Olympics 2012: Michigan Alum Nate Brannen Prepares For Summer Games In London

When the 2012 Olympic Games begin in London later this week, the University of Michigan will be represented in the men's 1500-meter race when alumnus Nate Brannen competes in the event for Team Canada. He qualified for the event by winning the Canadian Olympic Trials with a time of three minutes, 49.22 seconds.

This will be the second time that the 29-year-old native of Cambridge, Ontario, competes in the Olympics, and he hopes that this time will be less tumultuous than his last appearance, as he apparently stayed up for 48 hours straight before competing in his event during the 2008 games in Beijing. Via The Star:

"I kind of psyched myself up too much. My agent, my coach, ‘You can make the final . . . you can medal.' And I literally didn't sleep one bit for two nights straight," Brannen said. "Everyone thinks the village is glamour. We had three to a room. It was sheer shades, so the sun came right in. No (air conditioning) and you're in Beijing in the humidity . . .

"I just sat there sweating, the sun coming in at 6 a.m. . . . (I) was just thinking . . . ‘I need to fall asleep. I need to calm myself down.' . . . I just completely psyched myself out."

Despite his restless night, Brannen missed qualifying for the final by a little more than a single second. With a bit of experience on his side, he will no doubt look to reach his full potential with an adequate amount of rest.

For more on the 2012 London Olympics, check out SB Nation's dedicated hub to the Summer Games.