Meet Beacon the therapy dog: Team USA's unexpected MVP at the 2024 Olympic Trials | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025
Meet Beacon the therapy dog: Team USA's unexpected MVP at the 2024 Olympic Trials

Sports

Hindustan Times
04 August, 2024, 07:15 pm
Last modified: 17 August, 2024, 05:13 pm

Related News

  • China's Olympic tennis glory tracks booming middle classes
  • The Last Dance: How Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant came together to form their own dream team at Olympics
  • Humans of Olympics: Chemotherapy can wait, Olympics won’t
  • French police win plaudits after high-risk Olympics
  • Tom Cruise hands Olympic flag to LA, closing Paris Games

Meet Beacon the therapy dog: Team USA's unexpected MVP at the 2024 Olympic Trials

It was a four-legged friend who stole the spotlight at the 2024 Olympic Trials. Meet Beacon, the therapy dog who is an invaluable member of Team USA.

Hindustan Times
04 August, 2024, 07:15 pm
Last modified: 17 August, 2024, 05:13 pm
Beacon with his handler Tracey Callahan Molnar
Beacon with his handler Tracey Callahan Molnar

As the Paris Olympics 2024 progresses, we see a myriad of MVPs surface. Most Valuable Players are usually those who dominate the sport with skill and finesse, but the newest Most Valuable Pup of Team USA doesn't even have sports-related credentials!

Beacon the therapy dog who's become an unlikely hero and a source of comfort and support for the USA Gymnastics team. The 4-year-old golden retriever has been making waves off the field, providing emotional support and boosting team morale in ways no one expected.

Along with his handler Tracey Callahan Molnar — a Pasadena resident with 40 years of experience in USA Rhythmic Gymnastics — Beacon has been providing comfort to athletes and coaches at various competitions and training camps since May 2023. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Much before becoming the face of pet therapy for the USA Gymnastics team, Beacon used to be a therapy dog at a hospital. There he worked to lower the stress of those in the outpatient rehab, emergency department, pediatric department and wherever else he was needed.

Beacon's most recent gig was comforting athletes in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Trials. The night before the trials began, Beacon dedicated his services to help ease the nerves of the women's national gymnastics team. This specific meet was particularly tough, with two of the country's top prospects suffering injuries, leaving the team heartbroken.

Shilese Jones, a two-time world champion, injured her knee during vault warmup while Kayla DiCello, a promising gymnast, withdrew after an Achilles injury. The emotional toll was evident as athletes including Olympic medallist Suni Lee struggled to hold back tears. Amid the chaos, Beacon stepped in.

He and his owner Tracey, spent 40 minutes comforting the gymnasts and coaches. Beacon provided much-needed solace with his soft fur and calming presence, offering himself up for back rubs and belly scratches, helping the team cope with a challenging night. 

"He will turn on a dime without seeing who it is. He picks up on the stress and will pull to that person immediately," said Tracy to ESPN. Beacon's role as a therapy dog extends beyond just comforting athletes and he has become a crucial part of Team USA's emotional support system! Who wouldn't love this furry ball of joy? 

Others

Paris Olympics 2024

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Israel hits Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories; Tehran launches 100 drones in retaliation
  • The rear of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane in Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025. Central Industrial Security Force via X/Handout via REUTERS
    Air India plane crash in 33 seconds, 260 dead, 1 miracle survival: What we know so far
  • US President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Marine One from Camp David, in Washington, US, June 9, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/ File Photo
    Trump's 'peacemaker' pledge takes big hit as Israel strikes Iran

MOST VIEWED

  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India Dreamliner crashes into Ahmedabad college hostel, kills over 290
  • File Photo of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus: UNB
    Prof Yunus to receive Harmony Award from King Charles today
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Bangladesh mulls settlements with tycoons over offshore wealth: BB governor tells FT
  • Railway seeks Tk2,000cr foreign loans to revive coach assembly, modernise workshops
    Railway seeks Tk2,000cr foreign loans to revive coach assembly, modernise workshops
  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
    Disclosure of unconfirmed Yunus-Starmer meeting shows ‘diplomatic imprudence’: Analysts
  • Brother sues Latifur's daughter, widow over alleged forgery to seize control of Transcom
    Brother sues Latifur's daughter, widow over alleged forgery to seize control of Transcom

Related News

  • China's Olympic tennis glory tracks booming middle classes
  • The Last Dance: How Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant came together to form their own dream team at Olympics
  • Humans of Olympics: Chemotherapy can wait, Olympics won’t
  • French police win plaudits after high-risk Olympics
  • Tom Cruise hands Olympic flag to LA, closing Paris Games

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

1d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

2d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

4d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

5d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

What did Iran say in response to the Israeli attack?

What did Iran say in response to the Israeli attack?

17m | TBS World
Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities

Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities

57m | TBS World
Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

16h | Podcast
What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

17h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net