What are Team USA athletes — Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls — up to when they're not competing? They're training. They're practicing. They're traveling to competitions and meets and games and tournaments. They're relaxing. They're getting engaged and married and having children. They're taking hard-earned vacations. Or retiring. Or coping with the raw emotions that come from losing and winning. And they're sharing. Through the reach of social media, we're able to follow along on their often extraordinary journeys. We'll catch you up each week on what's "Red, White & Trending."
'pregnancy + heartbreak'
As Andrew East pointed out in a post previewing one of the most raw and emotional videos you’ll see, this chapter of his life with his wife, Olympic champion gymnast Shawn Johnson East, does not have a happy ending. That it struck a nerve with so many of their fans is natural, but the video took off quickly. Rarely has this story — one shared by millions of people around the world — been told in what feels like real time. And with an honesty that had viewers about as close as it gets to feeling the very real emotions along the way. It’s a long video, yes, but it has also been viewed over 2 million times — more than 300,000 in the first day, up to 800,000 in the second — with good reason.
Unfortunately this is only half the story. Watch the rest here.. https://t.co/WSL8MPMsZL pic.twitter.com/Imf9pyK3Ee
— Shawn Johnson East (@ShawnJohnson) October 21, 2017
The Easts managed, however, to enjoy a typical fall activity …
Punkin’ patchin’ with the pooch and the huz @andrewdeast @nashmanthegolden #pumpkincarving #pumpkincarving #happyfamilytime #family #hallow… pic.twitter.com/trw1C5akqW
— Shawn Johnson East (@ShawnJohnson) October 24, 2017
Carving Station
Two-time Olympic long track speedskater Lauren Isaac (née Cholewinski), who has been posting great Halloween pics every year dating back to 2014, including a vomiting pumpkin in 2015 and beautifully crafted eggs in 2016, is back at it again.
Figure skating Olympic hopefuls Alexa Scimeca Knierim and husband Chris Knierim were getting into the act early, too.
Pumpkin carving with the #sappensquad #happyHalloween #AKCK pic.twitter.com/4adGoLrMSD
— Chris Knierim (@ChrisKnierim) October 23, 2017
Eagles Have Landed
With a little over 100 days remaining until the Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang, the Olympic Winter Games are becoming that much closer to a reality for Team USA’s hopefuls. That's especially the case for some of this country’s best sliders, who are getting an up-close look at the facilities that could make or break the dreams they’ve had for years.
Take it away, Greg West …
This trip is especially worthwhile for Olympic bobsledder Jamie Greubel Poser, whose husband is German bobsledder Christian Poser.
Still, Greubel Poser is sticking with her lucky crew, too.
… and a few slices of life on the road …
We were excited to bring @TeamUSA’s #bobsled and #skeleton crew together with Korea’s next generation of Olympians. #RoadToPyeongChang pic.twitter.com/JiNrJsKYyC
— U.S. Embassy Seoul (@USEmbassySeoul) October 25, 2017
And a noir look at the track …
Bruised But Not Broken
For the second time in as many months, snowboarding star Shaun White suffered a gnarly injury during training in New Zealand ... and shared it on Instagram. In September, it was an X-Ray post. Now, this …
Pyramid Theme
After competing at the World Archery Championships in Mexico City, two-time Olympic silver medalist Jake Kaminski made the most of some leisure time with a priceless side trip.
Home, Sweet Home
The story of Olympic distance runner Meb Keflezighi’s coming to the United States is known to many, but this priceless picture is worth well more than a thousand words on an incredible journey.
30 years ago today, my family arrived in the USA. How long has your family lived in the USA? And where did your family immigrate from? #R2W pic.twitter.com/ySzaPlnmHn
— meb keflezighi (@runmeb) October 21, 2017
Champion's Spirit
Wondering what fills the headspace of Team USA’s elite athletes? Have a look at the response of one of Team USA’s most versatile track stars, Olympic sprinter and long jump champion Tianna Bartoletta, to this: “My question is, with all the events that u participate in, which is ur favorite and why” …
It’s hard to choose a fave. BUT i do love the challenge of the 100m dash, it’s not a natural fit for me. So when I run well it’s incredible. https://t.co/vQR2AeT5Cm
— Tianna T. Bartoletta (@tibartoletta) October 22, 2017
Yes, one of Bartoletta’s great joys is succeeding where it’s most difficult for her to do so.
Snow Day
It’s coming. Yes, winter is coming. Right here in the United States, too, where snow has fallen in Minnesota, Lake Tahoe and in Colorado.
Olympic alpine skier Travis Ganong does a great job of revealing the signs of winter from his Tahoe-area backyard …
Paralympic snowboarding bronze medalist Keith Gabel, meanwhile, checks in from Aspen …
Crab Cakes And …
Nice nod to Wedding "Crashers" here from Olympic swimming star Katie Ledecky, who grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, with the set-up and Olympic champion wrestler Helen Maroulis, who was born in nearby Rocky Point.
Ran into Marylander @helen_maroulis on the Farm today. MD = Crab Cakes + Gold Medals, right? ๐ ๐ช๐ผ pic.twitter.com/aFRPlv281z
— Katie Ledecky (@katieledecky) October 21, 2017
Heck yes, that’s what Md does! ๐ ๐๐ผGreat to visit your stomping grounds. And always nice to run into a fellow USA teammate https://t.co/Z3UkfQjF62
— Helen Maroulis (@helen_maroulis) October 21, 2017
Sibs Success
In Moscow, Team USA ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani, along with young men’s singles star Nathan Chen, took gold medals away from the grand prix season opener, which gave the Shib Sibs good reason to post a team pic.
Team picture! ๐บ๐ธ #RostelecomCup2017 #GPFigure pic.twitter.com/69kvURePhc
— Maia Shibutani (@MaiaShibutani) October 25, 2017
Head Of The Class
Three-time Olympian and 2016 single sculls silver medalist Gevvie Stone, now officially a doctor and in her first year of residency in Boston, certainly knows her way around the Charles River. Not only was she born in Boston, but, this past Saturday at the annual Head of the Charles regatta, Stone set a record with her career eighth championship in women's singles. A day later, after squeezing in a trip up to Maine for a work event, she returned to Boston to set another record, this one for time, as a sub on a women’s eight crew that set a course record on Sunday.
Stone’s retelling of the weekend via Twitter, including some foreshadowing as a super spare earlier in the week:
I’ll be a spare in this boat any day! #great8 #outforaride #hocr2017 pic.twitter.com/rIS7WqAoNa
— Gevvie Stone (@gevgevs) October 19, 2017
Today's the day--Head of the Charles is here! Going off in the Champ W1x at 4:26pm, aiming to defend that bow #1. #lovethatdirtywater @HOCR
— Gevvie Stone (@gevgevs) October 21, 2017
Thanks for all the support Boston! #lovethatdirtywater #HOCR2017 https://t.co/I7UmVbN6m0
— Gevvie Stone (@gevgevs) October 22, 2017
I’ll say it again—no boat I’d rather be a spare in! Surprise—race day spare! #great8 #hocr2017 #courserecordsmashed pic.twitter.com/l8FvnJsVSY
— Gevvie Stone (@gevgevs) October 22, 2017
Start. Your. Engines.
Olympic long track speedskating silver medalist Brian Hansen enjoyed his chance to experience one of the greatest ride-along programs ever. Scroll to the end of this section for a video recap — complete with screeching tires.
Made it to the @kansasspeedway bright and early! Here we go! @ToyotaRacing pic.twitter.com/OLTSpXj7Bt
— Brian Hansen (@BrianTHansen) October 21, 2017
Day 1๏ธโฃ. We’ve arrived at @kansasspeedway. Ridin’ in style thanks to @ToyotaRacing. pic.twitter.com/8yiEAvrymg
— US Speedskating (@USSpeedskating) October 21, 2017
We think @BrianTHansen is ready for tomorrow’s Toyota Camry Pace Car ride. Practicing some J-turns on the @ToyotaRacing course. ๐ฏ pic.twitter.com/8BGXOar9YW
— US Speedskating (@USSpeedskating) October 21, 2017
Getting ready for the day, just moving some tires around, checking pressure etc with @toyotaracing.๐ pic.twitter.com/ZAXyMfDhKt
— Brian Hansen (@BrianTHansen) October 22, 2017
U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist @BrianTHansen is our pace car driver today at Kansas Speedway. pic.twitter.com/RyYmFzoJzy
— Toyota USA (@Toyota) October 22, 2017
Olympian speed skater @BrianTHansen is the pace car driver for today's race in Kansas!
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 22, 2017
Practicing going fast before heading to Pyeongchang! pic.twitter.com/O1fCnxRtD2
Take a hot lap with today's pace car driver, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist @BrianTHansen! pic.twitter.com/WPJPsSwyNX
— #NASCARPlayoffs (@NASCAR) October 22, 2017
.@BrianTHansen has experienced the thrill of representing ๐บ๐ธ (x2) but it's nothing quite like this Thrill Ride. pic.twitter.com/8hta6UuNBP
— US Speedskating (@USSpeedskating) October 22, 2017
Comparing hardware: @MartinTruex_Jr got a visit from @USSpeedskating Olympic silver medalist @BrianTHansen in victory lane. #TruexJr pic.twitter.com/rcugNuwAqf
— Furniture Row Racing (@FRRacingTeam) October 24, 2017
Feats Of Strength
Go ahead, try this at home. Goodness, is this video sequence ever an indication of how strong Olympic gymnast John Orozco (still) is.
#stillrings strength sequence. #calisthenics #streetworkout #fitness #losangeles pic.twitter.com/sJcWYqaMeP
— John Orozco (@JohnOrozco) October 25, 2017
Or go ahead and try making any of these turns at speed the way Olympic champion Ted Ligety does — over the full run, while scrubbing barely any speed on his turns.
Loner
Parents can relate to the sorry-not-sorry thoughts running through the mind of U.S. Women’s National Soccer Teamer and Olympic gold medalist Sydney Leroux Dwyer.
I left Cassius with Dom for the night and I know I’m supposed to be sad but I’ve never been so excited to eat alone in my entire life.
— Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) October 23, 2017