U.S. Men Share Thoughts on Winter Games.

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org  

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The 2010 Winter Olympics begin today, which means there are only 896 days (as of Feb. 12) until the 2012 Summer Games in London.

But right now, all eyes are on Vancouver. We thought we’d check in with some of USA Volleyball’s Olympians and Olympic hopefuls from the U.S. Men’s National Team and ask them some questions about the Winter Games.

1. If you could compete in any Winter Olympic sport, what would it be?
2. If you could meet any Winter Olympian (current or past), whom would it be?
3. If you are an Olympian, what advice would you give to first-time Winter Olympians

Gabe Gardner – An opposite froim San Clemente, Calif., who attended Stanford, Gardner is a 2004 Olympian and 2008 gold medalist who is currently playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey. 

1. 1. snowboarding
2. 2. Nancy Kerrigan
3. 3. Enjoy it, but don't get caught up in the media hype...  You have a dream to achieve and bring home a medal.

Kevin Hansen – A setter from Newport Beach, Calif., who attended Stanford, Hansen is a 2008 Olympic gold medalist and currently plays for Fakel Novy Urengoi in Russia.

1. Curling
2. Shaun White seems like an interesting character.
3. Be patient and remember the Olympic Games are a long event that requires intense concentration over a significant amount of time. In addition, don't get discouraged with one bad result when you can redeem yourself in the next heat, race, performance, etc.

Ryan Millar – A middle blocker from Alpine, Utah, who attended BYU, Millar is a three-time Olympian who won gold in 2008 and currently plays for Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediye in Turkey.

1. I would definitely choose snowboarding super pipe. I am a huge snowboarder; have been for almost 15 years now. 
2. I would say Shaun White. The guy does some crazy stuff on a snowboard.
3. I would tell them to have fun and enjoy being part of something great. If they have prepared to the best of their ability than whatever happens happens. Good or bad, they will always be known as an Olympian.

David Smith – A middle blocker from Saugus, Calif., who attended UC Irvine, Smith played for Caribes de San Sebastián in the Puerto Rican men’s league this winter.

1. I don't know why, but my first instinct was to pick curling, so I guess I am going to go with that. Sweeping and yelling, all that fun stuff.
2. I would go with Apollo Ohno; always been fascinated with that guy. I got sucked into watching a lot of speed skating (both short and long) a couple months ago and it's so much fun to watch. His passion and dedication to his training would be amazing to watch first hand.

Donald Suxho – A setter who is originally from Korce, Albania, and attended USC, Suxho is a 2004 Olympian and is currently playing for Prisma Taranto in Italy’s Serie A League.

1. Downhill skiing
2. Snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler
3. Enjoy every minute of it.

Jonathan Winder – A setter who is from Irvine, Calif., and attended Pepperdine, Winder is currently playing for RWE Volleys Bottrop in Germany’s league.

1. I would compete in curling because it is similar to shuffleboard, which I can kind of play, and that is probably the warmest sport available.
2. I would like to meet the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 U.S. Hockey Team because they are probably the only people I know much about and the story (and movie) always gets me very motivated.
3. Maybe one day I can answer this.

 

Tags: David Smith, Donald Suxho, Jonathan Winder, Kevin Hansen, Ryan Millar, U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team