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4 ideas for localizing the Summer Olympics:
1. What local connections do you have to the Summer Olympics or Paralympics? Find bios on Team USA athletes, including hometowns and birthplaces, at Team USA's website. Run a callout for people going to the Olympics, or for those who've been to a past Games.
Go for the gold: Create a database or file of past Olympic athletes -- summer or winter -- with connections to your town. Ask local school athletic directors, coaches and readers to help you gather names and information.
2. The Olympics often spark interest in sports like gymnastics and swimming, especially in youth. Let readers know where they can find local gymnastics and swimming lessons -- and what the fees are -- and talk with young athletes on school or club teams about why they got interested in their sport and who they'll watch this summer in London.
Go for the gold: Turn this into a video report or series that profiles young athletes and local teams during the Games, July 27-Aug. 12.
3. The Olympics can also be a fun lesson in geography. Include a "match the flag" game for young readers and bios on some of the more obscure countries, such as Brunei.
Go for the gold: Do you have readers or residents from England, Saudi Arabia or other countries who can lend some perspective on the teams in and places where the Games will be held?
4. Some doctors would like to see people get interested in health and exercise by watching the Olympics. Others are calling for McDonald's and Coca-Cola to stop sponsoring the Olympics. Poll your readers during the Games: Do the Olympics make them more interested in getting exercise or participating in sports?
Go for the gold: Ask health-care professionals and personal trainers how readers can begin an exercise plan if the Olympics encourage them to do so. What are some exercises they can stick with? Make this a photo essay or video story.
