Literally. Just today the Spanish synchronized swim team was ousted from the Olympics for using flashing lights in their swimsuit during their routine. Olympic officials claimed the lights were an accessory, which are not allowed during the competition. The swimmers countered with the fact the lights were sewn in, and that if that were the case, then sequents would have to be considered accessories as well.
“It looks a bit like Christmas lights,” added the Spaniard, one half of the team that won silver at the last world championships and are favourites for a medal in Beijing.
Swimming’s world governing body, which sets swimsuit rules for a sport where sequins are almost obligatory, said the lights were an accessory but Fuentes still hoped they might back down.
“This is a very conservative sport … their excuse that is you cannot have accessories on your swimsuit, but they are sewn in. If you use those standards, sequins are a type of accessory.”
While they raise some good arguments, they are still lights in a bathing suit. Not everyone has full access to that kind of technology, and the organizers simply don’t want to see a beautiful sport turn into a freak show. If the girls were smart, they would stick with the regular shiny suits. They work just fine.
It took a while to find this on youtube, but alas, it was well worth it. One of the best Olympic dunks I have seen since the 2000 Vince Carter dunk on France. Enjoy Mr. Wade:
The Indian Shooter Abhinav Bindra, who went on to win Gold, discovered that his sights had been tampered with prior to the final round. Each player is given the opportunity to test and refine his equipment - only 3 minutes. When Bindra readied himself for the last round, he found his site was significantly off (to the point that he was shooting at amateur-levels). Luckily, he had time to correct his site and went on to win.
It is important to note that it is unlikely that something was unintentionally altered. It was not as simple as laying down the weapon incorrectly, or that through josteling it would come out of position.
What makes the allegations so important is that they are being made by a winner, not by an individual who believes he/she was cheated out of a medal. Bindra has very little to gain out of this accusation, other than trying to bring about the truth.
Rob Riggle - Chasing the Dragon
Even I felt insulted by some of this commentary - sure, the racial stereotypes are meant in jest, but the squinty eyes stuff is a little much, especially considering the sore wound from Spain’s basketball team.
The Telegraph
“China’s Army of Student Fans Drilled Like Soldiers”
Never affraid to release controversial information, the Telegraph’s expose on China’s trained fans would certainly upset any host country. Honestly, though, did China really think they could essentially hire people with cheap tickets and get away with it? No one can get that excited about synchronized swimming.
The Onion
China Backs Out of Beijing Olympics
You knew this one was coming. Honestly. The Onion’s brand of humor has no place in the world of Chinese officials. I would be surprised if this one hasn’t been banned for years.
NewTeeVee
How to Pirate the Olympics
Great idea, not only turn major media conglomerates who paid major buck to get exclusive access to feeds, but at the same time toss a little gas onto the China-is-an-international-hub-of-piracy flame. My guess though, NewTeeVee doesn’t give a crap about any of that; and if the once did, they certainly don’t anymore.
Athlists
The Fake Olympics
You can’t get 2000 diggs on a story claiming that the Beijing Olympics are fake and deceitful without raising an eye-brow or two. Just look at the comments - people are pissed. I guess you can’t get much more insulting than comparing their 7-year-old national-anthem singer(?) to Milli Vanilli. That is just wrong.
DeadSpin
If Team USA Fails… Will Whores be to Blame
Great work here folks, let’s make sure that everyone knows about Beijing’s problem with a rampant paid-sex industry. On top of that, let’s claim that if America loses, it will be Chinese whores who are responsible, not our team who might make the horrendously stupid decision to actually solicit one.
The Guardian
Giving Voice to the Olympic’s Biggest Traitor
Beijing is not exactly happy with Ai Weiwei right now. The creator of the amazing “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium decided to take his international recognition for this amazing design, and turn it into an opportunity to speak out against the government. Maybe the Guardian can ask for a little leniency, seeing as they are the medium, neither the message nor the messenger.
SBS Global (and everyone else)
Leaked Practice Footage of Opening Ceremonies
Honestly, who is going to die here? A banned site would be the best of circumstances for whomever decided to sneak this film to the press. China was reportedly furious over the release, which made its way around the web faster than Michael Phelps in a 200 meter freestyle. You should probably add to the list The Australian, which appears to be the only remaining major news provider willing to show the video.
Yesterday a deal was reached between the Dodgers and the Red Sox over star Manny Ramirez. Earlier this week many reportedly stated he was unhappy in Boston and wanted out. Manny has said that many times before, but this was for real.
Boston will now have to surrender 2 of their top prospects and pay the remainder of Manny’s contract just to get rid of him. Manny’s salary (topping 20 million) is larger than the rest of the Dodger’s payroll.
I’m not much for women sports. It’s not because I’m a male pig, but it’s because the games tend to be less physical than the male counterparts of the sports. For instance, the WNBA doesn’t have dunking (except for Candace Parker), who happens to be the star of this video. Ladies and gentlemen, the first WNBA cat fight:
After years of discus heaving, I ran across this video of the winning throw from 2007. Notice the perfection of his spin. Left foot to center, spin, drop right, and rotate while releasing the disc and staying inside the circle. Absolutely amazing form from the guy.
During the 2008 UNC versus Duke basketball game, I had quite a responsibility. For three years, I was the main student in charge of ushering nearly 6,000 students into each game through six designated phases in a span of 2.5 hours. For nearly every other ACC game it was a breeze. However, running the Carolina/Duke basketball means taking more of a pounding than the sweet spot on Josh Hamilton’s bat in the HR Derby.
Amidst the chaos I was introduced to the annoying Dick Vitale, the vivacious Erin Andrews, and a slew of other famous broadcasters and semi-famous celebrities (John Edwards was still in the presidential race at this point). I never apologized for seeming short tempered with them, but nearly 800 seniors had decided to camp out in the woods next to the Dean Dome to avoid being arrested for trespassing.
Many reporters got in the way . . . Dicky V pulled some out of line for a photo op (not surprisingly against their will), and one reporter caught the bad end of standing in a door ways as trigger was pulled for open seating. But one girl was lingering around the lines, and her . . . microphones . . . had every male’s attention. We knew her, but we didn’t know her. After the game, further research revealed the missed opportunity of a lifetime: she was the FSU Cowgirl, also known as Jenn Sterger.
Whether if you like sports or not, every man should know the story of Jenn Sterger. Jenn is a multitalented beauty, because she didn’t only captivate the wide world of sports, she also dominated the Internet. Her name still yields over 800 Google searches daily, and we all will remember her face, but very few people know who she is underneath the Maxim and Playboy shoots.
Fate was on Sterger’s side during the 2005 Florida State/Miami football game as a camera happened to pan across her section. On national television, on game announcer Brent Musburger proclaimed “Fifteen hundred red-blooded Americans just decided to apply to Florida State” as the camera fixed on the barely clothed FSU cowgirls. He could not have been more correct. In this section of the ACC, it is “fashionable” to wear your favorite pastel sundress and crokies to cheer on your beloved team. First of all, that is not comfortable and there is no way you can prove that it is. Second of all, no school colors look like the aftermath of my dog nomming 17 Easter eggs and throwing them back up. It’s all just silly. We applaud Sterger for having the core elements for being a fan intact: being comfortable, sexy, and actually wearing school colors.
After that FSU/Miami game, Sterger’s career took off. She appeared as the cover girl for not only Maxim, but also Playboy as well. Her intelligence and looks also propelled her into careers with Sports Illustrated and currently Sprint Exclusive Entertainment. Sterger showed that there is success into dressing scantily clad at any sporting event.
European soccer has kept this trend for many years now. The girls of Brazil, Italy, England, and France all embrace sexuality in fandom. For every girl that dresses in minimal clothing and secures decent seats, camera time is guaranteed. And when the camera fixates on a beautiful woman, opportunities arise. Although we don’t know the names of the girls, the Internet has forever crowned them as the queens of their teams. If they were to pull this stunt in America at multiple events, stardom would surely come with persistence.
Just ask “superfan” Cameron Hughes, who has used his goofy antics at sporting events to rake in a six figure salary. Note to owners across the nation: hott girls draw more attention from men than any “superfan” ever will. Plaster business logos all over Hughes plus sized body: men see none. Place ONE logo on the bosom of a Jenn Sterger: men see one, research it, and buy it in multiples within three hours after the game. It’s the simplest form of marketing that very few sporting arenas use. Dance girls and cheerleaders aren’t the same as true, devoted fans.
And as Jenn Sterger’s career has started to take off, very few girls have followed in her footsteps. For any girl wishing to follow, remember, securing great seats at huge games requires hours of waiting and patience. After you are sure the camera focuses on you or your friends, submit it to the large social networks such as Digg, Reddit, Stumble Upon, etc. Once you have circulated across the Internet, introduce yourself as the [your school’s] girls, and release more photos. Fame will come; you just have to be enduring in the sexy fan endeavors.
