What follows is an update on how the athletes with Pittsburgh-area connections are doing in London. Make sure to click on the links for exclusive pictures, stories and videos!

• Kieron Achara
  Basketball
  Great Britain
  Played collegiately at Duquesne University.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=achara-kieron-1127154/index.html
  1-4


• Trevor Barron
  Track & Field
  USA
  Native of Bethel Park, Pa.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=trevor-barron/index.html
  Finished 26th in the men's 20km walk


• Swin Cash
  Basketball
  USA
  Grew up in McKeesport, Pa.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=swin-cash/index.html
  7-0, in gold medal game


• Lauren Crandall
  Field Hockey
  USA
  Grew up in the Pittsburgh area.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=lauren-crandall/index.html
  1-5


• Christa Harmotto
  Volleyball
  USA
  Hopewell High School grad and former All-American at Penn State.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=christa-harmotto/index.html
  7-0, in gold medal match


• Jake Herbert
  Wrestling
  USA
  Pittsburgh native and graduate of North Allegheny High School.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=jake-herbert/index.html
  Has yet to compete


• Cassidy Krug
  Diving
  USA
  Coraopolis native and Montour High School grad.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=cassidy-krug/index.html
  Finished 7th in the women's 3m springboard


• Amanda Polk
  Rowing
  USA
  Grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Oakland Catholic High School.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=amanda-polk/index.html
  Was an alternate for the Women's Eight team that won gold


• Allison Schmitt
  Swimming
  USA
  Born in Pittsburgh.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=allison-schmitt/index.html
  3 gold medals -- women's 200m freestyle (OR), women's 4x200m freestyle (OR) and women's 4x100m medley (WR)
  1 silver medal -- women's 400m freestyle
  1 bronze medal -- women's 4x100m freestyle


• Coleman Scott
  Wrestling
  USA
  From Waynesburg, Pa.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=coleman-scott/index.html
  Has yet to compete


• Andrea St Bernard
  Taekwondo
  Grenada
  Former Duquesne volleyball player.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=st-bernard-andrea-1020528/index.html
  0-1


• Anna Tunnicliffe
  Sailing
  USA
  Family from the Pittsburgh area.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=anna-tunnicliffe/index.html
  8-6, advanced to quarterfinals


• Lauryn Williams
  Track & Field
  USA
  Grew up in the Pittsburgh area.
  www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/local-athletes/athlete=lauryn-williams/index.html
  In 4x100m relay final

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Other links of interest:
United States vs Japan, Gold Medal Match = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/soccer/united-states-vs-japan-gold-medal-match.html
Behind The Scenes: U.S. Women's Soccer Gold Medal Ceremony = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/soccer/behind-the-scenes-u-s-womens-soccer-gold-medal-ceremony.html
Fans bolt across the globe = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/track-and-field/fans-bolt-across-the-globe.html
USA vs Spain: Gold Medal Game = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/water-polo/usa-vs-spain-gold-medal-game.html
USA 86, Australia 73 = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/basketball/usa-86-australia-73.html
BMX Men's Quarterfinals = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/cycling/bmx-mens-quarterfinals.html
Shopping with Nastia, McKayla, and Kyla = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/gymnastics/shopping-with-nastia-mckayla-and-kyla.html
The Many Faces Of McKayla Maroney = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/gymnastics/the-many-faces-of-mckayla-maroney.html
Gold Medal Celebrations = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/2012/gold-medal-celebrations.html
London Olympics Fashion Faux Pas = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/photos/2012/london-olympics-fashion-faux-pas.html

Top NBC Moment: Bolt Goes Back-To-Back = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/top-nbc-moment-bolt-goes-back-to-back.html
Highlights: Ashton Eaton Clinches Decathlon Gold Medal = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/track-and-field/highlights-ashton-eaton-clinches-decathlon-gold-medal.html
Top NBC Moment: Women's Soccer Final = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/top-nbc-moment-day-13-womens-soccer-final.html
Highlights: Leevan Sands Seriously Injures Knee During Triple Jump = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/track-and-field/highlights-leevan-sands-seriously-injures-knee-during-triple-jump.html
Instant Analysis: U.S. Women Win Third Consecutive Soccer Gold = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/soccer/instant-analysis-u-s-women-win-third-consecutive-soccer-gold.html
Team USA women winning big in London = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/team-usa-women-winning-big-in-london.html
Hope Solo On Her Clutch Gold-Winning Performance = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/soccer/hope-solo-on-her-clutch-gold-winning-performance.html
U.S. Women's Soccer Talks Winning Gold With Bob Costas = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/soccer/u-s-womens-soccer-talks-winning-gold-with-bob-costas-abby-wambach-alex-morgan-hope-solo-carli-lloyd.html
London By Foot = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/london-by-foot.html
London Olympics Super Fans = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/london-olympics-super-fans.html?chrcontext=olympic-17
London By Air = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/london-by-air-491217.html
Feature: Not As Pretty As It Looks = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/synchronized-swimming/feature-not-as-pretty-as-it-looks.html?chrcontext=top-nbc-moments
Jimmy Fallon With Bob Costas = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/2012/jimmy-fallon-with-bob-costas.html
Nastia Liukin's Top 5 Gymnastic Moments of the London Games = www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/video/gymnastics/nastia-liukins-top-5-gymnastic-moments-of-the-london-games.html

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In addition, local hypnotist/sports mental trainer Dr. Daniel Vitchoff, of PA Hypnosis Center, took his Terrible Towel to London. Dr. Vitchoff is working with the U.S. shooting team. Below is the summary he sent to WPXI.com on Aug. 1:

USA Shooting Team Makes History in London

The U.S. shooting team has worked hard to prepare both physically and mentally for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The team already made history when Kim Rhode won a Gold Medal in Women's Skeet, making her the first U.S. athlete to medal in five straight Olympics. Rhode's performance was nearly perfect, hitting 99 out of 100 targets and setting an Olympic record. Pittsburgh mental coach Dan Vitchoff, who is traveling with the USA Shooting Team, said that Kim was relaxed and confident going into competition. Rhode is thoroughly enjoying the Olympic experience. The day before competition, she was talking to Vitchoff about making homemade jams and jellies, and after her win, she was featured on NBC's Today Show.

Returning Olympic gold medalist, Vincent Hancock, was absolutely perfect in the Men's Skeet final. He set a new Olympic record and became the first athlete in history to win back-to-back gold medals in Men's Skeet. Going into the finals, Vitchoff said that Hancock is the most focused that he's ever seen him.

August 2 brings two fellow soldiers and friends competing against each other. Glenn Eller, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, is returning to see if he can strike gold again, while his friend and fellow soldier, 2012 World Cup champion, Joshua Richmond, a Pennsylvania native, is also vying for the gold. Richmond is currently ranked No. 1 and Sports Illustrated is predicting that he will win the gold in Men's Double Trap.

Vitchoff, a common thread in the competitions, says this shooting team is focused and confident. He notes, "London is great. The team is in a great frame of mind. The coaches and team leaders have been working very hard to make sure that the athletes are prepared both mentally and physically. Each athlete has a strong support system. Their friends and families have all traveled a long way to watch their dreams come true."

In a recent interview with Pittsburgh Tribune Review sports writer Bob Cohn, Richmond talked about the importance of the mental training, "When shooters start out, it's about 90 percent physical. When they become a competitive shooter, it becomes 90 or 95 percent mental." He went on to talk about his work with Vitchoff more specifically. "He was somewhat intrigued with my profession, and I was somewhat intrigued with his. We took it from there, and we never stopped working together."

Vitchoff is very proud of all of the athletes on the USA Shooting Team, and he encourages all Americans to tune into www.nbcolympics.com/wpxi/ to watch online as the USA Shooting Team continues to make history in London.