The Midwest's road to London gets busy next week.
As the 2012 Games grow closer, Olympic trials and team-naming ceremonies get underway, and multiple local hopefuls are up for a coveted spot.
Look out for area athletes in the next batch of competitions beginning Sunday with the Diving Olympic Team trials. Locals Kelci Bryant of Chatham, Christina Loukas, of Deerfield, Mary Beth Dunnichay, of Elmwood, Ind., Haley Ishimatsu of Indianapolis, Ind., David Boudia, of Noblesville, Ind., and Thomas Finchum compete through June 24 to represent the U.S. in London.
On Monday, a series of U.S. Team naming events will take place including for the U.S. Basketball Team naming. Chicago’s own Dwayne Wade and University of Illinois Alum Deron Williams are rumored to be announced, while Chicagoans Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker, Swin Cash have already made the Olympic Team with Tamika Catchings, of the Indiana Fever, and Maya Moore, of the Minnesota Lynx.
Local
Other events include the Men’s Archery Final Qualification Tournament June 18 through June 24 with local hopeful Vic Wunderle of Mason City and the Women’s Field Hockey game (the last one before the Olympics) June 18 through June 23 where Kayla Bashore-Smedley will play for the last time before she represents the U.S. in London.
Track and Field Olympic Trials kick off June 22 and continue through July 1. More coverage on locals Brittany Smith, Aisha Praught, Leigh Petranoff, Wallace Spearmon, Jr., Tim Glover, Morgan Uceny, Amber Campbell, Molly Huddle, Kara Patterson and Chris Solinsky is sure to come.
Other U.S. Team naming events for next week include team names for volleyball and water polo on Monday, direct qualification for beach volleyball on Monday, and men's tennis team naming on June 21.
Stay tuned to NBCChicago.com for updates on local Olympic hopefuls. The Road to London Tour, a five-stop interactive experience, will hit Chicago July 13.
