Native athletes in 2012 Olympics

Native Athletes Competing in the 2012 London OlympicsWith just a few days away to the 2012 London Olympics, thousands of athletes from across the world will begin competition in their respective sports in hopes of winning a medal and become a part of Olympic history. A few of those athletes that will be competing will not only be representing their country but they will also be representing their tribal affiliation as well.

Mary Killman, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, will be one of those tribal members competing at the Olympics. She will be competing in the Synchronized Duet Technical swimming event.

Mary Spencer, a First Nation Ojibway, will be competing in the 75-kilogram middleweight boxing event at the London Olympics for Team Canada. She's considered one of Canada's top hopes for a medal in London, where women's boxing is making its Olympic debut.

Tumua Anae, a Native Hawaiian, will be competing at the Olympics as the goalie for the US National Water Polo team. In college at USC, Anae was a finalist for 2010 Peter J. Cutino Award and a member of the 2010 NCAA Championship team and was also named 1st Team All American team.CN citizen makes U.S. Olympic dressage team

By Kenneth BraddickCherokee Nation citizen Adrienne Lyle, 27, of Ketchum, has become one of the youngest Americans earning the right to compete in the Olympics at dressage, a sport that has been in the summer games for at least 100 years.

On June 16, Lyle and a horse named Wizard earned a place on the American team by placing in the top four at the U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage Festival of Champions and USEF Dressage Olympic Selection Trials at Gladstone, N.J.

She will compete in the Olympics as an individual.Comment:  For more on Natives and the Olympics. see Potawatomi Synchronized Swimmer in Olympics and Best in the World at the NMAI.

Below:  Mary Killman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation.