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10 Olympians to Follow on Twitter

Friday, 12 February 2010 , 9:34 | Category : Buzzworthy, social media, social networking, twitter
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2010_winter_olympics_logo1It’s the moment Vancouver’s been waiting for. Today marks the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics. We’re all waiting to see the special moments that will separate these Games from all the others. If you don’t have time to follow the Olympians’ moments on the slopes or on the rink, you can follow them on Twitter! Here is a list of 10 athletes to follow throughout their Olympic journeys. For a full list of verified athletes tweeting, click here!

Shaun White (@Shaun_White): In addition to setting the record for the Winter X Games with 15 gold medals over the last eight years, Shaun White was the gold medal winner in the men’s halfpipe at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. Far surpassing any other athlete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Toronto, White has over 94,000 followers on Twitter. However, he has tweeted less than 50 times in the last year. In the past he’s updated his Twitter followers on his upcoming events and results, as well as answered questions and provided feedback. Will he be able to take a break from the intensity of Olympic competition for a minute or two so followers can get direct feedback from this gold-medalist?

Steve Mesler (@SteveMesler): Until 2000 Steve Mesler was involved with track and field, competing in numerous Junior Olympic meets. However, in 2000 Mesler emailed the United States Olympic Committee about bobsledding and competed in his first Olympics as a bobsledder at Salt Lake City in 2002. As a member of the 2010 Olympic Bobsled team and an active tweeter, Steve Mesler has almost 27,000 followers. On Twitter he is much more than an Olympian, adding personality in his tweets. His bio focuses on his diversity with “2x OlympicBobsledder, Fisherman, lover of politics, travel and discovery.” He tweets multiple times a day, about press events, his friends, family and daily activities. Since landing in Vancouver, on February 8th, he has tweeted about press engagements, shared pictures, and insights into Vancouver and his fellow athletes. Follow Steve Mesler’s tweets for insights into the Games and important media airings.

Angela Ruggiero (@AngelaRuggiero): Angela Ruggiero is a cum-laude Harvard graduate and was offered a job by Donald Trump after her participation on The Apprentice. The three-time women’s ice hockey Olympic medalist has remained concentrated on her sport approaching the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. She and her team landed in Vancouver on February 6th, to compete for her fourth Olympic medal. Sharing thoughts, photos, articles, and her team’s schedule details to her more than 34,000 followers, Ruggiero has tweeted up to five times each day since arriving at Olympic Village. Follow Angela’s tweets for a multimedia insider’s view of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir): Johnny Weir is a Russian figure skater. His voice on Twitter is very interesting and enticing to a large audience. In addition to his Twitter account, with over 7,000 followers, he has a reality tv show on the Sundance channel called “Be Good Johnny Weir.” Weir tweets not only about skating, but also about many other topics such as celebrity gossip (for example, he tweeted about Lady Gaga at the Grammy’s). He might not be the best Olympian to follow because he doesn’t tweet specifically about his journey through the Olympics, but it’s interesting that he tweets about so many other topics that might engage and speak to others!

Lindsey Vonn (@lindseyvonn): This American apline ski racer began running the slopes at age two. Lindsey Vonn is a highly decorated skier and the first American woman to win the World Cup Skiing Championship two years in a row. Though an iconic American skier, Lindsey’s Twitter has a very approachable tone. In the past she’s used it to reach out to friends, tweet about traveling, training and articles. In her tweets since arriving in Vancouver, she has talked about an injury affecting her training. Vonn may be an athlete to follow to experience the Olympics through an injury. Hopefully she’ll be able to compete and tweet about her victory on the slopes!

Apolo Anton Ohno (@ApoloOhno): Twitter is providing a new support system for athletes. In short-track skater, Apolo Anton Ohno’s, latest tweet he reaches out to Lindsey Vonn, saying, “Heard that Lindsay Vonn is battling an injury…my thoughts go to her…you can! I believe….” Ohno’s 48,454 followers, hear his news, observations and even anxiety as the Games approach. This former “Dancing with the Stars” winner creates tweets full of character and enthusiasm. Ohno is sure to provide an eccentric insight into the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics as he tries to become the most decorated American athlete at the Winter Games.

Louie Vito (@louievito): Vancouver marks 21-year-old Louie Vito’s first Olympic Games. The American snowboarder and former Dancing with the Stars contestant got his start in Australia in 2005. His tweets reflect his youthful attitude and care-free Australian training. His Twitter stream includes @replies to other Olympians and his adventures both out in Vancouver and in the Olympic Village where he shares a room with @scottylago and @shaun_white. Vito promises to reply to tweets, so make sure to @reply any questions you have for the young Olympian.

Tanith Belbin (@TanithJLB): A self-proclaimed “Olympic figure skater/potential Twitter addict,” Tanith Belbin is a Canadian-American dual citizen, although she competes for the United States Olympic Figure Skating Team. She and her ice-partner Ben Agosto were voted captain’s of the team this year. Tanith and Ben were the silver medalists at the 2006 Games. New to Twitter within the last year, Tanith already has almost 4,000 followers. Tweeting about everything from movies to making fun of her coach, her tweets are extremely amusing. Stay tuned for playful feedback about the Games from a Canadian competing for the USA.

Aksel Lund Svindal (@Akselsvindal): Born to two skiers outside of Oslo, Norway, Aksel Lund Svindal started hitting the slopes at age three. Svindal tweets about his explorations at his first Olympic Games in Vancouver. His Twitter bio (”Most of the time I travel the world in a spandex race suit trying to be fast…”) showcases his love for skiing through his adventurous tone. He carries this light tone through his tweets about his involvement in “Downhiller for Haiti” (a charity event raising 120,000 euros), his trials and tribulations on the slopes and his downtime. With nearly 4,000 followers, he includes all his followers by posting tweets in both English and Norweigan. For a unique international perspective on the events on and off the snow, follow @akselsvindal during the 2010 Olympics!

Rachael Flatt (@RachaelFlatt): At only, 17 this young Olympian already has 2,900 followers. Hailing from Colorado Springs, the breeding spot of many former winter Olympians, Rachael Flatt is representing the United States in figure skating at the Olympics before she even graduates from high school. Her tweets, talk about “normal” teenage things, such as snow-delays at school and French class, as well as her Olympic endeavors. Her Twitter is full of excitement and enthusiasm and is perfect for followers looking for updates from a youthful perspective.

2 COMMENTS Read Them or Join The Conversation

  1. Annette Frey says:

    This is great! Thanks for sharing. I’m sure Johnny Weir will be very entertaining!

  2. [...] more: 10 Olympians to Follow on Twitter | buzzmarketing daily Share and [...]

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