Video: Buckeyes Excited to Watch Bhavsar Find Olympic Glory – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | General, Men's Gymnastics
COLUMBUS, Ohio From the Far East to Columbus, Ohio, the Olympic spirit has filled the minds of former and current members of Ohio State men’s gymnastics program as they saw one of their own fulfill his Olympic dream. Raj Bhavsar, a Buckeye letterwinner from 2000-03, helped the 2008 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team win its second-consecutive team medal, a bronze, Monday at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.
After serving as the alternate at the 2004 Athens Games and again leading into the 2008 Beijing Games, Bhavsar finally earned his chance to compete in Beijing after Paul Hamm, the 2004 Olympic gold all-around winner, vacated his spot on the 2008 U.S. team because of injury.
Check out reactions about Bhavsar, the Olympics and more from Doug Stibel, Ohio State assistant coach, as well as current Buckeyes Jake Bateman, Pejman Ebrahimi, Justin Myers and Brandon Wynn.
From China
The Coach’s Perspective
Miles Avery, Ohio State men’s gymnastics head coach
On Team USA winning the bronze medal Monday
“It was against all odds. It’s amazing this team really had a college flavor to it. A couple of the athletes mentioned that last night had an NCAA championships feel to it because everyone was pulling for the other as much as they were pulling for themselves to do well.”
From Columbus
The Coach’s Perspective
Doug Stibel, Ohio State men’s gymnastics assistant coach
On former Buckeye Raj Bhavsar earning an Olympic bronze team medal
“This Olympic experience was great for Raj (Bhavsar). It is hard because we have so much talent in the U.S. To see Raj finally get the nod, it was tremendously exciting for him and for us at Ohio State to watch another Buckeye compete at that level.”
On Bhavsar’s new philosophy on life
“It helped Raj become a key player for this 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. He was devastated in 2004 and this new philosophy helped him refocus. It gave him new energy to devote to a sport he thought about giving up.”
On Ohio State’s gymnastics program
“Young gymnasts can look at Raj and see that they can continue their education while also pursuing their athletic dreams at Ohio State. They can see that Ohio State is a university where you can work to get to the next level in both areas.”
On Team USA’s unity
“It all came from the team unity. They came together as a family. Four of the six guys were products of an NCAA men’s gymnastics program. So they had competed as a team before and knew what it meant to cheer for and support their teammates, as well as what it meant to go out and do their part.”
