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August 2012 — A tour of the Proctor and Gamble Friends and Family house  presented the unexpected opportunity of interviewing Ashton Eaton, a hot off the Olympic Stadium Gold Medalist for the Decathalon here in London.

He had been doing several interviews, so by the time he got to me, he seemed a little tired. Who wouldn’t be after competing two days in running, jumping, javelin and more? Regardless, he was smiling and gracious. We moved over to a couch with better lighting, and with my small handy-dandy video camera (the battery died) and iPad (back up!) I talked with Ashton for  several minutes.

visual footnote: He’s from Eugene, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon. I was just there in July and thought I might have seen him on a bus, because the area (home of the Track and Field Finals)  Those photos are from my iPad!) The video is courtesy P&G, part of a commercial they’re running to thank moms.

The post 2016 Olympics Flashback #3: Ashton Eaton after 1st Gold Medal London 2012 appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Here you go… 5 players and Coach K.  Go Team USA!

LeBron James

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

James Harden

Carmelo Anthony

Coach K — Mike Krzyewski

The post 2016 Olympics Flashback #2: Mini One on Ones with NBA Dream Team in London 2012 appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Flashback #1: Meeting the NBA/Olympic Dream Team 2012

If the Olympics are to be an opportunity for each country to present the best of their best, then Team USA Men’s Basketball is no exception. To see the Dream Team 2012 dominate in the competition — and then that nail biter game against Lithuania — are elements the excellent broadcasters can handle. But to talk with the players off the court? I’m game. My first time covering NBA players. Watch my adventure here, then in the next blog, the whole interviews with Coach K and five players: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and James Harden.

With advance notice and approval, I was on the list for Sunday afternoon’s media opportunity to interview the players for about 25 minutes then watch practice for another 20. I managed to go One on One with LeBron James, and squeezed in the mix of media for the others. While I found the players I approached to be agreeable, I was especially impressed with Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony who were particularly engaged and engaging.

Go USA!

The post 2016 Olympics Flashback #1: London’s 2012 Men’s Basketball Dream Team appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

The second theme: Inspire a Generation. Various BBC reports explored the Olympic theme , and how the country would help encourage and support sports for young people. But the idea is not just for the UK, it’s something that might be  happening organically — theme or not.  They are not just words, or a call to action, but a summary of what the games could do, and are doing.  No matter what generation you are from, you can’t help but be inspired. What’s equally encouraging, is to hear from the little ones and their families who I found walking down the street, or playing in a quiet Stratford playground I’ve passed by every day.

Here is a vignette of those conversations.

The post Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 16: London 2012 — Inspiring a Generation on the Playground appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

I had been told about the P&G House hearing it might be easy to get in because I know some atheltes, and because I can also so a story. The “friends of” part would only work if I were put on a list. Even so, athletes had a limited number of passes, and there was no need for me to take a spot. As for doing a story on it, that was a little easier. After being here almost two weeks, I finally made my way there Friday, coordinating with their PR representatives, to see what I’d been hearing about.

Here’s a “behind closed doors” tour… and a surprise interview with an Olympian, Ashton Eaton, the Gold Medalist for the Decathalon, who is sponsored by Proctor and Gamble, and there to help promote the “Thank You” campaign.

(ps: the editing isn’t perfect… but, I’m getting there!!!)

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 15: A Hidden Home Away from Home appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

He had been doing several interviews, so by the time he got to me, he seemed a little tired. Who wouldn’t be after competing two days in running, jumping and javelin and more? Regardless, he was smiling and gracious. We moved over to a couch with better lighting, and with my small handy-dandy video camera (the battery died) and iPad (back up!) I talked with Ashton for  several minutes.

visual footnote: He’s from Eugene, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon. I was just there in July and thought I might have seen him on a bus, because the area (home of the Track and Field Finals)  Those photos are from my iPad!) The video is courtesy P&G, part of a commercial they’re running to thank moms.

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 14: After-Gold Glow — Meet Decathlete Ashton Eaton appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

If you come, I recommend both. Or, if you’re home, consider a similar outing. For now, enjoy some of my pictures.

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 13: London’s colors aside from Gold, Silver and Bronze appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Read more in previous blog from Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 12. Please share with any of your Taekwondo fans/participants, too!

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journey Day 12 continued: Team USA Taekwondo — Leading the Warriors appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Until I went to the US Training Center here at University East London to interview several Taekwondo athletes, I had pictured the martial art only as what I might see as I walked by the local Taekwondo studio in the town where I live. I did not realize the intensity and precision needed in this sport, and certainly for an Olympic event. That changed as I watched  the practice at the workout room here in East London.

The sounds, to start, were almost startling. The athletes have a signature yell as they’re kicking the practice partners. It’s a release of stress, sign of strength and a signature of their moves and style.

The extraordinary thing about the Team USA’s Taekwondo team in 2012 is that two of the members, Diana Lopez and Steven Lopez, are siblings. Their older brother Jean (a former National Team member turned coach) is the US Olympic coach, and their other brother, Mark, medaled in Beijing. But Terrence Jennings, a third member of this squad, had to beat Mark to make it to the 2012 team. They’re joined by Paige McPherson, the other rookie, who has a colorful family story too.

After practice, I interviewed the two Olympic coaches: Jean Lopez who coaches Diana and Steven, and Juan Moreno, who coaches Paige and Terrence.  You will hear from all six, but to start, here are my conversations with Diana, Steven,Terrence and Paige  who begin their competition in London.

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 12: Taekwon-Gold? Team USA’s Road to London and Beyond appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

Meet two fans I came across…Danny, and his friend Dan. The jersey was my first clue.  And Vicky Amaning, an aspiring sports journalist, who was bubbling over as we chatted about the Olympics.

If Kobe sees this, maybe he’ll give Danny a shot. If not, at least he’ll know he as a dedicated fan wearing his jersey in the cool London weather cheering him on.

The post One on One Jane’s Olympic Journal Day 11: Dream Team Basketball Big for British! appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.