Imagine returning to your home country for a global sporting event that YOU were skilled enough to qualify for. Imagine being the youngest male on your team. Imagine leaving college to pursue your DREAM.
This is 20-year-old Thomas Hong’s reality.
The South Korean native, who moved to Maryland at a young age, is set to represent the USA in next month’s Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
He was kind enough to call in to our NBC Sports Washington podcast studios just days after qualifying in Utah.
Check it out here:
I leave for South Korea 1/27 and return 2/28.
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23 days, 7 hours, 33 minutes to the start of the Winter Olympics…
Just days before qualifying for her third Winter Olympics in bobsledding, Elana Meyers-Taylor called in to our NBC Sports Washington podcast studios to chat with me.
Check out the full interview here:
I leave for South Korea 1/27 and return 2/28.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8cG5WOlVaQ7rQv4Qt3awg?view_as=subscriber.
Add me on Snapchat: Bobbytrosset
Follow me on Twitter: @BobTrossetNBCS
And Instagram: @BobTrosset
23 days, 9 hours, 27 minutes to the start of the Winter Olympics…
We are now one month exactly from the start of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
I have been busy in the lab prepping for Feb. 8-23 — the pinnacle of sport.
My Production Assistant/Digital Content role at NBC Sports Washington has morphed into one that is devoted to covering Washington-area (D.C., Maryland & Virginia) Olympians who are set to represent the United States next month.
Here are some names to remember:
Thomas Hong
Born in Seoul, South Korea — moved to Laurel, Maryland at four years old
Qualified for Team USA in speedskating at the December Olympic Team Trials in Utah
Attended University of Maryland before leaving school to train full-time
2. Elana Meyers-Taylor
Attended George Washington University where she played softball
We are a mere 72 days away from the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Jake Asman joined me on Facebook Live to dive into the biggest story lines surrounding the country’s first Olympics since 1988 (Seoul, Summer).
This was the first of many broadcasts we’ll put together over the next few months. Keep up with us on Twitter @JakeAsman & @BobTrossetNBCS as we prepare for the Games.
Buckle up! We are quickly approaching this winter’s Olympics which are set to take place in South Korea for the first time since the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. PyeongChang, South Korea will be the first ski resort town to host the Winter Olympics since the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
The majority of outdoor sports will take place within the confines of the Alpensia Resort. It looks something like this during winter:
Following the Games, the Resort will also host the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
There may not be as many ‘household’ names in this winter’s Games, but there are certainly athletes who are flying below the radar you should definitely be on the lookout for come February. Here are 10 Olympians to follow on their road to PyeongChang:
Amanda Kessel (@AmandaKessel8)
New York Riveters Forward (National Women’s Hockey League)
Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s ice hockey (2010-2016)
Silver medalist at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia
2. Nathan Chen (@nathanwchen)
2017 Four Continents champion (figure skater)
Won national novice title at 2010 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Washington at age 10 (youngest novice champion in history of U.S. Figure Skating)
First skater to land seven clean quadruple jumps in competition (2017 U.S. Championships)
Time Magazine named Chen one of the 2017 “Next Generation Leaders”
3. Jamie Greubel Poser (@JamieGreubel)
Cornell University Class of 2006
Won bronze medal at 2014 Winter Olympics in Two-woman Bobsleigh event
Married to German bobsledder Christian Poser
4. Jocelyne Lamoreux (@JocelyneUSA17)
Won silver medal for women’s national ice hockey team during the 2010 Winter Olympics, alongside her twin sister, Monique
Played NCAA hockey for the University of Minnesota (1 year) and three for the University of North Dakota
5. Monique Lamoreux (@moniquelam7)
Selected by Boston Blades in 2014 CWHL Draft
2015 Clarkson Cup
Two silver medals (Vancouver 2010 & Sochi 2014)
6. Maia Shibutani (@MaiaShibutani)
Three-time World medalist (1 silver, two bronze)
2016 Four Continents champion
Competed at 2014 Winter Olympics
7. Hilary Knight (@HilaryKnight)
Women’s national ice hockey team forward
Competed in 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics
In 2015, Knight moved to the Boston Pride of NWHL and finished the season as the league’s first-ever scoring champion
8. Nick Goepper (@NickGoepper)
Freeskier from Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Three gold medals and a silver at the Winter X Games in Aspen (Slopestyle contest)
9. Rico Roman (@RicoSled23)
Joined United States Army upon graduating Alpha High School in 2000 (Oregon)
In 2007, Roman’s leg was amputated after hitting an IED while serving in Iraq
Won gold medal in Sledge Hockey at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia
10. Nikko Landeros (@nikko1515)
Ice sledge hockey player and paralympic freestyle skier
Competed in 2010 Winter Paralympics Olympics in Vancouver as USA won gold
While changing a tire on the side of the road in high school, Landeros was struck by a vehicle leaving him stuck between two SUVs. He and his friend, Tyler Carron, both became bilateral amputees.
We are exactly 183 days out of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Follow me (@BobTrosset) on Twitter to stay in the loop.