Phelps Signs New Book Deal

American swimmer and Olympic star Michael Phelps will write a book telling the story behind his record-setting run at the Beijing Olympics, a U.S. publisher announced on Friday.

Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, said that the upcoming title — to be called Built to Succeed — is scheduled for release in December, in time for the holiday season.

In addition to giving the 23-year-old swimmer the opportunity to discuss his amazing eight-gold medal performance in Beijing, the book will explore his philosophies on training and competitions as well as his childhood.

Phelps grew up in a single-parent family and struggles with attention deficit disorder, Free Press said.

Phelps, who hails from Baltimore, became the winningest Olympian in history in Beijing, adding eight gold medals to the six he won in Athens in 2004.

His performance in Beijing bested the seven gold medals haul U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz took at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Nicknamed the Baltimore Bullet, Phelps has also scored endorsement deals with a raft of major firms, including Speedo, Visa, Omega, Hilton, AT&T, PureSport and Kellogg Co.

Source: CBC, Associated Press

'Medical Passports' for 2010 Olympics?

Chief VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee)
medical officer Jack Taunton, who is in Beijing to help supervise medical care and anti-doping measures at the Olympics, said technology now exists for the medical history of every Olympic athlete to be available on an individual computer chip that can be accessed by the doctors treating them.

Having such information would end situations that occurred at past Olympics, where athletes have sometimes received improper care because attending physicians did not know their medical history, Dr. Taunton said.

"It would be like having a medical passport ... with your most recent blood tests, allergies, checkups and other health information able to be pulled up on computer. It's really exciting."

Canada and a few other countries already code their athletes' medical background, but nowhere has a comprehensive program been established at an international sporting competition.

"We're pushing very hard to have it in place for the Winter Olympics," Dr. Taunton said. "This is real cutting edge. Between now and 2010, we are really hoping other countries pick it up."

Source: Globe and Mail

Coke and Pepsi Battle in Beijing Over Olympic Athlete

Coke and Pepsi were slugging it out for supremacy outside the home of Thai Olympic boxing athlete Worapoj Phetkum, who fought in the Beijing Games this week.

PepsiCo's local distributor made the first move, erecting promotional tents at the police sergeant's home in the southern province of Surat Thani, where hundreds of people gathered for his bout against Italy's Vittorio Parrinello.

Coca-Cola's Thai agents quickly countered, offering the boxer's father, Thaweep, a deal -- on condition the Pepsi tents were removed.

In a compromise, both companies were allowed to stay, providing they behaved themselves.

"If they make problems, both will have to leave," Thaweep said.

Thai boxer Worapoj Phetkum was able to beat Parrinello, but missed out on his dream of winning an Olympic medal for his cancer-stricken father when he was beaten in the bantamweight quarter-finals by Cuba's Yankiel Leon.

Rebirth of the New Orleans Hornets: Team Unveils New Logos

To proudly showcase the images of New Orleans’ passion, heritage and future, the Hornets unveiled updated logo modifications and new team uniforms. The new designs were created in collaboration with the Hornets, the NBA and adidas, and are inspired by the emblems, colors and textures that New Orleanians and people around the world associate with the city of New Orleans.


“We are extremely proud to be the New Orleans Hornets, and our new logos and uniforms pay tribute to the past, present and future of this great city,” said Executive Officer of the Board Chad Shinn. “These exciting new designs represent our commitment to championship performance on and off the court as we look ahead to a successful future in New Orleans.”


The Hornets primary logo has been enhanced with the team’s new colors: Creole blue, a deeper, more passionate purple and Mardi Gras gold. In addition, the arms on the primary logo have been better proportioned, the ball channels have been made more accurate and “NOLA” now appears across the chest. The wordmark “New Orleans Hornets” includes more stylization linked to the wrought iron of New Orleans architecture.


The “Fleur-de-bee”, which was introduced as a patch on the team’s uniforms last season, will continue this season as the Hornets secondary logo but will be used as a major element of the Hornets brand identity. The “Fleur-de-bee” is based on the fleur-de-lis, or “flower of life”, which is an enduring image of the region’s cultural identity and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of New Orleans’ resiliency and rebirth.


A third logo has also been introduced and depicts the familiar NOLA abbreviation with a basketball and trumpet, capturing the essence of the city, its history of music and the team, and creates one cohesive mark.


The Hornets uniforms maintain consistency with the logo identity, using the same logos, fonts and colors. “New Orleans” will still be featured on the front of the home and away jerseys, making the Hornets one of only two NBA teams to wear their city’s name on the front of both jerseys. The “Fleur-de-bee” is featured on the side of the shorts and on the center back of the neck of the jersey. The NOLA horn is placed on the back of the shorts. The home (white) and road (Creole blue) uniforms also feature pinstripes, which provide a bit of jazz flair as well as pay tribute to the 20 years the Hornets franchise has been in existence. In addition, the team’s second road uniform has been retired.


The entire launch event was featured on Hornets.com in a live stream. New merchandise featuring the new colors and logos will be available immediately at the Hornets Nest team store as well as online at NBAStore.com.

Breaking News: IOC Decides to Investigate Chinese Gymnast

According to a report in the London Times, the International Olympic Committee has decided to investigate the age of Chinese gymnast He Kexin, who competed at the Olympics, to determine if she was old enough to compete.

According to the report, an IOC official said that because of "discrepancies" that have come to light, the organization will investigate He's age. The Chinese gymnast won gold in both the team competition and the uneven bars at the Games.

He used a government-issued passport to prove to the IOC that she was 16 years old — the minimum age to compete in gymnastics.

But a computer security expert told the Times he has uncovered evidence from the Chinese government that gives He's birth date as Jan. 1, 1994, making her only 14 years old.

If it is proven He is below the minimum age limit, she could be stripped of her medals.

He's age has been an issue of debate since the Games began with many questioning whether she was old enough to compete. Some critics of the Chinese gymnasts' program have also wondered whether the IOC was trying to avoid an investigation so as not to offend the Olympics' host country.

In addition to He, two other gymnasts — Jiang Yuyuan and Yang Yilin — may also be investigated for age violations as well.

NHL Stars will Tangle with Hollywood for Charity

A number of NHL stars and Hollywood celebrities will come together for the inaugural Festival Cup charity hockey game at the Air Canada Centre on Friday, Sept. 5.


Among those to take part in the game will be NHL stars Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza, Curtis Joseph, Matt Stajan, Robyn Regehr, Mike Cammalleri, Sean Avery and Andrew Ference. Celebrity players will include Tim Robbins, Alan Thicke, D.B. Sweeney, Cameron Bancroft and Jason Reitman.


Proceeds from the Festival Cup will go to Right To Play, an organization that promotes sport among children in disadvantaged areas of the world.


“I believe in the positive power of sport and play for children,” said Wayne Gretzky, Honorary Chair of Right To Play’s Canadian Advisory Board, in a statement. “In addition to keeping kids out of trouble and engaging them in a constructive activity, sports teach children many lessons and values including teamwork and determination. The Festival Cup is a great opportunity to help support the important initiatives of Right To Play.”

Kerri Walsh and the Tale of the Kinesio Tape

There has been a lot of interest in the tape used by American Kerri Walsh. She sported a web of tape on her right shoulder during her beach volleyball matches in Beijing. Walsh, who had shoulder surgery last fall to repair a torn rotator cuff, wears the thin strips primarily to relieve pain. They also correct muscle and joint function and improve circulation by applying compression to the skin. The tape itself, which goes for $15 a roll, contains no medicinal properties.

But Walsh is far from the first high-profile athlete to use the tape, says John Jarvis, director of Kinesio USA. Tiger Woods and Serena Williams have both worn Kinesio Tex Tape, says Jarvis, in addition to countless pro-baseball and football players. And in his 2003 book, Every Second Counts, Lance Armstrong raved about its effects.

While the product has been sold in the U.S. for only about nine years, it was developed more than 25 years ago by Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase and has a worldwide following too.

Source: Globe and Mail, Forbes