Universal Sports to Provide LIVE Broadcast of Aviva British IAAF Grand Prix

As 400meteroval called it, WCSN / Universal Sports recently announced that it is providing free broadcast and webcast of their events until November 9, 2008. This coincides with the launch of the new WCSN/Universal website.

The benefit to fans is that the temporary offer covers the Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, Great Britain which airs Sunday, August 31, 2008, along with some other great track & field and running competitions.

Headliners at the Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, GBR:

The meet free from Gateshead, GBR should be hot. Sprinter Lauryn Williams, Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon in the 200-meters, 400-meter champion Christine Ohuruogu, and 800-meter runner Nick Symmonds have all confirmed their participation in the track meet.

Free WCSN/Universal Sports webcast and broadcast of the following track and running events.

August 31, 2008: Aviva British British Grand Prix at Gateshead, GBR

September 7th, 2008: Rieti 2008, Rieti, ITA

September 13th - 14th, 2008: IAAF World Athletics Final at Stuttgart, GER

September 28th, 2008: Berlin Marathon at Berlin, GER

October 12th, 2008: IAAF World Road Running Championships at Rio de Janeiro, BRA

October 12th, 2008: Chicago Marathon at Chicago, IL, USA

November 2nd, 2008: New York Marathon at New York, NY, USA

Click here to view the free events Universal Sports.

By Jay Hicks.

When Athletes Blog --Lauryn Williams

The U.S. Olympic Trials has been take care of and Lauryn Williams has punched her to ticket to Beijing with a third place finish in the 100-meters. This is not the Detroit natives first rodeo. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney, Williams earned a silver medal in the 100-meters.

Lauryn recently took to her WCSN / Universal Sports blog to share with fans, exactly what is going on with her since the U.S. Olympic Trials earlier this month.

So with the trials out the way, I took a much needed exhale and relaxed for a few days … then promptly headed to Europe. I arrived in Lucerne, Switzerland, on July 13 for a race that was on Wednesday. You would think that was plenty of time to adjust to jetlag…wrong!! I don’t know why I have such a hard time shaking it but I do. I ran 11.23s and got 3rd. It is so disappointing after a loss to face the staff that has rolled out the red carpet for you and extended hospitality above and beyond. I know that as a professional athlete, I should be looking at each race as business and just that but I can’t help but feel a certain way about wanting to put on a good performance for the person who had enough confidence in me to invite me to their meet and of course the fans.

Lucerne - which was also my first European race last year - has grown on me quickly and is very near-and-dear to my heart. It is just a small meeting, but they have been creative in making sure that their meeting is unique. Where money is limited, they have all sorts of prizes such as coffee makers, Swiss knives, Swiss watches, and diamond and sapphire stones. They have come up with a way to select the best and 2nd best performer of the meet and they get a diamond and a sapphire respectively. In addition most events have a story (where you usually have to be one of the best to get into European meets), but this is opportunity for those on the line to take a last stab at a qualifying standard. One of the great stories of this year’s meeting was Oscar Pistorius, also known as the blade runner, whose controversy has been quite the news. The crowd was electric as they cheered him on as he made his last attempt of making the Olympic team for his country. Although he came up short it was great to be present as he still made history. His attempt stood for so much more than the actual win or lose.

Back to my emotional attachment with certain meetings, Korea has been the race that has closed out each season since I have become a professional. So you can imagine how distraught I was when I found out it might take place in May this year!! Luckily they thought better of that, but the date fluctuated multiple times. As a result I have scheduled my 25th birthday party to begin the same day as the meet in Korea!!! Those brats on “My super sweet 16” had nothing on my display of emotion at not being able to be in two places at once. How could I justify an October 9th party?! I guess as time goes on things change and you have to able to adapt and move on.

Click here to read Lauryn Williams full WCSN blog.

By Jay Hicks.

When athletes blog - Lauryn Williams

There are 85 days until the Beijing Olympics. In the last week, Lauryn Williams has started to run some open 100-meter races. The Olympic hopeful explains on her WCSN blog.

“Penn Relays was great!! I love being back in my home state! The crowd is great the atmosphere is wonderful! It is also nice to be on the track with all the big names in US sprinting and not be against them but operating as a unit and we were unstoppable!! USA read and USA Blue finishing in 1st and 2nd and there was even a USA white team that although they didn’t compete was composed of premiere sprinters as well. This just goes to show the depth that US sprinting has and how hard it is going to be to be one of the three that makes the cut at the trials. I am up to the challenge and making sure I am as prepared as possible.

Well I am off to the races! My Theme for the year is DO NOT wish me luck! Luck is for those who have not prepared. All I need is hard work and GOD so if your up to it please pray for me I have definitely worked hard so that part is done! I will report back so with the results until then…GODSPEED!!”

Click here to read the full blog.

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

WCSN.com to Provide Live Webcast from Doha, Qatar on May 9

WCSN.com to Provide Live Webcast of First 2008 IAAF Super Grand Prix.

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide LIVE coverage of the 2008 IAAF Super Grand Prix being held in Doha, Qatar, at the Qatar Sports Club on May 9, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Fans can logon to watch more than 100 of the world's top athletes compete live on www.wcsn.com

Kicking off this Friday on WCSN, track and field fans will be able to catch the first IAAF Super Grand Prix competition launching the anticipated 2008 IAAF outdoor season. Athletes to look out for at Friday's Doha showdown include 100m world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica and world indoor and outdoor high jump champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia. Both are predicted to start the season on a high note.

Representing Team USA will be Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner, women's 200m champion Allyson Felix and women's 60m hurdles champion Lolo Jones. The competition is expected to be intense with performances by reigning Olympic champion in the men's javelin, Andreas Thorkildsen, Blanca Vlasic (Croatia) in the high jump and Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) in the 10,000m race.

Please visit WCSN.com for updated schedules, news, results, photo galleries and more information.

The LIVE Webcast of IAAF Super Grand Prix will be shown at 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 9th at: WCSN.com.

About WCSN:

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on demand coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes and in depth access to sports news and information year round.

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

WCSN.com Offers First Ever Global Webcast of Boston Marathon

Our good friends at WCSN.com are making news again.

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination of Olympic and lifestyle sports, announced today it is joining forces with adidas and Marathonguide.com to provide a free, first-ever global webcast of the 112th Boston Marathon. Through this partnership, fans worldwide can logon to WCSN.com to watch the live and on-demand webcast on April 21, beginning at 9:25 a.m. EST.

"We're excited to partner with adidas and Marathonguide.com in offering this free webcast and to help foster worldwide awareness for this major race," said Carlos Silva, president and COO of WCSN. "Now, for the first time global road racing fans will have unprecedented coverage to see the top marathoners square off in one of the world's most prestigious sporting events."

On WCSN.com, running fans can also access Marathon Madness, a special editorial package that features original content, articles from road racing experts, interactive maps, results, highlights and more. Furthermore, WCSN.com will be offering special commentary from running legend and four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers.

"Adidas is proud to join WCSN.com in providing a free internet broadcast of the 112th Boston Marathon," said Spencer Nel, head of global sports marketing for running and track and field at adidas. "As a Boston Marathon sponsor, adidas is especially pleased to help bring the oldest continuing annual marathon in the world to as many viewers as possible in every corner of the world. With its proven track recordWCSN.com is the ideal partner to make that happen."

"Since 2000, Marathonguide.com’s mission has been to promote the sport by providing comprehensive coverage of and information about marathons and distance running. As part of that mission, we are proud to work with WCSN.com and adidas to ensure that the Boston Marathon broadcast will be available at no cost and can be enjoyed by as many marathon enthusiasts as possible," said John Elliott, founder and president of Marathonguide.com.

Deemed one of the world's most prestigious and oldest annual road racing events, the Boston Marathon is the second stop on the World Marathon Majors, a marathon series offering a $1 million prize purse to be split between the leading male and female marathoners in the world.

WCSN.com is the home of the 2008 World Marathon Majors with complete coverage of the London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York City races. Marathon fans around the globe can catch the action on http://www.wcsn.com.com/ where they can be part of the more than 500,000 spectators anticipated to be cheering on the runners as they dash through the streets of rural Hopkinton to the beautiful Boston Back Bay finish line at Copley Square. Fans will also have access to complete live and on-demand video footage plus free access to news, race results, photo galleries, behind-the-scenes features and more.

About World Championship Sports Network (WCSN)World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on-demand coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes and in-depth access to sports news and information year round.

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

London Marathon Free On WCSN.com

The good folks at WCSN.com definately know how to win over the friendship of road race fans. Ryan Hall and company are now just a click away. WCSN.com is offering free, live webcast of the London Marathon.

WCSN.COM TO PROVIDE LIVE WEBCAST OF THE LONDON MARATHON.

Encore Showing of 2007 London Marathon and Highlights of

2008 London Marathon to Air on WCSN TV

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide LIVE coverage of the 2008 London Marathon this Sunday, April 13 starting at 3:55 a.m. EST. The free broadcast will be available to everyone in the U.S and Canada via WCSN.com. The Flora London Marathon will host representatives from more than 50 countries in the 26.2 mile course.

This year's lineup is packed with some of the greatest marathon runners in the world who will go head-to-head this Sunday. Former world record holder Paul Tergat (KEN) will clash with 2006 London Marathon champion Felix Limo (KEN) and defending champion Martin Lel (KEN) who will add intense competition to the race. Newcomer Ryan Hall (USA), who made his marathon debut in London last year when he finished seventh with a U.S. debut record, will be running again this year in his first major race of 2008.

WHAT: 2008 Flora London Marathon

WHEN: Sunday, April 13, 2008

ONLINE: WCSN.com (Free webcast to everyone in USA and Canada)

LIVE April 13 at 3:55am EST

TV: WCSN TV - two hour highlights on April 26 at 12:00 pm EST

*WCSN will have encore presentation of the 2007 London Marathon onApril 12 at 2:30pm ET.

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

When athletes blog: Sanya Richards at WCSN.com

The 400-meter specialist, Sanya Richards, took to her WCSN.com blog to give an insight into what is on her mind with the Olympics just six months away.

Sanya’s Top Ten Sports Wishlist

10. Yao Ming regaining full health and prepared to compete for his country in Beijing

9. Dwayne Wade back 100%

8. The Texas Longhorns Men’s BBall team going all the way

7. Carolina Kluft going for her second heptathalon Olympic

6. Ronaldino being named footballer of the year again



5. A great replacement for Craig Masback as CEO of USA Track & Field

4. Nichole Denby, Lauryn Williams, Walter Davis, & Wallace Spearmon all making the Olympic Team

3. Bershawn Jackson winning a portion of the million dollar golden league Jackpot

2. Aaron Ross making it to the Pro Bowl in 200

1. Me winning the 400m Gold in Beijing!

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

WCSN.com Offers First Ever Global Webcast of Boston Marathon

WCSN.com deserves some kudos. For the first time ever, international fans will be able to watch this year’s Boston Marathon by traveling no further than their key boards. World Championship Sports Network (WCSN), the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, will be offering the first ever global webcast of the 112th running of the Boston Marathon via its broadband network.

Holding its traditional place on Patriots' Day, Monday, April 21, beginning at 9:25 a.m. EST, race fans can go to http://www.wcsn.com/for comprehensive start to finish coverage of the 26.2 mile event as more than 20,000 contenders set stride on the hilly New England terrain including the infamous one-half mile stretch known as Heartbreak Hill.

"WCSN has established itself as the top destination for competitive running and road racing events. Our mission is to elevate and deliver Olympic and lifestyle sports that exemplifies the best of the human spirit," said Claude Ruibal, CEO of WCSN. "By working with the Boston Athletic Association, we are pleased to give viewers worldwide the opportunity to watch one of the world's most prestigious sporting events and that combined, with our broadcasts of the New York, Chicago, London and Berlin Marathons, among others, provide our fans the opportunity to capture the entire season of major marathons from around the world."Read more.

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

WCSN.com to Provide Free Live Webcast of World Indoor Champs

There’s no excuse to miss the action!

PreraceJitters.com is excited to announce: WCSN.com, in partnership with USA Track & Field, will provide free LIVE coverage for the 12th IAAF World Indoor Championships being held in Valencia, Spain on March 7-9.

The free live webcast starts at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, March 7th with continued coverage on Saturday, March 8 (10:50 a.m. ET) and Sunday, March 9 (10:50 a.m. ET).

Woo hoo!—who doesn’t love free stuff? Free-as in no money. No dinero. Leave your Visa in your wallet kind of free, because there are no hidden fees. If you find yourself doing the “I scored something free dance”, it’s quite alright because track fans never, ever get anything for free.

Track fans are normally treated like second-class citizens in the world of U.S. athletics. Thank you WCSN.com for showing some love to track fans.

The network normally charges $4.95 a month for membership plus free access to results, video highlights, breaking news, behind-the-scenes features, and more.

Free Webcast of 2008 IAAF World Indoors

March 7 morning session (on-demand)
March 7 evening session (LIVE 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET)

March 8 morning session (on-demand)
March 8 (LIVE 10:50 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET)

March 9 morning session (on-demand)
March 9 (LIVE 10:50 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET)

* all sessions will be available on-demand

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