It’s hard to believe the 2012 London Games are already over. Although it’ll be another four years before we see the next, four of our local athletes have a lot to be proud of after competing in this year’s Olympics.

Bethesda Native Wins Gold

Just fifteen years old, Katie Ledecky of Bethesda, MD won the gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle. The youngest member to make the US Olympic Team, she currently attends Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. Thus far, Katie has had an impressive career, breaking the US Olympic Team Trials record in the 800 freestyle.

Celebrating Katie Ledecky’s Victory

Her supporters from Stone Ridge were thrilled – to say the least – after her well-earned win. After all, her finish at eight minutes and 14.63 seconds nearly broke a world record. In fact, BGR has renamed their fries the “Katie Gold Standard” in honor of the young Olympian. Way to go Katie!

Local MD Athletes in the 2012 Olympics

Who: David Banks
Hometown: Potomac
Sport: Rowing (men’s eight)
About: This is the second Olympics David Banks has competed in. He placed first in the 2012 Olympic Qualification Regatta and first in the 2010 US Rowing National Championship. He currently attends Stanford University.

Who: Scott Parsons
Hometown: Bethesda
Sport: Canoe/Kayak
About: Scott Parsons has competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. His discipline, slalom kayaking, requires both strength and grace to move skillfully over such challenging water. In 2004 he was named America’s Canoe/Kayak male athlete of the year.

Who: Julie Zetlin
Hometown: Bethesda
Sport: Rhythmic Gymnastics
About: Julie Zetlin is a second generation gymnast, whose mother competed in same sport for Hungary. Julie helps coach younger girls at the gym and has won first place in the 2010 Visa Championships, the 2011 Pan American games and the 2012 Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships.

What was your favorite sport to watch during the Olympics? Let us know what you thought of the 2012 Olympic Games.