Former Yellow Jackets Add Gold Medals in Beijing

Two athletes with ties to the Georgia Institute of Technology received gold medals during the 2008 Olympic games.

Chis Bosh won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team. Bosh played his frehsman season at Georgia Tech before entering the NBA draft in 2003 and signing with the Toronto Raptors.

Former Georgia Tech track star, Angelo Taylor, won two gold medals in Beijing—one for the men’s 400 meter hurdles and the second for being a member of the first-place 1,600 relay team. Angelo attended Georgia Tech from 1997-98 where he won the NCAA title in 1998 and placed second in 1997.

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Ward And Team USA Win Bronze Medal In Team Sabre Competition

Incoming Duke freshman Rebecca Ward and USA teammates Sada Jacobson and Mariel Zagunis defeated France 45-38 to win the bronze medal in the team sabre competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics on Thursday in the Fencing Hall at the National Convention Centre.

Ward, who will enroll at Duke in the fall, earned her second bronze medal at the 2008 summer games after claiming the bronze in the individual sabre competition behind teammates Jacobson and Zagunis on Saturday, August 9. Ward won six of her nine bouts in the team competition, including two of three in the bronze medal round. Fifth-seeded Ukraine took home the gold, while third-seeded China claimed the silver medal.

Ward won the opening bout in Thursday’s medal round 5-2 over France’s Mary Solenn and followed with an 8-2 triumph over Carole Vergne that erased a 20-17 deficit and put the US squad ahead 25-22. The American trio did not trail for the remainder of the round and led by as much as eight points at 40-32 before Ward locked up the bronze medal by holding off Leonore Perrus 5-6 in the final bout. Ward’s 8-2 victory over Vergne was the most lopsided victory in the round.

Ward, Jacobson and Zagunis – who collectively drew the number one seed in the team competition – opened their medal run with a commanding 45-8 win over eighth-seeded South Africa in the quarterfinals before falling 45-39 to Ukraine in the semifinals. Ward won each of her first three bouts against South Africa and gave up just two touches in the quarterfinals, defeating Adele Du Plooy 5-1 and Elvira Wood 5-1 before shutting out Joyti Chetty 5-0.

The Ukrainians handed Ward and team USA their first loss in the semifinals and advanced to the gold medal round where they edged China 45-44 to clinch the gold medal. Ward managed to pull out a 6-5 win over Olena Khomrova in the semis after falling 6-4 to Halyna Pundyk and 6-2 to Olga Kharlan.

The bronze medal finish concludes Ward’s stay in Beijing. She will join the Duke women’s fencing team this fall as a member of the sabre team.

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National Peanut Board Congratulates Kristin Armstrong, Peanut Butter Devotee and America's Newest Gold Medal Winner

PRNewswire/ -- Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong represented the United States in both the time trial and road race for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and today, took home the gold in the time trial event. What food does Armstrong reach for when powering up for races? USA-grown peanuts and peanut butter, of course.

"Whether I'm training, competing or taking a break, I've always turned to peanut butter. It gives me sustained energy, it's portable and it just tastes great," Armstrong said. "What's not to love?"

Peanuts and peanut butter provide energy for daily tasks and adventures for people of all lifestyles and ages, including Armstrong who turned 35 on August 11. USA-grown peanuts contribute more than 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients . like protein, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese . and have zero cholesterol and no trans fats. Plus, with seven grams of satisfaction in every serving, peanuts certainly satisfy. All that and they taste great, too.

"America's peanut farmers couldn't be more proud of Kristin and all our US Olympic athletes, and knowing that what we grow helps them compete and win at all levels," said Raffaela Marie Fenn, president and managing director of the National Peanut Board.

These are the second Olympic Games for Kristin and her first Olympic medal. Boise-based Armstrong has won gold and silver during world competition and has been USA's National Time Trial Champion two consecutive years.

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