If the Swiss have their way, countries would be limited to entering just 10 of 14 Olympic rowing classes. The proposal, which will be voted on by the 126-member FISA (the sports’ world governing body), is designed to give smaller nations an opportunity to qualify for the final heats.
Many oppose the measure, including John Coates, a member of the FISA Council as well and the International Olympic Committee. He told the Associated Press last week that in his view, the proposal would do limit to help international rowing.
Only one country–Australia–competed in all 14 rowing categories in Beijing last August. Germany …read more

Lauren Bay Regula was really stingy as she only gave up one hit in five innings while her teammate, Megan Timpf, went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, leading Canada to a 6-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in women’s softball.
In case you don’t know, Bay Regula could just be genetically engineered to pull off such a feat since her brother, Jason Bay, is an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox.  She finished the game with eight strikeouts before switching off with Robin Mackin to start the sixth.
Each country plays seven preliminary games.  Canada will next play the Netherlands on Wednesday …read more

American swimmer, Michael Phelps, continues to take the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by storm by breaking three world records as he earned three gold medals.  He is now tied with Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis for the most decorated Olympians in history. 
He won the 200m freestyle which, if you remember, was the race that he lost at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics when, at just 19 years of age, he went up against Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband.  This time, there was no doubt – Phelps dominated the race finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the rest …read more

By Guest Blogger Bo Durkop
Lopez Lomong of Sudan has come a long way to make it to the Olympics, and in more ways than one. His inspiring journey is one that has inspired all who have heard it. As a six year old boy, Lomong was separated from his parents, kidnapped by a government-backed militia, and was taken to a work camp.

Lomong remained there before being adopted by the family in upstate New York.
Among some of his favorite memories with the American family he calls his own are of weekends watching cartoons.
“I watched a lot of Tom and Jerry …read more

By Guest Blogger Bo Durkop
Although most individuals tend to slow down at when they reach their forties, swimmer Dara Torres, age 41, is still highly competitive. Torres has been making waves long before setting the American record in her event (the 50m) at the 2008 U.S. trials.

In 1982 when she was just 14 years old, Torres broke her first of three world records. Torres is the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics and has the distinction of being the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Olympic games.
Torres is one of only five women to swim …read more

By Guest Blogger Bo Durkop
In Sunday morning’s events swimming dominated the news. Michael Phelps earned his first Olympic Gold of the 2008 Beijing games, shattering his previous record in the Men’s 400-meter individual medley. With one event down, Phelps still has seven more gold medals to win in order to surpass Mark Spitz record for most gold medals won in a single olympics. Spitz won his seven gold medals during the 1972 Olympics.

Several countries made good showings today in Beijing. In the Women’s 400-meter individual medley, Stephanie Rice of Australia won the gold medal in record fashion with a …read more

Here are today’s scheduled events:
 

Archery

Women’s Team Archery – 1/8 Eliminations
Women’s Team Archery – Quarterfinal matches

Badminton

Women’s Singles – Round of 64 matches
Women’s Singles – Round of 32 matches
Men’s Singles – Round of 64 matches
Women’s Doubles – Round of 16 matches

Basketball

Women’s – Preliminary Group A game 3 (RUS vs LAT)
Women’s – Preliminary Group A game 2 (BRA vs KOR)
Women’s – Preliminary Group B game 2 (ESP vs CHN)
Women’s – Preliminary Group B game 3 (USA vs CZE)
Men’s – Preliminary Group A game 1 (RUS vs IRI)
Men’s – Preliminary Group B game …read more

Image details: 2008 Australian Championships: Day 1 served by picapp.com

It has been revealed that Australian swimmer, Stephanie Rice, underwent a secret surgery last Wednesday to remove a nodule from her esophagus (it was causing chronic indigestion).  It’s a bit of a risk, with just weeks remaining before the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. 
Her coach, Michael Bohl, broke the news yesterday – the same day her world record was broken (by 0.34 seconds) by American rival, Katie Hoff.
Rice was back to training the next day (I think that’s a bit foolish but these athletes don’t become the …read more

Image details: Germany v Spain – UEFA EURO 2008 Final served by picapp.com

Spain has won the 2008 Euro Cup!  They faced off against Germany today for the cup final and ultimately won 1-0.  There were so many close calls and truly heartbreaking moments for the German team.  For continuing soccer coverage, visit The Footie.
Technorati Tags: soccer,euro cup,spain,2008

Double-amputee sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, has won his appeal and will now be allowed to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games!  I am extremely happy for him. 
Yesterday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport unanimously ruled in favor of the 21-year-old South African athlete, making him eligible to race against able-bodied athletes.  Originally, the International Association of Athletics Federations had banned him from the sport claiming that the metal in his running blades gave him an unfair advantage.

“I am ecstatic,” Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. “When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on …read more