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The Journey to Beijing- Bolles Swimming Olympic Blog
Follow the day-to-day action at the Olympic Trials and Olympic Games from the perspective of the Bolles coaches and athletes by visiting their blog HERE.
Swimmers with Bolles ties have competed at every Summer Olympics since 1972, with a total of 76 Bolles students and alumni competing for 26 different countries through the 2004 games. Ten of these swimmers have won a total of 13 gold, silver, or bronze medals. Bolles' presence at the Olympic Games will continue in 2008 as student-athletes, coaches, and alumni will take to the pool in Beijing, China, as the swimming competition begins August 9. A contingent of swimmers currently training at Bolles will travel together to the Olympics, leaving for the Philippines in late July to continue training prior to the Games.
The journey to Beijing began in Omaha, Nebraska, for two swimmers with Bolles ties hoping to make the U.S. team. Aubrey Peacock '10 and Bolles Sharks age-group coach Chris Hagedorn attempt to earn an Olympic berth at the United States Swimming Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, June 29-July 6.
Four Bolles swimmers have already landed spots on their respective countries' Olympic squads. Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace '08 (Bahamas) and Rodion Davelaar '08 (Netherlands Antilles) are members of Bolles' most recent graduating class and will be representing their countries at the Games. Current students Danielle Beaubrun '09 (St. Lucia) and Ryan Arabejo '09 (Philippines) will be competing as well.
Bolles head swimming coach Sergio Lopez will also make the trip, serving as head coach for the Netherlands Antilles. Daniel Coakly, who went to school in Hawaii, has been training with the Bolles Sharks club and will swim for the Philippines.
Lopez was asked to serve as the Netherland Antilles coach as he has coached Davelaar for the last year. Davelaar is the only swimmer representing the Netherlands Antilles. Lopez is also coaching the other four swimmers in their Olympic training.