London Buzz - Olympians Sound Off as 2012 Qualification Takes Shape

(ATR) Around the Rings tracks top athletes and Olympic stakeholders on Twitter in a new weekly feature ahead of the London 2012 Summer Games.

Canada Soccer on the country's opening round match of CONCACAF's qualifying tournament for London 2012:

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RT @melbooth13: Tomorrow is the big day!!!! Who all's braving this snow and coming out to watch us take on Haiti at 7:30? #canWNTWed Jan 18 18:15:15 via TweetDeckCanada Soccer

CanadaSoccerEN

BBC Sport on Team GB's rhythmic gymnastics squad falling just short of a host nation qualification place:

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0.273 marks - that tiny fraction of a point cost seven teenage girls their chance to compete in the 2012 Olympics. http://t.co/LMa7wwU5Wed Jan 18 15:39:00 via webBBC Sport

BBCSport

BBC News on how the Olympic Route Network will affect Games-time traffic – and how various parties are viewing the changes:

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Driving in London during #Olympics? Want to know places to avoid? Our map of London in Games-time will help. http://t.co/n2MsTxsj #bbc2012Wed Jan 18 09:03:56 via webBBC 2012

BBC2012

U.S. women's national soccer team goalie Hope Solo on a fatal shooting Tuesday night at the Vancouver hotel where players are staying for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for London 2012:

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Saved by our instant yoga session. Was about to walk to starbucks when all hell broke loose in the lobby of our hotel! Life is precious...Wed Jan 18 05:44:54 via Twitter for BlackBerry®Hope Solo

hopesolo

Reigning road race world champion Mark Cavendish of Team GB on another visit from anti-doping officers:

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Anti-doping officers have just arrived. 3 of them! Now to piss into a pot while another dude watches. #glamorousTue Jan 17 20:27:06 via Twitter for AndroidMark Cavendish

MarkCavendish

LOCOG on the latest London Prepares tickets to go on sale:

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Tickets for the 18th FINA Visa Diving World Cup 2012, the @London2012 Diving test event, are back on sale http://t.co/Y8tPV1nnTue Jan 17 10:29:10 via bitlyLondon 2012

London2012

South African "Blade Runner" and Olympic hopeful Oscar Pistorius on his goal to "make it count" in 2012:

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A new day, same goals, let's get at it early! Are you still on coarse with your 2012 plans to #makeitcount? Keep pushing at it!Tue Jan 17 04:32:42 via UberSocial for BlackBerryOscar Pistorius

OscarPistorius

IOC on the chance for Olympic fans to mimic famous athlete photos and win a trip to London 2012:

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Win a trip to @london2012 - take part in the I copy you contest http://t.co/XJDMsYaM which has come together because of the #yogTue Jan 17 07:30:33 via webOlympics

Olympics

USA Basketball on Coach Mike Krzyzewski's comments about the preliminarypool of 20 players from which he'll assemble a final 12-man roster for the London Olympics:

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Coach K on the USA finalists - "This will be the most talented of the teams that I've had the opportunity to coach. #USAB2012Mon Jan 16 19:06:18 via webUSA Basketball

usabasketball

Olympic champion baller LeBron James on his inclusion among the 20 players unveiled Monday for Team USA consideration ahead of London 2012:

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It's a honor and privilege to be one of the finalist of Team USA! Wanna thank Jerry Colangelo and Coach K! #USAMon Jan 16 18:20:54 via EchofonLeBron James

KingJames

International Triathlon Union on its new 2012-specific website, complete withnews updates, race reviews and photo galleries as well a map of the Hyde Park course:

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Exactly 200 days until the triathlon competition at @London2012 and to celebrate, our new Olympic website is up! http://t.co/xyhFsuQvMon Jan 16 22:42:46 via webITU

ITUonline

Reigning women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe on a funny question about the timing of London 2012:

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Another funny "Mo-ism". He just asked me when the Olympics are on?!!Mon Jan 16 08:27:42 via Twitter for iPadPaula Radcliffe

paulajradcliffe

Four-time Olympic swimming champion Janet Evans, 40, on keeping her comeback bid alive and moving a step closer to making Team USA for the 2012 Games:

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Made my Olympic trials cut in the 800! Pleased with my progress but there is work that remains to be done. Thank you all for your support!!Sun Jan 15 20:54:12 via Twitter for iPhoneJanet Evans

janetbevans

Reigning eight-time Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps of Team USA on getting older:

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Hmm 400im is not as easy as it was when I was 15...Sat Jan 14 17:51:13 via UberSocial for iPhoneMichael Phelps

MichaelPhelps

Saint Kitts and Nevis sprint star and one-time 100m world champion Kim Collins on his plans to compete at the 2012 Olympics:

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@TrackStarBeezy I will be in london for sure.Fri Jan 13 18:53:59 via Twitter for BlackBerry®kim collins

kimcollins100m

Compiled by Matthew Grayson.

20 Years at #1: