DWTS: Greene Runs Out of Time

Maurice Greene's run on ABC's Dancing With the Star came to end on Tuesday night. Former Olympic champion Greene and partner Cheryl Burke were the most recent celebrities voted off of the popular dancing show.

The dancing duo received 48 out of a possible 60 for their quickstep and paso doble routines Monday. But it was not enough to keep them on the show, as the competition heated up in the last couple weeks of the show.

The four remaining celebrity contestants — model-actress Brooke Burke, singer Lance Bass, former NFL star Warren Sapp and Hannah Montana actor Cody Linley — will compete in the semifinals.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

DWTS: Cloris Leachman Exits The Show

The show must go on. Veteran actress Cloris Leachman has given the fans some entertaining moments in return for watching ABC's "Dancing With The Stars". The 82-year old dancer was sent packing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DWTS: Maurice Greene Not Up To Speed?

Greene Remains as Third Celebrity Given Walking Papers.

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.

Olympian Greene Survives To Dance Another Day

In case you missed the action, the judges liked what they saw on the dance floor. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene and his dance partner Cheryl Burke managed to stay alive for another week on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

The starting blocks are his natural work place, but Greene really shined in the solo spots on the dance floor. His charisma and personality really come through when he seemed to just be having a lot fun.

Two-time show champion Cheryl Burke deserves a great deal of credit. She again showed an understanding of make her partners come off really well and Greene did an impressive job partnering.

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.

Anyone can get voted off at any time on this show. Can Maurice Greene make it past week 2?

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Great Battles: Maurice Greene & Michael Johnson

It is no secret that trash talking and track go hand and hand. At the 2000 Olympic Trials former greats Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene made a career out of their beef.

Fast forward and the 2008-09 season has officially come to a close and with it a piece of track culture, trash talking is officially done.

It's over and may very well be the end of an era.

It's like when Jay Z announced that he wouldn't wear throwback jerseys anymore kids all over Brooklyn and the NYC quickly buried theirs deeply in their closets.

Where is the world-class trash talking in the sport today, chest pumping, and bravado?

I'm not sure who won the war of words in 2000 but here is what Michael said during the back and forth in the press.

"I can honestly say that since Carl Lewis left this sport, there's not an athlete that I get excited about running against," said Johnson. "I get excited about achieving my own goals.

Not to be out done, check out what Greene had to say.

"First, Michael Johnson is the world record-holder, but he hasn't run anything close to that time in four years," said Greene. "Second, he's not strong enough to finish with me in a sprint. He'll have to be three or four steps in front coming off the curve, or it's over.

Sure, neither one finished the race at the 2000 Olympic Trials but the country was riveted by this showdown.

Click here to watch the Maurice Greene vs. Michael Johnson build up to the track battle.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Should Reggie Be Worried?

Celebrity Kim Kardashian will spend countless hours working on her dance moves with former 100-meter Olympian Maurice Green.

Does New Orleans Saints star running back Reggie Bush have a reason to be worried?

Ok, so they will not be exactly dancing together.

The "Kansas Cannonball" will put his fast feet to work dancing with Cheryl Burke and Kardashian will shake her stuff with Mark Ballas.

Kim Kardashian and Maurice Green have confirmed as contestants on the seventh season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.

Fellow Olympian Misty May-Treanor, who won her second gold medal for beach volleyball at this year's summer Olympics is also slated to appear on the program. Also joining the cast is recently retired defensive tackle Warren Sapp, Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Susan Lucci, and other celebrities.

The series premieres on Sept. 22.

By Jay Hicks.

Michael Johnson Weighs In On Greene

When Michael Johnson talks, people listen to the champ for obvious reasons. The Baylor graduate accomplished everything there is to do in the sport. In a recent British Telegraph article, Michael ripped Maurice Greene and said the former 100 Olympic gold medalist has some explaining to do about these doping allegations. It is alleged that Angel Guillermo Heredia, who is getting help from the government with “visa” issues is not just alleging they sold him drugs. Heredia has evidence such as cancelled checks, wire transfers, and email correspondence.

Michael Johnson also went on to write that boycotting the Games only hurts the athletes, and PreraceJitters.com couldn’t agree more. What was the IOC selection committee thinking? Anyone with an a clue knew it was a terrible idea when the 2008 host city was originally announced.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

The Final Lap: Trouble In Paradise

• Maurice Greene and HSI called out. It’s a sad day in track if the doping allegations against Maurice Greene are true. The IAAF says none of this is new, and there is no concern for alarm. Whatever that means. Read New York Times

• Convicted drug cheat, Justin Gatlin, owes the track community an apology after running an embarrassing 4.42 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. That kind of time is simply unacceptable when at least a dozen football players ran faster. Read SpeedEndurance.com

• Athletes be afraid—be very, very afraid. WADA announced that tests for human growth hormone (HGH) will be used in Beijing. Great, except the test only detects HGH if taken fairly recently, as in three days. And who would be that dumb? Read NBC Sports

By Jay Hicks, a.ka. Track Evangelist.

Photo courtesy Reuters.

Texas Relays A Sporting, Cultural Event

Everything in Texas is bigger. And the Texas Relays are no exception to the rule. Track and field is not just a sport, it’s a culture in the great state of Texas. A quick check of the facts reveals that, according to the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, the meet brought in 200,000 visitors, $8 million to the city, and is the second largest relay meet in the country.

The 81st running of the Texas Relays takes places at the Mike A. Meyers Stadium on the University of Texas, Austin campus from April 5 – 8. Races are held in the high school, college, university, and invitational divisions for relays events.

The relay meet is almost surreal for track fans. Texas Relays is an example what track can be in North America. The meets popularity is due in part to the fab meet management operations and marketing by the University of Texas staff. It also helps that the track federation has little to do with Texas Relay.

From the world class runners to the packed stands and runners of tomorrow-- it’s no surprise to those who have attended that the meet continually gets bigger each year. The fervent fans are aware of the key match ups and cheer loudly during the race. The stadium buzzes with speculation on who will win relay match ups.

It’s almost a right of passage for pro sprinters to place their feet on the track. Past legends to have run at Texas Relays include: Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, and Maurice Green to name just a few.

Some coaches, athletes, former athletes, fans, meet officials, and timers have come to Texas Relays for years without missing a meet. It’s also a social gathering to see and be seen. The Urban Music Festival presented by Dell is back in downtown Austin for a third year featuring Jeffrey Osbourne, After 7, and Trey Songz. Fans are also promised a guest appearance from former Longhorn standout Vince Young. Only in Texas baby!

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a Track Evangelist.

Richards, Wariner, and Greene Spotted in Valencia!

Jonathan Edwards, Maurice Greene, Janeth Jeposgei, IAAF President Lamine Diack, Sanya Richards, Jeremy Wariner, Jonas Wistrom CEO of AF and Susanna Kallur.

Americans Sanya Richards, Jeremy Wariner, and Maurice Greene were in Valencia, Spain to promote the upcoming ÅF Golden League Tour. Europe’s lucrative outdoor track circuit kicks off in three months.

Athletes will compete for a part of the $1 million jackpot. A share of which is on offer to any athlete who can win at all six ÅF Golden League events. The six events in this year’s ÅF Golden League take place in Berlin (June 1), Oslo (6 June), Paris (July 11), Rome (July 18), Zürich (August 29) and Brussels (September 5). Appearance fees up to $100,000 per race are also paid by meet directors to entice top athletes to run in their meets.

I wonder if Maurice Greene, a well-known trash talker, was reminding the younger athletes that Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba’s victory in 6.51 didn’t touch the 60-meter world record of 6.39, that Greene set 10 years ago?

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist

Greene Retires!

Maurice Greene, who announced his retirement Monday, carried the flag after winning 100 meter Olympic gold in 2000.

Former Olympic and world champion Maurice Green surprised the track world by announcing his retirement on Monday, after two long seasons plagued with injuries.

On retirement Maurice said, “I don't think I can have that mental battle with myself coming back from injury any more. It takes a lot out of you mentally ... you start getting down and then you get depressed."

The Kansas City native won’t be bored though. Reportedly he’s to pursue coaching and business interests. Recently, he launched Mo Entertainment, a hip hop record label.

The track biz is a buzz!

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist