UCLA is always well represented, and this year is no exception. The Bruins will have a total of 37 current, former, and incoming members in the Olympics.

    The Bruins will be spread out over a wide range of sports and will have Bruins competing in several other countries besides just the U.S. The sports the Bruins will be in include: Men's and Women's Water Polo, Men's and Women's Beach Volleyball, Men's and Women's Soccer, Rowing, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Men's and Women's Track and Field, Men's Indoor Volleyball, and Gymnastics.

Lauren Cheney

    This year the Olympics will be held from August 8-24 in Beijing, China.

    Lauren Cheney of the UCLA Women's Soccer team is the most recent member of the 37 Bruins in the Olympics. During an exhibition game against Brazil, Abby Wambach broke her leg and this allowed Cheney to come in as the alternate.

    "There are obviously tons of emotions going through me right now," said Cheney in a UCLA press release. "I have the deepest sorrow for Abby, but I am excited to be part of the 18 going to the Olympics. Abby is one of the players who took all of us young players under her wing. She has always been there to help us out and guide us. Abby is irreplaceable, but I'm ready for any role I am asked to fill, and I'll do anything I can to help the team win the gold medal. In China, we'll be playing for our country and ourselves, but also for Abby."

    Bruins that were not able to make the U.S. Olympic team are competing on the U.S. Under 23 teams around the world.

    Fellow teammates of Lauren Cheney, Valerie Henderson and Christina DiMartino, helped the U.S. Under 23 team win the Nordic Cup in Sweden by beating Germany for the fourth time in five meetings in the championship match. While Nicole Leach of UCLA Women's Track and Field won 2 silver medals in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay competing for the U.S. Under 23 team in the NACAC Championships in Toluca, Mexico.


Note: Rhonda Watkins could increase the number of Bruins in the Olympics to 38 if she is successful in her bid to make the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team.