Thursday, November 27, 2008

Bundesliga overtake English Premier League in shirt sponsorship value

Figures released today show that German football's top domestic league, the Bundesliga, has overtaken the Barclays Premier League as the league with the largest total income from shirt sponsorship.

According to figures from SPORT+MARKT's tenth annual European Jersey report,published in UK newspaper, The Times, Bayern Munich are ahead of Manchester United in having the single most valuable shirt sponsorship deal.

However, the move is attributed in part only as a consequence of German top-flight clubs becoming more attractive billboards for sponsors. The economic climate and the drop in the exchange rate of the pound against the Euro have been largely responsible for reducing the value of English sponsorship deals relative to those of the top European clubs - even though the contracts have not been renegotiated.

The Times, also reports that the overall level of shirt sponsorship across the six main European leagues has dropped for the first time, from €405.3million (about £344.2million) in 2007-08 to €393.2million this season.

“Due to the weak British pound, Bayern Munich beat Manchester United to the title of the most valuable jersey deal,” Hartmut Zastrow, the executive director of SPORT+MARKT, told the paper.

“The main reasons why the Bundesliga now generates higher income from jersey sponsorships than the Premier League lies in [clubs] lacking jersey partners and the current weakness of the British currency. The sponsor of West Ham United, XL airlines, went bankrupt, West Bromwich Albion have yet to find a partner and Aston Villa now bears the logo of a charity organisation on its jersey.

“The Bundesliga is the winning league in this jersey report after slipping behind the English FA Premier League last season. For the first time revenue from jersey sponsorship in the Bundesliga exceeds the €100million mark. No other league has reached such a consistency of sponsorship deals for all teams.”

Source: www.sportbusiness.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Fernanda Brags photos: Cristiano Ronaldo girlfriend is a prostitute, according to British Paper

What a report! "The News of the World" affirms that Cristiano Ronaldo's latest girlfriend as a cocaine-selling prostitute.



Friday, September 12, 2008

Spain – Russia go for Fed Cup Final at Madrid

This weekend, Spain and Russia meet in the Fed Cup final. Russia have been the most dominating country in the Fed Cup in recent years winning in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

No other country has won the Fed Cup multiple times since the turn of the century. USA are the all-time record holder with 17 wins.

Spain are ranked fourth with five Fed Cup trophies. Their last win was ten years ago when they beat Switzerland in 1998.

Most wins Fed Cup since 2000
# Country Years

3 Russia 2004, 2005, 2007
1 USA 2000
1 Belgium 2001
1 Slovakia 2002
1 France 2003
1 Italy 2006

Overview of Fed Cup winners
# Nation Year(s)
17 USA 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2000
7 Australia 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974
5 Czechoslovakia 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988
5 Spain 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998
3 Russia 2004, 2005, 2007
2 Germany 1987, 1992
2 France 1997, 2003
1 South Africa 1972
1 Belgium 2001
1 Slovakia 2002
1 Italy 2006

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Games Today Highlights 23-24 08 08 WS PDTV torrent "BBC"

Many people around the World enjoy "Games Today Highlights", the BBC programme that expressed the best of the Olympic Games day by day.

Please, if you know where we can find the torrents BBC GAMES TODAY HIGHLIGHTS of AUGUST 12TH, 23RD and 24TH and if you know more about Beijing 2008 highlights torrents, please lets us know.

We really appreciate it :-)

Friday, September 5, 2008

Rafael Nadal: Grand Slam semifinalist again

Rafael Nadal will play Andy Murray for a place in the Men’s Singles Final of the US Open tomorrow. According to Infostrada, The Spanish world number one became the fifth player in the Open era to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in a single year.

Nadal can win his third Grand Slam tournament in 2008 if he wins the US Open.
Including 2008, Roger Federer has reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams for the fourth straight year.
Rod Laver is the only player to have won all four Grand Slams in one year.

Reaching semifinals of all Grand Slams in single year
Name NOC Year Australian Open Roland Garros Wimbledon US Open

Rafael Nadal ESP 2008 Semifinal Won Won TBD
Roger Federer SUI 2008 Semifinal Runner up Runner up TBD
Roger Federer SUI 2007 Won Runner up Won Won
Roger Federer SUI 2006 Won Runner up Won Won
Roger Federer SUI 2005 Semifinal Semifinal Won Won
Ivan Lendl TCH 1987 Semifinal Won Runner up Won
Rod Laver AUS 1969 Won Won Won Won
Tony Roche AUS 1969 Semifinal Semifinal Semifinal Runner up

Friday, August 29, 2008

Keeley Hazell sexy photos after Olympic Games

The world knows her name since Tuesday, when she welcomed the British Olympic Team. We are sorry but it is difficult to find photos of Keeley Hazell with clothes… Here we have some of them.




Keeley was sporting a gold spray paint on her body and a golden medal as a way to show her support to the British Olympic heroes’ success at the Beijing Games.


She revealed: “To go to the Olympics and win so many golds was brilliant. All our athletes have made the nation feel great again”.


Thursday, August 28, 2008

Stephanie Rice photos and profile: she is the Australia Swimming present and future



Here we have Stefanie Rice profile, three gold medals winner in Beijing 2008:

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Won two bronze at 2007 FINA World Championships¼.won gold in 200 & 400m IM at 2006 Commonwealth Games¼.selected on 2006 Australian Commonwealth Games Swim Team aged 17....won two bronze at 2006 Pan Pacific Championships¼.won two gold and 'Female High Pointscore Award' at the 2005 Junior Pan Pacs¼.won a gold, two silver and two bronze at 2004 Oceania Championships¼.has won 14 gold, eight silver and three bronze at four Australian Age Championships¼.current world record holder in 200 & 400m IM (long course)

FAMILY MEMBERS: Mum - Raeline, Dad - Warren, Step Dad - Allan, Step Mum - Annelouise, Brother - Michael, Sister - Courtenay; WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU: People who achieve goals I want to achieve



STUDIES/OCCUPATION: Student at QUT - Nutrition;


SPORTS BEFORE SWIMMING AND SPORTS YOU PLAY NOW: Hockey, tennis, netball;


INTERESTING FACTS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU: Scared of dogs because I was bitten when I was six months old - I needed stiches in my head;


SUPERSTITIONS: Obsessive compulsive about routines;


RELAXATION: Movies and massages;


SPECIALITY IN THE KITCHEN: Salads;


ONE THING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: Phone or internet;


WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AWAY FROM SWIMMING: Dancing and shopping.

FAVOURITE SPORTING TEAM: Dolphins;


MOVIES: Zoolander;


TV SHOW: Prison Break, The OC, America's Top Model, Grey's Anatomy;


BANDS/MUSIC: Anything new - dance style; CDs: Ministry of Sound;


FOODS: Salads and Italian; DRINK: Diet Coke/Pepsi Max;


SWIM MEET: Commonwealth Games;


HOBBIES: Re-organise my room, make jewellery; PETS: Dog - Missi;


WHAT'S YOUR GREATEST ASSET? Aware of my weaknesses;


HAVE ANY OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS REPRESENTED AUSTRALIA OR PLAYED SPORT AT A NATIONAL LEVEL? None;


WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
Bohly because he has guided me to achieve my goals and help me to become the person I want to be;


HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS? Welcoming, funny and helpful;


HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? Someone who was supportive to everyone;


SWIMMING ULTIMATE GOAL: OIympic Golds; PERSONAL AMBITIONS: Travel the world with Swimming team;


HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY OBSTACLES DURING YOUR SWIMMING CAREER? Sickness - glandular fever, two years on and off. 2004 tonsils and adnoids removed;


FAVOURITE ATHLETE AND WHY? Susie O'Neill; MOST NOTABLE QUOTE: "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve."

Thank you Swimming Australia for this Info.


Yang Wei future is unpredictable for China


Yang Wei is 28 years old and nobody knows what he will do. It is time to enjoy what he was able to do.

Here we have all his worldwide podiums:

Gold 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Team competition
Gold 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Individual all-around
Gold 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Team competition
Silver 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Rings
Gold 2007 Stuttgart World Championships Team competition
Gold 2007 Stuttgart World Championships All-around
Gold 2006 Aarhus World Championships Team competition
Gold 2006 Aarhus World Championships All-around
Gold 2006 Aarhus World Championships Parallel Bars
Gold 2003 Anaheim World Championships Team competition
Silver 2003 Anaheim World Championships All-around
Bronze 2002 Debrecen World Championships Vault
Silver 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Individual all-around
Gold 1999 Tianjin World Championships Team competition
Bronze 1999 Tianjin World Championships High Bar

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Argentina 1 – Nigeria 0: Ángel Di María goal decided the gold medal in football


Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0. This is the second football gold medal in a row for Argentina who reached 12 matches won in a row too.

Most consecutive wins – Olympic Men's Football
# NOC Start date Match which ended streak

12 Argentina 10 Aug 2004 Running
8 Uruguay 25 May 1924 Uruguay - Argentina 1-1 AET (10 Jun 1928)
8 Hungary 15 Jul 1952 Denmark – Hungary 2-0 (06 Sep 1960)
7 Soviet Union 01 Dec 1956 Soviet Union - Poland 1-2 (05 Sep 1972)
7 Hungary 09 Sep 1960 Hungary - Ghana 2-2 (15 Oct 1968)
7 Spain 24 Jul 1992 France - Spain 1-1 (22 Jul 1996)

Argentina's current winning streak
Year Phase Match Result

2008 Final Argentina – Nigeria 1-0
2008 Semifinal Argentina - Brazil 3-0
2008 Quarterfinal Argentina - Netherlands 2-1 AET
2008 1st Round Argentina - Serbia 2-0
2008 1st Round Argentina - Australia 1-0
2008 1st Round Ivory Coast - Argentina 1-2
2004 Final Argentina - Paraguay 1-0
2004 Semifinal Italy - Argentina 0-3
2004 Quarterfinal Argentina - Costa Rica 4-0
2004 1st Round Argentina - Australia 1-0
2004 1st Round Argentina - Tunisia 2-0
2004 1st Round Argentina - Serbia and Montenegro 6-0

Chen Zhong bio and photos: taekwondo



China’s Chen Zhong will go for her third Taekwondo Heavyweight gold on Saturday.

Only six women have previously won an individual event at three Olympic Games.

Dutch woman Anky van Grunsven was the most recent, winning her third gold in Individual Dressage at Beijing 2008.

Chen can become only the 10th athlete to win the first three editions of a specific event at the Olympics.

Only three of the previous nine athletes managed this in an individual event.

The last one to do so in an individual event was Dane Paul Elvstrøm who won Sailing gold in the Finn event in the first three Olympics in which this event was held (1952, 1956 and 1960).

Chen Zhong can become the first female athlete to win the opening three editions of an individual event, according to Infostrada Sports. Here we have her Bio.

Winning an individual event three times – Women at Olympic Games

Name Nation Sport Event Years
Dawn Fraser AUS Swimming 100m Freestyle 1956, 1960, 1964
Larissa Latynina URS Gymnastics Floor Exercise 1956, 1960, 1964
Krisztina Egerszegi HUN Swimming 200m Backstroke 1988, 1992, 1996
Birgit Fischer GER Canoe / Kayak K4 500m 1996, 2000, 2004
Valentina Vezzali ITA Fencing Individual Foil 2000, 2004, 2008
Anky van Grunsven NED Equestrian - Dressage Individual Dressage 2000, 2004, 2008



Yelena Isinbayeva boyfriend: Jorge Balliengo photos; Olympic romance

Jorge Balliengo and Yelena Isinbayeva (or Yelena Isinbaeva) are friends since Athens 2004, or before... But now it seems that it is an official new romance in Beijing 2008 Olympic Village. TV News Program from Argentina confirms it.

Apparently, the Russian pole-vaulter visited him to Argentina many times and the Rosarian thrower often sees her when he travels to Europe.

You know that Yelena is record woman, but he also has records: he is the best South American discus thrower in the history (including Brazil, of course) . He was injured last year but could qualify to Beijing 2008.

It seems that Novak Djokovic and Leryn Franco makes them to think a lot about romances in China. Congratulations Yelena and Jorge!




Friday, August 22, 2008

Michael Phelps: Sports Illustrated cover "The All Time Olympian"; Mark Spitz too




Nike at Olympics

Nike Brand President Charlie Denson labelled Beijing 2008 “the best Olympic games Nike has ever had. And that's by a considerable amount.”

Nike is not an official Olympic Games Sponsor. But in an interview with CNBC he said that “with the performances of the Chinese Olympic team and what effect they have on the China market, the performances of the US Olympic team and everything that's gone on in that regard back in the USA, and our affiliations with the relationships with the athletes all over the world, this is the best Olympic games Nike has ever had. So for us, it's been a great, great experience.”

He said Nike has exceeded “$1 billion here in China. We exceeded that target ahead of time. We are the number one brand here in China. All of our figures show we are at least 30 percent separated from our nearest competitor. And we've been in this marketplace a long time. We started here in 1980. We know the market very well. We are very connected to the consumer and we really feel good about our number one position here in China.”


Source: Sport Business

Brazil 3- Belgium 0: another South American bronze medal


I wasn’t enough. Ronaldinho and company are not happy, but Belgium couldn’t repeat a podium in football as many decades ago. At Shanghai, Brazil (Diego and Jô, twice) beats Belgium 3-0 to reach thirteen Brazilian medals in Beijing 2008.

Line-ups:
Belgium:
Logan Bailly, Sepp de Roover, Thomas Vermaelen, Sebastian Pocognoli, Jeroen Simayes; Faris Haroun, Jan Vertonghen, Marteen Martens, Tom de Mul; Kevin Mirallas and Moussa Dembele.

Brazil: Renan, Rafinha, Alex Silva, Breno, Marcelo; Hernanes, Ramires, Anderson, Diego; Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Jô.

Argentina – Nigeria preview: the football final; remembering Atlanta 1996



The end comes. Only one will win the gold medal. The other team will win a brilliant silver medal. At National Stadium, Beijing 2008 will have a new Olympic Champion on Sunday. Both teams want the second gold medal in the football history.


Probable line-ups:
Nigeria:

Vanzekin - Olubayo, Apam, Adeleye, Ambrose - Promise, Kaita, Ajilore, Obinna - Okoronkwo, Odemwingie.

Argentina: Romero - Garay, Monzón, Zabaleta, Gago – Riquelme,
Di María, Pareja, Messi – Mascherano, Agüero.

The following are key facts and figures for the Men's Olympic Football final between Argentina and Nigeria on Saturday, 23 August; according to Infostrada Sports.

Head-to-head
Argentina is looking to avenge their 3-2 defeat against Nigeria in the final of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
The 1996 final is the only time Argentina and Nigeria have met at the Olympic Games.

Argentina
Javier Mascherano is the only player to return from the team that won Gold at Athens 2004.
Argentina has won one Gold and two Silver medals at the Olympics.
Argentina has won their last 11 matches at the Olympic Games.
The last time they did not win was against Nigeria in the final at Atlanta 1996 (3-2).
Argentina has scored 10 goals at Beijing 2008. Sergio Agüero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lionel Messi are shared top scorers with two goals each.

Nigeria
Nigeria has won one Gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Nigeria has scored 10 goals at Beijing 2008.
Victor Obinna is the top scorer with three goals.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Usain Bolt: 200 metres world record holder: 19.30; he takes Michael Johnson feat; 200 metres ranking




This Jamaican guy is incredible. Olympic winner in 100 and 200 metres, two world records...

Michael Bolt left behind Michael Johnson history. Incredible.

Rank Result Wind Athlete Nation Date Place

1. 19.30 −0.9 Usain Bolt Jamaica 20 August 2008 Beijing
2. 19.32 +0.4 Michael Johnson United States 1 August 1996 Atlanta
3. 19.62 −0.3 Tyson Gay United States 24 June 2007 Indianapolis
4. 19.63 +0.4 Xavier Carter United States 11 July 2006 Lausanne
5. 19.65 ±0.0 Wallace Spearmon United States 28 September 2006 Daegu
6. 19.68 +0.4 Frank Fredericks Namibia 1 August 1996 Atlanta
7. 19.69 +0.9 Walter Dix United States 26 May 2007 Gainesville
8. 19.72 +1.8 Pietro Mennea Italy 12 September 1979 Mexico City
9. 19.73 −0.2 Michael Marsh United States 5 August 1992 Barcelona
10. 19.75 +1.5 Carl Lewis United States 19 June 1983 Indianapolis
+1.7 Joe DeLoach United States 28 September 1988 Seoul

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Argentina 3 - Brazil 0: Aguero makes magic; Olympics football history



Argentina beats Brazil 3-0 (Aguero twice, Riquelme) and will face Nigeria in the final. At Atlanta 96 the African Team won the gold medal against Argentina U-23: they won 3-2.


Former Medal Winners


Gold / Silver / Bronze

1900 Great Britain France Belgium, Great Britain B
1904 Canada USA USA B
1906 Denmark Smiyrna (International Team) Greece
1908 Great Britain Denmark Netherlands
1912 Great Britain Denmark Netherlands
1920 Belgium Spain Netherlands
1924 Uruguay Switzerland Sweden
1928 Uruguay Argentina Italy
1932 no Olympic football tournament
1936 Italy Austria Norway
1948 Sweden Yugoslavia Denmark
1952 Hungary Yugoslavia Sweden
1956 Soviet Union Yugoslavia Bulgaria
1960 Yugoslavia Denmark Hungary
1964 Hungary Czechoslovakia East Germany
1968 Hungary Bulgaria Japan
1972 Poland Hungary Soviet Union, East Germany
1976 East Germany Poland Soviet Union
1980 Czechoslovakia East Germany Soviet Union
1984 France Brazil Yugoslavia
1988 Soviet Union Brazil West Germany
1992 Spain Poland Ghana
1996 Nigeria Argentina Brazil
2000 Cameroon Spain Chile
2004 Argentina Paraguay Italy

Nigeria 4- Belgium 1


Wanting to repeat Atlanta 1996 glory

Argentina – Brazil: is this match the football final?

People say that this match will decide the gold medal. But be careful: during Atlanta 1996, Nigeria (will face Belgium) beats Brazil in semifinals and Argentina in the final.

Bonustrack: former partners Messi and Ronaldinho will be face to face…

The Lineups:
Brazil:
Renan – Rafinha, Hernanes, Alex Silva, Marcelo – Anderson, Lucas,
Ronaldinho (cap.), Diego – Breno, Pato.
Coach: Dunga.

Argentina: Romero – Garay, Monzón, Zabaleta, Gago – Riquelme (cap.),
Di María, Pareja, Messi – Mascherano, Agüero.
Coach: Batista.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Novak Djokovic - Leryn Franco: Olympic romance

Novak Djokovic arrives at Beijing 2008 alone. But it seems that he found good friendship in the Olympic Village: Leryn Franco.

Franco is a 26 year-old javelin athlete and is the Paraguayan record woman (55, 34 mts). But also is a top model: in 2006, she was awarded as First Princess in the Miss Bikini Universe.

Leryn is competing in her second Olympics, thanks to a burgeoning modeling career that gave her the financial support to continue competing in javelin competitions. Since finishing 42nd in Athens, Franco has balanced her athletic career with both the modeling and pageant work. Well done, Nole!









Friday, August 15, 2008

Chinese deception

Olympic host China’s performance in the Football tournament was similar to that of other hosts in recent Olympic Games. China, like five of the last six host nations were knocked out in the group phase.

Since 1920, only Spain (1992) have hosted the Olympic Games and won gold in Football.

Performance of host NOC in Olympic Men’s Football

Year Host Nation Finishing position
2008 China 3rd of 4 in Group phase
2004 Greece 4th of 4 in Group phase
2000 Australia 4th of 4 in Group phase
1996 USA 3rd of 4 in Group phase
1992 Spain Winners
1988 Korea 3rd of 4 in Group phase
1984 USA 3rd of 4 in Group phase
1980 Soviet Union Third place
1976 Canada 3rd of 3 in Group phase
1972 West-Germany Second round
1968 Mexico Fourth place
1964 Japan Quarterfinals
1960 Italy Fourth place
1956 Australia Second round
1952 Finland First round
1948 Great Britain Fourth place
1936 Germany Second round
1928 Netherlands First round
1924 France Third round
1920 Belgium Winners
1912 Sweden First round
1908 Great Britain Winners

Rowing finals: Kathrin Boron, Doina Ignat and Georgeta Andrunache go for five golds

Three women can win a record-equalling fifth Olympic gold medal in this weekend’s Rowing finals but one can win a sixth.

Romanians Doina Ignat and Georgeta Andrunache were both part of the winning Women's Eight at Athens 2004 and both won their fourth Olympic gold medals.

Both compete again in the Women's Eight final on Sunday, 17 August but Andrunache is also in the final of the Women's Pair on Saturday, 16 August and can therefore win her fifth and sixth golds.

Germany’s Kathrin Boron can also win her fifth Gold medal in Beijing 2008 and will be competing in the Quadruple Sculls final on Sunday, 17 August.

Romania’s Elisabeta Lipa and Great Britain’s Steve Redgrave hold the record with five gold medals.

Most successful Olympic Games participants - Rowing

Rk Name Gender NOC G S B T First Last
1 Elisabeta Lipa F ROU 5 2 1 8 1984 2004
2 Steve Redgrave M GBR 5 0 1 6 1984 2000
3 Doina Ignat F ROU 4 1 0 5 1996 2004
4 Matthew Pinsent M GBR 4 0 0 4 1992 2004
4= Kathrin Boron F GER 4 0 0 4 1992 2004
4= Georgeta Andrunache F ROU 4 0 0 4 2000 2004

7 Jack Beresford Jr. M GBR 3 2 0 5 1924 1936
8 Constantina Burcica F ROU 3 1 0 4 1996 2004
8= Elena Georgescu F ROU 3 1 0 4 1996 2004

10 Kathleen Heddle F CAN 3 0 1 4 1992 1996
10= Marnie McBean F CAN 3 0 1 4 1992 1996
10= James Tomkins M AUS 3 0 1 4 1992 2004

Bold indicates rowers competing at Beijing 2008

Olympic athletics: track and field history

he Olympic Athletics competition begins in Beijing on Friday, 15 August and the United States are again expected to be the most successful nation as they have been in the last six Olympic Games and all but three in Olympic history.

In 2004, their eight gold medals ranked as the lowest number of golds for a leading nation until Marion Jones (USA) had three golds and two bronze medals taken away from her, causing their 2000 tally to drop to seven golds and 15 total medals.

Just before Beijing 2008 began, the American Men’s 4x400m relay team were also stripped of their gold medal at Sydney 2000 taking the US total to six golds and 14 medals in total.

This is still enough to name the US as the most successful nation in Athletics at Sydney 2000, according to Infostrada.

Most successful nation in Athletics for each Olympic Games

Year Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
2004 United States 8 12 5 25
2000 United States 6 4 4 14
1996 United States 13 5 5 23
1992 United States 12 8 10 30
1988 United States 13 7 6 26
1984 United States 16 15 9 40
1980 Soviet Union 15 14 12 41
1976 East Germany 11 7 9 27
1972 Soviet Union 9 7 1 17
1968 United States 15 6 7 28
1964 United States 14 7 3 24
1960 United States 12 8 6 26
1956 United States 16 10 5 31
1952 United States 15 10 6 31
1948 United States 12 5 10 27
1936 United States 14 7 4 25
1932 United States 16 13 6 35
1928 United States 9 8 8 25
1924 United States 12 10 10 32
1920 United States 9 12 8 29
1912 United States 16 14 11 41
1908 United States 16 10 8 34
1904 United States 23 23 22 68
1900 United States 16 13 10 39
1896 United States 9 6 1 16

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Olympic girls in Playboy: Petra Niemann, Nicole Reinhardt, Romy Tarangul, Katharina Scholz photos (Germany)

People are asking for these German girls...

While we are searching a video, here we have the photos of Petra Niemann, Nicole Reinhardt, Romy Tarangul and Katharina Scholz. Which one do you prefer?


Top Model Leryn Franco deserve a place in the podium too.

If you want to know more about each girl, here we have their Bios:

Petra Niemann (Sailing)
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=62301/bio/index.html

Nicole Reinhardt (Rowing)
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=56140/bio/index.html

Romy Tarangul (9th place, -52kg, Judo)
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=60731/bio/index.html

Katharina Scholz (Field hockey)
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=60214/bio/index.html

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Swimming stars: Leisel Jones gold medal



Leisel Jones has finally won the individual gold medal that was her destiny when she made her debut as a wide eyed 15-year-old at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Jones obliterated the field in the 100 metres breaststroke at the National Aquatics Centre, hitting the wall in 1:05.17 – the second fastest swim in history behind her own world record of 1:05.09 – and 1.56 seconds ahead of runner- up Rebecca Soni of the USA. Austrian Mirna Jukic was third in 1:07.34.

Finishing behind Jones in sixth place with a time of 1:07.63 was compatriot Tarnee White. White finished seventh in the Sydney Games final.

Jones, who is coached by Rohan Taylor, said she had tried to enjoy the experience and admitted to a feeling of relief when it was all over.

“It was just nice to get out there and I just really soaked up the atmosphere,”
Jones said.

“I really tried to look at the crowd and actually take it all in. I was almost skipping out there I was so excited.

“It actually didn’t matter about outcomes, I knew I did everything possible and if someone was faster then that was going to be the case.

“At the end I guess there was a little bit of shock and probably more relief. It has been a long journey, it’s been a long eight years and I think a lot of relief that the training was definitely worth it.”

It was Jones’ sixth Olympic medal, the 22-year-old joining fellow swimming greats Frank Beaurepaire, Murray Rose and Michael Klim in sixth place on the list of Australia’s top Olympic medal winners.

When Jones won the silver at the Sydney Games it seemed only a matter of time before she climbed to the top of the breaststroke pile. She began breaking records and winning some of the smaller international meets, all the while building to what seemed like her birth right.

But she stumbled in Athens four years later, winning silver in the 200m and bronze in the 100m to go with relay gold. It was an emotional time.

Sceptics said she couldn’t make it to the top. Many saw her as weak of mind, if not strong of spirit. In truth she was a normal teenager struggling with normal insecurities. The problem being she was doing it in front of a fawning Australian public.

Jones thought of quitting many times, battled depression and equated her self worth to medals won in the pool

Now she is secure in the fact she has grown into a mature woman with great perspective, a young lady who doesn’t need to win gold to justify her being. It’s no small coincidence that now she has the gold too, a more balanced life coming with the benefits of better performances in the pool.

“The swimming part is only a very small margin in my life and I just enjoy it,”
Jones said of her change in attitude.

After the medal ceremony Jones climbed into the stands to steal a hug and a kiss from her mother Rosemary and fiancée Marty Pask.

Asked whether she would swim on now that she has won the elusive Olympic gold, Jones offered hope that she would be at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“I think I’ve enjoyed it so much, I would hate to finish and know that there’s still a flame burning inside and like [rugby league coach] Wayne Bennett said ‘don’t die with the music in you’,” Jones said.

“I think I’ve still got so much more growing to do and so much more learning.

“[long time 200m rival] Amanda Beard is on her fourth Olympics so it’s not out of the question.”


Source: Australian Olympic Committee

Friday, August 8, 2008

Leni Larsen Kaurin: the Fastest goal in Women's Football at the Olympic Games

Leni Larsen Kaurin (NOR) scored the fastest ever goal in the Women's Olympic Football tournament when she opened the score against the USA after 61 seconds of their match.

The previous fastest goal in the Women's tournament was scored in 1996 when Pia Wunderlich (GER) scored in the fourth minute against Brazil.

Norway's second goal of the match against USA was also scored in the fourth minute, equalling the previous record.

Fastest goals in Women's Football at the Olympic Games

Time Match Player
61 secs Norway - USA (06 Aug 2008) 2-0 Leni Larsen Kaurin (NOR)
4th min Brazil - Germany (25 Jul 1996) 1-1 Pia Wunderlich (GER)
4th min Norway - USA (06 Aug 2008) 2-0 Melissa Wiik (NOR)
5th min Germany - Japan (21 Jul 1996) 3-2 Bettina Wiegmann (GER)
5th min China PR - Brazil (28 Jul 1996) 3-2 Sun Qingmei (CHN)
5th min Norway - USA (28 Sep 2000) 3-2 Tiffeny Milbrett (USA)
6th min Norway - Germany (23 Jul 1996) 3-2 Ann Kristin Aarones (NOR)
6th min China PR - Sweden (06 Aug 2008) 2-1 Xu Yuan (CHN)

United States and China go for 100 medals

In 2004, the United States won more than 100 medals at the Olympic Games, the 15th time that this had happened. China and USA are expected to repeat this feat in Beijing.

The United States have had personal hauls of at least 100 medals at seven Olympic Games, including three of the last four.

The former Soviet Union (including Unified Team), East Germany and Great Britain are the only other countries to have picked up at least 100 medals at a single Olympic Games.

East Germany (1980 and 1988) and the United States (1992) won over 100 medals but failed to top the medal table.

The record number of medals won by a country at an Olympic Games was 233 by the United States at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis.

Nations winning 100+ medals in edition of Olympic Games

Total Nation Edition Gold Silver Bronze
102 United States 2004 36 39 27
101 United States 1996 44 32 25
112 Unified Team 1992 45 38 29
108 United States 1992 37 34 37
132 Soviet Union 1988 55 31 46
102 East Germany 1988 37 35 30
174 United States 1984 83 61 30
195 Soviet Union 1980 80 69 46
126 East Germany 1980 47 37 42
125 Soviet Union 1976 49 41 35
107 United States 1968 45 28 34
103 Soviet Union 1960 43 29 31
103 United States 1932 41 32 30
136 Great Britain 1908 55 46 35
233 United States 1904 75 79 79

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Michael Phelps: the recordman


In March 2007, Michael Phelps won seven gold medals at the 2007 World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

Michael Phelps broke Ian Thorpe’s record of six gold medals at a single World Championship edition, set in 2001 in Fukuoka, Japan.

Michael Phelps’ 20 career World Championship medals make him the most decorated swimmer in the history of the World Championships, improving upon Grant Hackett’s previous record total of 18 medals.

His total of 23 world record improvements in Olympic events is only bettered by Mark Spitz, who posted 27 world record improvements.

His total of seven medals also equalled the record for most medals at a single World Championships, sharing this record with Michael Klim and Matt Biondi, according to Infostrada.

Now he goes for eight gold medals at the same Olympics Game and beat Mark Spitz record.


Most gold medals in a single World Championships edition

# Name Nation Edition Gender
7 Michael Phelps USA 2007 M
6 Ian Thorpe AUS 2001 M
5 Jim Montgomery USA 1973 M
5 Tracy Caulkins USA 1978 F
5 Michael Phelps USA 2005 M
5 Libby Lenton AUS 2007 F
4 Kornelia Ender GDR 1973 F
4 Kornelia Ender GDR 1975 F
4 Kristin Otto GDR 1986 F
4 Heike Friedrich GDR 1986 F
4 Le Jingyi CHN 1994 F
4 Michael Klim AUS 1998 M
4 Jenny Thompson USA 1998 F
4 Michael Phelps USA 2003 M

Most medals at World Swimming Championships – all time

# Name Nation G S B Gender Edition(s)
20 Michael Phelps USA 17 3 0 M 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
18 Grant Hackett AUS 10 5 3 M 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
16 Natalie Coughlin USA 6 6 4 F 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
15 Jenny Thompson USA 8 5 2 F 1991, 1994, 1998, 2003
13 Michael Gross FRG,GER 5 5 3 M 1982, 1986, 1991
13 Ian Thorpe AUS 11 1 1 M 1998, 2001, 2003
11 Matt Biondi USA 6 2 3 M 1986, 1991
11 Alexander Popov RUS 6 4 1 M 1994, 1998, 2003
11 Libby Lenton AUS 7 2 2 F 2003, 2005, 2007
11 Antje Buschschulte GER 3 5 3 F 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005
11 Leisel Jones AUS 7 2 2 F 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007

Breaking most swimming world records (Olympic events only)

# Name Nation Individual Relay
27 Mark Spitz USA 23 4
23 Michael Phelps USA 20 3
23 Kornelia Ender GDR 23 0
19 Dawn Fraser AUS 15 4
18 Ian Thorpe AUS 13 5
17 Ragnhild Hveger DEN 15 2
17 Donna de Varona USA 14 3
16 Roland Matthes GDR 16 0
15 Debbie Meyer USA 15 0
15 Don Schollander USA 12 3

Most medals in a single World Championships edition

# Name Nation Edition Gender Gold Silver Bronze Total
7 Michael Phelps USA 2007 M 7 0 0 7
7 Michael Klim AUS 1998 M 4 2 1 7
7 Matt Biondi USA 1986 M 3 1 3 7
6 Ian Thorpe AUS 2001 M 6 0 0 6
6 Tracy Caulkins USA 1978 F 5 1 0 6
6 Michael Phelps USA 2005 M 5 1 0 6
6 Kristin Otto GDR 1986 F 4 2 0 6
6 Michael Phelps USA 2003 M 4 2 0 6
6 Shirley Babashoff USA 1975 F 2 3 1 6
6 Mary T. Meagher USA 1986 F 1 3 2 6

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Rafael Nadal is the new number one of the world


On monday, or few weeks later, Nadal will be the number one of the world. Here we have the youngest tennis player to reach the ATP Tour first position.

Player / Date / Age
Lleyton Hewitt November 19th 2001 20 years old, 8 months
Marat Safin November 20th 2000 20, 9 months
John Mc Enroe Mach 3rd 1980 21, 15 days
Bjorn Borg August 23rd 1977 21, 2 months
Andy Roddick November 3rd 2003 21, 2 months
Rafael Nadal ? 22, 2 months

Yelena Isinbayeva, the recordwoman

Yelena Isinbayeva broke the pole vault world record for the second time this month, vaulting 5.04m in Monaco. She is the first athlete this year to break a world record twice. Her last world record before 2008 dates to 2005.

It was the seventh time that an athletics world record has been broken in 2008. Isinbayeva improved the world record for the 15th time. Sergey Bubka improved the men’s pole vault world record 17 times in his career.

Athletics World record improvements in 2008

Date / Event / Name / Performance

29 Jul 2008 Women’s Pole Vault Yelena Isinbayeva Russia 5.04 Monaco, MON
11 Jul 2008 Women’s Pole Vault Yelena Isinbayeva Russia 5.03 Rome, ITA
12 Jun 2008 Men’s 110m Hurdles Dayron Robles Cuba 12.87 Ostrava, CZE
08 Jun 2008 Men’s 20km Walk Sergey Morozov Russia 1:16:43 Saransk, RUS
06 Jun 2008 Women’s 5000m Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia 14:11.15 Oslo, NOR
01 Jun 2008 Men’s 100m Usain Bolt Jamaica 9.72 New York, NY, USA
11 May 2008 Men’s 50km Walk Denis Nizhegorodov Russia 3:34:14 Cheboksary, RUS

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Gilles Simon made history

Before the arrival to semifinals, Gilles Simon was the 14th French player to defeat an ATP number one, since 1973. Here we have the previous players:

Yannick Noah (Lendl 1986 and 1990)
Guy Forget (Edberg and Becker 1991)
Sebastien Grosjean (Moya 1999 and Hewitt 2003).
Henri Leconte (Lendl 1983)
Christophe Roger-Vasselin (Connors 1983)
Cedric Pioline (Courier 1993)
Jerome Golmard (Agassi 2000)
Arnaud Clément (Agassi 2000)
Arnaud Di Pasquale (Safin 2001)
Julien Boutter (Kuerten 2001)
Nicolas Escudé (Hewitt 2001)
Richard Gasquet (Federer 2005)

Friday, July 25, 2008

Carlos Sastre wants the Tour de France

On Sunday, 27 July, current overall leader Carlos Sastre is one of the big favourites to win the 2008 Tour de France.

If Sastre succeeds, it will be the third straight Spanish overall win in the Tour de France, all by different riders. In 2006 and 2007, Óscar Pereiro and Alberto Contador won the Tour de France respectively.

It would then be the seventh time in Tour de France history that one country has had three different winners in three successive years.

According to Infostrada, France hold the record with five different winners in the first five Tour de France editions.

Most different riders from same country to win consecutive Tour de France editions

# Nation / Era / Riders


5 France 1903-1907 Maurice Garin, Henri Cornet, Louis Trousselier, René Pottier, Lucien Petit-Breton
3 Belgium 1919-1921 Firmin Lambot, Philippe Thys, Léon Scieur
3 Belgium 1920-1922 Philippe Thys, Léon Scieur, Firmin Lambot
3 France 1931-1933 Antonin Magne, André Leducq, Georges Speicher
3 France 1932-1934 André Leducq, Georges Speicher, Antonin Magne
3 France 1955-1957 Louison Bobet, Roger Walkowiak, Jacques Anquetil


On Wednesday, 23 July, Carlos Sastre claimed the yellow jersey after he won stage 17 of the 2008 Tour de France finishing at L’Alpe-d’Huez.

Sastre is already the seventh different rider to lead the Tour this year.
The record for most overall leaders in a single Tour de France edition is eight (in 1958 and 1987).

Most overall leaders per Tour de France edition

Year / Leaders / Rider (# yellow jerseys)


1958 8 Favero (ITA) 6, Darrigade (FRA) 5, Geminiani (FRA) 4, Voorting (NED) 3, Van Est (NED) 2, Gaul (LUX) 2, Hoevenaars (BEL) 1, Bauvin (FRA) 1
1987 8 Maechler (SUI) 7, Mottet (FRA) 6, Delgado (ESP) 4, Roche (IRL) 3, Piasecki (POL) 2, Gayant (FRA) 2, Nijdam (NED) 1, Bernard (FRA) 1
2008 7 Evans (AUS) 5, Kirchen (LUX) 4, Valverde (ESP) 2, Schumacher (GER) 2, F. Schleck (LUX) 2, Sastre (ESP) 2, Feillu (FRA) 1
1949 7 Marinelli (FRA) 6, Magni (ITA) 6, Coppi (ITA) 5, Dussault (FRA) 1, Lambrecht (BEL) 1, Callens (BEL) 1, Bartali (ITA) 1
1951 7 Koblet (SUI) 11, Levêque (FRA) 6, Diederich (LUX) 3, Rossi (SUI) 1, Biagioni (ITA) 1, Van Est (NED) 1, Bauvin (FRA) 1
1962 7 Planckaert (BEL) 7, Altig (FRG) 4, Darrigade (FRA) 4, Schroeders (BEL) 3, Anquetil (FRA) 3, Geldermans (NED) 2, Simpson (ENG) 1
1968 7 Van den Berghe (BEL) 12, Van Springel (BEL) 6, Grosskost (FRA) 3, Wolfshohl (FRG) 2, Genet (FRA) 1, San Miguel (ESP) 1, Janssen (NED) 1
1978 7 Bruyère (BEL) 8, Raas (NED) 4, Zoetemelk (NED) 4, Hinault (FRA) 3, Thaler (FRG) 2, Knetemann (NED) 2, Bossis (FRA) 1
1986 7 Lemond (USA) 7, Pedersen (DEN) 5, Hinault (FRA) 5, Marie (FRA) 3, Van der Velde (NED) 2, Stieda (CAN) 1, Gaigne (FRA) 1
1998 7 Pantani (ITA) 7, Ullrich (GER) 6, O'Grady (AUS) 3, Boardman (ENG) 2, Desbiens (FRA) 2, Zabel (GER) 1, Hamburger (DEN) 1
2006 7 Pereiro (ESP) 7, Boonen (BEL) 4, Gontchar (UKR) 3, Landis (USA) 3, Hushovd (NOR) 2, Hincapie (USA) 1, Dessel (FRA) 1

Monday, July 14, 2008

Wimbledon: Low-Ranked Semifinalists

Rainer Schuettler, at No. 94 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, became the third-lowest ranked player to reach the semifinals (or better) at Wimbledon in this decade:

Rank / Result

Vladimir Voltchkov No. 237 2000 SF - l. to Sampras
Goran Ivanisevic No. 125 2001 Winner - d. Rafter
Rainer Schuettler No. 94 2008 SF - l. to Nadal
Marat Safin No. 75 2008 SF - l. to Federer
Jonas Bjorkman No. 59 2006 SF - l. to Federer
Mark Philippoussis No. 48 2003 Finalist - l. to Federer
Xavier Malisse No. 35 2002 SF - l. to Nalbandian
David Nalbandian No. 22 2002 Finalist - l. to Hewitt