Tia Brooks

Sport: Track and Field

Nation: United States of America

DOB: August 2, 1990

Career Highlights: The youngest of the three female American shot put athletes heading to London, Brooks is a strong outsider in the competition. Initially a sprinter in her early high school years, Brooks was persuaded to switch to the shot. A string of back injuries threatened to end her career at the collegiate level, but she returned to the sport in 2010 with a fourth-place finish at the U.S. outdoor championships. With two NCAA titles in 2012 and Olympic grade "A" performances it seemed likely Brooks would have a good showing at the Olympic trials, and she delivered - finishing third to bag a spot in London. Brooks’ personal best is two meters less than the season best of favorites Nadzeya Ostapchuk from Belarus and Valerie Adams from New Zealand. But while gold seems unlikely, at just 22, the London Games will be great experience for a young athlete who threatens to dominate her discipline in the U.S. for many years to come.

Olympic History: None