NEW YORK CITY – It’s been a day full of celebrations -- marking 100 days until the Paris Olympics. Team USA athletes from all different sports gathered in New York City to kick off the excitement on the third day of an Olympic media summit. One of them -- Houston native and break-dancer Jeffrey Louis, known as “BBoy Jeffro.”
He is honored to represent Houston, the U.S. and the art of breaking -- making its Olympic debut in Paris.
“Breaking came from the ghetto from nothing,” said Louis. “To see it go from there to the Olympic stage, and I’m one of the ones whose helping spearheading the movement. I’m sure it will hit me in Paris. For right now I’m enjoying it taking it in”
Louis is thanking one Houston organization for allowing him to shine.
“We’d go to this one place called Youth Advocates,” he recalled. “If it wasn’t for this place right here, breaking wouldn’t be where it’s at in Houston. This was an organization that was built to empower breaking specifically and arts and breakers had a home.”
Street skateboarder super star Jagger Eaton earned a bronze medal with a fractured ankle in the Tokyo games. He told anchors Daniella Guzman and Keith Garvin he’s stronger mentally and physically -- hoping to chase down the gold medal in Paris.
“I feel really good on my board,” said Eaton. “I’ve been training really great I’ve been able to have these past four months to prepare I’m enjoying my time on my board.”
NBA legend and current managing director of USA Basketball, Grant Hill, took us inside the process of selecting this year’s men’s basketball team. The squad will include stars like Lebron James and Steph Curry.
“What was really exciting for me was to hear the excitement in the voices,” said Hill as he recalled surprising the star players with news they had been selected for the team. “These accomplished men were almost giddy but honored and excited to be playing for their country and playing with one another.”
Women’s surfing gold medalist Carissa Moore is trying to catch a wave to earn another gold medal -- in what she says will be the final surfing competition of her career. She described her special connection with the ocean.
“As a surfer, after you spend so much time in the water, you don’t see a wave but you feel the wave coming,” said Moore. “You move in the direction then it pops up. It’s magic.”