Utah’s last recruits of the Elaine Elliott did not make the 12-man U.S. roster for the rug- himself as “a burst of energy and excitement,” era, Plouffe is joined on the Canadian team by her by sevens tournament, but is competing for one teaming with the comparatively subdued Jake twin sister, Katherine, who played for Marquette. of three reserve spots that would get him to Rio. Gibb. The team is seeded No. 6 in the Olympics. Michelle Plouffe is a 6-foot-3 forward who complet- Palamo completed his Utah football career in The 6-foot-6 Patterson, from California, was ed her Ute career in 2014 under former coach An- 2013 when he appeared in all 12 games and made named the MVP of the Puerto Rican indoor league thony Levrets, having totaled 2,100 points (No. 2 13 tackles. He was encouraged to try football by in 2010 and the AVP Best Offensive Player on the all-time) and a school-record 1,155 rebounds. She Utah rugby club coach Blake Burdette, a former beach in 2013. Gibb has labeled his 2013 choice of plays professionally in Mondeville, France, with Ute tight end. Patterson as his teammate “a leap of faith.” Canadian teammate Kim Gaucher, another ex-Ute.

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press Taylor Sander Shona Thorburn USA, men’s volleyball USA, women’s gymnastics Canada, women’s basketball Sander starred for the 2013 BYU team that Having deferred her enrollment as a Ute gym- Thorburn played the same four years at Utah reached the NCAA final match before losing to UC nast from 2015 until later this month, Skinner with Canadian teammate Kim Gaucher, helping Irvine. In 2014, he was named the AVCA Player of barely missed making the U.S. team. She will trav- the Utes reach the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight the Year nationally. His brother, Brenden, current- el to Rio as the first alternate, available for the Aug. in 2006. She broke her leg during the 2015 FIBA ly plays for the Cougars. Now playing professional- 7 team qualifying meet if any of the five U.S. gym- Americas Championship in Edmonton, Alberta. ly in Italy, Sander is one of eight first-time Olympi- nasts is unable to compete. Skinner performed Canada won the tournament without her to qual- ans on the U.S. roster. Coming off a disappointing wonderfully in the Olympic trials, finishing fourth ify for the Olympics. Thorburn, 34, averaged 10.5 fifth-place finish in 2012, the Americans will open in the all-around competition, but the team filled points and 4.5 assists in 2012 as Canada reached the tournament Aug. 7 vs. Canada. its event-oriented needs with other picks. the quarterfinals in London. WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S15

TEAM UTAH • ATHLETES WITH STATE TIES COMPETING IN RIO

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | Courtesy BYU FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press Kim Tillie Tatenda Tsumba Elder Torres France, men’s basketball Zimbabwe, men’s track and field Honduras, men’s soccer France could have activated , but Tsumba, a BYU sprinter, has spent time train- The Real Monarchs midfielder played for Hon- other than bringing in Rudy Gobert, team officials ing with Usain Bolt in Jamaica and may compete duras’ U-23 national team in pre-Olympics exhibi- chose to stick with the roster that won a qualify- against him in a heat of the 200 meters in Rio. tions and was named to the roster July 21. He has ing tournament in Manila. Although he played only Tsumba qualified for the 2015 World Champion- posted one goal and two assists for the Monarchs, scored 3.3 points per game, Tillie started 30 games ships in Beijing and won the 200 in the Mountain affiliated with Real Salt Lake. He was loaned to the for the 2008-09 Utah team that shared the Moun- Pacific Sports Federation indoor meet this past Monarchs by CD Social Vida of his native Hondu- tain West regular-season championship, won the winter. He ran a personal-best 20.44 in the 200 ras. His team will open play Aug. 4 (the day before tournament title and played in the NCAA Tour- to qualify for the Olympics, but barely missed the the Opening Ceremonies) vs. Algeria in the prima- nament. Tillie, 28, plays professionally in Spain. standard for the 100. ry soccer host, the Olympic .

FILE PHOTO | The Associated Press FILE PHOTO | The Salt Lake Tribune FILE PHOTO | Courtesy Penn State Maka Unufe Jared Ward Cody Sanderson USA, men’s rugby USA, men’s marathon USA, men’s wrestling coach Unufe was academically eligible to play football Ward’s race is not until Aug. 21, the final day Sanderson is the associate head coach at Penn only as a senior at Provo High School, making a big of the Games. The graduate of Davis High School State, working for his brother Cael, a 2004 Olympic impact for the Bulldogs as a receiver and Tribune and BYU qualified for the U.S. team by finish- champion. Cody Sanderson will coach Frank Mo- All-State defender in 2009. He was publicized as ing third in the Olympic trials in , linaro in Rio, where the former Penn State wrestler committed to Utah, but never graduated from high ahead of Judge Memorial alumnus Luke Puske- will try to cap his unlikely rise to the Games with school. He found a niche in rugby, initially with the dra. Ward is a BYU adjunct statistics professor a strong performance. He is a Nittany Lions assis- Utah Warriors, and then with the national team. whose masters thesis was based on pacing strat- tant coach who qualified for the Olympics in the Having watched him overcome trials, his mother, egy in a marathon. He has trained in Park City 65kg/143-pound freestyle division, and was seed- Leslie, said, “I look forward to seeing what’s next.” and other high-altitude Utah areas. ed No. 9 going into the Olympic trials. S16 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Running the numbers BYU adjunct statistics professor Jared Ward’s analytical approach prepares him for the Rio marathon. By CHRISTOPHER KAMRANI Photos by RICK EGAN WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S17

n one of the world’s distin- Eyestone said the calculations Ward did not. He waited, cal- guished Olympic towns, the Ward can do help his pacing culating when he would make soon-to-be Olympian wears and round out his skill set. his own move. Pennel faded a thick mustache, back- “Everything just all com- around Mile 19. Ward glided ward visor and blinding bines to make him a pretty right by as the temperatures electric-green top as he special athlete in regards to grew warmer. In third place, Iswings his son by his ankles. understanding the big picture, Ward didn’t relent. It’s a warm, windy June day understanding what it takes, Rupp finished first at 2 at City Park in Park City, and and coupling his talent and hours, 11 minutes and 12 sec- Jared Ward just finished off his hard work and his perse- onds. Keflezighi came in sec- a 30-minute run. He swings verance and his passion with ond, over a minute later. Then 4-year-old Paul, while wife, the knowledge [from] his sta- there was a 40-second break. Erica, does the same with tistical background helps him At 2 hours, 12 minutes and their 2-year-old daughter, El- have an even fuller under- 50 seconds, Ward picked up lie. On a paved trail a dozen or standing,” said Eyestone, who speed down the straightaway. so yards away from the patch still serves as Ward’s coach. Exhausted, a smile crept of grass, runners and cyclists His master’s thesis was across this face as he saw the zip by, glancing at the young based on pacing strategy in a Former BYU runner Jar- 3,000- and 5,000-meter finish line inch closer. Rio be- family. Paul challenges his marathon. Seriously. ed Ward holds his 2-year- events at BYU, Ward suffered came reality at 2 hours and 13 dad to a race on the trail. El- old Ellie, as he races his a stress reaction fracture in minutes even. lie follows her big brother, and A ROAD FILLED WITH 4-year-old son Paul, on his leg his senior year that as always, Jared obliges. CROSSING SHEEP • This stay the Rail Trail in Park City. developed into a fully frac- ‘SKY’S THE LIMIT’ • Jar- Ward, 27, has gone from in Park City isn’t the first. The tured fibula when he ran at ed Ward won’t lace them up Davis High standout to BYU Wards spent some time there the NCAA regional meet that until the last day of the Rio star to qualifier for the 2016 before the U.S. Olympic Team Meet Jared Ward year. After recovering, Ward Games on Aug. 21. That same Games in Rio de Janeiro. Trial in Los Angeles. Athletes consulted Eyestone, Erica and night — if he’s feeling up for Suddenly, he’s in demand — especially distance runners Age • 27 other running peers about the it — he’ll sport his all-white all the time. He’s asked to — welcome the altitude train- Sport • Marathon possibility of turning this into Polo Ralph Lauren ensemble speak to young, enterprising ing, and in Park City, Ward’s Hometown • Kaysville a career. He told himself he in the Closing Ceremonies. runners. He has an engage- running as much as 120 miles High school • Davis High was cut out for distance run- But what about the two-plus ment at the Salt Lake City a week over 7,000 feet. School ning. weeks leading to that point? Running Company in about But his path to Rio also College • BYU “I don’t think I had any- Lots of relaxing. Ward said an hour, so after Paul and El- took them in search of alter- The professor • Ward is thing further than a dream he’s planned two or three lie beat him in their latest race, native training areas. While also an adjunct statistics of making the Olympic team,” quality workouts before the he places his son on his shoul- teaching a semester at BYU, professor at BYU, teach- he said. marathon. ders, his daughter in his arms they stayed near Strawber- ing two advanced cours- That suddenly became a Eyestone is going, as is and walks briskly to their car. ry Reservoir in Wasatch es realistic goal on a hot day in Lynn Ward. Erica and the kids Erica, who is pregnant, is County. Then there were the Running career • Four- Southern California. won’t be there, so Ward will not far behind. They’re high weekends where they moved time All-American at BYU be without his support staff school sweethearts, and she to Lyman, a suburb — if you (Outdoor 10,000 me- FORTY SECONDS • Once before the biggest race of his recalls watching her future can call it that — of Loa in ters twice, cross-country, 2012 Olympic silver medal- young marathoning career. husband run, asking herself Wayne County. It’s about a 30- 5,000 meters). Chicago ist announced Pacing and speed and plan- how that thin, lanky kid grew minute drive to Capitol Reef Marathon, 2013 (2:16:17), his entry into the trial mara- ning is what Ward’s best at, faster as races went on. She National Park. The elevation , thon, Eyestone told Ward the but there is more to his suc- realized in high school that there is higher than that of 2014 (2:14:00), L.A. Mara- three available spots had been cess. That’s Erica and Paul Ward could potentially some- Park City. There were days thon, 2015 (2:12:56), U.S. cut down to two. Rupp is the and Ellie. His wife believes day become an Olympian. when Erica would drive to and Olympic Team Trials, 2016 premier American distance that’s why he’s such a produc- “If that’s something he from the rental house where (2:13:00) runner, so Eyestone needed tive distance runner. He stays chose to do,” she said, “he stops were required due to the Men’s marathon in Rio to keep expectations realistic. out of his head. could do it.” flocks of sheep that took their • Aug. 21, final day of That aside, Eyestone said, “Not all his eggs are in the sweet time crossing the road. Games “A marathon isn’t so much running basket,” she said. PROFESSOR WARD • When Ward’s first marathon came about beating all these com- “Other things can make him Erica Ward calls her husband in October 2013, in Chicago. petitors as much as it’s beat- happy.” “a numbers guy,” she means Eyestone suggested it as Ward ing the 26.2 miles — if you can There’s always family time, it. If he’s not keeping an in- waited through his four-year control the controllable. You running time and teaching ternal clock motoring on in battle with the NCAA over can’t control what other peo- time. When they lived in Pro- his brain or calculating times eligibility. His appeal to have ple do in their race, but you vo, Ward would take the kids and mileage and speed, he’s his fourth year of eligibility can control what you do.” to the park to play, then meet teaching advanced statistics was reinstated by a subcom- Said Ward: “If there were up with running partners and as an adjunct professor at his mittee after the NCAA pre- and intervals were tweaked. three people who finished then tend to office hours. alma mater. viously ruled Ward’s partici- Ditto for the tempo of his runs. faster than me and I put on “Perfect,” said Ward. Ward’s mind has worked pation in a recreational “fun “Everything became a little my best race, then that’s OK.” “People enjoy being around to his advantage during his run” gave him a “competitive bit longer and slower,” Ward Once Mile 16 rolled around, him for that very reason,” meteoric rise in marathon advantage.” He was given the explained. “Training during Ward found himself alone in Eyestone said. “You hang up running. It’s all up there. If green light a month after his that [Chicago] marathon, I fourth place when Tyler Pen- the phone after talking to him, there are numbers that need first marathon. fell in love with that distance, nel, who had pulled away and you feel like the sky’s the crunching, or probability Prepping for Chicago fell in love with training for from Ward at Mile 21 at the limit in terms of what you can percentages hammered out, wasn’t that much of a change. a marathon before ever rac- 2014 Twin Cities Marathon do, as well.” Ward’s usually on it. Two- To a guy who was running 90 ing in a marathon. It seemed in Duluth, Minn., was mak- time Olympic runner and or 95 miles a week, what’s an- more natural.” ing a familiar surge. Rupp and [email protected] BYU track & field coach Ed other 20 or 25? The workouts An All-American in the joined Pennel. Twitter: @chriskamrani S18 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Mr. Cool Mr.& Boom Utah’s Gibb, BYU’s Patterson put aside school rivalries for Rio. By CHRISTOPHER KAMRANI

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“ MR. BOOM AND MR. COOL points-wise, Gibb and Patter- • Once named the MVP of the son were at a USA Volleyball That was the toughest Puerto Rican indoor volley- team dinner in Russia. Their part. There were a ton ball league, Patterson’s hab- inclusion wasn’t announced of pros and then cons? it of screaming “boom!” ev- as official, but the Americans ery time he smacked the ball were going. They were go - He’s a BYU alum.” took off. Fans made T-shirts ing to get to vie for an Olym- and started hash-tagging the pic medal on the Copacabana JAKE GIBB phrase on social media. When Beach, in the shadow of Sug- A Utah graduate, on teaming with former Cougar star Casey Patter­ describing himself and his arloaf Mountain. son in beach volleyball. style of play, the former BYU When Gibb started talking player said he’s a mixture of about what to expect, Patter- “a burst of energy and excite- son’s eyes welled up. During ment.” the qualification process, they he flames on the grill Gibb? He is, for the most went dark. On social media, did their job, the oth- part, the calmer, more fo- they stayed quiet. When the er adults chatted, cused one. But the duo did its notion of Rio was brought up, while the kids proba- best to adapt to one another’s they changed the subject. The bly rocked cannonballs attributes in the sand. And two looked on as other Amer- into the pool, but when it worked. Patterson’s more ican teams posted their aspi- TJake Gibb and Casey Pat - reined in and Gibb shows a rations of the next Games, terson finally found time to pinch more emotion. flaunting hashtags like “Road- sit down in the Huntington A few months into their ToRio” whenever possible. But Beach backyard, the first top- tenure together, they won a they needed to make it first, ic broached that day in 2013 gold and silver and two Grand before being able to hit send was the 2016 Olympics. Slams on the AVP World Tour. on anything online notifying Gibb, a two-time Olym- Patterson, predominately a the world. pic beach volleyball star right-sided player in his ear- “It was finally something we from Bountiful, was recent- lier beach days, seamlessly were talking about as a team,” ly dumped by longtime part- switched to the left. Patterson said. “To finally be ner Sean Rosenthal. The From August 2014 to Au- able to listen, to absorb and be pair had finished fifth over- gust 2015, the pair won 27 excited about it was an amaz- all in the previous two Olym- straight AVP matches. At the ing feeling.” pics in Beijing in 2008 and Meet Casey Patterson Meet Jake Gibb 2015 FIVB St. Petersburg On June 12, USA Volley- again in London in 2012. Grand Slam, they won gold. ball announced their names At the time, they were the Age » 36 Age » 40 The transition process was along with three other No. 1-ranked team in the Sport » Beach volleyball Sport » Beach volleyball brief. The tandem that had American pairs. Gibb and world. Patterson, once a BYU Hometown » Van Nuys, Calif. Hometown » Bountiful never once played togeth- Patterson enter Rio sixth in indoor volleyball player from College » BYU High school » Bountiful er, not even setting a ball for the Olympic rankings. It’s all Southern California, was in Residence » Huntington High School the other to destroy into the new for Patterson, who says the same boat. His former Beach, Calif. College » Utah sand, was rolling along. They he’s still soaking in the ac- partner Ryan Doherty joined Volleyball career » Former Residence » Huntington continued their impressive tuality of his Olympic inclu- forces with , leav- BYU indoor volleyball star Beach, Calif. run into the crunch-time of sion. For Gibb, it’s simply an- ing Patterson solo. was part of the 2004 Na- Volleyball career » Two- qualifying, before the reality other shot. There they were: a Utah tional Championship squad. time Olympian, finishing of Rio became more in focus. The two fifth-place finish- grad (Gibb) and a former Cou- Joined forces with Gibb in fifth overall in 2008 Bei- “It’s gnarly — that’s the only es serve as a reminder of how gar (Patterson) stuck in lim- 2013. The team qualified jing Games and again in word that comes to mind,” close he got, but also how far bo at a family barbecue in the sixth worldwide for the 2012 London Games. Start- Gibb said. “It’s high pressure he and his new partner have backyard of close friend Tyler Rio Games. At 2015 Beach ed playing volleyball when for a year-and-a-half. Every- to go to one-better those re- Hildebrand, who would even- World Championships, the he was 21. Gibb and Patter- one wants it and it’s kind of sults from Beijing and London. tually become their coach. duo finished fifth and was son were named USA Vol- this awkward energy when Gibb admits it was hard on his Gibb pressed Patterson. Then eliminated by Brazil. leyball’s Beach Team of the you’re competing against the desire for another Olympic he told him of his goals, that a Year in 2013 and AVP’s 2014 other Americans.” Games four years ago. medal in Rio de Janerio was Men’s Team of the Year. Patterson, whose previous “It’s hard to re-motivate and a must. Won 2015 St. Petersburg best World Tour finish before risk again,” he said. “It’s hard The boisterous, blond Grand Slam with Patter- joining forces with Gibb was to put yourself out there again. 6-foot-6 man, who earned the son and was named tourna- ninth, said once they started That was hard, but then what nickname “Mr. Boom” from ment ’s MVP. off 2013 in the manner that ultimately determines it is, if his professional days in Puer- they did, he knew Rio was a I feel like I have a real chance to Rico, didn’t hesitate. possibility. They went from at medaling at an Olympics, “I’m on board to do whatev- never playing together to be- I want to go. I don’t want to er it takes to get to the Olym- ing named the 2013 USA Vol- sneak in just to be an Olym - pics,” he told Gibb. “It couldn’t have been a wasn’t pressed by USA Vol- leyball Beach Team of the pian. That wasn’t interesting Gibb, with the previous two cooler barbecue,” he said. leyball to lean one way or Year. They topped some of to me.” fifth-place finishes still eating Dropped by Rosenthal, another. So he chose Pat - Brazil’s very best that first The Ute and Cougar didn’t away at him, found his guy. He Gibb had his pick of anyone. terson, the former Cougar year, too. sneak in. They’re a known told Patterson that he had un- Patterson was one of three fi- opposite-side hitter. It was foreshadowing the matching commodity. finished business, and that he nalists. Gibb consulted with “That was the toughest inevitable. “Hybrids,” Patterson said. was to be the partner to help close friends in the sport as part,” Gibb jokes. “There were him get to Rio. Patterson still well as his wife. a ton of pros and then cons? PULLING FOR A PODIUM • [email protected] laughs telling the story. It was all on him. He He’s a BYU alum.” Once they were officially in Twitter: @chriskamrani S20 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Center of it all Ex-BYU volleyball star Taylor Sander is looking to make the most of his opportunity with the U.S. team. By CHRISTOPHER KAMRANI

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ore than a dozen whack and then keep watch- Olympic hopefuls U.S. players Taylor Sander, right, and Da­ ing. Eventually, he picked up were summoned to vid Lee work to the ball during a the sport. In fact, the club di- a single room three 2015 match against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. rector of the same volleyball weeks ago in a Rio team suggested he try out. de Janeiro hotel. “I was always able to jump MThe U.S. men’s volleyball high,” Sander said. “That’s team had just been handled by helped me through the years.” the Brazilian national team It’s an attribute synony- 3-1 — its first loss of the 2016 mous with the former BYU FIVB World League campaign. high-riser. Olmstead was able The Americans were playing to watch Team USA compete nervously, stressed and just a in Dallas during the FIVB little too tight for head coach World League final last week. ’s liking. In his conversations with So right there, in the same those watching, the jumping city the U.S. would return ability was approached. As Ol- to six weeks later to vie for mstead tells it, folks he talks an Olympic gold medal in to say Sander’s always playing Rio, Speraw and the coach- “three or four inches” higher ing staff told the players that off the ground than everyone plans to announce the Olym- else. pic team sometime in mid- Will Sander’s ability lead to July were now out the win- a starting role in Rio? That’s dow. They were told that in up in the air. He’s one of the 12 one hour, each player would now, and vows to be ready for be informed whether or not whatever position is presented he’d have a return ticket to In March 2013, Speraw, a scene. It wasn’t until he to him by the coaching staff. Brazil the first week of August. two-time Olympic assistant, About Taylor starred with the U.S. junior “I don’t even think about One of the eventual 12 got the head coaching nod. Sander team — ironically in Brazil that, really,” he said. “I think Olympians was Taylor Sand- Soon after, he and Sander — that agents started making we all have to be ready to play. er. The four-time former BYU spoke of what lay ahead. Age • 24 inquiries. That’s when he got I think whatever my role is, All-American outside-hitter, “He had goals for me,” Sport • Men’s volleyball his first taste that, as his vol- I’m going to embrace it. That’s just like every other one of his Sander said. “That’s when I Hometown • Huntington leyball career in Utah Coun- exactly how everybody on our teammates, felt the onrush of thought about [Rio].” Beach, Calif. ty continued to blossom, there team is going about it. We all anxiety. All the soaring leaps College • BYU was a scene after graduation. want to play, but again, we off the floor he’s known for, all ‘OH MY GOSH’ • Shawn Ol- Residence • Huntington In June 2014, he signed a want our team to be success- the times his paw slammed a mstead had seen Sander play. Beach, Calif. contract to play in Verona, It- ful. However that is, that’s ball down into the corner of a He saw how opponents strug- College career • Four-time aly. The eight-month seasons how we’ve got to support each court, all those moments — it gled to contain the 6-foot-4 AVCA All-American at were taxing. He battled bouts other. I think that’s how we’ve all led to this. The Huntington hitter with a 42-inch vertical. BYU, three-time first-team of being homesick. He missed been the last four years.” Beach, Calif., native could do But it wasn’t until an alum- All-American. Named family and friends. The for- The No. 5-ranked Ameri- nothing but wait and then lis- ni game that BYU’s future 2014 AVCA Player of the mer global studies major was cans will compete in Olympic ten. men’s volleyball coach saw it Year. 2013 and 2014 MPSF getting an enterprising course Pool A in Rio, which includes There waiting for the unfold up close. Maybe a lit- Player of the Year. 2013 in professional life outside of No. 4 Italy, No. 10 France, No. 24-year-old was his green tle too close. A former libero and 2014 MPSF Tourna- the states. It helped diver- 10 Canada and No. 24 Mex- light. for the Cougars from 2000 to ment MVP. sify his game, he said. After ico. And, No. 1-ranked Bra- “They brought me in and af- 2004, Olmstead spearheaded International career • two seasons in Italy, Sander zil. Their first official Olym- ter they told me, it’s just a spe- an alumni squad that a year Named 2014 FIVB World and his wife will hit another pic match this summer kicks cial moment,” Sander said. “I prior actually beat the cur- League final MVP and country. off Aug. 7, against Canada. Up still think about it today. It’s rent men’s team. Best Spiker, helping U.S. He signed a contract to play next is Italy, before the big cool to see all your hard work There was excitement to win gold medal. Made in Beijing, China, starting in showdown against the hosts paying off. It was a shocker. try and repeat. Sander en- his national-team debut September, a few weeks after on Aug. 11. None of us really expected it sured no such thing. at the 2014 World Cham- Rio wraps up. The seasons are “Every team there is really to be that fast.” “Just his speed and quick- pionship qualifier. just five months. Globetrot- talented,” Sander said. “We’re Four years earlier, Sander ness, none of our guys had re- ting professionally and with looking forward to playing ev- received notice that he was ally, up to that point, played the national team the last ery single team.” not bound for the Olympic against guys that quick and final, pacing the U.S. to a gold two years, Sander will want a With a fifth-place finish Games in London via email. that fast,” Olmstead said. “It medal in his first year with break after Brazil. in London still fresh in their He was at home in Hunting- was like, ‘Oh my gosh. This the national team. minds, the Americans are ton Beach, a 20-year-old ris- kid is going to be really, real- “He’s the new franchise SKY-HIGH EXPECTATIONS • out to replicate the finish of ing college star in Provo. It ly special.’ ” player,” USA middle-blocker When Sander was 6, he would the previous Olympic Games wasn’t unexpected. The During his senior year at and team captain crash his older sister’s volley- when they won the gold med- coaches told him that of the BYU, Sander was named the said in 2014. “He’s considered ball practices in Hunting- al in Beijing in 2008. In Rio, four outside-hitters, he was 2014 AVCA Player of the Year. one of the best players in the ton Beach. Basketball was the U.S. may need to call on on the outside looking in. The accolades were stacking world first year out. It’s phe- his first sport of choice, but the former Cougar to launch The previous regime was giv- higher and higher. He’s the nomenal what he can do.” little brother always looked himself off the floor and deliv- ing him a shot to prove him- owner of several BYU records. During his playing days on during the practice ses- er those patented swats. self, but it was more a matter Later that year, he was named at BYU, Sander admitted - sions. There were times when of building experience for the the MVP and Best Spiker of ly didn’t think much about an errant hit rolled to him. [email protected] next cycle. the 2014 FIVB World League the professional volleyball He’d pick it up, give a good Twitter: @chriskamrani S22 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

ROWING SPOTLIGHT • DEVERY KARZ Sacrifice pays off for Park City grad

was down to 14. In that mix Years of dedication was Karz, the former Park Meet Devery Karz City High cross-country and is rewarded with a track and field athlete who Age » 28 also grew up an avid moun- Sport » Rowing trip to the Games. tain biker. Class » Lightweight “Rowing is fun and exciting, women’s double sculls but it’s not something that’s Hometown » Park City By CHRISTOPHER KAMRANI action-packed,” Karz said. “So High school » Park City The Salt Lake Tribune for a lot of people, their mind High is not occupied by something College » Oregon State Another hellacious day of other than pain — and pain. I Club » Vesper Boat Club training over, Devery Karz think it turns a lot of people COURTESY | U.S. Rowing Current residence » loosened her grip on the oars off.” Park City’s Devery Karz, right, and partner Kate Bertko stroke Moorestown, N.J. she’d been grasping and took Dubbed “a really fun find” their way to qualification for the Rio Games at the 2016 U.S. Rowing career » Five- a moment for herself. It was at the time by Maxim, Karz Olympic Team Trials in Sarasota, Fla., in April. time U.S. national team rush hour in Austin, Texas, went on to letter for the Bea- member, won bronze in and one more session of what vers for three years and was to take her to Rio, she’d soon is either you accomplish your lightweight double sculls the Park City-raised rower named the team’s Most Valu- have to choose. At national goal or you don’t,” she said. at a 2015 World Cup … called “the crazy barn” had able Oarswoman in 2011. team trials that year, she fin- “That’s really hard, because it finished 10th in light- come to a close. Her rise in the sport took ished second to another racer doesn’t mean you haven’t ac- weight double sculls at Karz took that moment in her to the national-team level, by two seconds. complished anything, it’s just the 2014 World Row- the early spring to look at the where she eventually starred “That’s hard to take,” Karz the goal you set for yourself, ing Championships … lush green landscape around with the U.S. U-23 team. In said, “but I took it.” you didn’t accomplish 100 per- Finished fifth in light- the Colorado River, at the 2009, she won a silver medal It had to be one or the other. cent of that.” weight quadruple sculls still-shining sun, at the turtles at the Under-23 World Cham- Full-time in the office or full- at 2010 World Rowing swimming nearby in the wa- pionship — held in, of all plac- time in the seat, an oar in each A 12-SECOND LEAD • For all U-23 Championships. … ter. The lasting memories of es, Rio. Then the rise slowed hand. Karz quit her job and her natural talents as an ath- Won a silver medal in those days in “the crazy barn” to a halt. Karz broke her elbow moved to a training center in lete, Devery Karz has always lightweight quadruple — what she described as a vi- and missed her senior year at Oklahoma City in early 2014. asked her family to steer clear sculls at 2009 U-23 World cious team selection cycle that Oregon State. She minored in until any race is over. During Championships. lasted three months — was Mandarin in school, so she FINDING THE RIGHT MIX • the state cross-country meets watching the cars stacked in chose to move to China and In 2015, Karz qualified the in high school, Rob and Linda the first finishers on the wa- lines on the bridge into town. teach English. lightweight double sculls boat Karz would have to watch in- ter, Karz and Bertko could fi- At this point, Karz ended “I guess it was time for me for Rio with Michelle Sechser. tently, but quickly hide behind nally let go of their oars. the brief respite. She picked to continue on with a stan- But neither punched a ticket a cluster of trees when Devery “You have all these endor- up her oars for a recovery pad- dard lifestyle — or something,” to Brazil. They merely quali- ran by. The added pressure phins built up … that you have dle from another testing day Karz said. fied the boat for the Olympic messed with her timing and under lock-and-barrel because of training to reach shore. Games, only to see later which focus, Linda said. you couldn’t let it affect your It was those months in Aus- ONE OR THE OTHER • She rowers would be selected to So Rob and Linda had the day-to-day practice,” Karz said. tin that eventually churned watched the 2012 Olympic compete at the trials for a shot task of making a grand sur- “Still, every day, it sinks in that out the pair of Karz and Kate Games in London. She saw at those seats. prise at the Olympic trials an I get to go to Rio, represent the Bertko, the latest success in a friends and competitors on Karz won bronze at a World undercover siege. Aunts and United States and get to try to rowing career for the Utahn the TV and realized then Cup last year, and later at the uncles flew down to Florida — take down every other boat on who didn’t pick up an oar un- she wasn’t done with rowing. World Championships in Au- as did Devery’s older brother, the race course.” til she went to college at Ore- Hired as an exporter of med- gust 2015 in France, the light- his wife and their kids. Most During the medal ceremo- gon State University. ical supplies to China in the weight double boat qualified family members had nev- ny, the Karz crew blended in. fall of 2012, Karz moved to for the Olympics by a 10th of a er seen her row before. And It wasn’t until Linda took her ‘A REALLY FUN FIND’ • Or- Washington, D.C., simultane- second. The top 11 boats qual- here she was rowing for Rio. grandson and sprinted toward egon State coach Kate Max- ously starting that “standard ified for Rio, and that 10th of The crowd on April 24 was Devery, who was in a roped- im recalls those early-morn- lifestyle” she spoke of and get- a second over earned sizable but still, Linda and off area, that she realized who ing training sessions on the ting back into the boat. the Americans a spot. Rob and Co. had their hiding all was in attendance. Willamette River. One of Upon joining the Potomac The “crazy barn” helped spots picked out. “I’m still sort of pinching hundreds of newcomers to Boat Club, she got worked Karz grow accustomed to the Out in front for nearly the myself a little bit,” Linda Karz the novice team, Karz sat in over nearly every day as her mentality of the unknown entire qualifying race, Karz said. “I knew this was abso- the stroke seat of the eight- body readjusted to life on the during the run-up to the tri- and Bertko kept heaving. It lutely within her realm, but person boat as the raindrops water. Working full time, but als. Those countless hours of wasn’t until the last 250 me- when you get there, it’s, ‘Oh collided with the water. also striving to get back into rowing on the river in Austin ters of the race — when Karz my gosh. She’s going to the The month-long tryout the national team picture, prepped her for whatever lie noticed a 12-second lead — Olympics.’ ” for the novice team featured Karz started to realize if the ahead. that she knew the past eight around 200 rowers. By the push she felt while watching “You put four-to-eight years years had a fitting finale. At [email protected] end of the year, that group the London Games was going of your life into one race that 7 minutes and 18.50 seconds, Twitter: @chriskamrani WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S23

SOCCER SPOTLIGHT • UNITED STATES World Cup champs eye gold medals Mighty Americans feel “a really cool buzz” heading into Rio Games. By KURT KRAGTHORPE The Salt Lake Tribune U.S. women’s Olympic soccer Meghan Klingenberg re- members the feeling of schedule winning the World Cup Aug. 3 • vs. last summer, when the U.S. at Belo Horizonte, Brazil Women’s National Team Aug. 6 • vs. France generated record television at Belo Horizonte, Brazil ratings and drew big crowds Aug. 9 • vs. Colombia across Canada on the way to at Manaus, Brazil the title. Soccer can become lost in Wambach. Last summer, one the Olympics with so many theme was the emergence of sports being contested, in young defenders such as Ju- contrast to the exclusive win- lie Johnston and Klingen- dow of the World Cup. For the berg, and they responded well players, though, the Olym- in the World Cup. pics represent another major In an exhibition series tournament — with the same with in early June, the stakes, only in a different set- Americans allowed three ting. goals in a draw in Colorado, “There’s a different vibe but then posted a 2-0 shutout around the Olympics than in a lightning-shortened game there is around the World Cup in Cleveland. … a really cool buzz,” Klingen- “They challenged us in ways berg said. that we haven’t been chal- And for avid followers of lenged all year,” Klingenberg women’s soccer, such as Uni- said in June from Portland, versity of Utah coach Rich Ore., where she plays for the Manning, the Olympic tour - Thorns FC of the National nament is as meaningful Women’s Soccer League. “In as the World Cup. “It’s the the second game, we were a same,” Manning said. “These much better team.” are the only two major events Klingenberg was an alter- we have to look forward to, so nate in 2012 in London, where this is great. It’s still the pin- she got to “see what the Olym- nacle.” pics are all about, but I didn’t Unlike the U23 men’s feel it,” she said. “I want to competition, Olympic wom- feel that buzz, because there’s en’s soccer features senior nothing like that setting, with teams. Manning cites the At- athletes that are the best in lanta Olympics of 1996, when the world.” women’s soccer was added to Manning is always interest- the program and the USWNT ed to see which unlikely team won the gold medal, as a sig- becomes a contender, while nificant boost for the sport in expecting a strong perfor- this country. mance from the Americans. “I Having coached Alex Mor- think they kind of found their gan as a teenager and faced game halfway through the the likes of Hope Solo, Chris- tournament last year … and ten Press and Kelley O’Hara they’ll have the rush of confi- as a college coach, Manning dence that you get from win- closely watches the USWNT’s ning,” he said. evolution. This summer, the DAVID DERMER | The Associated Press team is moving on offensive- [email protected] Meghan Klingenberg dribbles upfield during the second half of a friendly against Japan in June ly after the retirement of Abby Twitter: @tribkurt in Cleveland, Ohio. The United States won 2-0 as part of its Olympic preparations. S24 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • RAUL NETO Jazzman has big role for the hosts 2014 FIBA World Champi- shooting 39.5 percent from Guard hopes Games onship. He scored 21 points 3-point range. He also blend- on 9-of-10 shooting in a vic- ed in well with the team as a will turn out “great tory against Argentina in the 23-year-old rookie. Lindsey round of 16. cited Neto’s “great spirit … as for our people.” NBA veterans including far as being a professional.” Nene, Leandro Barbosa, Alex Neto’s role changed in late Garcia and Anderson Varejao February when the Jazz ac - By KURT KRAGTHORPE will join Huertas and Neto in quired point guard Shelvin The Salt Lake Tribune Ingles • Rep- Diaw • Helped Gobert • First Rio, hoping to produce Bra- Mack in a trade with Atlanta. resents Jazz lead France in Olympic Games zil’s first basketball medal Neto stayed in the rotation Raul Neto played a total of with Exum out. qualifying. for Frenchman. since a bronze effort in 1964. ahead of , who was 29 minutes for Brazil’s basket- And then Neto will fight for a traded to Washington in July. ball team in the 2012 Olym- roster spot and playing time Neto figures to play behind pics. Neto will have a much Jazz in the Olympics with the Jazz, after averag- the newly acquired George bigger role for the host coun- The Jazz will have an unprecedented four players in the ing 5.9 points and 2.1 assists Hill, Exum and Mack in 2016- try in this year’s tournament, 2016 Olympics. The franchise’s all-time roster of Olympians in 18.5 minutes per game last 17, and the Jazz also drafted and that’s not the only way his (players under contract to the Jazz at the time): season, appearing in 81 games. guards Marcus Paige and Ty- life has changed in four years. Year Player Country Medal Neto performed “be - rone Wallace in June. More In those days, nobody could 2016 Boris Diaw France yond our expectations,” said moves are possible, and some have imagined Neto’s becom- 2016 Joe Ingles Australia Jazz general manager Den- combination of Neto, Paige ing the Jazz’s starting point 2016 Rudy Gobert France nis Lindsey, crediting Ne - and Wallace could play in the guard for much of the 2015-16 2016 Raul Neto Brazil to’s pro experience in Spain D-League at times. season as a rookie, two years 2008 Carlos Boozer USA Gold as “a very good train- First comes the Olympic after the team acquired his 2008 Andrei Kirilenko Russia None ing ground.” tournament. Neto enjoyed the rights. The future is unclear 2008 Deron Williams USA Gold Through London opportunity, but play- for Neto in Utah, with Dan- 2004 Carlos Arroyo Puerto Rico None his work ing at home and having great- te Exum returning from a 2004 Carlos Boozer USA Bronze with as- er value to his team will make knee injury and the Jazz ros- 2000 Andrei Kirilenko Russia None s i s t a n t Rio more meaningful to him. ter overstocked with point 1996 Karl Malone USA Gold coach Igor “It’s going to be a great experi- guards, but he’s thrilled about 1996 John Stockton USA Gold Kokoskov, ence,” he said. playing for Brazil. 1992 Karl Malone USA Gold Neto im- Brazil is in Group B for pre- 1992 John Stockton USA Gold pressed [email protected] liminary play, so Neto would the Jazz by Twitter: @tribkurt meet the United States, Aus- tralia (with Jazz teammate his optimistic approach. The crazy to see that Joe Ingles) or France (with Olympics are important to every year, he got Rudy Gobert and Boris Diaw) him, personally and patri- better,” Tavernari only in the quarterfinals or otically. From a competitive said. “You could later. perspective, Brazil’s success see his progress.” Amid all of the turmoil in or failure will be judged by Neto essen- the country and the prob - what happens in men’s and tially replaced lems associated with staging women’s soccer, but basket- Tavernari on the the Games, Neto spoke hope- ball also matters. national team fully during the Jazz’s exit in- And much is expected from roster in 2010, al- terviews in April about the Neto as he shares the point though that had Olympics becoming a positive guard position with 33-year- more to do with development for the country. old Marcelo Huertas, a Euro- NBA players at “It’s more than just sports, pean basketball veteran who Tavernari’s po- more than just basketball,” he played for the Los Angeles sition joining the said. “I think Brazil is going Lakers as a rookie last season. program. Al- through a bad moment — poli- “Down there, they have a though he was tics, everything. The Olympics lot of respect for [Neto],” said deep on the is going to be a way for peo- former BYU forward Jona- bench in Lon- ple to forget about things and than Tavernari, a Brazil na- don in 2012, just focus on all the sports. I tive. “They have really high when Brazil think it’s going to be great for hopes for him.” reached the our people.” Tavernari witnessed Neto’s Olympic quar- That might be a naive view development from the time terfinals, Neto of the circumstances in Brazil his mother, Thelma, a leg- emerged as and the impact of the Games, endary youth coach in Bra- an important HANNAH FOSLIEN | but Neto can be forgiven for zil, faced Neto’s team. “It was player in the The Associated Press WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S25

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • JOE INGLES This ‘Boomer’ having an eventful August Forward will be in Rio after wife recently delivered twins. By KURT KRAGTHORPE The Salt Lake Tribune

Joe Ingles, a first-time father of two children, is about to become a three-time Olympian. Ingles will return for a third season as a for- ward with the Jazz, following an eventful summer that includes another Olympic basketball tourna- ment with Australia. Ingles’ wife, Renae, delivered twins on July 27; she was due to deliver the twins the day before the start of the Olympics, which In- gles planned to attend regardless of if the children had been born yet. Renae Ingles, an Australian star in netball — a sport that resembles basketball and is played in- ternationally, but not in the Olympics — supports her husband’s approach. “She’s a sports person and she understands,” Ingles told The Advertiser of Ade- laide. “She knows what it feels like to represent Aus- tralia.” While playing professionally in Spain, Ingles grew into a major role with the Australian team in the 2012 Olympics in London. He averaged 15.6 points in six games as the Boomers reached the quarterfinals, before losing 119-86 to the Unit- ed States. Ingles played all 40 minutes of that game, scoring 19 points — finishing as the game’s second-leading scorer, next to Kobe Bryant (20). At age 20, he had appeared in each game for Aus- tralia in Beijing in 2008, scoring 11 points against the Americans in a quarterfinal loss. “I’ve played for my country since I was allowed to, really,” In- gles said in April, during the Jazz’s exit interviews. “I’m definitely excited to play. It means a lot to rep- resent my country, especially at an Olympic Games. … I love it. Obviously, I’ll continue to do it until they don’t want me anymore — which might be soon.” Ingles punctuated that sentence with his usual, wry smile. He’ll be 32 in 2020, creating the possibil- ity for a fourth Olympics with the Boomers. Having averaged 9.9 points per game in 81 games in 2015-16, his second season with the Jazz, he’s expecting to contribute significantly to Australia’s effort in Au- gust and is hoping for a stronger showing against the Americans. The teams will compete in Group A with China, Venezuela and two qualifiers from July tournaments. The Boomers will meet the U.S. team Aug. 10 in preliminary play. Ingles believes that with seven NBA players po- tentially on their roster, the Australians will be less intimidated by the Americans this time. “They’re still superstars,” he told The Advertiser. “But there’s seven of us playing against them and, in a couple of instances, with them every night. They lose a bit of that aura.” MARK RALSTON | The Associated Press [email protected] Before he was a Utah Jazz forward, Joe Ingles scored 19 points while playing the entire game for Australia in Twitter: @tribkurt a quarterfinal loss to the United States during the 2012 London Olympics. Rio will be Ingles’ third Games. S26 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • RUDY GOBERT

Center dreams of leading France into medal contention. French By TONY JONES The Salt Lake Tribune

Las Vegas • The dangers and concerns over the Olympic Sum- mer Games in Brazil are real. But for Rudy Gobert, the opportunity Resolution to take part in the Olympics was too much to pass up. For Gobert, the Jazz’s tow- ering French center — this is a pinch-me moment. Are the Jazz concerned for his health and well being? Sure. Is there the chance that Gobert could be fatigued heading into training camp? Yes. But Gobert sat out of the qualifying round in order to rest and remain in Salt Lake City to work on his game. “I’m not going to stop playing basketball,” Gobert said. “You can get hurt anywhere and anytime on a basketball court. I just want- ed to make sure this was the right decision. I’ve always dreamed about it, and I think we can do something great. So let’s do it.” The opportunity for France to be competitive and to possibly medal played a role in Gobert’s decision. With Gobert, Diaw and , France is stocked with talent, and has the ability to advance far in the tournament. And Gobert’s presence will mean plenty to France, as is the case with the Jazz. He’s their rim protector and rebounder, a play- er who not many teams outside of the U.S. and Spain have an answer for. Gobert has also al- ways felt a deep sense of loyalty to his country. And now that he’s a prominent member of their na- tional program, he’s ready to take on the challenge. “The only concern for the Jazz, they want to make sure I don’t hurt and that I take care of my- self and take care of my body,” he said last month. “The Zika virus isn’t that big of a concern to me. I just can’t stop playing basketball because there’s the risk of being hurt. I just think this is a great opportunity and I want to take advantage of it.”

LENNIE MAHLER | Tribune file photo [email protected] Jazz center Rudy Gobert has no fear of injury playing for France in the Olympics even with contract extension talks looming. Twitter: @tjonessltrib WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S27

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • BORIS DIAW

BULLIT MARQUEZ | The Associated Press

The 34-year-old forward and newest Jazzman Mr. Reliable played a big role in France’s qualifying for Rio. By KURT KRAGTHORPE whose versatility and passing was not added to France’s ros- 8.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists Once traded from Atlan- The Salt Lake Tribune skills will give them “a much ter after the qualifying tour- against Miami, including an ta to Phoenix in a package different look,” Lindsey said. nament, as former Universi- 8-9-9 effort in Game 4. involving Joe Johnson, now Forever scarred by point Lindsey was involved in the ty of Utah center Kim Tillie “Boris pretty much does the his Jazz teammate, Diaw had guard Dante Exum’s knee in- move that revived Diaw’s NBA remained with the team. So same thing every night, as far joined former Jazz guard Raja jury last summer, Jazz general career in March 2012, bring- France’s NBA contingent in- as helping us be a smarter Bell in moving from Phoenix manager Dennis Lindsey ago- ing him to San Antonio after a cludes San Antonio’s Tony team at both ends of the floor,” to Charlotte. After the buy- nizes about the wear and tear contract buyout in Charlotte. Parker, Charlotte’s Nic Batum, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich out by the Bobcats, coach his players absorb in interna- Diaw helped San Antonio pro- Denver’s , said after that game. “He Paul Silas said, “I think if he tional competition. duce a first-round sweep that Gobert and Diaw, a longtime knows what’s going on most had played all out, the way Even so, Lindsey cited spring in the Jazz’s most re- anchor of the national team. of the time. At the offensive he should have, it would have Boris Diaw’s workload in cent playoff appearance and Diaw averaged 10.4 points end, he’s a passer. He under- been a much, much better France’s successful Olym- became a vital player for the in 2013 when France finished stands mismatches. … At the club.” pic qualifying effort to prove Spurs’ 2014 championship third in EuroBasket and post- defensive end, he knows when That never was an issue for a point. If anyone wondered team. The Spurs needed room ed 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds to help. He’s active. So he just Diaw with the Spurs or the about Diaw’s fitness at age 34, to sign free agent Pau Gas- and 3.2 assists in four games helps the whole team have a French team. He’ll remain the French team captain’s ol this summer and Lindsey this month in Manila. In the better IQ.” valuable to France in Rio, al- averaging 32 minutes of play accommodated them, while 2012 Olympics, Diaw helped With Diaw having moved though Gobert’s addition will in four games over six days strengthening his own roster. France reach the quarterfi- from the bench of a Char - reduce his playing time. Diaw should answer that question, Diaw will team in Utah nals. Although his team lost to lotte team that would finish averaged only 17.7 minutes in Lindsey said. with countryman Rudy Gob- Spain, he recorded 15 points, the lockout-shortened 2011- nine playoff games for the The Jazz acquired Diaw ert, who promised to play eight rebounds and five as- 12 season with a 7-59 record, Spurs this past season, but as during the qualifying tourna- in the Olympics if Diaw and sists. Parker said, “I just think the he proved in the Philippines, ment earlier this month, giv- his French teammates qual- The Jazz expect that kind Bobcats were not the right fit he’s available for whatever ing San Antonio the rights to ified in Manila — as they did of multidimensional game for him, because he’s the ul- workload any team gives him. 2015 second-round draft pick July 10 with an 83-74 defeat of from Diaw, as he provided timate team player and he Olivier Hanlan and adding a Canada in the finals. the Spurs in the 2014 NBA Fi- needs a system and stuff like [email protected] 6-foot-8, 250-pound veteran Evan Fournier of Orlando nals. He averaged 6.2 points, that. He’s a perfect fit for us.” Twitter: @tribkurt S28 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • UNITED STATES Road to gold started with bronze STORYLINES Which group Athens process, with six of the is tougher? Disappointment 10 players on this year’s All- NBA first and second teams Group A is more top-heavy, of 2004 brought a withdrawing because of in- with the U.S., Serbia and juries or other issues. Those France finishing 1-2-3 in the new approach. defections created opportu- Basketball World Cup two nities for former Weber State years ago. But Group B ap- guard Damian Lillard and the pears to be deeper, with By KURT KRAGTHORPE Jazz’s Gordon Hayward, who Spain (No. 2), Lithuania (3), The Salt Lake Tribune also declined. Argentina (4), Brazil (9) and Yet the depth of the U.S. Croatia (12) all among the The season after Carlos Ar- personnel pool and the level top dozen teams in the royo personally ruined USA of international competition world. Basketball — or improved make the Americans over- it, as viewed historically — whelming favorites in Rio. This’ll take some time the Jazz honored their point The biggest reason is their de- guard by distributing souvenir fense — the willingness to do The tournament runs near- lunch boxes that featured him. it and a recognition that de- ly the entire length of the Arroyo was gone soon af- fending 3-pointers is critical Games, making the first terward, unceremoniously in the international game. round of the NBA playoffs traded to Detroit in the mid- U.S. coach Mike Kryzyze- seem speedy. Competition dle of the season, but the sym- wski is suggesting this might begins Aug. 6, the day af- bolism of those lunch pails be the best defensive team in ter the opening ceremo- remains intact internation- USA Basketball history. The ny, and the medal games ally. By exposing the Ameri- players are embracing that are Aug. 21, the day of the cans’ defense with his outside potential distinction. In its closing ceremony. shooting in Puerto Rico’s up- first three exhibitions, one vs. set that emboldened other op- Argentina and two vs. China, Try, try, try again ponents in the 2004 Olympics, the team allowed 62.6 points. Arroyo showed USA Basket- Even with the qualifier of Spain sure hopes this is the ball what was missing. 40-minute games, that’s im- year it can break through, Future U.S. teams would pressive. after pushing the U.S. deep need guards who defend - The other dynamic that will into the final minutes of ed the 3-point line — or just make the U.S. worth watching the past two gold- cared about playing defense is how Durant blends with medal games. The Ameri- and working hard. Arroyo’s Klay Thompson and Dray- cans emerged with a 118- effect on USA Basketball is ev- mond Green, now that he’s 107 victory in 2008 and ident, 12 years after what hap- ERIC GAY | The Associated Press coming to Golden State this held on to win 107-100 in pened in Athens. Kobe Bryant bites on his gold medal after leading the USA to a coming NBA season. London. The Spanish bring He’s one of the opponents gold medal in 2008, the start of a run in which the Americans “We are going to grow to- back veterans such as Pau who made the ‘Redeem Team’ have not lost in international play. gether, and that starts with Gasol, Jose Calderon and necessary. And the legacy of Team USA,” Thompson said. Juan Carlos Navarro for a the gold medal-winning 2008 want to compete against each join the team in ’08 solved The Americans are in Pool final shot. team that followed the un - other, because they know that those defensive issues. The A in Rio with the Australian derachievers of ’04 is a major since they were the best, they other effect of ’04 was hav- team of Jazz guard Joe In- Golden goodbye? theme of USA Basketball go- could only make each other ing a gold medal become an gles and the French team fea- ing into the 2016 Games in better.” achievement again, after the turing the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert This certainly seems like Rio de Janeiro, according to The ’04 team was poor - original Dream Team of 1992 and Boris Diaw. Serbia, also the end for Argentina’s current players on the roster. ly constructed, partly be - with Karl Malone and John in that group, is considered greats, who won gold in Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, cause some top-tier players Stockton skewed the outlook. a top medal contender, along 2004, bronze in 2008 and Deron Williams and others chose to stay home. Arroyo, After the semifinal loss in ’04, with Group B’s Spain, the narrowly missed another from ’08 “kind of turned the who scored 24 points, and his U.S. assistant coach Gregg runner-up in 2008 and ’12. medal when they finished culture of USA Basketball Puerto Rico teammates pro- Popovich said, “The thrill to Those teams may provide fourth in 2012. Manu Gino- around, so you have to give vided the map to beating the get it done now will be a much some resistance, but the les- bili, Luis Scola and Andres them a lot of credit,” Kevin Americans, exploiting the de- greater thrill than any time in sons of ’04 still resonate. Nocioni are back. Durant said. fense of guards Allen Iverson the past, when it was a joke.” Asked what he learned from “Those guys put USA Bas- and Stephon Marbury in a 92- The Americans responded Athens, four-time Olympian U.S. group schedule ketball back where it’s sup- 73 victory to begin the tour- with gold medals in Beijing Carmelo Anthony said, “Just posed to be,” Jimmy Butler nament. The team also lost to in 2008 and London in 2012, enjoy the moment. Take ad- Aug. 6 • China, 4 p.m. said. “I think they changed Lithuania in pool play, then to restoring USA Basketball’s vantage of the moment.” Aug. 8 • Venezuela, 4 p.m. the game for everybody. Just Argentina in the semifinals. worldwide status. Aug. 10 • Australia, 4 p.m. the way they approach the Having the likes of Bryant The selection of players for [email protected] Aug. 12 • Serbia, 4 p.m. game … and the fact that they and Williams, then a Jazz star, Rio somewhat resembled the Twitter: @tribkurt Aug. 14 • France, 11:15 a.m. WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S29

BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT • UNITED STATES Pioneers for the modern game STORYLINES Dominant U.S

By DOUG FEINBERG No team has been more The Associated Press dominant at the Olym­ pics over the past 20 years New York • There was than the U.S. women’s much more at risk for the 1996 basketball team. With Olympic women’s basketball nine players, including Sue team than winning the gold Bird, Diana Taurasi and Ta­ medal when they took the mika Catchings, returning floor against Brazil in Atlanta. from the London Games, An 18-month journey was the U.S. is a heavy favor­ coming to an end and any- ite to win another gold thing less than a gold medal medal. Olympic newcom­ would have been considered a ers Elena Delle Donne, failure for the Americans. But Brittney Griner and Brean­ a defeat also could have been a na Stewart will add a dy­ major blow to the two profes- namic mix to the veteran sional startup leagues in the core. The U.S. is in a dif­ U.S. looming on the horizon. ficult group with Serbia, “We knew what was at China, Canada, Spain and stake,” guard Dawn Staley Senegal. said. “We knew there was a WNBA in waiting, there was A little revenge the ABL in waiting. It was all depending on how successful The U.S. is also out for a lit­ we were as a team. And we tle bit of revenge. The last also wanted to show Amer- time they played in Brazil ica, our nation, that women at the 2006 World Cham­ playing at the peaks of their pionship, they lost to Rus­ careers was truly something SUSAN RAGAN | The Associated Press sia in the semifinals. It was special.” U.S. women’s basketball team members wear their gold medals during ceremonies at the 1996 their only defeat in either They didn’t disappoint Centennial in Atlanta, including former Utah Starzz player Jennifer Azzi, the Olympics or worlds the 32,987 fans at the Geor- far left. That team was the foundation for the launch of the ABL and the WNBA. since 1992. gia Dome. The U.S. cruised to a 111-87 victory over Bra- the foundation for the launch everything, the WNBA,” said a surprise awaited them. In Medal contenders zil. That was the first of five of the ABL and the WNBA. New York Liberty assistant walked Leslie, Swoopes, Sta- straight gold medals for the The ABL lasted only two years, coach Katie Smith. “So we ley and the rest of the 1996 France was the silver med­ Americans. That team, led by but the WNBA is now in its are indebted to them, a huge Olympic team. alist in 2012 and Australia Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain 20th season. Players earned ‘thank you’ for what they did.” “It was so cool,” Catchings has won either a silver or and Sheryl Swoopes, still $50,000 the year they toured Because of the 1996 team, said. “It was the first time for bronze at every Olympics holds several U.S. Olympic with the team. They trav - Los Angeles Sparks star Can- me that I saw players like Lisa since 1996. Other candi­ records, including scoring av- eled around the world, flying dace Parker was part of a gen- and Dawn and Sheryl. It was dates for a medal could be erage (102.4), points (819) and more than 100,000 miles and eration who grew up looking someone that I wanted to be Serbia, which won the Eu­ assists (207). winning 52 games before the forward to playing in a pro like. A female basketball play- ropean championship, and “We were on a mission. We Olympics. league — in the United States. er to look up to. But watching Canada. trained for a year and half to- “I was on my couch and the Olympic team, I was like, gether. That was the first time heard they were starting this ‘Oh, my God. One day I want Golden girls USA Basketball had ever put Without the gold new league, and I remember to be there, and I want to rep- a group of women togeth - thinking how excited I was,” resent my country and have If the U.S. does win an­ er,” said Nikki McCray, cur- said Parker of her 10-year-old that opportunity.’ ” other gold, Taurasi, Bird rently an assistant on Staley’s in 1996, the WNBA self. “I went out to my drive- The 1996 team didn’t just and Catchings will join Te­ coaching staff at South Caroli- way and started shooting, and leave their impact with the resa Edwards and Lisa Les­ na. “We were machines. Cred- may not be around. I no longer had to pretend to WNBA and Olympic success. lie as the only basketball it Tara VanDerveer and her play in the NBA, I could pre- Five players from that squad players to win four gold staff for just getting us ready, tend to play in the WNBA.” are coaching in college now medals. and we were unstoppable. To “Those players, not only did Parker wasn’t the only cur- — Jennifer Azzi, Katy Steding, go 60-0? That’s never been they represent us on the court rent WNBA star the 1996 McCray, Staley and Swoopes. U.S. group schedule done before, and we were not in winning a gold medal in team influenced. Tamika “It was a magical year,” going to fall short of winning such a huge fashion, but they Catchings was on the USA coach VanDerveer said. “Al- Aug. 7 • Senegal, 9 a.m. the gold medal and to win it were publicizing and promot- women’s junior world cham- though I don’t know that our Aug. 8 • Spain, 9 a.m. was truly remarkable.” ing the women’s game and ba- pionship qualifying team. Af- players would say that. It was Aug. 10 • Serbia, 12:30 p.m. That team, which started sically got two leagues off the ter a practice in Colorado, she really a fantastic trip. I loved Aug. 12 • Canada, 12:30 p.m. training together in 1995, was ground and one has withstood and her teammates were told the whole experience.” Aug. 14 • China, 9:15 a.m. S30 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

TRACK & FIELD SPOTLIGHT • THE EATON FAMILY

While Ashton is the favorite to win in the decathlon, his wife Brianne is a Power couple contender to win in the heptathlon. By PAT GRAHAM to defend his Olympic decath- They motivate one another running events to benefit chil- Marra recounted. “We had The Associated Press lon title at the Rio de Janeiro as well. dren in Africa. The Eatons some ideas and made the Games for the U.S., while Bri- “Our lives are more orga- traveled to Kenya last fall and commitment to step it up to Ashton Eaton crouched in anne, who competes for Can- nized because if one of us met the child they help spon- move to the next level.” the dirt and concentrated on ada, figures to be a favorite in gets lazy, the other is snap- sor. They even demonstrated It’s worked, too. She’s fin- conquering his latest rival the heptathlon. ping their fingers to say, ‘OK, what they do — using a stick ished second at the past two — weeds overwhelming his “We feel like pretty normal, get back to it,’ ” Brianne said. as a javelin and a rock as a dis- world outdoor championships. backyard. boring people, to be honest,” Date night for them is din- cus. Ashton’s drive has long The Olympic decathlon Brianne said. ner and a movie. At least, they “It’s us sharing these ex- been legendary, but kicked up champion and world-record A little history on the first strive for that. Most times, it’s periences together,” Brianne a notch after taking silver at holder dominated those pes- family of multi-events: Ash- simply watching a show on said. “Because when we both the 2011 worlds in South Ko- ky intruders, with his wife ton, 28, and Brianne, 27, met Netflix (the couple spent the are able to go somewhere and rea. posting his handiwork on so- at the as spring watching “Making a show up and show that it’s a Since then, he’s won two cial media. teenagers and married in July Murderer”). family supporting it, it’s even world outdoor titles, an Olym- Just a snapshot into the 2013. Their coach, Harry Mar- “It’s definitely beneficial to stronger.” pic crown and broken the life of the Eatons — your or- ra, officiated the wedding. have the support of someone Marra has been a part of world record twice, the most dinary neighbors in Eugene, “Most nervous I ever was in who’s also trying to do the Team Eaton since the early recent time last summer at Ore. Ashton frequently toils my life!” Marra exclaimed. same,” Ashton said. “When stages, realizing right away worlds in Beijing when he in the yard while Brianne The couple trains together. you have someone else going they weren’t your typical ath- finished with 9,045 points. It Theisen-Eaton does the gro- They celebrate together, with through this it’s like, ‘Oh, you letes. Take Brianne, who had a was six points better than the cery shopping and cooking. Ashton embracing Brianne know what? I’m not the only long talk with Marra after the mark he set at U.S. Olympic “There it is for you: She after her gold-medal perfor- one suffering here.’ ” 2012 London Games when she Trials in 2012. hunts and gathers and I take mance in the pentathlon at The couple also has a didn’t medal. During training, they care of the nest,” Ashton said, the world indoor champion- shared passion for clean wa- “She said, ‘Coach, I don’t sometimes change things up laughing. ships in Portland two months ter. The Eatons are big sup- want to be 10th anymore. I to have fun. A few months ago, But this power couple is far ago — and vice versa when porters of Team World Vision, don’t want to continue to do Ashton asked Marra to place a from ordinary. Ashton hopes Ashton won the heptathlon. which raises money through this unless I can be a factor,’” piece of rope into sand during long jump practice. Then, Ashton tried to leap past the string. That’s something Ash- ton used to do as a kid after watching Carl Lewis compete in the Olympics. “It brought Ashton back to his childhood,” Marra said. “And he got technically done what he wanted to get done, but had fun doing it.” The days are going to be long for athletes and coach in Rio. Brianne competes on Aug. 12-13 and the plan is to train Ashton in between sessions, so both can root for Brianne. Ashton would take center stage Aug. 17-18, with a chance to become the first decathlete to win back-to-back Olympic titles since British star Daley Thompson in 1980 and ’84. “Would it be nice to see (Brianne and Ashton) win and then after the dust settles — a month or so later — sit back in my garden with a nice big glass of wine and say, ‘Yeah, ALIKE KEPLICZ | The Associated Press that was pretty good.’ Sure, it Ashton Eaton of the United States, left, talks to his wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton of Canada as they compete at the 2014 Athletics -In would be,” Marra said. “But door World Championships in Poland. Eaton is a favorite in the Rio decathlon, while Theisen-Eaton will be in the heptathlon. you can’t do that now.” WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S31

TRACK & FIELD • STORYLINES Doping overshadows the athletes With so much focus on Usain Bolt’s injured hamstring and the Russian team’s ban amid charges of systemat- ic doping, it’s easy to lose track of who could be making the headlines at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Even if he was fully fit, Bolt, the world record-holder and two-time defending champion in the 100- and 200-meter sprints, will have plenty of competition. World championship sil- ver medalist recorded the two fastest times of the season to July 3 with a 9.80 and 9.83 at the U.S. Trials, holding off in 9.84. Gatlin won the 100-200 double at the trials, a feat 2011 world champion Yohan Blake matched at the Jamaican championships after Bolt withdrew. After edging Nickel Ashmeade to win the 100 in 9.95, Blake — the silver medalist in the 100 and 200 in Lon- don — said he felt his confidence com- ing back. ALL PHOTOS | The Associated Press — The Associated Press

Semenya is ready World’s fastest women

Caster Semenya has been just about Dafne Schippers wants to break the Jamai- unbeatable this season over 800 me- ca-U.S. dominance in the women’s sprints ters and is the favorite for gold at Rio. by improving one place on her perfor- Semenya has had a tumultuous ca- mance at the World Championships, where reer since winning the world 800 ti- she won the 200 and took silver in the 100. tle at age 18 in 2009. The issue of Her personal best of 10.81 is well off the gender verification and hyperandro- world-leading 10.70 set by Elaine Thomp- genism — the presence of high lev- son at the Jamaican trials. Thompson’s time els of testosterone in female athletes equaled the Jamaican record Shelly-Ann — gained global attention after that Fraser-Pryce set in 2012, and relegated the win and Semenya was ordered to defending Olympic champion to second undergo testing. She was cleared to place. That’s not a position that sits well compete and won silver in the 800 at with Fraser-Pryce, who has the chance to be the 2012 Olympics to get her career the first woman to win the same individual on track. In April, event at three successive Olympics. Setting the bar high Semenya said she felt like she was The absence of Russian world starting to enjoy record-holder and two-time Olympic the sport again. champion Yelena Isinbayeva will leave Another Super Saturday? a hole in the women’s pole com- petition — particularly for American Rule Britannia echoed around the . “I always said I wanted to in 2012 when Mo compete against the best,” said Suhr, Farah, right, won the 10,000, Jessica who won Olympic gold in 2012 on a Ennis-Hill won the heptathlon and Greg countback from Yarisley Silva and took Rutherford won the long jump to give Brit- silver behind Isinbayeva in 2008 at Bei- ain three gold medals on one Saturday night. The jing. Suhr missed a medal at last year’s way the schedule works out for Rio, they have the worlds but her best mark of 4.91 plac- chance to do it again on Aug. 13. All three won their es her second on the all-time list be- events at the world championships last year. hind Isinbayeva. S32 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

GYMNASTICS SPOTLIGHT • SIMONE BILES Gold is the only goal remaining

said. “Yeah I think she needs OIympic glory it as part of her repertoire.” “It’s like you still need that would highlight a one puzzle piece,” said 2004 Olympic champion Carly Pat- dominant career. terson. “It’s just crazy. You re- ally need to have that check- mark to be looked at as one By WILL GRAVES of those tops. That’s what it The Associated Press seems like. Her career is in- credible and you wonder if The greatest gymnast Mary that creates so much pres- Lou Retton has ever seen is a sure.” wonder. For Biles, it’s not about She has the power to get her scores. Biles doesn’t pay such height on the vault it much attention to them. It’s seems as if she’s bungee jump- not about winning, maybe ing from the roof. because every meet she has She has the energy to entered since the 2013 U.S. make the final tumbling Championships has ended pass of her boundary-pushing the same way: with Biles atop floor exercise — when most of the podium ducking her head her peers are breathless and so the latest medal to her ev- counting the seconds until er-growing collection can be the music stops — as fresh as draped around her neck. her first. It’s not even about her She has the poise to flip and highly GIF-able routines ei- swoop and turn on a 4-inch- ther, the ones that leave her wide slab of wood 4 feet off peers in awe. If Biles is be- the ground so fluidly it’s like ing honest, she doesn’t even an X Games version of ballet. know the formal terms for “The God-gifted ability of some of the skills she does explosiveness and just her anyway. athleticism, you can’t teach “They’re like, ‘Oh, you did a that,” said Retton, the 1984 ...’ and I’m like, ‘I did a what?’ ” Olympic champion. “You can- Biles said. “No, I flipped twice. not teach that. You can teach I twisted twice. They go ‘it’s somebody to be a little bit called a ...’ and I’m like ‘Why more graceful. You can teach do I need to know that? I just someone more skills, but you need to go and do that.’ ” can’t teach that special unique The sport’s code of points — quality that Simone has.” overhauled over a decade ago Get ready to know Simone to get rid of the 10-point sys- Biles. In her sport, the live- tem in favor of one designed wire 19-year-old from Spring, to create a higher risk/reward Texas, enjoys first-name only factor — forces its competitors status, the byproduct of a to make a choice between ag- three-year run that includes gression and precision. Biles is 14 world championship med- the rare gymnast who doesn’t als with a record 10 golds and have to choose. She can do three all-around titles. both. “We’re joking she should “Typically you can have an have to compete with the JAE C. HONG | The Associated Press athlete that’s head and tails guys,” Retton said. “She’s so above the rest, they might good. She pushes it. She’s just “ rest on their laurels a little special.” Typically you can have an athlete that’s head and bit,” said seven-time Olym- For all of the awe Biles in- tails above the rest, they might rest on their laurels a little pic medalist Shannon Miller. spires, the one thing she lacks “They might slide a little bit. is “that Olympic all-around bit. They might slide a little bit. She doesn’t.” She doesn’t. She’s at the top gold medal, the Queen Bee, SEVEN-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST SHANNON MILLER | about Simone Biles of her game every time.” the most important,” Retton The ultimate stage awaits. WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S33

GYMNASTICS • STORYLINES Karolyi looks for a golden sendoff After 40 years helping some of the greatest gymnasts of all time soar to Olympic gold — from Nadia Comaneci to Mary Lou Retton to — Martha Karolyi is retiring af- ter the 2016 Games. The five-woman group Karolyi is bringing to Rio — Sim- one Biles, , , and — has the perfect going away pres- ent in mind: Gold. Lots and lots of gold. Maybe all six avail- able, something that’s never been done by one country in a single Olympiad. It’s a testament to the empire Karolyi has built since taking over the program in 2001 that it’s not merely hype but entire- ly plausible, a luxury afforded when you have the three-time reigning world champion (Biles), the defending Olympic cham- pion (Douglas), a three-time Olympic medalist (Raisman) and the reigning world champion (Kocian) on the ros- ter. The gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world has grown since the “” rolled to the team gold four years ago. The chance of anyone overcoming it is akin to the odds of Michael Jordan and the original “Dream Team” fall- ing in Barcelona in 1992. No one came close back then. If the Americans do what they’ve done at every major internation- al event since 2011, Karolyi’s final meet will be more of an ex- tended victory lap. — The Associated Press ALL PHOTOS | The Associated Press

Encore for golden girl No ‘I’ in ‘team’ for Japanese star Steady Sam

Gabby Douglas, right, is attempting to be- Kohei Uchimura, below, has nothing left to , below has come the first reigning all-around champion prove. The only question surrounding the ef- spent most of the past to repeat in nearly 50 years. While topping fortlessly elegant 27-year-old is if he is the four years as easily the best Biles seems unlikely, the 20-year-old Doug- greatest male gymnast of all time. Anoth- American gymnast, reel- las could follow in the footsteps of Coman- er Olympic all-around title to bookend the ing off four straight nation- eci, who won the all-around in in one the Japanese captured in London four al titles with relative ease. 1976 and earned silver in Moscow in 1980. years ago would settle the debate, perhaps Yet he’s struggled to make Douglas’ path back to the Olympics has for good. Yet Uchimura is more focused on an impact on the interna- been bumpy of late. Though she helping his country return to the top of the tional level, his only med- was runner-up to Biles at the 2015 podium. Japan ended a losing streak to Chi- al coming as part of the World Championships and cap- na when it triumphed at the 2015 World U.S. team that won bronze tured the American Cup in March, Championships. at the 2014 World Cham- she struggled at times during the Uchimura — pionships. The 23-year-old selection process and parted with who isn’t rul- moved to the U.S. Olympic coach Kittia Carpenter in early July. ing out sticking Training Center after grad- around until uating from Michigan but the 2020 Olym- continues to be bothered pics in Tokyo by small mistakes that force — would love him to play catch-up. The British are coming! nothing more than to fill the one While longtime powers like Romania and Rus- hole left on his peer- sia have slipped in recent years, Great Britain’s less resume. program has been on the rise. The Brits finished third in the team competition at worlds last fall, the first-ever team medal at the world champi- onships in the program’s history. The core of that group: sisters Becky and , , and , will try to take an even greater step in Rio. S34 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

SWIMMING SPOTLIGHT • KATIE LEDECKY Fueled to be a champion At 19, she already may be the best ever.

By DAVE SHEININ dominance of swimming, the The Washington Post truth is more complex, and it lies somewhere in that recipe. In many of her races, Katie “This is a one-in-a-billion Ledecky is leading before she human being,” said Wash- even touches the water. ington Capitals and Wizards In the 800-meter free - owner Ted Leonsis, a long- style final at the 2012 Lon- time friend and associate of don Olympics, which pro- Ledecky’s family. “She has a duced her first Olympic gold very special family, and she’s medal; in six of her nine indi- an incredibly gifted person vidual swims at the — with a high, high 2015 World Champi- self-actualization onships, where she and self-awareness, pulled off an unprec- otherworldly good edented sweep of the instincts and intelli- 200 through 1,500 gence, a gifted phys- freestyles; in the 800 iognomy, plus an in- free final at the 2014 credible drive to be Pan Pacific Champi- the best. And it’s all onships, a world re- Ledecky • natural.” cord; and the finals The best in Ledecky already of both the 400 and the world in may be the most 800 free at the 2012 freestyle. dominant athlete in U.S. Olympic trials sports. At the 2015 — in all of those races, and in worlds, against the best com- many others, Ledecky was the petition the globe could offer, first swimmer off the blocks, she won the 1,500 freestyle her reaction time the fastest by more than 14 seconds and in the field. the 800 free by more than 10. It is not a skill Ledecky, 19, When she set the most recent needs or cares about. There of her 11 world records, in the isn’t much benefit in beating 800 free at a meet in Austin in opponents off the blocks by a January, her margin of victory couple hundredths of a second was 17.81 seconds. when you typically win your “She’s the greatest athlete core events by several seconds, in the world today by far,” or even tens of seconds. And said Michael J. Joyner, an an- where fast starts are a part of esthesiologist and researcher her practice routine, it is only for the Mayo Clinic in Roches- in the larger context of the ter, Minn., specializing in hu- first 15 meters as a whole. man performance and phys- But as a symbol of Le - iology. “She’s dominating by decky’s sheer athletic bril- the widest margin in interna- liance, her perfection of the tional sport, winning by 1 or 2 first movement of a race is percent. If [a runner] won the illustrative. Getting off the 10,000 meters by that wide a blocks fast requires some margin, they’d win by 100 me- combination of hard work, ters. One or 2 percent in the athleticism, intense focus and Tour de France, over about 80 perfectionism. And try as peo- hours of racing, would be 30 ple might to find some sim- or 40 minutes. It’s just abso- ple explanation for Ledecky’s lutely remarkable.” MARK J. TERRILL | The Associated Press WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S35

SWIMMING • STORYLINES Phelps returns for a final farewell Michael Phelps is back for a sequel to his Olympic farewell. This time, he insists, it really is goodbye. After retiring and then un-retiring, Phelps will be in Rio as the first U.S. male swimmer to compete in five Olympics. He is already the most decorated athlete in the history of the games, with 18 golds and 22 medals overall, and at age 31 remains the biggest star in a sport that will also feature Katie Ledecky and an increasingly diverse pool of potential champions. Look for Phelps to add to his medal total. He qualified for his three best individual events and will likely be part of all three men’s relays on the powerful U.S. team. Just don’t expect another comeback. “This is it,” Phelps said. “No more.” Phelps initially retired after the London Games, only to back- track on that decision about 18 months later. Looking back to four years ago, Phelps said he didn’t real- ly want to be at the Olympics, even though he was still good enough to capture four golds and two silvers. He came back with a rekindled passion for swimming, only to run into anoth- er major challenge when he was arrested for the second time on drunken driving charges. That led Phelps to overhaul his personal life. He went into therapy, gave up alcohol, got engaged, made peace with his fa- ther and became a father when son Boomer was born in May. No matter what happens in Rio, this is how he wants to go out. — The Associated Press ALL PHOTOS | The Associated Press

Not so busy for two U.S. stars Aussie comeback Home team Late nights

Missy Franklin, bottom left, was one of the stars Australia has traditionally been the While Brazil will field its For the second time in three in London, winning four golds and a bronze. The second-strongest swimming nation be- largest squad and have the Olympics, the schedule has 21-year-old will have a lot more free time on her hind the U.S., but the team endured a crowd on its side, the home been altered so the swim- hands this time after a disappointing perfor- dismal showing in 2012. team will be missing its big- ming events can be tele- mance at the U.S. Trials. Franklin qualified for only Look for a big comeback gest star. World-record vised live in the U.S. during two individual events and her relay duties will be in Rio. The Aussies re- holder Cesar Cielo, a three- prime time. The change limited to the 4x200 freestyle. It’s a similar story turned to form at last time Olympic medalist, stun- isn’t quite as drastic as eight for another U.S. great, Ryan Lochte, bottom right. year’s world champi- ningly failed to qualify at years ago in Beijing, when The 11-time Olympic medalist sustained a groin onships with seven the Brazilian trials. Even so, preliminaries were held in injury on the first day of the Trials and managed golds and 16 med- the local fans should have the evening and the finals to qualify for only one individual race — a far cry als overall. Sisters plenty of reasons to cheer. the following morning. In from the six events (four individual, two relays) he Cate and Bron- Established swimmers such Rio, the prelims have been had in London. te Campbell lead as Thiago Pereira, Bruno moved back to 1 p.m. lo- the way, along Fratus and Joana Maran- cal time, while the finals with Emily See- hão are joined by up-and- won’t begin until 10 p.m. — bohm and Mitch comers Larissa Oliveira and both about three hours lat- Larkin, right. Etiene Medeiros. er than most meets.

Shadow of doping

Gold medalists Sun Yang of China and Park Tae-hwan, right, of South Korea will both swim in Rio after serving suspensions for doping. And Yuliya Efimova, one of Russia’s top medal contend- ers, was only banned on Monday by FINA after originally being cleared to take part in the Olympics despite her second positive test, drawing the ire of many top swimmers. American Elizabeth Beisel said she is worried the competition in Rio won’t be clean. S36 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT • GOLF

Golf’s return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence will not include the top four players in the world — Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day have each withdrawn. If they’re out, why is golf in? “The Olympic commit- Players don’t seem tee has to look at this and go, ‘Look, it was a weird situation, to be embracing so don’t penalize golf because of a weird situation,’ ” Bubba Watson said. the Olympic spirit. But is it as simple as blam- ing it on Rio? By DOUG FERGUSON No women eligible for the The Associated Press Olympics have dropped out. Then again, the women do For the longest time, golf’s not have the chance to play biggest headache in prepar- on a big stage like the Olym- ing for a return to the Olym- pics. All three of their U.S. ma- pics was getting a new course jors are held the week before built in Rio de Janeiro. the men’s majors and often get That seems like a nuisance lost in coverage. compared with its next hur- The perception is that Zika dle: Who’s going to play? is an easy way out from go- Eighteen eligible players FELIPE DANA | The Associated Press ing to South America for an over the past two months The Olympic Golf Course had some struggles being developed before its completion in the spring. Olympic competition that have pulled out of the Olym- has little history behind it in pics, several specifically citing same statement: It is disap- Antony Scanlon, who has “All we can do is make sure golf. And the leading organi- concerns about the Zika virus. pointed, but understands been involved in nine Olym- we deliver a great event.” zations did themselves no fa- Rory McIlroy, a four-time that each player has to decide pics, believes golf still can put It wasn’t supposed to turn vors by cramming their big- major champion with the on his own. on a good show. out this way. gest events into the summer broadest global appeal among “Unfortunately with what’s “We gave a commitment to When golf made its pitch to ahead of the games. young stars, was the most going on with Brazil and Rio have the best players there,” get back into the Olympics for After the Olympics, PGA prominent player to withdraw. with the Zika virus, there’s a Scanlon said. “The decision the first time since St. Louis in Tour players go right into That was until Jason Day, the small chance it could happen, they’re making are personal. 1904, the IGF presented vid- the FedEx Cup, and then for No. 1 player in the world, said and I just can’t put my fam- We can’t make those decisions eo support from Tiger Woods Americans and Europeans, he would not be going. ily through that, especially for them. All you can do is un- and Phil Mickelson and oth- it’s off to the Ryder Cup. Shane Lowry and Branden with the future children we’re derstand the decision they’re er top players who offered en- “Other athletes have been Grace are planning to start looking at having,” Day said. making. After the games, we’ll thusiasm and unconditional training four and eight years families and will stay home While the sport is assured have two worthy champions, support for Olympic compe- to go to the Olympics. I can because of Zika. a spot in 2020 in Tokyo, the gold medalists that history tition. see why they’re going be - Dustin Johnson joined International Olympic Com- will look back on. When the That was in 2009, before cause it’s the pinnacle of their that group, then Jordan Spi- mittee will vote next year to IOC members come to the Brazil was devastated by po- sport,” Lowry said. “It’s not eth pulled out before the Brit- decide if golf stays longer than venue, they’re going to have litical corruption and an eco- the pinnacle of golf yet. It ish Open, citing the Zika virus. that. And it doesn’t help when a great time. They’ll experi- nomic meltdown, before con- could be in 20 years’ time. The International Golf Fed- there’s an All-Star roster of ence a sport where you can cerns over polluted water and But it’s not like winning the eration stopped responding to players who won’t be there get close to the players and whether Rio could provide ad- U.S. Open or winning the each withdrawal in June be- for whatever reasons. see their passion and deter- equate security. And that was Masters or playing in the Ry- cause it was repeating the IGF executive director mination. before Zika. der Cup.” WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S37

SPOTLIGHT • POLITICS OF THE GAMES Sometimes, athletes find a way to compete

have been allowed to compete while the rest This year’s ‘Refugee Team’ not of the Russian team was banned. Stepano­ va had previously been sanctioned for doping a unique occurrence in Games. but had served as a valuable whistleblower, as­ sisting authorities in their investigation. The By SAMANTHA PELL IOC thanked Stepanova for her help but stat­ The Associated Press ed that her case did “not satisfy the ethical re­ quirements for an athlete to enter the Olym­ The IOC decided not to allow Russian run­ pic Games.” Stepanova almost join this list of MICHAEL SOHN | The Associated Press ner Yulia Stepanova to compete in Rio after Olympians who competed under unusual con­ Yusra Mardini from Syria will be one of 10 refugees competing previously, there were indications she would ditions. at the 2016 Olympics under the Olympic flag.

1956, 1960, 1964 Summer 2012 London Summer and Winter Games Four athletes competed as indepen- From 1956 to 1964, East Germany dent Olympic athletes in 2012. They and West Germany came together and hailed from the former Netherland An- participated as the Unified Team of tilles and from South Sudan. The Neth- Germany. In the case of the Germany erlands Antilles Olympic Committee Olympic soccer team, the West and the had its membership withdrawn in July East played each other for the right to 2011, but three athletes who qualified represent Germany in the Olympics. for 2012 were still allowed to partici- The team’s Olympic flag looked like the pate under the Olympic flag. German flag, except with white Olym- pic in the middle. Germany re- 2014 Sochi Winter united as one nation in 1992. Three ath- letes from In- STEVE CREUTZMANN | The Associated Press file photo dia entered Gymnasts from a Unified Team made up of 12 former Soviet republics is con­ the games as gratulated by the Japanese team after winning the men’s team competition at independent Barcelona, Spain, during the 1992 Summer Olympics. participants because of the suspension 1984 Los Angeles Summer 1992 Barcelona Summer of the Indian Associated Press file photo Olympic Association by the IOC since West and East Germany used to com­ Starting in 1984, Taiwanese athletes The Unified Team consisted of 12 of 2012. However, on Feb. 11, four days pete under the same flag. began participating at the Olympics as the 15 former Soviet Union republics — after the start of the games, the IOC “Chinese Taipei,” after competing ear- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, reinstated the Indian Olympic Associ- 1980 Moscow Summer lier as both the Republic of China and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Rus- ation and allowed the remaining two then Taiwan. The term is deliberate- sia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine athletes who had yet to participate to Under the direction of U.S. President ly ambiguous because China does not and Uzbekistan. The team earned 112 compete under the Indian flag. Jimmy Carter, 65 countries decided to recognize Taiwan politically. At the flag medals, 45 gold. Athletes from Yugo- participate in a U.S.-led boycott of the ceremony at the Olympics, the Nation- slavia and Macedonia also compet- 2016 Rio Summer Olympics because of the Soviet inva- al Flag Anthem of the Republic of Chi- ed as independent participants, with sion of Afghanistan. However, some na is played instead of the National Macedonia not having its national Under the name of the Refugee athletes from boycotting countries par- Anthem of the Republic of China. Olympic committee formed and Yugo- Olympic Team, 10 refugees will be ticipated in the games under the Olym- slavia under United Nations sanctions. competing in Rio de Janeiro under the pic flag. Britain was one of those coun- 1992 Albertville Winter Olympic flag. The refugee athletes tries that competed under the Olympic 2000 Sydney Summer range in origin from Syria, South Su- flag. Sebastian Coe, now president of With the collapse of the Soviet dan, Ethiopia and Congo. The IOC also the IAAF, won the first of his two gold Union, six states — Armenia, Belarus, At the 2000 Summer Olympics, ath- authorized athletes from Kuwait to medals in the 1,500 meters under the Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uz- letes from East Timor competed as in- compete under the Olympic flag in Rio Olympic flag. The Olympic Anthem re- bekistan — came together and creat- dependent athletes under the Olympic because their national Olympic com- placed the athletes’ national anthem at ed a “Unified Team.” The team won 23 flag. East Timor was in transition to be- mittee remains suspended over gov- the medal ceremonies. medals overall. coming independent at the time. ernment interference. S38 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT • HOW MEDALS ARE MADE

DAVID J. PHILLIP | The Associated Press

By TIM REYNOLDS they’re not really bronze) are largely The Associated Press made from recycled materials, which is a source of pride for the team that Gold medals are the ultimate prize Berbert represents. in Olympic sport. Precious metal The silver for both the first- and sec- They’re also a misnomer. ond-place medals was culled in part There’s no such thing as a “gold” from mirrors and plates. The bronze medal, not at the Rio Olympics — and Gold medals in Rio are barely gold at all. Here’s why. medals are made in part from the same really, not ever. Second-place finishers copper that goes into Brazilian coin, so get silver medals and oddly enough, so these Olympics will weigh just over a The medals for the Olympics are the mint had plenty of that to use in the do the winners, albeit theirs are plat- pound, so to make them entirely from done. Work is ongoing on the medals Olympic project. About 40 percent of ed in a tiny amount of gold. gold would have cost about $23,500 for the Paralympics, which follow in what was needed was already on hand That factoid caught even some of apiece. By taking the silver medals and Brazil later this summer. when the process started. those who were put in charge of mak- then plating them in a tiny amount of “We needed to develop the whole The mint will store the medals and ing the 5,000 or so medals needed for Brazilian gold, the actual value of the concept of the medal. We worked a basically deliver them to the organiz- these Rio Games by surprise. metal inside those medals is about lot with the committee about the art, ing committee on a day-to-day basis “Our operators and some of our de- $600. Not that the athletes will mind. about the design, about the materi- — the medals that will be awarded on velopers had the same question,” said Though there are a number of ex- als,” Berbert said. “We tried to catch a given day will be kept safe as can be Victor Hugo Berbert, who managed ceptions, it’s not uncommon for the what they wanted to show in a Olym- until needed. the medal-making process and was medal-making process to fall to the pic medal and we took our experience, “We have special dates with the part of a team of about 100 people at host country’s national mint. That was our know-how in producing medals committee where they want them de- the Brazilian Mint who were part of the case this year, with Berbert saying and turn that into what they want. livered,” Berbert said. “There are logis- the project. “We can produce medals it took about two years for the entire The art came from the committee, but tics on how to transfer them to them out of pure gold. But we know how ex- process to play itself out — starting our team needed to sculpt them.” ... until then, we keep the medals in a pensive they are. So gold medals ... are with discussions on design with the The gold is certified to have a cer- safe room. But all the Olympic med- not exactly pure gold.” host organizing committee, sketches, tain amount of purity and is con - als are packaged now, identified by the They’re barely gold at all. ideas, budgeting and ultimately ap- sidered very high quality. The silver event and competition, all organized The medals given to champions at proval from the IOC. and “bronze” medals (and by the way, and ready to be delivered.” WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S39

SPOTLIGHT • THE COSTS OF COMPETITION Digging deep (into their pockets) The hardest part about making the games for some is affording it.

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | The Associated Press

By COLBY ITKOWITZ of the best in the world at “ in an interview. “These peo- with the Chinese team, so The Washington Post an Olympic sport comes at a ple are helping me and giv- she moved to the United price. “I can’t express — I just, ing me their money. What if I States eight years ago with As a decathlete, Jeremy Many athletes scrimp and I felt beyond grate­ don’t make the team? What if the goal of becoming a citi- Taiwo needs different shoes save, and look for ways to ful and I felt I didn’t I don’t realize my dream?” zen and joining Team USA. for nearly every event. He raise money on their own. Although superstars in She moved to New York not has high jump shoes and long They take side jobs, but their deserve it, but I also felt such high-profile sports as knowing a word of English jump shoes. He has shoes for full-time occupation is train- a lot of pressure. These swimming and gymnastics but studied hard between sprinting and shoes for dis- ing, and their bodies need rest. people are helping me can sign endorsement deals her four to five hours of al- tance running. He needs Dick’s Sporting Goods start- that pay six figures, and win- most daily practice. three different pairs for shot ed a program last year to hire and giving me their ning a medal does come with Wu, 26, is headed to Rio, put, javelin and discus. Then Olympic athletes to work in money. What if I don’t a (taxed) cash prize, general- but she, too, struggles with he needs special spikes for his its stores, offering a gener- make the team? What ly there’s not a lot of money finances. She coaches for ex- shoes for the pole vault. ous hourly wage and flexible coming in for Olympic ath- tra income, but that cuts into There’s weekly massage schedules. Taiwo got one of if I don’t realize my letes. And only a fraction of her training. She started a therapy. There are coaches’ those jobs but had to cut back dream?” the USOC’s budget goes to GoFundMe page for money fees and travel costs. There’s to once a week because of his modest stipends for direct to train and compete back in nutrition, and Taiwo must training schedule. athlete support. China, where she can hone consume daily the caloric in- More than 100 athletes Of using GoFundMe to raise And for lesser-watched her skills. She’s yet to hit her take of several average men. have started GoFundMe pag- money for his track expenses sports there’s almost no mon- $25,000 goal. For Taiwo, 26, of Seattle, es asking for donations for ey allocated, let alone aid for “China is the best in the the expenses were a constant new gear, to fly family to Rio the athletes. Jennifer Wu, for world; it’s like the NBA is stress, and sometimes, when and for living expenses. already spent, has allowed example, plays table tennis. here, so very popular, every- money was tight, it was hard Taiwo was among them. him to focus on his training. In Beijing, where she’s from, one loves to watch, everyone to remember if the struggle Since launching his fundrais- “I can’t express — I just, I it’s a highly regarded sport, loves to play, but I will try my was worth it. er last year, he has surpassed felt beyond grateful and I felt I but not in the United States. best,” Wu said. “I don’t want This is the reality for many his goal of $15,000. That mon- didn’t deserve it, but I also felt Wu wasn’t confident that she to just go [to Rio] for fun, I Olympic athletes. Being one ey, most of which he said he’s a lot of pressure,” Taiwo said could make the Olympics want to do my best.” S40 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT • ENDORSEMENT SUPERSTARS Advertisers reaching outside mainstream out-of-the-box campaigns is The ‘face of the Games’ may not be being run by TD Ameritrade, which is focusing on building somebody who you’ve ever heard of. for the future. One of the ads paired four current Olympi- By EDDIE PELLS and clothes store sometime ans — including track’s Da- The Associated Press in the future. vid Oliver and diving’s David A self-styled normal guy, Boudia — with four teenagers This year more than ever, he has 140,000 Twitter fol- who may compete in 2020. the so-called “face” of the lowers, though that number The names Tia Jones Olympics could be a wrestler, only scratches the surface of (track), Damion Thomas or a fencer, or an athlete who the data available to adver- (track), Jordan Windle (div- most of the world has never tisers as they seek the perfect ing) and Sylvie Binder (fenc- heard of before. pitchman. ing) may not resonate with Armed with data that mea- MVP Index, a company many outside their own sures popularity in much co-founded by Jordan Spi- sports now. But four years deeper ways than in years eth’s father, helps sponsors Associated Press file photos from now, in Tokyo, they very past, and in hopes of pick- dig deeper into an athlete’s U.S. Olympic gold medalist well could. ing the perfect storytellers to or entertainer’s overall social- wrestler Jordan Burroughs, “We wanted to do some - share their own stories, many media impression. It looks at above, and fencer Ibtihaj Mu­ thing different, so we start- top sponsors for the Summer not only how many posts a ce- hammad, left, are leading the ed thinking about our brand Games are digging deeper into lebrity makes, but how much way among a generation of message,” said Dedra M. De- the roster of athletes for their attention those posts draw. ‘new faces’ of athletes who Lilli, the company’s director marketing campaigns. Using a formula, it puts a val- most of the world has never of corporate sponsorships. For every Kerri Walsh- ue on certain types of posts heard of who advertisers ex­ “There’s the concept of every- Jennings making an Olympic depending on how well they pose to a broader audience. one needing to plan for the pitch to consumers, there are draw an audience and where future. That certainly reso- two Jordan Burroughs. For they’re posted. It makes the nates for the next generation every Missy Franklin, there’s same judgments about the of hopefuls. It’s an avenue to another Ibtihaj Muhammad. sort of views and responses tell that story in a way that’s “The distinctiveness and those posts receive. authentic to our brand.” depth of the marketing is For example, Burroughs’ 30-year-old from Maplewood, The take-home message much more pronounced this Instagram posts generated N.J., has been widely circulat- for the advertisers this year: Games than it has been pre- 1.5 million impressions for ed in the run-up to the Olym- Make your money count. viously,” said Lisa Baird, the Chobani over a 90-day peri- pics. Visa chose her not only Sports marketing expert Joe chief marketing officer of the od with 21,400 “engagements” for her well-spoken poise, but Favorito said, “you can’t do it U.S. Olympic Committee. “Its — people who respond to the also to be part of a campaign anymore by just saying, ‘So partners are going to the less- posts. Because of that, and and campaign we’re trying to that emphasizes “acceptance” and so has 3 million Twitter known athletes, and realizing many other numbers, Bur- do,” said David Palmer, who — dovetailing the Olym - followers, let’s go get him.’ ” the faces of the Games could roughs ranks second behind leads partnership and spon- pic ideals of the world com - Which is how TD Ameri- be someone very different.” U.S. soccer player Alex Mor- sorship at Hershey, which is ing together with the com- trade also ended up with the Burroughs is leading the gan among the Olympians in its first Olympics with the pany’s longstanding pitch of 38-year-old Bryan Brothers of way among this generation MVP Index is tracking. USOC. having the globe’s most- tennis doubles fame (“Proba- of “new” faces. Though the “Social media is more than Burroughs is a big part of accepted card. bly nearing retirement. Fit thoughtful, family-man wres- a sentence,” says the compa- Hershey’s “Hello From Home” “We said, ‘Every single face our core demographic,” DeL- tler is a defending Olympic ny’s chief marketing officer, campaign — and the com - on team Visa is not just go- illi said) and why Hershey is gold medalist, he certainly Kyle Nelson. “A sentence is a mercial he shot, in which he ing to be a super athlete, but turning things upside-down doesn’t have the same name post. Social media is a con- receives a box of candy bars, they’re going to have a story in a quirky Reese’s ad cam- recognition as Usain Bolt or versation. I want an athlete along with some heartfelt, behind them and some form paign that features skier Lind- Michael Phelps. That didn’t who’s going to build me into handwritten letters from back of character that draws us to sey Vonn (Winter sports stars stop Hershey, Chobani and the conversation. It’s, how of- home, is a genuine tearjerker. them and represents the con- like summer sports, too). Ralph Lauren — three major ten can I be in front of an au- Visa, an Olympic sponsor cept of acceptance,” said Vi- “A company can still go out players on the USOC’s spon- dience? Even if that audience for the past three decades, has sa’s chief brand and innova- and buy an audience,” Favori- sorship roster — from using is far smaller than what ev- a long list of the well-known tion marketing officer, Chris to said. “But more and more, him prominently as part of eryone else has, the totality — Walsh-Jennings, Frank- Curtin. they’re looking for authen- their campaigns. of that conversation is going lin, — along with Visa’s list of 18 athletes cov- tic return on the investment. Burroughs is married with to be more meaningful.” those who are not yet house- ers 11 sports and nine coun- They want an engaged audi- a newborn and a 2-year-old. And yet, as much as the hold names. Namely Muham- tries, and that’s not including ence. They want a unique au- On his well-maintained per- companies appreciate num- mad, the Muslim fencer who the support it plans to give dience. They want people to sonal website, he describes bers that help them break chose her sport in part be- to refugee athletes who will understand what their busi- himself as an avid reader, fond down audiences into finer cause it allowed her to com- compete under the Olympic ness is, and that’s what we’re of video games and interest- and finer portions, “the ath- pete while wearing a hijab. flag this summer. seeing in some of these Olym- ed in owning his own shoe lete has to fit within the story The story of the Possibly one of the most pic campaigns.” WWW.SLTRIB.COM SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVEW < S41

RIO 2016 SCHEDULE SNAPSHOT AUGUST SPORT 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Archery Athletics - Marathon - Race Walk Badminton Basketball Beach Volleyball Boxing Canoe Slalom Canoe Sprint Cycling - BMX - Mountain Bike - Road Race - Road Time Trial - Track Diving Equestrian - Dressage - Eventing - Jumping Fencing Golf Gymnastics - Artistic - Rhythmic - Trampoline Handball Hockey Judo Marathon Swimming Modern Pentathlon Rowing Rugby Sailing Shooting Soccer Swimming Synchronized Swimming Table Tennis Taekwondo Tennis Triathlon Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting BEN MARGOT | The Associated Press Gabby Douglas competes on the vault during the Wrestling U.S. Trials in San Jose, Calif., earlier this month. All competition schedules are subject to change. Douglas and the U.S. will compete from Aug. 8-11 Source: Rio 2016 AP and Aug. 14-16. S42 > SUMMER OLYMPICS PREVIEW THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

X-Park Aquatics Centre Olympic Stadium Stadium Aquatics Centre Equestrian Centre Maracana Hockey Centre Maracanazinho Shooting Centre Sambodromo DEODORO Youth Arena

1 mi MARACANA 1 km

Riocentro RIO DE JANEIRO

COPACABANA BARA Flamengo Park Beach Volleyball Arena Fort Copacabana Lagoa Stadium Marina da Gloria SUMMER OLYMPICS All the games in Rio de Aquatics Stadium Carioca 3 Tennis Centre Velodrome Janeiro and across Brazil will take place from August 3-21.

BARRA OLYMPIC PARK

Future Arena Carioca 1 Carioca 2 Rio Olympic Aquatics Centre

Pacific Ocean

Manaus Amazônia Arena

BRAZIL Salvador Fonte Nova Arena

Brasilia Mané Garrincha

ASSOCIATION Belo Horizonte Mineirão Stadium FOOTBALL MARK J. TERRILL | The Associated Press TOURNAMENT Rio de Janeiro Maracanã, Olympic Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic Sao Paulo Corinthians Arena athlete ever with 18 overall medals, will swim in his fifth career Games this month in Rio. Sources: Maps4News/HERE; Rio2016 AP