Name: Amanda Evora

Competition: Figure Skating

Age: 25

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

School/University: University of South Florida

Major: Business Administration

How she trains: Amanda and her partner, Mark Ladwig, train together in Ellenton, Florida. To keep themselves in the competitive spirit, they train with another Olympian pair, Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett. Amanda looks to Cirque du Soleil for creative inspiration. Amanda likes to challenge herself every day and has always had a strong “desire to try something difficult” when she is skating, such as a throw triple loop.

How she manages it all: Amanda likes to relieve some of her stress by spending time with people she cares about. She also enjoys playing Guitar Hero, traveling to favorite locations like St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and Oberstdorf, Germany, and by playing with her two cats, Finny and Flower. Amanda is happiest when she is living her life to the fullest; her favorite quote is: “Life is not a problem to solve but a mystery to live,” ~Father Drew.

Fun Fact: Amanda started skating when she was six years old when her father found a pair of hand-me-down ice skates that fit her. In addition to figure skating, Amanda likes to stay in shape by playing soccer and swimming.

Via TeamUSA.org and IceNetwork.com

Here are more Olympic athlete spotlights:

• Graham Watanabe
• Katie Uhlaender
• Michelle Roark

Competition: Freestyle Skiing

Age: 35

Hometown: Denver, CO

School/University: Colorado School of Mines

Major: Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Refining, and Environmental Science

How she trains: Skiing was always a family pastime, so Michelle spent many hours on the slopes near her hometown in Denver, CO when she was growing up.  Michelle now owns a home in Denver and spends many days on the slopes in Denver and in Winter Park, CO. When she isn’t perfecting her perfumes for her new business, you will find Michelle on the slopes, practicing.

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With the 2010 Winter Olympics just a few days away, why not curb the winter blues and host an Olympic-themed party in your college dorm room or apartment during the opening ceremonies?

Consider this Olympic kick-off party just another reason to gather some friends around, nosh on some great food and drinks and become inspired by the young athletes who have trained for their entire lives for this day.

Here are few tips to get your Olympic party going.

• Don patriotic clothing: Guests are only allowed to wear clothing that represents their country of origin. So if you hail from the U.S., red, white and blue digs must be worn and for your dorm buddy who comes from India, green, saffron and white clothing is their ticket into the soiree.
• Read the rest of this entry »

Olympic athlete Graham Watanabe

Name: Graham Watanabe

Competition: Snowboarding

Age: 27

Hometown: Hailey, Idaho

School/University: Westminister College

Major: Business

How does Graham Watanabe train: Graham spends, on average, five days a week training for his sport. Graham spends most days on the slopes, practicing his moves. To keep in top physical shape, he rides a stationary bike, does lunges, and runs uphill on a giant treadmill.

How they manage it all: Graham receives intense support from his family. His father and brother introduced him to the sport when he was young, and it has remained a family sport ever since. 

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Olympic athlete Katie Uhlaender

Name: Katie Uhlaendar

Competition: Skeleton

Age: 25

Hometown: Breckenridge, Colorado

School/University: Colorado Mountain College

Major: Science

How she trains: Katie spends around eight hours every day training or studying her sport. She combines running, weights, and stretching every day. Before she goes to bed, she often studies past races and new race courses to stay on top of her game.

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