Olympics 2012: Eastern Michigan Alum Jamie Nieto Set For Final Competition

High jumper Jamie Nieto, formerly of Eastern Michigan University, is set to compete in his second Olympic Games. The 35-year-old plans for this to be his final competition, as he told the New York Times before the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June:

"I thought the best place to retire would be at the Olympic games in the final and that's my goal and God willing, that's what will happen."

"I've been working so hard, watching my diet and just trying to stay focused, mentally, physically, spiritually," he said. "And I'm just so happy it's finally paying off."

Nieto jumped 7-feet 3/4 inches to win the high jump competition at the trials, qualifying him for London. He came just short of a medal in 2004 and didn't qualify in 2008 -- he finished second at trials, but unlike this year, did not clear the Olympic "A" standard height to make the team.

Nieto graduated from EMU in 1999 and was inducted into its athletic hall of fame earlier this year.

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