Olympics FanHouse

Carl Lewis + NWA = YouTube Gold!

Sportz Assassin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:29:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, International Olympics, International Track and Field, Americas, USA

The video below contains mature language and is definitely not safe for work.

Throughout my blogging career, I've been enamored ... no, in awe ... of Carl Lewis' "Break It Up" video. To me, there is nothing funnier that when someone tries to be serious and go outside his/her boundaries and completely make an ass of themselves. Please, go here to see the real version of the video.

Above is why YouTube is so great. Someone took the already hilarious video and mixed in Ice Cube's opening verse on NWA's "Straight Outta Compton".

This video has been in my cap for quite a while ... but far be it from me to not share.

Carl Lewis + NWA = YouTube Gold! originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Chance at 2 Golds, Will Bernard Lagat Become America's Top Olympic Track Star?

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA, Africa

Bernard Lagat already has a solid track and field resume, having won the bronze medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2000 Olympics, and the silver in 2004.

Lagat won those medals for Kenya, but he's now an American, and at the U.S. Olympic trials he won both the 1,500 and the 5,000. (As Jere Longman of the New York Times notes, all three U.S. Olympians in the men's 1,500 meters are immigrants: Lagat from Kenya, Leonel Manzano from Mexico and Lopez Lomong from Sudan.)

Winning the 1,500 and the 5,000 made Lagat the only double winner at the track trials, and he has a good chance at winning gold in both in Beijing. Tyson Gay was expected to emerge from the trials as the biggest star in American track, but his fall in the 200 meters prevented him from matching Lagat's double win. In six weeks, Lagat may be America's top track star.

With Chance at 2 Golds, Will Bernard Lagat Become America's Top Olympic Track Star? originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tyson Gay: 'I'll Be 100 Percent for the 100'

Michael David Smith — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:39:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

A day after falling down, injuring his hamstring and having to be carted off the track during the 200-meter Olympic trials, American sprinter Tyson Gay insisted he'll be just fine in time to run the 100 meters and the 4 x 100-meter relay in Beijing.

"I'll be 100 percent for the 100 and 400 relay," Gay said.

That's good news for Gay, for the fans, for Team USA, for track and field and for the Olympic Games. The 100-meter final between Gay and Jamaica's Usain Bolt should be one of the most exciting competitions of the Olympiad, and it would be a real shame if an injury derailed that competition. Fortunately, It sounds like Gay's hamstring strain won't slow him down.

Tyson Gay: 'I'll Be 100 Percent for the 100' originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tyson Gay Injured During 200 Meters

Michael David Smith — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:12:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

American sprinter Tyson Gay fell during the 200-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic trials today and was carted off the track, preventing him from qualifying for Beijing in the 200 and perhaps putting the 100 meters in doubt as well.

Gay was the world champion in both the 100 and the 200 last year, and he was expected to compete for golds in both events at this year's Olympics. Now his entire focus will go toward recuperating from what appears to be a hamstring strain in time to run the 100.

If Gay can't run in Beijing, it would be a major blow not just for him but for the Olympic Games and the sport of track and field. His showdown with Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt was expected to be one of the marquee events of the Olympiad, and right now it's not clear whether Gay will be ready to go.

Tyson Gay Injured During 200 Meters originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Christian News Site Calls Sprinter Tyson Gay 'Tyson Homosexual'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, The Word, USA

It's going to be an embarrassing day at the office for people who get their news from the Christian web site One News Now. The water cooler conversation about sports is going to get awkward when they say, "Did you see the record set by Tyson Homosexual?"

Yes, One News Now, which describes itself as providing "your latest news from a Christian perspective," calls the Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay "Tyson Homosexual."

Jim Buzinski of Outsports explains that the site has set a filter to change the word "gay" to "homosexual," and they don't bother to look at the context of the story before applying the filter. And that's how Gay became Homosexual.

Christian News Site Calls Sprinter Tyson Gay 'Tyson Homosexual' originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tyson Gay Runs 9.68-Second 100 Meters, Fastest in Human History (Wind Aided)

Michael David Smith — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:47:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

Tyson Gay won the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic trials today in a blistering 9.68 seconds. It's the fastest any human has ever covered that distance, although it will not go down as a world record because there was a strong wind at Gay's back.

"My start was a little off, but I knew it was going to be a fast time," Gay said after the race. "The wind was picking up, the crowd was great, and I just had to run to the finish line."

Joining Gay in Beijing will be Walter Dix, who finished second in 9.80, and Darvis Patton, who came in third in 9.84.

Gay's run comes on the heels of the 9.77-second 100-meter dash he ran yesterday, and sets him up for an epic Olympic showdown with Jamaica's world record-holder, Usain Bolt. The 100 final in Beijing will be a can't-miss event.

Tyson Gay Runs 9.68-Second 100 Meters, Fastest in Human History (Wind Aided) originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's Fastest Man? Tyson Gay Runs 9.77, Usain Bolt 9.85, Asafa Powell 9.97

Michael David Smith — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:08:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA, Americas

The United States and Jamaica both had their Olympic track and field trials Saturday, meaning the three top contenders to win the 100 meters in Beijing were in action. American Tyson Gay put on the day's best showing.

Gay set a new American record by running the 100 in 9.77 seconds, an especially amazing time considering that it was just a quarterfinal heat, and he slowed down over his last few steps. If he had gone full speed through the finish line, he might have broken the world record of 9.72 seconds.

That world record is owned by Jamaica's Usain Bolt, who won his country's Olympic trial today with a time of 9.85 seconds. Although that's blazing speed, it's actually somewhat disappointing compared to the way Bolt has been running this year. And Bolt's countryman, Asafa Powell, turned in a very disappointing (by his standards) time of 9.97 in finishing second to Bolt.

Bolt and Powell will represent Jamaica in Beijing, while Gay still has to run in Sunday's semifinal and final before he even qualifies for the Olympics. But even though Bolt and Powell have both recorded faster times than Gay's 9.77, Gay looked today like the favorite to bring home the gold in two months.

World's Fastest Man? Tyson Gay Runs 9.77, Usain Bolt 9.85, Asafa Powell 9.97 originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China's "Bird's Nest" Now Complete and Ready for Summer Games

Enrico Campitelli — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, International Olympics, International Track and Field, Beijing, China

With the opening ceremonies to this summer's Olympics just about 40 days away, Chinese officials have declared their National Stadium complete and fully operational. The impressive structure which holds 91,000 fans will play host to both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events.

The National Stadium is nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" for its resemblance to the twigs a bird piles together to form their nests. Ground was broken on the structure in December of 2003. There was a competition to select the design of the structure and the design you see today was done by Swiss firm Herzog and de Meuron and Chinese architect Li Xinggang.

China has just recently allowed the media inside the venue and BBC News has a great video giving fans an idea of what to expect.

I'll have the amazing opportunity to check out the Bird's Nest in person during a track and field event in August when I'll be traveling to China for the games. So keep your eyes peeled for reports from the scene.

Another picture of the stadium's impressive lighting at night below.

China's "Bird's Nest" Now Complete and Ready for Summer Games originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American Swimmers and Track Athletes Will Be Blood Tested at Trials

Josh Alper — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, PEDs, USA

Efforts to ensure a clean U.S. Olympic team have taken a step forward. According to a report in the Tampa Tribune, athletes competing at the trials for the track and field and swimming teams will have their blood tested for the first time in history.

They'll undergo the more familiar urinalysis as well but the blood tests are designed to stop athletes from using HGH and drugs which aid in the enhancement of oxygen transfer to red blood cells. The top finishers at the track trials will be tested, along with other random athletes. In American team sports, blood testing has been controversial because some believe it violates the privacy rights of athletes. With public belief in track at an all time low, however, they can't be quite as choosy about the methods of screening.

"I don't like needles but I don't like people cheating, either," said long jumper Rose Richmond. "They have to do what they have to do. I'll just close my eyes and hold someone's hand when they take my blood."

With the IOC's own methods for detecting EPO, one such drug, called into serious question, blood testing seems a necessary step to qualify any event or team as truly drug free.

American Swimmers and Track Athletes Will Be Blood Tested at Trials originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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100 Meter Sprinters on the Inside Track Have Slight Advantage

Enrico Campitelli — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, International Track and Field, Beijing

The Olympic movement is based on stacking the greatest athletes in the world against each other on the fairest of playing fields -- no steroids, no advantages. You would think the 100 meter dash would have to be among the most fair competitions going (steroids aside of course). But according to the New Scientist, advantages are given to runners on the inside track.

Sound from the starter's gun is known to take longer to reach athletes who start from the outside lanes than their competitors on the inside. Now a new study suggests that competitors nearest the gun have another advantage - the loudness of the bang shocks them into starting more quickly.

Together, these extra boosts may amount to more than a tenth of a second in some races, which is easily enough to make the difference between gold and silver.

According to the article, racing officials are aware of the discrepancy and are looking to adjust the problem in the future but do not plan to make any changes before the Olympics in Beijing in August.

The U.S. is expected to send one of their best track and field teams ever to Beijing with reigning 100 meter champion Tyson Gay a legit contender for gold.

[h/t kottke.org]

100 Meter Sprinters on the Inside Track Have Slight Advantage originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Official: Justin Gatlin Won't Be Defending His 100 Meter Gold in Beijing

Josh Alper — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

After a brief flicker of hope earlier last week, Justin Gatlin's hopes of defending his Olympic gold have been snuffed once and for all. First the IOC said that a U.S. judge's ruling that he could run in the Olympic trials didn't mean he wasn't still banned from competing and, yesterday, the same judge reversed course and rescinded his earlier decision.

In his seven-page order, Judge Lacey Collier said that although he believed Gatlin was "being wronged," he lacked jurisdiction over the United States Olympic Committee to determine who could be eligible for the trials.

Collier had previously ruled that Gatlin's suspension for using ADD medication violated the Americans With Disabilities Act, something he obviously still believes, but the IOC and other Olympic bodies lobbied him to revisit the ruling. The IOC did say that Gatlin could appeal the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Swiss Federal Court but the trials start on Friday and it's highly improbable that Gatlin could get everything done in time to actually make a go of it.

The U.S.'s best hopes of beating world-record holder Usain Bolt is Tyson Gay. When Bolt set the new record with a 9.72 -second time in New York last month, Gay was second at 9.85 seconds.

It's Official: Justin Gatlin Won't Be Defending His 100 Meter Gold in Beijing originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Regardless Of U.S. Court Decision, IOC Says Justin Gatlin Still Not Welcome in Beijing

Josh Alper — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

On Friday it appeared that 2004 100m gold medalist Justin Gatlin got a reprieve that might enable him to defend his title in Beijing. A U.S. court issued a temporary restraining order that would allow him to take part in the Olympic Trials because suspending him for taking ADD medication violated the Americans With Disabilities Act. If Gatlin finishes in the top three at the trials, he'd be set for Beijing then, right?

Not so fast, says the IOC. They argue that Judge Lacey A. Collier had no jurisdiction to rule on the case, which was handled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and that the ruling has done nothing to change Gatlin's eligibility for Beijing.

"Should he wish to appeal this CAS decision, he must do so before the Swiss Federal Court," wrote IOC director of legal affairs Howard Stupp in the letter dated June 23.

Lawyers from the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency were in Pensacola to try and convince the judge that he was overreaching as well.

Even if Gatlin's first suspension, the ADD one, is overturned there's still a question about when he'd be eligible to start running again. The erasure of the first test would mean a two-year suspension which the CAS said began on July 25, 2006. That means it wouldn't expire until after the trials, ending his hopes all over again.

Regardless Of U.S. Court Decision, IOC Says Justin Gatlin Still Not Welcome in Beijing originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Judge Rules for Justin Gatlin, Says Athletes Can't Be Barred From Taking ADD Drugs

Michael David Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

In a surprising turn of events, sprinter Justin Gatlin, who was banned from track and field for using performance-enhancing drugs, may get a chance to run at the 2008 Olympics after all.

Gatlin has been suspended twice, once for testosterone and before that for using an attention deficit disorder drug that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances. Gatlin brought a lawsuit alleging that punishing him for using ADD medicine violates the Americans With Disabilities Act, and today a judge ruled in his favor.

That means Gatlin's first suspension is wiped clean, and his second suspension becomes a two-year ban instead of a four-year ban. Since his second positive test happened more than two years ago, he's now eligible to run at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, which begin a week from today.

There's no way of knowing what kind of shape Gatlin is in, whether he'll be good enough to qualify for the Olympics, or whether the International Olympic Committee might still find a way to keep him out despite today's court ruling. But there's now a chance that Gatlin will run in Beijing. Few people saw this one coming.

Judge Rules for Justin Gatlin, Says Athletes Can't Be Barred From Taking ADD Drugs originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian Track and Field Team Skipping Opening Ceremonies

Josh Alper — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, Beijing, Asia

There's been talk of boycotting the opening ceremonies almost since the moment Beijing got the Olympic Games but we've got our first athletes opting out. It has nothing to do with Tibet, Darfur or lead in toys, however. The Australian track and field team won't be marching because they fear the effect smog and pollution will have on their health and pollution.

Max Binnington, Athletics Australia's national performance manager, tried to paint it as a logistical issue but his comments gave light to the real reasons behind the decision.

"We have had athletes come back from a recent test event and one athlete has got 10 days off training because of a respiratory problem," he told ABC radio. "We don't want our athletes to be undertaking that sort of risk."

Officials in Beijing are, naturally, preturbed by the attention being drawn to the pollution issue. They say it's been blown out of proportion, especially in light of the locations of former Olympics.

"For example, in Los Angeles in 1984, when conditions were considerably worse," spokesman Jeff Ruffolo said. "The smog was impenetrable, but the Games turned out sparklingly - because people left the city."

The environmental issues could be more damaging to China than any political fallout. People watch the Games to watch great athletic performance. If that doesn't come and TVs are showing a smog-ridden skyline, it won't be hard to put two and two together, cheapening the Games and embarrassing the hosts.

Australian Track and Field Team Skipping Opening Ceremonies originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cuba's Dayron Robles Breaks Hurdle Record, Showdown With China's Liu Xiang Looms

Michael David Smith — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, China, Americas

The 110-meter hurdles is shaping up as one of the biggest showdowns of the 2008 Summer Olympics, as Cuba's Dayron Robles has just broken the world record owned by China's biggest star.

Robles set a new world record by crossing the finish line in 12.87 seconds today in Ostrava, Czech Republic, breaking the previous record of 12.88, set by China's Liu Xiang. Liu is China's biggest star and its best hope of a transcendent performance in Beijing, and today's performance clearly establishes Robles as Liu's biggest rival.

Said the 21-year-old Robles:

"It's such a good time; I wasn't expecting that. Wow! I do not know if I can beat Liu Xiang in Beijing now. But we will see."

Robles beat Liu twice head-to-head last year. They won't face each other again until Beijing.

Cuba's Dayron Robles Breaks Hurdle Record, Showdown With China's Liu Xiang Looms originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Justin Gatlin's Doping Suspension Upheld, No Olympic Repeat Possible

Josh Alper — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

There will be a new 100-meter gold medalist in Beijing this summer. American sprinter Justin Gatlin's four-year ban from international competition was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sports which means no chance to compete this summer and, likely, no chance to be a serious competitor in the future.

Gatlin argued that the length of the ban was unfair because it took into account a 2001 positive doping test. He claims that the testosterone in his system at that time came from drugs he took to deal with attention deficit disorder and he claims that the more recent positive was a result of sabotage by a masseur with an ax to grind. Because he'd never doped intentionally, the argument went, Gatlin should be allowed to run at the Olympics. The CAS didn't buy what he was selling.

CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb portrayed the decision as a compromise. "Justin Gatlin wanted to participate in the Beijing Games, the IAAF wanted to see a life ban imposed on him, but the CAS panel has unanimously decided that four years was the right sanction," Reeb said.

Gatlin is 26 and by the time the London Olympics roll around will be well past the prime age for world-class sprinters. With Usain Bolt setting the world record and sprinters like Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay challenging him, the 100-meter shouldn't suffer too much from Gatlin's absence.

Justin Gatlin's Doping Suspension Upheld, No Olympic Repeat Possible originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive Olympian: Runner Mo Farah

Matt Ufford — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:50:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, Europe, Attractive Olympians

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Mo Farah immigrated to the United Kingdom from Somalia in 1993 at the age of ten. A gym teacher recognized his physical potential, and within a few years he was winning national competitions at a high school level.

These days, Farah is an accomplished distance runner training at an elevation of 7,000 feet in Arizona. He finished sixth at the 2007 World Championships in the 5,000 meters, and though he qualified for Beijing in both the 5K and 10K, he will compete only in the former in order to focus on winning a medal for his adopted country.

But let's be honest: none of his success matters unless an Internet poll of anonymous readers declares him attractive. But where might we find such a valuable addition to an enlightened discussion of sports? After the jump, of course.

Farah... Farah... Storms are brewing in your eyes.

Breaking Down the Basics

Age	25
Height	5'8"
Weight	143
Frame	Lean
Eyes	Painstakingly sensitive
Emigrated Somalia	1993
Climate in Somalia in 1993	Warlords, militias, starvation, U.N. intervention, Battle of Mogadishu
Good time to leave?	Yeah, kinda

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of Calvin Klein underwear-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympians

Maria Sharapova This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.

Brad Barket/Getty Images for IMG

Laure Manaudou: The French swimmer and Gold medal winner in the 400m freestyle holds the world records for the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

Getty Images

Anna Bessonova Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast won bronze at the 2004 games and earned gold at the World Championships in '07.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP/Getty Images

Demetrius Andrade The reigning world AIBA boxing champion at 152 pounds, Andrade was a Golden Glove winner in '06 and '07.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Alicia Sacramone: A member of the United States gymnastics team since 2003, Sacramone has earned seven medals from three world championships.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic: Serbian tennis player reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open final.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mark Davis/Getty Images

Apolo Anton Ohno: U.S. short track speed skater won TV's Dancing With the Stars, and has earned five Olympic medals, including gold in the 500m at the 2006 games.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kris Freeman: Competed for the U.S. Ski Team in cross country at the 2002 and '06 games, finishing 14th in Salt Lake City.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

James Blake: No. 9 pro tennis player in the world says he plans to represent the U.S. at the Beijing games.

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Attractive Olympian: Runner Mo Farah originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive Olympian: Modern Pentathlon Champion Eli Bremer

Matt Ufford — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA, Attractive Olympians

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

The modern pentathlon was created in the early 20th century specifically for the Olympics, and its five events are meant to showcase the talents of the ideal soldier of the time: shooting, fencing, swimming, horseback riding, and running. So it's no surprise that America's best competitor -- and best hope for an Olympic medal in the event since 1960 -- comes from our military.

Eli Bremer graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000, and was a favorite to win a medal in Athens until a broken foot kept him from competing. Now a captain in the reserves, Bremer won gold at last year's Pan-Am Games, but the truest test will be how he performs against the Eastern European monsters of the sport.

So, he's clean-cut, a serviceman, and excellent at his sport. But is he good-looking enough to catapult into the riches of major corporate sponsorship? After the jump, weigh more evidence of Bremer's looks and help us reach a superficial verdict by voting in our poll.

The air pistol really detracts from his Dirty Harry impression.

Breaking Down the Basics

Age	30ish
Hair	Blonde
Eyes	Blue
Marital status	Married to wife Cami
Blogger?	Yes, the informative, well-written and frequently updated Eli Bremer Pentathlon.
Well-connected family member	Uncle L. Paul Bremer, former U.S. envoy to Iraq
Regrets about not joining the Marine Corps instead?	Probably

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of Calvin Klein underwear-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympians

Maria Sharapova This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.

Brad Barket/Getty Images for IMG

Laure Manaudou: The French swimmer and Gold medal winner in the 400m freestyle holds the world records for the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

Getty Images

Anna Bessonova Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast won bronze at the 2004 games and earned gold at the World Championships in '07.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP/Getty Images

Demetrius Andrade The reigning world AIBA boxing champion at 152 pounds, Andrade was a Golden Glove winner in '06 and '07.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Alicia Sacramone: A member of the United States gymnastics team since 2003, Sacramone has earned seven medals from three world championships.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic: Serbian tennis player reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open final.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mark Davis/Getty Images

Apolo Anton Ohno: U.S. short track speed skater won TV's Dancing With the Stars, and has earned five Olympic medals, including gold in the 500m at the 2006 games.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Kris Freeman: Competed for the U.S. Ski Team in cross country at the 2002 and '06 games, finishing 14th in Salt Lake City.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

James Blake: No. 9 pro tennis player in the world says he plans to represent the U.S. at the Beijing games.

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Attractive Olympian: Modern Pentathlon Champion Eli Bremer originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attractive Olympian: Australian Hurdler and Sprinter Sally McLellan

Matt Ufford — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Sports, Track and Field, Attractive Olympians

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Sally McLellan is just 21 but already represents some of Australia's brightest hopes for the track and field events this summer Beijing. A semifinalist in both the 100 meters and the 100-meter hurdles at the '07 Worlds in Osaka, she will focus her efforts on the hurdles this summer in an attempt to improve her standing.

Realistically, does she stand a chance to win a medal? Probably not, but a higher-than-expected finish and a bright future in track would go nicely with McLellan's blond hair, long legs, and toothy smile -- all attributes that advertisers (and men) seem to favor.

I certainly support McLellan's quest for gold and golden opportunities, but I'm just a rogue blogger, a maverick outsider who happens to like young, fit, blond Australian women. That's why I leave it to you, FanHouse readers, to vote in the Attractive Olympian poll. Weigh more evidence (and weigh in with your vote) after the jump.

"How 'bout the power of flight? That do anything for ya?"

Breaking Down the Basics

Age	21
Height	5'4"
Weight	145
That is a densely built woman	It's all muscle
Need seven minutes of her being interviewed?	Right here
Precognitive quirk	Can predict record-breaking and hamstring-tearing races
What, no telekinesis?	Too bad -- it'd be handy
Australian for "hurdle"?	"Hurdle." Okay, so no endorsement deal with Foster's

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future a of GoDaddy.com-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympians

Maria Sharapova This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.

Brad Barket/Getty Images for IMG

Laure Manaudou: The French swimmer and Gold medal winner in the 400m freestyle holds the world records for the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

Getty Images

Anna Bessonova Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast won bronze at the 2004 games and earned gold at the World Championships in '07.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP/Getty Images

Demetrius Andrade The reigning world AIBA boxing champion at 152 pounds, Andrade was a Golden Glove winner in '06 and '07.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Alicia Sacramone: A member of the United States gymnastics team since 2003, Sacramone has earned seven medals from three world championships.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic: Serbian tennis player reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open final.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Apolo Anton Ohno: U.S. short track speed skater won TV's Dancing With the Stars, and has earned five Olympic medals, including gold in the 500m at the 2006 games.

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Kris Freeman: Competed for the U.S. Ski Team in cross country at the 2002 and '06 games, finishing 14th in Salt Lake City.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

James Blake: No. 9 pro tennis player in the world says he plans to represent the U.S. at the Beijing games.

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(Hat tip: YardBarker)

Attractive Olympian: Australian Hurdler and Sprinter Sally McLellan originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Johnson Returns His Relay Gold: 'I Know That the Medal Was Not Fairly Won'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Track and Field, USA

Michael Johnson won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics, two more golds in 1996, and two more in 2000. He's one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

But his gold medal total is about to go from five to four. One of Johnson's golds comes from the 4x400-meter relay at the 2000 Olympics, and Johnson has now learned that some of his relay teammates used performance-enhancing drugs. And in a guest column in the Telegraph, Johnson writes that he no longer wants the medal:

I'm sure that there will be calls for us to give it back. I'm not sure what will happen with that effort, but I know that the medal was not fairly won and that it is dirty, and so I have moved it from the location where I have always kept my medals because it doesn't belong there. And it doesn't belong to me. So, as difficult as it is, I will be returning it to the International Olympic Committee because I don't want it. I feel cheated, betrayed and let down.

Kudos to Johnson for having respect for the rules of international sports, and for understanding that his relay medal is tainted. Johnson isn't just one of the greatest sprinters of all time, he's also a man of integrity.

Michael Johnson Returns His Relay Gold: 'I Know That the Medal Was Not Fairly Won' originally appeared on Olympics FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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