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."
Memorial Day Salutes
Team USA understands Memorial Day. Of course, there are often cookouts and parties and the glad tidings that come from a long weekend greeting the summer. But Memorial Day is also so much more. This past weekend, Team USA paid its respects to the holiday of remembrance with a great deal of reverence and humble appreciation.
Memorial Day is a good day to wear a @TeamUSA uniform & come across 1st at my 3rd race back after having Millie. Only 1 other competitor & lots of room for improvement. But I did what I needed to do today & got to race for those who can’t. πΊπΈ #trimom #momstrong #neverforget pic.twitter.com/vqZ2ERJGQ4
— Melissa Stockwell (@MStockwell01) May 28, 2018
Thank you to all the men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation! @Spatzyc @MattJamilton #memorialday #hometownparade pic.twitter.com/MVe8tmM9Dn
— Rebecca Hamilton (@heccabamilton) May 29, 2018
Thank you to the men and women who gave their lives for our great nation. Thank you to their families too #MemorialDay
— Elana Meyers Taylor OLY (@eamslider24) May 28, 2018
Never forget what Memorial Day weekend is really about. It is an honor to wear the red, white, and blue thanks to all the men and women who fought for our country πΊπΈ #Blessed @TeamJSinclair pic.twitter.com/F2aSFqGbZ9
— Jamie Sinclair (@jamiesinclair21) May 28, 2018
Thinking about every brave soul who has served and sacrificed their lives to fight for our country and our rights as Americans. Thank you. #MemorialDay2018
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) May 28, 2018
I love this flag. It’s an honor to wear it and represent the US but I never forget where our freedom comes from. THANK YOU for your dedication and faithful service - today we salute YOU ALL! #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/tMrI1fBCQw
— Meghan Duggan (@mduggan10) May 28, 2018
"For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue." - James A. Garfield
— Scott Hamilton (@ScottHamilton84) May 28, 2018
May we remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms both today and every day #MemorialDay πΊπΈ
Happy Memorial Day. So powerful to be surrounded by those that served so that we could have freedom. I take joy in knowing that although our country is far from perfect, there’s no other place I would rather raise my daughter. Together, let’s honor those brave men and women! pic.twitter.com/ePqQDa8MNx
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) May 28, 2018
Thank you to our soldier athletes and coaches both present and past for your service, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Happy #MemorialDay πΊπΈ pic.twitter.com/yBDo0i9V1M
— USA Bobsled Skeleton (@USABS) May 28, 2018
SSG Adam S. Thomas.
— Nate Weber (@NateWeberActual) May 28, 2018
KIA October 4th, 2016.#MemorialDay #neverforgotten #sacrifice #specialforces
You can stop wishing me an Happy Memorial Day, I was fortunate to see home after my deployments. Pay homage to those who didn’t though. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) May 29, 2018
πΊπΈπΊπΈπΊπΈ
Land of the free home of the brave thanks to all of the MEN and WOMEN who sacrificed their life’s through their bravery, dedication and love for our country and this beautiful flag. THANK YOU for ur services #HappyMemorialDay πΊπΈβ€οΈπΊπΈπ pic.twitter.com/w0rErXCMDe
— Oksana Masters (@OksanaMasters) May 28, 2018
No Big Deal
Some of Team USA brightest stars enjoyed a fairly impressive musical collaboration that dropped this week …
So excited to be part of @maroon5’s new #GirlsLikeYou music video with so many incredible women! ππΌ Watch the full video here: https://t.co/f1qpvv4SnF pic.twitter.com/CIiKSHBzuz
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) May 31, 2018
In Good Hands
When your mom is among the greatest athletes ever, the helping hands at tournaments might just be something special, too …
The aforementioned mom — and ohbytheway Olympic tennis legend — Serena Williams has a shoutout for all the moms out there, too …
Conor Being Conor
Welcome to another installment of, “Yes, Conor Dwyer Knows A Good Vacation Spot.” The three-time Olympic swimming medalist and sometimes surfer made his way this past week to Costa Rica, where some of the waves really do have to be seen to be believed. Thankfully, he’s provided video.
Rarified Air
Jenn Suhr isn’t just about posting pics of her awesome dog and the attendant mischievousness of her fluffy, white canine. The 2012 Olympic pole vault champion remains one of the world’s best in her sport. This past weekend, after clearing 4.85 meters to set a record at the Prefontaine Classic, the 36-year-old landed on Cloud 9. But, first, there was a flight upgrade (sort of) and juuuuuuust a little enthusiasm for the day.
What a gentleman. Enjoy the upgrade and have a great flight. ^RY
— United Airlines (@united) May 24, 2018
JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY! JUMP DAY!
— Jenn Suhr (@JennSuhr) May 17, 2018
The End. pic.twitter.com/03D7wbVVxc
.@JennSuhr wins with a #PreClassic meet record vault of 4.85m/15-11! pic.twitter.com/e588zbyfQl
— USATF (@usatf) May 26, 2018
Meet Record. Diamond League Win.
— Jenn Suhr (@JennSuhr) May 26, 2018
-I have so much to continue to work on but right now I am going to take a day and enjoy this. The field was loaded!! The athletes are amazing and they keep getting better. Thankful for these moments. #EugeneDL #DiamondLeague #RoadToTheFinal pic.twitter.com/ERkCJ6tZTS
After the event, Suhr also made some fairly significant thoughts on her future more clear.
.@JennSuhr reverses retirement, breaks pole vault records at age 36 https://t.co/dnuldB7zUl pic.twitter.com/ydoGH6RHaB
— NBC OlympicTalk (@NBCOlympicTalk) May 30, 2018
Team USA Hits The Road
Where in the world is Team USA? In the case of women’s volleyball and men’s soccer, the answer is Thailand and Ireland, respectively. The #USMNT arrived in style …
Arrived on The Emerald Isle. #IRLvUSA goes down Saturday » https://t.co/iIiAhjJLP1 pic.twitter.com/9j91vZSnOS
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) May 30, 2018
"It's a hungry young group."
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) May 31, 2018
The fresh-faced #USMNT gets its next bite at the apple Saturday vs. the Irish. pic.twitter.com/K8ubBdlZ7E
… while the #USAVwnt had already been climbing up the charts in the Volleyball Nations League while winding through Nebraska (2-1 record) and Japan (3-0) before arriving in Thailand.
#USAVwnt wins Set 2 25-23 after rallying from 21-19 deficit to #Dominican to go up 2-0 in #VolleyballNationsLeague. Kim Hill leads USA with 11 pts, @bartschy 10 pts. pic.twitter.com/QZClDsIWgy
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) May 30, 2018
#USAVwnt cruise past Thailand in #VNL as Jordan Larson leads quartet in double-figure scoring. Carli Lloyd sets offense to 61.0 kill percent. @TeamUSA now 8-1 overall and in 1st place. Next Week: Russia, Brazil and China. https://t.co/BAyHR8OlTr pic.twitter.com/hoBed2O6XM
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) May 31, 2018
Next up for Team USA, a three-day stretch in China with matches against Russia (June 5), Brazil (June 6) and the host country.
Skiers Here And There
Off-the-clock alpine skiers, on the other hand, have chimed in from the Swiss Alps to Hawaii …
Meanwhile, In Bend, Oregon …
It’s back to work for some of Team USA’s notable Nordic skiers
So True
When it comes to reigning Olympic men's curling champion Matt Hamilton, we couldn’t have put it better than the Palmetto Curling Club did here …
You might be cool.
— Palmetto Curling Club π₯ (@palmettocurling) May 24, 2018
But you will never be "@MattJamilton curling in shorts and flip-flops" cool. pic.twitter.com/SIE5RmuUtY
Chalk up another pretty good week for the owner of curling’s most famous mustache and his family, including fellow Olympic curler Becca Hamilton.
We are pleased to have Wisconsin's own 2018 Olympic Curling Gold Medalist @MattJamilton here today. pic.twitter.com/Jidkl3FRh9
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 26, 2018
What an honor to throw out the first pitch!! I am proud to be a part of this state, and I hope the @Brewers go all the way! #brewcrew #homerun #olympics #hamfam #stache #mustachemilitia https://t.co/40XuDYPBPE
— Matt Hamilton (@MattJamilton) May 26, 2018
Hamfam meet BrewCrew! Thanks for having us today @Brewers ! #firstpitch #BaseBall pic.twitter.com/BkqT28XQAq
— Rebecca Hamilton (@heccabamilton) May 26, 2018
.@MattJamilton flashing his gold medal and #Brewers jersey. π₯ pic.twitter.com/uaNSU9vvRg
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) May 26, 2018
Fame Game
Congratulations are in order for two-time Olympic soccer medalist Tiffeny Milbrett, who learned this week, somewhat by surprise thanks to teammate and soccer star Brandi Chastain.
From a current Hall of Famer to a future one!
— National Soccer HOF (@soccerhof) May 31, 2018
That moment when @BrandiChastain surprised Tiffeny Milbrett to tell her she’s the newest member of the #NSHOF18 class. pic.twitter.com/Mbx8URxPxj
And for three-time Olympian Kate Markgraf, it’s induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
High (School) Honors
Congratulations are also in order for PyeongChang women’s bobsled silver medalist Lauren Gibbs. Gibbs, who starred as an athlete at Westridge School, will have not only a reminder of her own success, but also an inspiration hanging at her Pasadena, California, alma mater.
Yesterday we unveiled a special athletic banner honoring Olympic Silver Medalist Lauren Gibbs '02 (@lagibbs84). It will hang permanently in the gym as a reminder to all members of our community that a Westridge girl can truly do anything! #livesofimpact pic.twitter.com/0qJR1amsty
— Westridge School (@Westridge100) May 24, 2018
All the way across the country, in Massachusetts, women's ice hockey champion Kacey Bellamy spoke at the graduation of her alma mater’s Class of 2018
Congratulations, Class of 2018! You will be missed! And a special thank you to @kbells22 '05, for the inspiring speech at Berkshire's 111th Commencement. #berkshiregrads #classof2018 #berkshirebears #forlife pic.twitter.com/IPeSj2wjto
— Berkshire School (@BerkshireSchool) May 25, 2018
Road Trip!
A week ago, Olympic bobsledder Nick Cunningham set sail from Lake Placid, New York, bound for Northern California, by way of a road trip that would begin in Charlotte, North Carolina. And all appears to be going well, but for the tears leaving the Adirondacks and running afoul of two-sport Olympian Lolo Jones.
Me walking out of the Olympic Training Center tomorrow. Road trip from Lake Placid, NY to Monterey, CA starts tomorrow! First stop, Charlotte for the week! #OlympicLife pic.twitter.com/2epfJDDdPH
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) May 23, 2018
Almost time for some @ARCA_Racing action here at @CLTMotorSpdwy! Good luck to @Jesse_Iwuji and @patriotmtrsprts! @FS1 @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/DTRhTMOoTA
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) May 24, 2018
Monday the drive continues from #Charlotte to #Nashville. pic.twitter.com/fGgzdblCZS
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) May 27, 2018
Just watched @janson_chris bring the house down at the @opry! Talk about a tough act to follow! #Nashville @visitmusiccity @SoundsLikeNash #Opry pic.twitter.com/j4zblBL2Ka
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) May 30, 2018
Eh don’t go messin with my emotions! We will come crash your party in a heartbeat!
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) May 27, 2018
Special “Thank You” to @wvua23 for the warm welcome and tour of your incredible facility. I now understand the hype around @UofAlabama and for the first time in my life- “RollTide.” Tomorrow it’s checking out more of the campus and track and field facilities. pic.twitter.com/dIzo6se0Sx
— Nick Cunningham, OLY (@BOBSLEDR) June 1, 2018
It Begins With One
Olympic champion soccer player Sydney Leroux Dwyer, who scored six goals in 23 appearances a year ago in Kansas City, now has her first with Orlando, courtesy a perfect assists from fellow Olympian Ali Krieger and this diving header ...
Syd's first in purple. π #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/WorC3wKIkr
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) May 26, 2018
Tokyo On His Mind
What are you doing 26 months from now? Two-time Olympic judoka Nick Delpopolo is already thinking every day about where he’d like to be …
Tough loss to Hashimoto today but my Judo and confidence are at an all time high and I’m glad to get a gauge of where I’m at against the best in the world heading into Olympic qualifying πͺπͺ #RoadtoTokyo #2020Vision pic.twitter.com/MIKYQS5zKn
— Nick Delpopolo (@NickforGold) May 26, 2018