Chellsie Memmel
© Steve Lange

The one-year countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, officially begins on August 8, 2007. To mark the milestone, both Weekend Today and Today, NBC’s morning news shows, are hosting special programs and highlighting Olympic hopefuls. In addition, the U.S. Olympic Committee is holding special events in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, and newspapers and media outlets around the country are publishing special stories and sections highlighting Olympic hopefuls in their area. Gymnasts are featured in many of these projects, and below are a few of those confirmed at this time.

  • Sunday, Aug. 5 – 2005 world all-around champion Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., is one of the athletes the show is featuring as a part of Weekend Today’s one-year out programming. Weekend Today generally airs at 8 a.m. ET, but check your local TV listings for the time in your area.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 7 – 2007 Pan Am rhythmic all-around champ Lisa Wang of Buffalo Grove, Ill., is one of three local athletes who will be a part of the USOC’s one-year-out activities in Chicago, Ill.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 8 – 2004 Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis., is one of several Olympians who will be featured on Today, which is generally scheduled for 7 a.m. but check your local TV listings for the time in your area. Hamm and the other Olympians then will sign autographs and take pictures at the NBC Experience Store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza from 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET

 

Visa Championships on NBC on Aug. 18-19

Don’t forget to tune into NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2007 Visa Championships in San Jose, Calif., where not only national champions will be crowned, but also the national teams and 2007 World Championships Teams will be determined. This is the perfect opportunity to see the best gymnasts in the country and the world as they begin their road to Beijing. The women’s competition will be shown during prime time on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. ET and on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. ET. The men’s competition will air on Sept. 9 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Be sure to check your local TV listings to confirm air times in your area.