George Kitchens Jr.

Sport: Track and Field

Nation: United States of America

DOB: January 30, 1983

Hometown: Hephzibah, GA

Career Highlights: Kitchens almost lost his life when he was 12 as he, his sister and a friend were shot and left for dead inside their home. Kitchens' sister was paralyzed but all three survived, and he’s used that harrowing experience as motivation ever since. Kitchens was a standout in the long jump at Clemson but never really asserted himself as anything more than a top-10 jumper in the United States until recently. His personal-best clearance of 8.21 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials earned him a third-place finish and a spot in London. Despite his amazing story, Kitchens will certainly have his hands full in trying to win a medal. Fellow Americans Marquise Goodwin and Will Claye are considerably younger and more accomplished, and the United States didn't even produce one of the 12 finalists in the long jump at the Beijing Games in 2008. Kitchens, however, has a bit of experience defying the odds.

Olympic History: None