University of Minnesota Athletics
The Burns Blog - U.S. Olympic Trials Day Two
6/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Former Golden Gopher gymnast and current volunteer administrative assistant Guillermo Alvarez is taking part in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials later this week in Philadephia. He is being accompanied by Minnesota head men's gymnastics coach Mike Burns, who will be blogging about the experience here on GopherSports.com. Check back here each day for the inside scoop from Coach Burns about Guillermo's quest for a spot on the Olympic Team:
Tuesday was Guillermo's main day of training with two workouts, one at 10:30 am and the second from 6-9 p.m. at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. We are staying at the Courtyard Marriott directly across the street from Philadelphia’s historic City Hall. With the statue of William Penn on top of City Hall overlooking us every day, the first day of competition is rapidly approaching. We have a motor coach bus that transports us directly south on Broad Street all the way to the city’s sporting center. The first night we were here the Phillies beat the Red Sox 8-2 in interleague play. Being a Red Sox fan from my childhood days living in Boston, I was a little disappointed in the loss. But the Red Sox got back at the Phillies last night!
The Wachovia Center will come alive over the four-day competition as the 2008 men’s and Women’s Olympic teams will be selected. The men compete on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon, while the women compete on Friday and Sunday nights. As the meet approaches, the tension in each training session rises. It will be important for each gymnast to start the ice-water infusions into their blood streams in order to maintain their focus.
Guillermo had a very good training day Tuesday. Wednesday's trip to Wachovia center will include some media opportunities as well as a final touch up of his skills. Whoa, the bus is leaving I gotta run!
- Coach Burns
