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Friday, October 31, 2008
DWTS: Cloris Leachman Exits The Show
It seem inevitable that Leachman was leaving the how, as the judge only awarded her 15 points.
Critics of Leachman says that her dance routines lacked difficulty and substantive choreography but then again she is entertaining the world at the age of 82-years-old. That is a feat in its self.
Former Olympic Champion Maurice Greene and dance partner Cheryl Burke safely made it to week seven.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.com.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Jones To Sit On The Couch For An Image Makeover
In case you have been locked in a closet, Oprah Winfrey’s televised talk show has become the perfect vehicle for celebrities and other well-known figures to salvage their reputation or to fight a controversy.
A quick review of the previous guests, we see that the Queen of Television has interviewed stars from Madonna to Jennifer Anistron, so why not Marion Jones?
The point is that Oprah brings her moneymaking and star power in everything that she does and all those big names that featured as guests on the talk show had nothing to lose from it. To the contrary, one might say. In the light of all this, no one could possibly blame Jones for wanting to be on Oprah's show.
What is next for the fallen star? Marion will probably embark on writing a book and then hit the road on a speaking tour to tell kids how to not ruin your life?
The trouble-prone former Olympian is said to appear on Wednesdays episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”in no doubt to clear her name of all the negative attributes that have accompanied the six month jail term after denying for lying about previous drug use.
Jones's tell-all interview on Wednesday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is to be her first interview since she was released September 5 from a Texas federal prison after completing most of her six-month sentence for lying about steroid use.
The sprinter admitted last October that she used a designer steroid known as "the clear" from September 2000 to July 2001. Her admission came after years of denials. Marion is on probation and had to get permission to appear on the show, which devoted its full hour to the interview.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.com.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Marshevet Hooker For Adidas Sprint
Adidas continued its unending support for sprinters with the Adistar Sprint.
Was it shoes some have asked. Marshevet Hook, a former University of Texas standout had her best season to date, earning a birth to the 2008 Olympic Trials, highlighted with a fifth place finish (22.34) at 200-meters in Beijing. Even with a wind, the 10.76 she put down at the quarterfinal round of the 100-meters at the Olympic trials was jaw dropping.
According to adidas, the Sprint boasts a synthetic upper with hook-and-loop closures provides variable adjustment and support. Foam insole adds comfort. Pebax® and TPU plate with replaceable spike elements offers lightweight performance and durability.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Others Sports Have a Drug Problem, Too
The National Football League is a prolific money maker. It generates millions in revenues, sells millions more in apparel, and most every form of media benefits from the top professional sport.
Listening to the mainstream media would lead one to believe track and field is full of drug cheats, and that NFL is squeaky clean.
The dirty little secret is that the NFL most certainly has a performance drug problem so big that it that makes Sarah Palin look competent.
The league’s linebackers weigh a whopping 270 pounds and nearly all run close to 4.5 in the 40-yard run.
Denver's FOX-31 dropped a bomb shell that Deuce McCalister and Will Smith of New Orleans are reportedly tested positive under the NFL’s steroid policy as a result of taking water pills to lose weight, according to a report from Fox 31-Denver reporter Josina Anderson.
He reportedly said, “There are about six to ten overall positive tests. Three to four of them are from the Saints organization alone including McAllister and Smith.
When used as a masking agent a diuretic dilutes the urine, which results in lower levels of the banned substance being excreted from the body. That can make it more difficult to detect banned substances.
The NFL boasts of its drug-testing program that nets a few players here and there. Sure, those offensive lineman are blowing up to 350 pounds on eating right and lifting weights. Right. That’s believable.
The NFL drug testing policy is soft and been criticized by the World Anti-Doping Agency, but the league has rejected any talk of meeting WADA standards.
But there have been clear signs of a drug problem. Some recall the 2006 federal conviction of Dr. James Shortt, who supplied the steroid and human growth hormone prescription to four players of Carolina Panthers.
One of these players was punter Todd Sauerbrun, who was taking steroids. The punter had obtained syringes and injectable Stanozolol, the same chemical Ben Johnson used before the 1988 Olympics. If a punter is taking steroids, common sense tells us that others are using as well.
Cut Track and field some slack, as it has a comprehensive drug testing program and the worlds toughest penalties. The sport is ahead of the curve on the drug issue compared to the likes of the NFL.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Kicks: Nike Zoom Forever Men's Cross Country Spike
The Nike Zoom Forever is one of the most popular XC/Distance spikes. It is ultra light at 5.9oz and its classic waffle sole with replaceable spikes makes it good for any surface.
It has cushioning to withstand the continuous pounding during races, the marraige of weight and cushioning make this spike comfortable. The Forever is great for races from 800-meters to 10,000- meters.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Florida's Speedy Jeffrey Demps
He is probably the fastest college football player in the nation and getting past the speedy label, establishing himself with each passing game as an explosive running back.
Jeffrey Demps of the No. 5 Florida Gators had a key punt block against the University of Kentucky. He got to the ball so early, that he thought he was late.
Demps, the national junior record holder in the 100 meters at 10.01 seconds, has some moves but blows by defenders with his blinding speed.
Freshman athlete Jeff Demps led Florida in rushing with seven rushes for 50 yards, receiving on the day with four receptions for 67 yards with a 61 yard touchdown reception.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Friday, October 24, 2008
It’s Official: Team XO Will Disband
The 2008 – ’09 season has not even kicked off, and already bad news is flooding in the sport.
The post-collegiate running team, Team XO has recently announced it is ceasing operations due to lack of sponsorships, the latest evidence that in the U.S. track and field is in financial decay.
One of Team XO’s founders Ross Kremply took to his personal blog on Runnerspace to deliver the dreaded news saying:
“As all of you know, Team XO has been very hard to maintain over the past 6 years. And to be honest, the team would have folded years ago without the support and energy from you guys and the community.”
“The business model for XO was based on a small team that was easy to manage and relatively cheap to run,” he wrote. “But as the years passed by, the team kept increasing while the budget stayed the same.”
Krempley however did indicate that he would keep the Team XO organization intact for the high school meet, which is held in conjunction with the Oregon Relays. However, all other aspects of the team are being shut down, such as entry fees, uniforms and travel expenses.
In previous seasons, the Eugene, Oregon-based team got by on a bare bones $15,000 annual budget and over the years Krempley watched the budget remain the same while the expenses soared in light of the team’s growing roster.
Hip hop poet Sean “Diddy” Combs said it best: “It’s all about the benjamins baby.”
A post-collegiate team is compromised of high-caliber runners that continue running without the all-important shoe contract that many of the biggest names in track such as Sanya Richards, Walter Dix, and Bianca Knight have in order to train and compete.
Runners without a shoe contract are forced to go at it alone to raise funds for training costs, which include: living expenses, health insurance, personal trainers, coaching, travel, and equipment.
A gaping hole now exists in the sport in the absence of Team XO. Sure, it comes to no surprise to those around pro track that the organization will not go on but its demise is sad and a sign of sports health.
One of the critical issues facing the sport today is that of cultivating athletes in order to produce athletes at international championship level meets. Countless stories exist of athletes quitting the sport due to financial turmoil and frankly that has to become a thing of the past.
The writing is on the wall. The 2008 Beijing Games served as final notice to those in denial that business as usual is over for the U.S. in terms of dominating while spending relatively little on the sport's infrastructure.
The sports leadership had better be worried that Team XO for the most part is shutting down their operations, as the organization put forth six provisional qualifiers at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene last summer.
The demise of Team XO further underscores the need of track and field to develop a comprehensive plan to maintain its existing base while growing the sport in this country.
A nation without a mechanism to develop talent is the sign of national athletic program on the decline.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
DWTS: Maurice Speeds Through Performance
In a pleasant surprise, Olympian Maurice Greene arguably had his best night. He responded to partner Cheryl Burke's demands and delivered a sizzling salsa. Even if Cheryl called him "lazy" during a frustrated rant in the rehearsal studio.
It was an upset on the show this week. Toni Braxton was this week’s celeb-castaway. Cloris Leachman is safe for another week, but Toni Braxton wasn’t so lucky on the DWTS results show. The singer and her professional partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC’s popular dancing competition.
Celebrities remaining in the competition include TV personality Brooke Burke; singer Lance Bass; former NFL star Warren Sapp; Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene; actor Cody Linley; and actresses Cloris Leachman and Susan Lucci. Chef Rocco DiSpirito, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, actor Ted McGinley and comedian Jeffrey Ross were previously eliminated.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Trevor Graham Sentenced For Pack of Lies
The final chapter is closing on a story that many would agree has turned into a nightmare for track and field.
Former coach Trevor Graham has been sentenced to a year of house arrest and five years probation for lying during the BALCO doping investigation.
Is the sentence fair? Sure. The Jamaica-born coach was not convicted of steroid distribution but he knowingly concealed doping activities.
Coaches have a significant influence on the lives of young athletes. The judge went to great pains to give the proper sentence without going over board.
I am no Trevor Graham sympathizer.
But is there a conspiracy? After the Mitchell Report and confirmed doping in so many other sports, I find it odd that for the most part individuals connected with track and field are the only ones to see jail time.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Novel Concept Adopted By London Olympic Committee
Either by choice or necessity, most people in the world live on some form of a budget. The sports chiefs have decided to scale back the Olympic Park and Olympic Village in order to stay within the overall budget.
The decision was based in part on the tightening credit market which has made financing nearly impossible without paying near loan sharking rates.
British Olympic Association are shuttering at the thought of athletes sharing flats during the 16-day competition.
Instead of 4,200 flats, as first configured, it is expected to contain 2,700 flats. The flats would be sold on the open market after the Games to recoup partially the significant public investment in the construction.
Officials told the Timesonline:
“Room configurations will be developed and finalised in accordance with IOC regulations, taking into account the experiences in the Beijing 2008 Games and the requirements of national Olympic committees and national Paralympic committees.”
The urge to keep up with the Beijing Games is a natural one. British officials should erase the memories of Beijing out of their mind completely.
The Beijing Games were financed in a much different environment. London officials will come to regret their actions to over spend to keep up with Beijing, especially if the later on in the project the government is forced to nationalize the project.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.com.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Kicks: Nike Zoom Victory Spike
It is common knowledge that the lighter the shoes, the better. Run to victory in the super lightweight Nike Zoom Victory Men's Track Spike is the ultimate mid-distance spike for elite athletes competing in 800m to 5000m runners.It weighs a grand total of 93 grams. What is the cause for this drastic weight reduction you ask? The Nike Flywire technology.
High strength Flywire technology in the upper minimizes overlays and maximizes strength and durability. The shoe features compression molded Flashion foam for a lightweight, responsive foot strike and improved TPU Sharkskin outsole for reduced weight and the ultimate grip on any surface.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Powell's Run Only Raises More Questions
I still have not completely given up on him. On one hand, Asafa Powell the man voted least likely to earn an international medal in a solo event now holds the world’s fastest relay split.
Interesting.
According to the USATF High Performance Registered Split Analysis team, it was Powell not Bolt that ran a historic 8.70 seconds on the winning Jamaican 4x100-meter relay team that crossed the line in 37.10 seconds to break the USA’s previous mark of 37.40 seconds.
It was Powell who came in with second fastest 100-meter time in history and then in Beijing failed to crack the top three slots of the open 100-meters, but some how with a stick in his hand he reached a point that only Bob Hayes and Carl Lewis have seen before.
American superstar Bob Hayes blazed 8.74 seconds at the 1964 Tokyo Games when his time is converted. Carl Lewis ran 8.85 on anchor leg at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when the U.S. first established the previous world record.
Then again, Powell is the previous world record holder, boasting a lifetime best of 9.72 seconds. He has proven that he can run 9.82 in the pouring rain, while jumping rope and drinking a latte.
Which leads to my next question. What is going on inside his head?
Reality tells us that the world has only seen a limited portion of what Powell can do on the track but the clock is ticking on Powell’s career and he seems like a nice enough guy, so I have a recommendation.
Powell should run his open races with a baton in his hand, imagining that he is running anchor on the 4x100-meter. The results could not be any worse than the fifth place finish in Beijing.
Sure--Powell might be the subject of ridicule by his peers, but he would be an immediate media darling for making their jobs that much easier.
Powell’s career and self esteem would benefit from seeking the counsel of a reputable sport psychologist to help with establishing relaxation techniques leading up to and during the race.
It would be money well spent even during a global financial crisis.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
DWTS: Greene Close To The Edge
How much longer can Maurice go?
The competition to remain on ABC's Dancing With The Stars is steadily increasing with each passing week. This week, Maurice Greene and his partner, Cheryl Burke performed the Samba. The former Olympic 100-meter gold medalist proclaimed that “the samba’s the party dance but man, partying has never been this hard!”
During the practice sessions, Cheryl enlisted the help of Maurice's daugher to help relax her dad and have a little bit of fun. In the performance, Maurice danced to "That's the Way I Like It," in a big afro wig and generally the dance came off as fun, albeit he appeared to miss the beat on a couple occasions.
With that, Carrie Ann said that she felt he was “stuck in the same place” and he is developing as a dancer. Bruno commented that it was “not so fabulous” and that at this point in the competition, he wants to “see some precision” in the dances.
Len said that “that’s the way I sort of like it.” He thought Maurice got the “fun element” of the dance and that it was “fun to watch.” They had a score of 22 out of 30 points.
Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) and online polls will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will remain open until noon (Eastern Time) on the day of the results show.
To vote for Maurice Greene, dial 800-868-3404. The text-in code is 3404.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Kicks: Air Jordan Classic - Midnight Club - LA
In honor of the upcoming video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles, creators of the game, Rockstar Games has teamed up with Jordan Brand.
These shoes take inspiration from the Air Jordan II released in 1987. These Midnight Club sneakers were made specially for Rockstar Games in a collaboration with Jordan Brand.
They are black and red with the official Midnight Club Kanji symbol on the tongue. Only 40 pairs of these will be made and for $380 they come in a special box with a copy of the game. [Via SneakerObsession]
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tough Economic Times Slow Down London Olympics
2016 Olympic Village RenderingsEveryone is feeling the pinch these days.
The Olympics, a strong internationally recognized brand, is not above the global slowdown that is quickly becoming an economic crisis.
The London 2016 Committee is having difficulty raising funds but that fact is not slowing down construction. If that makes any sense.
Turmoil in the world's financial markets is making it difficult to secure private-sector funding for the Olympic Village and media center, Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt has recently said.
The global credit crunch is making London Olympic Chiefs to revise budgets to build the athlete village as private funding has nearly evaporated or experiencing higher than normal interest rates to finance the project.
As a result, the entire project could become nationalized with British taxpayers guaranteeing at least $9.3 billion.
Armitt said: ''Fundamentally, we originally expected to have quite big sums of private-sector funding for the Olympic Village and for the media centre.
''The consequence of what is happening in the markets means that the availability of funding is more difficult - that is not to say that it is not available but, if it is available, it is available on harsh terms."
These days most everyone is tightening the financial belt and just maybe the Olympic Games should take note and follow suit with the rest of the world.Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tracking the Problem Down
The results were not exactly what they were looking from the team dubbed the "greatest team ever assembled.” Team USA earned less medals than many were hoping for at the Beijing Games.
The media highlighted the teams baton drops in the men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay. Last week the organization saw longtime coach Brooks Johnson resign as head of USATF’s High Performance Chair.
Then again with all things considered the 2008 Team had some good moments such as the come from behind victory in the women’s 1,600-meter relay, the 1-2-3 sweep of the men’s 400-meter hurdles, and Bryan Clay’s dominating decathlon victory.
CEO Doug Logan recently announced on his blog “shin splints” the members of the USATF High Performance Panel, which is charged with a top to bottom examination of the federation's high-performance programs by January 12, 2009. The sports chief has promised to publish the report on the USATF website.
The Panel will be composed of Olympic gold medalists Carl Lewis and Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, who also has been a sports administrator; 1992 Olympic men’s coach and USTCCCA Hall of Fame coach Mel Rosen; renowned physiologist and Olympic silver medalist Ralph Mann; and USOC executives Doug Ingram, Steve Roush and Jay Warwick, all of whom have been successful athletes or coaches as well as NGB administrators.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Kicks: Nike Zoom Victory + Trainer
Available in October 2008.
It seems that the Olympic madness may have passed, which means more time for motivated people to get moving.
These Olympic-inspired shoes are based on the Nike Zoom spike and the legendary Nike Flywire technology.
The Nike Flywire technology has been featured in a number of different models from the Swoosh and it looks like it could be something that could potentially be one of their go to pieces of technology.
While some of us are eagerly waiting to get our hands on a pair of Air Max 90 Flywire’s, others are ready to experience the next wave of innovation from Nike in their performance running shoes such as this new Nike Zoom Victory which features the Nike + technology as well as a Free like outsole and Zoom Air of course.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Friday, October 10, 2008
For Allison Felix It's Busy Offseason
The Beijing Games 200-meter silver medalist has been busy catching up with her friends and family while enjoying life away from the track.
Felix has been enjoy the good life, “Since I haven't been training I've been spending time catching up with friends and family at home."
Should others worry about hints that Felix may step up to the 400-meters?
“I think 2009 will be a very different year for me. I have to wait four more years to accomplish my ultimate goal so in the meantime I'm exploring what my focus will be until then.
“I'm seriously considering concentrating on the longer sprints this year but I have not made any final decisions."
Win, lose, or draw Felix is good for the sport and good on the track, so you can look for her to come back hard in 2009.Click here for full blog entry.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Photos courtesy of NBCOlympics.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Universal Sports Provides Live Chicago Marathon Coverage.
Live coverage of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern time at www.UniversalSports.com and on Universal Sports TV.
Universal Sports will also offer an exclusive webcast of the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET.
The is available worldwide except in the Chicago area, where NBC5 is providing local live web and broadcast coverage.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
DWTS: Maurice Clutch On 'Dancing With The Stars'
Job well done.
This week's Dancing With The Stars may prove to be Maurice Greene’s best dance so far. In the practice video he was struggling with the footwork so his partner Cheryl Burke took him to the park for tire practice.
Back in the ballroom, they kicked off the performance with Maurice jumping over Cheryl from the stage. Once the main part of the dance routine, Maurice actually display good the footwork. The jive really let his personality show well, which is his biggest strengths. All things considered, Maurice and Greene delivered a very entertaining performance.
Carrie Ann called Maurice a wild untamed beast, adding that it worked perfectly in the jive. Great job. Len said this is more like it. Fast, bright, lively. Full of kicks. He thought it was Maurice's best dance. Bruno told Maurice that he can rock when he wants to. Good pace, sense of energy, and fun. He also liked the attention to detail Maurice showed. Score: 24 (8,8,8).
And now comes word that Olympian Misty May-Treanor suffered an ankle injury, not a broken ankle, as some reports claimed, and her status is uncertain. On the dance floor, Warren Sapp is displaying skills much like his championship days back for the Bucs.
New episodes air on Tuesdays and results air on Wednesdays. The team, consisting of a professional dancer and a celebrity, receiving the lowest combination of judge scores and viewer's scores each week is eliminated from the show.
Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) and online polls will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will remain open until noon (Eastern Time) on the day of the results show.
To vote for Maurice Greene, dial 800-868-3404. The text-in code is 3404.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Kicks: Nike Sportswear iD - Air Max 90 Current
The wait is over. Nike’s Air Max 90 Current is now available for customization at the Nike Sportwear iD studio.
The shoe is made of micro-suede, synthetic leather and reflective overlay are the three different options for the composition of the upper, however its the several choices in color which really gives consumers the option to make the Air Max 90 Current their own.
If you want your own pair, you better be prepared to pony up a few dollars. The Air Max 90 Current iD will cost you $150. [Sneakerflies.]
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Kicks: New Puma Cell Mio
In his support, Puma is selling a limited number of the Usain Bolt-inspired kicks. He is the fastest man in the world and deserves his own sneaker. This sneaker is limited to 180 pairs worldwide.
Feature PUMA’s newest innovation, an updated version of its Cell cushioning/energy retention techonolgy, the PUMA Cell Mio Bolt comes in an all black-white stripe upper on top of a bright blue translucent Cell sole. Inscribed all over in blue & copper metallic ink are goal/postive statements Bolt etched to re-inforce his determination to win.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Stars Out at Baylor
-Waco, TX-Baylor fell to top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Waco. The Bears spent most of the game digging themselves out of a 28 to 0 deficit from the first quarter. A hole that proved too big, resulting in a lopsided final score of 49-17 on Saturday.
Don't let the score fool you, Robert Griffin was a difficult opponent to the Sooners.
Freshmen quarterback and Big 12 400-meter hurdle champion Robert Griffin hit 11 of 26 for 75 yards against the Big 12’s top ranked defense. The elusive quarterback had the most success with his legs, as he rushed for a game high 102 yards on 21 carries. Both touchdowns were scored by Griffin.
Robert Griffin made some believers on Saturday. He showed incredible poise against a fast defensive front and used his legs to open the field.
"I think Robert Griffin is an excellent athlete," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "He made some nice plays, and he's going to do that against everybody."
Olympians cheer on Baylor at football game.
Baylor honored its two Olympic gold medalists Jeremy Wariner and Reggie Witherspoon during the first quarter of the football game against Oklahoma.
The Baylor 400-meter runners won gold medals as the United States won first place in the 4x400-meter relay at the Beijing Games.
Wariner ran the anchor leg for the Americans, leading the USA to a time of 2:55.09 and a new Olympic record. Witherspoon ran the third leg of the 4x400-meter relay preliminaries.
Witherspoon earned his first Olympic medal, and Wariner claimed his third career gold medal along with a silver medal in the men’s 400-meters.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Bolt Is Larger Than Life
Usain Bolt established the then 100-meter world record of 9.74 seconds on May 31, at New York's Icahn Stadium. He has never been faster in New York City. Now he's rolling on buses.
As a way of acknowledging the three-time world record holder, Puma has plastered huge pictures of Bolt's race on the side of city buses in New York City and Los Angeles--the nation's largest media markets.
On the dashing advertising, Bolt is flying towards history, dipping at the finish line of his world record 200-meter performance. Above the sprawling reproduction of the photograph taken during his Olympic performance are the words: "AND THEN. HE DJ'D THE AFTERPARTY."
How can you deny the urge to like this campaign? These six words embody the Jamaican culture of dance, celebration, and fun times.
The other ad reads: "Bolt: 100 Meters 9.69, Bus: Not So Much So."
PUMA's intent is to honor his performance and showcase the man who gave Puma an unexpected burst onto the international stage. Bolt is an easy sell because he comes off like the life of the party.
According to Prerace Jitters sources, up until now it has been conventional wisdom that traditionally Caribbean athletes do not sell in the U.S.
That may all be changing.
His shoes sales have been strong ever since Bolt was groovin' in lane 5, covering the 200-meters in 19.30. And British-based Virgin Media has approached him about pitching "Boltband," a super fast broadband internet service product.
Bolt and many on the Caribbean island of 2 million are hoping to have more to dance about in upcoming seasons.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Lightning Bolt Dance On The Move
Usain Bolt has helped to make his country proud and they are paying him back with a big sign of respect.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
#1 Ranked OU Poses Robert Griffin with Tough Test
-Waco, Texas-Kickoff between the Bears and Sooners is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. CDT at Floyd Casey Stadium. Saturday's game will be televised nationally on FSN.
The 18-year-old two-sport athlete known for facing hurdles will certainly have his work cut out for him on Saturday. Baylor hosts the top ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Robert Griffin doesn’t make the same mistakes that typically plaque young quarterback.
So far, Griffin has piled up a bunch of statistics. The Big 12 400-meter hurdle champion has passed for 756 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions this season, while rushing for 334 yards and five scores.
In a 31-28 loss to Connecticut on September 19, Griffin did everything he could passing for three TDs and rushing for another.
It will take the game of his life to pull an Oregon State and upset the number one ranked team. Griffin is hoping to catch the Sooners looking to the upcoming Red River Shoot Out against Texas.
There is history of such a thing happening. At this point in the season last year, the Sooners, who were ranked third in the nation and had defeated each opponent by at least 38 points, stumbled to a 27-24 loss to Colorado.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Nike Cross Nationals Teams Up with Runnerspace
High School Cross Country Flying To Next Level.
The Oregon-based company does everything big. The Foot Locker Cross Country nationals is in jeopardy because Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) is expanding to include individuals, and that is not all.
NXN is also a major break through for the Eugene, Oregon-based social networking site led by Ross Krempley. Runnerspace is a new partner with Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), serving as the official host to the Nike Cross Nationals website.
For the first time in history, a single race—Nike Cross Nationals—will crown both individual and team national champions for high-school-age runners. In 2008 the Nike Team Nationals is now the Nike Cross Nationals, and the newly adopted slogan is “Win as a team or win as one.”
There is no need to go anywhere else.
Viewers can watch videos as well as get news, photos, and meet information on the the newly created Nike Cross Nationals website. Keep in mind that users can create customized profiles and countless other features available on the social networking site. The Runnerspace site features information on the teams and individuals competing in Nike Cross Nationals. Runners are selected through a series of regional qualifying events.
This year, the 90 fastest individuals from non-qualifying teams will join the top 22 teams. Nike Cross Nationals is the only national cross-country championship for both teams and individuals.
"Nike Cross Nationals is going to be the ultimate competition for high school cross country," said Ken Dice, Vice President of the Nike USA Brand. "It's true cross country and a true national championship. We're inviting the best runners in the country, whether they compete individually or as part of a team. Nike Cross Nationals is going to take cross country to a whole new level of competition for these elite athletes."
The nine regions represented are: Heartland, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, South, Northeast, Southeast, California and New York. There are also four at-large teams.
The championship meet of Nike Cross Nationals will be held in Portland, Ore. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
Seed Runnerspace
Runnerspace Live
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
DWTS: Maurice Greene Not Up To Speed?
On the second week of ABC's Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke danced the rhumba to an unfortunate cover of the Marvin Gaye classic "Mercy, Mercy Me", but head judge Len Goodman summed up Maurice's performance saying, “You talk the talk, but you don’t dance the dance.”
Wow!
This Olympian needs to step it up or he can kiss “winner winner chicken dinner” goodbye.
Week 2 Final Score: Maurice and Cheryl: 19
Kim is out. Celebrity Kim Kardashian of E!’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star looks fabulous. She is fashionably dressed and has it all going on. There is one small problem: Kardashian's dancing.
Her partner, professional dancer Mark Ballas could not even help matters out.
Maybe our expectations of Kardashian were not properly set from the beginning. One would half-expect the famous socialite, who regularly hits the L.A. party scene, to have spent some time on the dance floor. Isn't that what socialites do at clubs?
Fresh off the beach, Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor is remaining in the competition.
New episodes air on Tuesdays and results air on Wednesdays. The team, consisting of a professional dancer and a celebrity, receiving the lowest combination of judge scores and viewer's scores each week is eliminated from the show.
Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) and online polls will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will remain open until noon (Eastern Time) on the day of the results show.
To vote for Maurice Greene, dial 800-868-3404. The text-in code is 3404.
Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
