World's Fastest Man

The individual who holds the title of World's Fastest Man is named Usain Bolt (Jamaica). Bolt?! Are you kidding me! Who plans this stuff? That's phenomenal.

In other Olympic news, congratulations to Michael Phelps for breaking the record of most Olympic golds both in a single Olympic games, and of all time. Yeesh.Now, for an Olympic rant. I've been hearing a lot of skepticism recently about the players who compose the Olympic basketball team. NBA players, primarily. Duh. Who else would we choose? They're the best basketball players in the country.But the argument is that the Olympics is a competition for amateurs, not paid professionals. (I've heard this from multiple people for multiple Olympics, for the record.) But let's think about this, folks. All Olympians are by no means all amateurs. A significant number of these athletes who are in the major events are paid athletes. Yes, some of them are young, high school or college students. Fair enough. However, just as many of them are professional, adult, paid athletes. For example, who cycled in the Olympics for two games? Lance Armstrong. Who played tennis in this 2008 Olympics? Federer, Nadal, the Williams sisters. Michael Phelps isn't making money working at McDonald's while simultaneously training to win 8 gold medals at once and perpetually breaking his own world records as an amateur. No. He is a full time swimmer and he makes the big bucks doing it. So why do the basketball players always get the heat? Soccer, tennis, sprinters, cyclists, swimmers, beach volleyball stars--they are all full time athletes. They are professionals. So back up off Kobe, man! He's got skillz! Why shouldn't the basketball team also be composed of the best players in the country? It should. And it is.

4x100 medley relay

Jade Edmistone is an Australian breaststroke swimmer, who is the current world Adolph Gustav Kiefer was an American swimmer and the 4x100 medley relay first man in the world to swim 100 yards backstroke under 1 minute. Frank Edward McKinney Jr. was a backstroke swimmer from the United States. Christopher John Fydler is a former freestyle swimmer from Australia, who competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1992. Medley Relay event at the 2000 Summer Olympics was held in Sydney, Australia, on September 23, 2000. Ashley Callus is an Australian sprint freestyle swimmer, who won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 m freestyle relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Roland Mark Schoeman is a South African swimmer and a member of the 2004 Olympic Games swimming team for South Africa. born Australian swimmer. Klim was first selected to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada in 1994, while still a student at Wesley College, Melbourne. In 1996, he arrived at the Atlanta Olympics ranked first in the world for. Bradley Darrell Schumacher is a former freestyle swimmer from the United States, who won two gold medals as a member of the US Men's Relay Teams at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia John Devitt was an Australian sprint freestyle swimmer of the 1960s, who won a gold medal in the 100 m freestyle at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Giaan Leigh Rooney OAM is an Australian swimmer who won a gold medal in world record time with her teammates Leisel Jones, Petria Thomas, and Jodie Henry at the Athens Olympics in the Women's 4 x 100 metre Medley Relay. Vladimir Valeryevich Salnikov is a Russian former swimmer who competed for the USSR and set 12 world records in the 400 medley relay. Enter your search terms. Submit search form. Web. www.zdnet.co.za. not found. Swimming events at the 2000 Summer Olympics Freestyle 50 m men women 100 m men women 200 m men women 400 m men women 800 m women 1500 m men Backstroke 100 m men women. Ed Moses is an American swimmer who won gold and silver medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Petria Ann Thomas OAM is an Australian swimmer and Olympic gold medallist and a winner of 15 national titles.

The world record marathon time

The world record time for men over the distance is 2 hours 4 minutes and 26 seconds, set in the Berlin Marathon by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia

The Marathon Distance

Olympic Special: 100 Years of the Marathon Distance
Stefano Baldini achieved Olympic marathon glory in Athens. © www.photorun.net
Even at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the marathon was the cornerstone of track and field competition. But what is today the classic distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) was not run for the first time until the 1908 Olympics in London.
How this odd distance came about is linked—however strange it may seem—to the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906. The 1908 Olympics were originally to take place in Rome, not London. But the volcano’s eruption, which led to widespread destruction around the Italian capital, meant that the Italians had to give up the Games. Berlin was a candidate, but the German capital at that time did not possess the necessary sports facilities. So the British moved to fill the gap.
In previous Olympics, the marathon had been around 40 kilometers rather than a fixed distance, and if the Games had been held in Rome, the 1908 version would also have been 40 kilometers. In London, however, the seemingly arbitrary distance of 42.195 kilometers was run, principally because of the British royal family. At that time the course was measured back from the entrance to the Olympic stadium, 40 kilometers went as far as Eton. But the start was supposed to be directly in front of the east terrace of Windsor Castle so that the royal family could enjoy the view, so the distance became 42 kilometers.
That wasn’t the end of the matter. Another adjustment was needed in the Olympic stadium so that the finish would be in front of the royal box. So another 195 meters were added to reach what eventually became the standard distance.
The new distance, however, didn’t become universally accepted immediately. The International Olympic Committee didn’t decide until 1914 that a marathon should be 42 kilometers. After the course in Amsterdam in 1920 was extended to 42.75 kilometers, the debate began again. It was ultimately the world record committee of the International Athletics Federation, founded in Berlin in 1913, that decided in 1921 that the distance should henceforth be 42.195K.
The 1908 Olympic Marathon is memorable not only because of its distance. In fact, if the course had not been extended by 195 meters to the royal box, the winner would not have been John Hayes of the U.S., but Italy’s Dorando Pietri.
In torrid heat the Italian had been the longtime leader and was first into the stadium. On his last legs, he ran the wrong way. After officials pointed him in the right direction, he collapsed, got up and continued to stumble towards the finish line. Time and again, Pietri fell. As his nearest rival, Hayes, reached the stadium, the officials led the Italian across the finish line, which, naturally, led to his disqualification. Hayes, in 2:55:18, was pronounced the gold medalist.

NBA TEAMS BANNED FROM SIGNING IRANIAN 7-FOOTER

According to Yahoo! Sports, the NBA has sent a letter to all 30 teams informing them they are FORBIDDEN from signing 7′ 2″ center Hamed Ehadadi of Iran. Ehahadadi was reportedly close to signing a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Unfortunately, there is a federal law which prohibits “a person or organization in the United States from engaging in business dealings with Iranian nationals.”
Ehadadi has looked great for the Iranian team in the Olympics. He had 21 points and 16 rebounds against Argentina on Saturday.

Michael Phelps Won his 8th gold MEDAL!!!

Holy cracker jacks. I just witnessed history! Michael Phelps has just broken the record and won his 8th gold medal. Seriously, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I know nothing about swimming or much about sports but oh my god that was truly amazing. The man is like a dolphin or something! Are they sure he doesn’t have webbed feet??? I along with probably most of the world are in disbelief. His face when he saw he won was priceless as I’m sure mine would if I had just accomplished such a feat. His single mother, was seen in the crowd with shock and disbelief as well. I tip my hat off to you Michael as does the rest of the world. You deserve it. Now what happens when people tell you to go for the gold? You can simply tell them you already did (^_^) Michael Phelps you are officially on my “List of People to Meet in my Life”. God Bless you and congrats!

Phelps equals Spitz's gold medal record

American Michael Phelps won his seventh gold on Saturday in the Men's 100m Butterfly final at the National Aquatics Center, to equal Mark Spitz (USA) as the only person ever to have won seven gold medals at a summer Olympic Games.
But Phelps had to survive a big scare from unheralded Serbian Milorad Cavic to do it.
Phelps won in an Olympic record time of 50.58, to take his gold medal tally to seven, but by the slimmest of margins - 0.01 seconds. He had a huge battle on his hands after Cavic touched first on the 50m mark at 0.09sec under the world record.
Phelps and Cavic battled it out in the last 50m. A monumental upset looked to be approaching - until Phelps dug deep and out-touched Cavic on the wall.
Cavic finished with the silver medal in a time of 50.59.
Australia's Andrew Lauterstein won the bronze medal in 51.12. World record holder Ian Crocker of the United States swam in fourth place at 51.13.

Giovinco: ‘The Italian Messi’

This summer one of Europe’s finest young talents will be strutting his stuff at the Beijing Olympics as part of the Italian national side. The youngster’s name is Sebastian Giovinco and if you haven’t heard of him yet, you soon will.

The 21-year-old is a Juventus player but spent last season on loan at fellow Serie A club Empoli where he certainly caught the eye. At 5 ft 4, the attacking midfielder is nicknamed the ‘Atomic Ant’ and for what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in ability. Despite the youngster having played just 3 senior matches (1 start) for the Juventus first team, he is held in extremely high regard by the club and particularly the fans.

A recent contract dispute with the club led to a fans protest as it was suggested that Arsenal were to set to move for the player with Robin Van Persie perhaps heading to Turin. A poll launched on the Juve fans vecchiasignora.com website ended with a staggering 89.5% voting in favour of snubbing a potential Van Persie player-exchange offer for Giovinco from the Gunners. This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as the wonderkid has been hailed as the future of the club and heir to club legend Alessandro Del Piero.

NASCAR Rookie Standings 2007

2007 Busch Series RotY standings

1. David Ragan (#6) – 199 points
2. Marcos Ambrose (#59) – 181 points
3. Juan Pablo Montoya (#??) – 165 points
4. Kyle Krisiloff (#14) – 164 points
5. Brad Coleman (#18) – 121 points
6. Brad Keselowski (#88) – 118 points
7. Robert Richardson (#28) – 84 points
8. Justin Diercks (#??) – 51 points
9. Sam Hornish, Jr. (#12) – 35 points
10. Timothy Peters (#??) – 27 points
11. Bobby Santos III (#91) – 21 points
12. Brian Conz (#??) – 0 points

2007 Truck Series Rookie Standings

1. Tim Sauter (#07)– 123 points
2. Aaron Fike (#??)– 122 points
3. Willie Allen (#13)– 115 points
4. Blake Bjorklund (#8)– 110 points
5. Joey Clanton (#09)– 91 points
6. Jason White (#7)– 77 points
7. Tyler Walker (#??)– 51 points
8. Kelly Bires (#??)– 49 points
9. Peter Shepherd (#50)– 32 points
10. Kevin Hamlin (#4)– 26 points
11. Casey Kingsland (#??)– 5 points
12. Brian Sockwell (#54)– 1 point

Vince Young Awards

• 2007 Pro Bowl
• 2002 Pete Dawkins Trophy
• 2005 Rose Bowl MVP
• 2005 Manning Award
• 2005 Maxwell Award
• 2005 Davey O'Brien Award
• 2005 Cingular All-America Player of the Year
• 2005 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
• 2005 Consensus First-Team All-American
• 2006 Rose Bowl MVP
• "4 weeks" 2006 NFL Rookie of the Week Awards
• 2006 NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 2006 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year

Spurs New Sign; Ian Mahinmi

Ian Mahinmi (born November 5 1986 in Rouen, France) is a French basketball player. At 6'10" and 225 lbs, he plays the position of power forward.

Mahinmi was born to a Beninese father and Jamaican mother. After playing with the French National Team he signed his first contract with the club STB Le Havre (France). He played two seasons with Le Havre, averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2005-06. For 2006-07, he signed a contract with Pau Orthez in France's top professional league.

On August 2007 San Antonio Spurs have said that they have signed Ian Mahinmi.

who’s Dustin Pedroia?

Dustin Luis Pedroia currently play for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball.
Dustin Pedroia became the regular second baseman for the Red Sox in 2007. He has been known to be solid defensively. Pedroia's track record throughout his college and minor league career suggested continued success in the major leagues. However, early in the season, his batting average had fallen as low as .172. Such an average along with the great hitting of fellow teammate Alex Cora (who even batted above .400 at a point), had left Pedroia in a platoon role early in this season.

However, Pedroia has since picked up his batting average. On May 1st, his average was at a season-low .172, but Pedroia had raised his average to .322 by June 18th, aided by a 13-game hitting streak and a five-hit game against the San Francisco Giants on June 15, 2007.

Due to his production, he was named American League Player of the Week for May 28-June 3, and American League Rookie of the Month for May. So that no reason to throw out his name from Rookie of the Year nominates.

Brandt Snedeker win his first PGA title

Snedeker who born December 8, 1980 in Nashville, Tennessee began the day five strokes off the pace, fired 10 birdies against a lone bogey in the final round to finish 72 holes on 22-under par 266 and defeat countrymen Tim Petrovic, Jeff Overton and Billy Mayfair, who all finished on 268.

It was not even the best round of the debut season for Snedeker, who fired a 61 in round one of the Buick Inivtational to match the Torrey Pines course record on his way to a third-place finish, which had been his best PGA showing.

Snedeker gained a two-year US PGA exemption and a berth at next year's US Masters, an event which he had played as an amateur.

MLS Rookie of the Year Candidates

Adam Cristman, New England Revolution - Here is a guy that should get more votes and looks than he will get. He has played wonderfully so far this season I think. Stepping in for Taylor Twellman when he was gone with the national team for a few games. Four goals and four assists have made Cristman a fairly strong candidate for Rookie of the Year this season. This forth round pick has given prof that New England is still one of the best clubs at drafting young talent.

Maurice Edu, Toronto FC - I am beginning to think that Edu may be the best player on Toronto’s roster right now. The number one pick in the draft is showing us why more and more with his play. Thee goals and one assists in 17 games for Edu. He has become one of the league’s better defensive midfielders too. I think his chances of winning the Rookie of the Year award are fairly good as long as he keeps playing the way that he does. He doesn’t have to lead Toronto into the playoffs to win this award either I think.

Robbie Findley, Real Salt Lake - Here is a guy, drafted in the second round by LA and then later traded to Salt Lake when the Galaxy were roster dumping before Beckham’s arrival. Five goals on the year, Findley actually is one of the goal scoring leaders for Real this season (that isn’t saying much really). His chances in winning the award rest solely on how much more goals he scores this season.
Michael Harrington, Kansas City Wizards - The number three pick in the draft is showing his worth for the Wizards. Three goals and three assists. The better the Wizards do, the better the chances Harrington’s chances are at winning this award.

Morgan Pressel; Youngest Major Champion in LPGA

Morgan Pressel born May 23, 1988 is one of the most successful young golfers in the history of women's golf, and appears well on her way to a great LPGA Tour career.
Pressel is the youngest-ever major champion on the LPGA Tour, winning the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship when she was not yet 19, and has reached number 4 in the Women's World Golf Rankings.

Pressel began playing when she was eight years old, at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla. She lived there with her parents, and her grandparents close by. An uncle, Aaron Krickstein, was a famous tennis player who turned pro at age 16.

Rolando 'Rolandinho' Bianchi

Rolando Bianchi is one of the latest hot prospects to come out of Italy, He is widely considered as one of the brightest promises of Italian football.

Bianchi is technically very strong, with high stats in ‘heading’, ‘first touch’, and ‘positioning’, his physical attributes aren’t too bad either and during preseason his stats usually stay at a reasonable level, and once back in training they shoot back up, to leave him in perfect stead, for a rigorous season, trying to bring Manchester City competent in Premiership.His ability has been attested to recently by his high-profile move to newly taken-over Man City.Bianchi scored on his debut for City.

Gerald Green; the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest champion

Gerald Green, Jr. born January 26, 1986 in Houston, Texas.currently play for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 18th pick of the first round in the 2005 NBA Draft. He is also the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion.

Green was one of the last players to enter the NBA directly from high school, as the collective bargaining agreement between NBA owners and the NBA Players' Association now mandates that American players who enter the NBA Draft must be at least one year removed from the graduation of their high school class and reach age 19 no later than December 31 of the calendar year of the draft.

Reed Sorenson, #41 Juicy Fruit car rider

Bradley Reed Sorenson currently drives the #41 Target Dodge Charger in the NEXTEL Cup and the #41 Wrigley's Dodge in the Busch Series for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Sorenson's career started at age six when he began racing quarter-midgets. He won the national championship in 1997. He moved up to Legends cars the following year, winning 13 out of 25 races, southeastern championships and breaking track records in the process. 1999 would turn out to be a better year as he won 30 out of the 50 races he competed in. He raced in Legends for the next two years and won 84 events.
Sorenson got his first career pole on July 28, 2007, during qualifying for the Allstate 400. Sorenson also became the youngest pole winner ever at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; at 21 years, 173 days old. He broke a record that stood for 72 years. Held by Rex Mays, who won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 in 1935 at 22 years of age. Sorenson ended up leading 16 laps, and finishing in the 5th place, behind race winner, Tony Stewart.

Matías Nocedal; the next Ginobili

Manu Ginobili's success in the NBA has spawned the kind of fame normally reserved for soccer's elite, but now basketball is becoming a countrywide passion, and Ginobili is being heralded as the Michael Jordan of Argentina. As the search for the next Manu Ginobili heats up in Argentina the eyes of scouts have leveled on the thin frame of 17-year-old point guard prospect Matias Nocedal, of Argentino Castelar

Matias Nocedal, 1.94 meters of height and 17 years of age, has been yielded to Bruesa GBC for the next season. The player was signed by the Baskonia in April of 2006, signing both parts a contract of eight years of duration. At the present time, Matías has received specific training on the part of the vitoriano club, that chose to Iñaki Iriarte like its teacher in individual technique.

Nocedal is considered one of the Argentine players with greater future, and has been international with the albiceleste in all the inferior categories (until sub18). Its trajectory in Argentina is bound to the Argentinean of Castelar. For a reason or purpose individual, it was able to gain an aid of you kill in Adidas Superstar Camp de Lationamerica 2005. As far as its style of game, Nocedal can play as much of base as of escort. It knows to take advantage of his physicist to pentrar to basket and has good vision of game. In the equipment nocedal will share the perimeter with Pedro Sala, Ricardo Uriz, Isaac Lopez, Esteban Lopez and Salva Arco.

Players who's going to impact the NFL

The NFL draft is one of the most exciting times of the season for us NFL geeks. As the pre-season begins, it is time to discuss how these drafted players are going to impact the league. Each year, there is a player or two that stands out and really has an impact. Some of these players were expected to have a big influence, e.g., Reggie Bush, and some come out of nowhere, e.g. Marques Colston. This year should be no different; although I am not going to try and guess which seventh-round pick may have a positive effect on his team, I will mention some guys that could be this year’s high-impact offensive rookies. Some you know, and some you will get to know really soon:

* Marshawn Lynch - With the departure of Willis McGahee, Marshawn Lynch should step right in as the starting running back for the Buffalo Bills. Lynch is a good inside runner who can burst through the initial hole. He also has the ability to get to the corner and eat up yardage on outside runs. The thing that makes Lynch unique is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. If he can pick up the pass blocking assignments, he has the potential to be great and help his team from day one.

* Calvin Johnson - Some are touting Johnson as the best WR prospect in years. This tall, fast, physical receiver has landed in Detroit where he can be a star immediately. He’s in the perfect situation as he has a proven star, Roy Williams, playing opposite him. Williams should help him avoid double teams.He is also in Mike Martz’s pass-happy offense, and Jon Kitna is going to love throwing to this super star!

* Anthony Gonzalez – Gonzalez is just what the doctor ordered in Indianapolis. The Colts offense is designed to have three great receivers. With the loss of Brandon Stokley to Denver, the Colts needed a third receiver and they found him in Anthony Gonzalez. He is a smart receiver that runs good routes and isn’t afraid to go over the middle. He is not your typical home run hitter, but Indy has Wayne and Harrison for that. Gonzalez should have 50-60 catches, which will loosen things up for Manning and the other offensive weapons.

* Tony Ugoh - It seems odd that we have two rookies on this list from the Super Bowl Champs. The Colts didn’t expect Tarik Glenn to retire this off-season but are glad they drafted Big Tony Ugoh as his replacement. Tony will be thrust into the starting line-up and expected to protect Manning’s blindside. He needs to work hard on his footwork and his ability to get to the second level. He has to get the job done from day one or Manning may look like David Carr, on his back.

* Brandon Jackson - Jackson reminds me of another Green Bay runner, Ahman Green. He is quick and shifty with the ability to run up the middle and outside. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. With a lack of experienced RBs, the Packers will count on Jackson to learn quickly and make an impact. He is the future in Green Bay, and the future has to be now.

These are the guys that have a real chance to be high-impact rookies. Guys like Adrian Peterson and Robert Meacham will struggle this year, although they may have great careers. Do you have other rookies you believe will be big contributors this year? I would love to hear from you.