Philly Olympians and elite athletes look forward to the Games

Glenn Ochal first began rowing as a freshman at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Next week, the 26-year-old makes his first appearance on the Olympic stage in the men's four at the 2012 London Olympics.

Athletes across the Philadelphia area, whether representing the United States in London or watching the games from home, are anticipating the start of the competitions, which run through August 12, where some of the world's best will compete for Olympic gold.

"I am looking forward to the racing and performing at my best," Ochal said. "My boatmates and I [want] to make sure that we race well and put all of our energy into earning a solid result."

Ochal said he appreciates the ability to face other elite athletes, noting that he enjoys challenging competitions.

"My older brother rowed and encouraged me to become involved. From the beginning, I liked to compete and race in rowing, and that has driven me to where I am today," he said. "I want to compete at the highest level and against the toughest competition, and this had led me to where I am today."

Thirty-eight-year-old tennis player Lisa Raymond, a Wayne native, will also participate in the Olympic Games, playing doubles with Liezel Huber. She competing at the Athens Games in 2004 and is looking forward to the experience of competing on a world stage.

"This is so special because the [tennis] games are being played at Wimbledon, the greatest tennis venue in the world, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she said. "It's very exciting."

Ochal agrees, saying that he expects the experience will impact him at a personal level.

Olympians get "the opportunity to compete against the world's best on the biggest stage in sports," he said. "The Olympics only come once every four years and it's an honor to be representing the United States. I am sure I will remember the experience forever and hopefully I learn more about myself."

While 18-year--old elite swimmer Nic Graesser missed out on competing in London, he is looking forward to watching the Gamesa from home. Graesser, who graduated from Conestoga High School in Berwyn this June, competed in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 100 meter backstroke.

"I think the Games have always been fascinating to me,' he said. "Coming from a family of swimmers, we have always followed swimming in the Games. I think the swimming portion of the Olympics will be exciting.

"That being said, I would love to watch Kate Ziegler get another medal in the 800 meter freestyle. She was my sister's roommate for a year and got second at the Olympic trials."

Graesser said that competing against professional athletes and Olympians at the Olympic Trials helped push him to work harder and inspired him.

"Honestly, I came for the experience," he said. "I was definitely one of the younger guys completing at [the] trials, but it's definitely an eye opener watching someone 10 years older than you make an Olympic team. It certainly opened more windows. In a sense, it brings you to that next level that every swimmer wants to achieve."

Graesser competed last week in the 2012 YMCA Long Course Championships in Atlanta, where he set a personal record of 55.84 seconds in the 100 meter backstroke, winning second place in the event. He is eyeing the 2016 Olympics and attributes some of his recent success to getting to see how the best of the best performed at the trials.

"Seeing how professional athletes swim does make me think about how I can improve my strokes and underwaters," he said. "The Olympic Trials were a great experience and definitely a right step in my athletic career."

Ochal said that his sport has provided him with many opportunities, beyond competition.

"Rowing has defined my life," he said. "I have been rowing for 11 years and have had many positive experiences. I get to meet great people, work with driven individuals, travel the world and compete for the USA internationally. I am excited about my first Olympic experience."

Raymond agrees, adding that her successes keep her motivated as she prepares for the games.

"Tennis has been a part of my life for over 30 years," she said. "It has brought me so many incredible experiences - I have met amazing people and travelled the world. I have been able to make a great living, doing something I love for almost 20 years

"What keeps me motivated is winning - going out there, working hard every day in order to reach goals that I still have-winning Grand Slams, being No. 1 in the world [and] playing for an Olympic medal."