A Golden Gait

Nice work, fellas




By Brian Hedger
Hedgeradventures blogger dude


Tonight, two of Liz's "bedtime books" were actually stories written by her father (moi) about an Olympic champion runner.

David Neville and his teammates in the 4 x 400 meter relay blew out the competition Saturday in Beijing to win the gold medal and set a new Olympic record time of 2:55.39.

Neville, as you might recall, is the reason I wound up in Hollywood last month for a couple of days. Originally from Merrillville, Ind., where my work is located, Neville now lives in Valencia, Calif. with his wife of one year.

Now, he's a two-time Olympic medalist.

And Lizzy's face lights up when we mention his name. Seems that since watching Neville lunge across the finish line for a bronze medal Thursday, Lizzy has another "crush," telling Lisa that "David Neville is cute like Brendan." (the lifeguard, remember him?)

Anyway, Liz has really gotten into the Olympics, and it's been very fun to watch her watching them. She really liked the swimming and gymnastics (of course).

And she started to get into track the past few days -- mostly because Neville has been the subject of my work for the better part of the last couple months.

Also, he's cute. I guess. This crush thing needs to stop, by the way. Before I purchase a shotgun.

Here are some more pics of the 4 x 400 team of LaShawn Merritt (gold medal in 400 meters), Angelo Taylor (gold medalist, 400 hurdles), David (bronze in 400) and Jeremy Wariner (silver in 400 and eternally wearing sunglasses, even when it's dark).

By the way ... David ran the most 400 meter laps of anybody on the U.S. team this week -- a whopping FIVE of them, from the 400 meters first-round, semifinals and final to the relay's semifinal and final.

His legs have got to be hurting.





"Theeeeeeyyyy are the champions, my friends ..."




This is David about to receive the baton for the third leg of the race from Angelo Taylor. David's the guy in the far inside lane. Notice the Russian dude's hand placement. What's up with THAT bro? Is "pantsing" your opponent allowed? Sheesh! Hands off dude.




David hands the baton to Jeremy ... and away he goes. In a flat hurry. Sizzling.




Hey guys, now that you've got your golds ... I hear they're paying good exchange rates for gold. Just saying.



These are David's sisters, Rebecca (left) and Stephanie (right). I watched Saturday's gold medal run live on the Internet with them at their house. Very fun. Rebecca says her goal is to make it to the London Olympics in 2012 with her brother. She competed at a national junior elite track meet this summer and finished as one of the top heptathaletes in the country for her age. Maybe she will be there ...



This one's from after David's bronze dive, but I just liked the pic. And the next one, ladies, is for you ...


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You're welcome.