Deontay Update

Tuscaloosa’s Deontay Wilder fought and lost in the semifinals of the heavyweight division on Friday to the well-seasoned Italian Clemente Russo, 7-1.

Wilder was the last U.S. boxer left standing and will bring back the bronze medal. Along the way, he fought well, conducted himself with great class and brought a lot of attention to spina bifida, the disease which affects his young daughter.

Many feel his professional prospects are bright, but first it’s back to college to complete his business degree.

Well done, Deontay.

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“Enhanced” Gymnastics?

Yesterday I went over to the gym for a quick elliptical trainer workout at lunch. While there, I was forced to watch equestrian and rhythmic gymnastics. The lady on the trainer next to me was really into it–and she had the remote.

I told her my whole life story, including the part about the little speeding ticket that I got fixed back in ’91, tossed her my Audi keys and blurted out the password to my bank account just so she would change the channel.

I wonder if Dick Cheney has ever thought about giving those a whirl?

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Bolt Bolts To Second Gold Medal

Sorry. I had to use that one because “lightning strikes twice” was already taken–about a gazillion times.

And this time he even ran through the tape (somebody probably gave him a talking to after the 100-meter showboating).

Yeah, he’s cocky, but mon, can he ever back it up! I like him, and I’m not going to jump on the old fogey bandwagon and start dumping on him. He’s young, on the biggest stage in the world, and he’s totally in charge. The other runners don’t seem put off by his antics at all, but instead seem to like him and enjoy being seen on the same stage with him.… Read the rest

A Ping From Beijing

I just received a ping from Beijing.

Politburo? Chinese secret police? Margaret Hoelzer?

Nope. Just THT‘s intrepid man-on-the-ground in Beijing, Mark McCarter:

Mike…Thanks for making my coverage part of your site, and for the nice plugs.

All the best…Mark

My pleasure, Mark; you’ve done a great job over there. I hope all that beach volleyball hasn’t stressed you out too much.

Give my regards to LeBron and Kobe, wouldya?

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Phelps Channels Spitz

We knew “it” was coming…

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An Ode to Olympic Moms

The Olympics Sap-o-Meter over at Slate was redlining over the weekend in the wake of Michael Phelps’ rendezvous with destiny (there, that ought to set it to twitching even more).

Apparently it was Bob Costas’ interview with Michael and his Mom that really set the too-cool-to-care cynics to clucking. Color me sappy, then, because I enjoyed it (that segment starts about 15 minutes in).

In particular, I was intrigued to learn about Michael’s struggle with ADHD and bullying classmates; as a parent, and a former “shortest and nerdiest kid in the class,” I can identify with such stories. It’s all too easy to look at the mega-million dollar freak of nature with all the O-bling around his neck and forget that he was once an awkward teen in dire need of some loving parenting and mentoring.… Read the rest

She Lived Up To Her Name

“I thank God for how far I came to be here and to have the opportunity. It’s OK. I wouldn’t trade it. If it didn’t hurt this bad, I didn’t care that much, so, yeah, it’s still worth it. I’m glad I got the chance.”

–Nigerian sprinter and former Huntsvillian Olutoyin Augustus after failing to qualify for the semifinals in the women’s 100-meter hurdles

Toyin, we understand how you feel, but please remember this: We are not disappointed in you at all.

You lived up to your name.

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