Bitten and Bound » beijing olympics

Elaine Wynn Captures Gold – Jason Kidd’s Beijing Medal (Photos)

Meg — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:15:59 +0000

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd is fresh off a gold medal win at the Beijing Games. The US Men’s Basketball team took the top prize after losing out in 2004 at the Athens Games. Kidd, who already won gold in 2000 at the Sydney Games, has no intention of holding on to his newest medal.

It turns out Kidd promised the gold medal to Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn. The US Men’s team stayed at the $2.7 billion Wynn Casino in Las Vegas for three weeks last year while preparing for Beijing. Kidd met Elaine Wynn and struck up a friendship. He was reportedly impressed with her kindness and her amazing grasp of the game and told her he’d give her his gold medal if Team USA took gold in Beijing.

The ‘redeem team’ pulled off the win and true to his word, Kidd will present the medal to the Wynn’s. He hopes they will display the gold medal at one of their casino properties – which he would consider a Win-Wynn situation.

Steve Wynn, who owns a collection of resorts, is the 277th richest man in the world and is worth $3.9 billion. The art collection of Picassos and Matisses at Wynn Casino were purchased for $150 million, though their worth continues to appreciate in value. Surely the Wynn’s can make room for an Olympic gold medal somewhere on the premises.

Photo gallery below.

Select Photo Source: newyorktimes.com

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Michael Phelps Buys $1.69 Million Baltimore Condo

Andrea — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:34:20 +0000

Michael Phelps has already started spending his projected endorsement dollars, plunking down $1.69 million for a waterfront condo in his Baltimore, MD hometown.

23-year-old Phelps, the record holder for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics, has won 16 Olympic medals: six gold and two bronze at the 2004 Athens Games, and eight gold in Beijing, surpassing the previous record held by Mark Spitz, who won seven at the 1972 Olympic Games.

The 4080 square foot condo overlooking Baltimore’s revitalized Harborfront, features a private screening room, rooftop terrace, state-of-the-art gym, a clubhouse with pool tables and a swimming pool.

View photos of Michael Phelps’ new condo below.

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Beijing Olympic Closing Ceremony Photos

Meg — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:07:45 +0000

We’ve got some great photos of the Beijing Olympic Closing Ceremony. Much has happen in the two weeks of NBC coverage, including the wonderful accomplishments of swimmer Michael Phelps, who has apparently developed a relationship with Australian gold medalist Stephanie Rice.

We watch the awesome beach volleyball team of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take gold – and enjoyed their photo ops with President George W. Bush.

The U.S. Gymnastics teams thrilled audiences with their magnificent athleticism including individual gold medals for Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson.

There was tragedy at the games, including the death of Minnesota CEO Todd Bachman and the critical injuries suffered by his wife Barbara Bachman. The good news is that Barbara Bachman, who was transferred to the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is now doing very well after suffering critical injuries in an unprovoked knife attack. The couple’s daughter is Elisabeth ‘Wiz’ Bachman and their son-in-law is U.S. Men’s Volleyball head coach Hugh McCutcheon.

Americans won a total of 110 medals; 36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze – a wonderful showing for our U.S. athletes. We’ve done some great stories on many of the great athletes. Be sure to check them out below in the Related Articles section.

Check out total breakdown of medals here.

Check out the photos below – click to enlarge.

Photos: WENN

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Michael Phelps and Stephanie Rice Hook Up (Photos)

Meg — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:19:20 +0000

Michael Phelps, fresh from his 8 gold medal sweep continues to be the source of speculation regarding a girlfriend. He has been noncommittal about his personal life, indicating to interviewers that it is the only part of his life that he continues to guard.

Amanda Beard was rumored to be romantically involved with the mega athlete but she vehemently denied the rumors and nearly spat out a denial with a dramatic “Ew!” – which spoke volumes. There is a new connection that has reportedly been made between Aussie gold medal swimmer Stephanie Rice and Phelps.

In fact, the couple reportedly were seen in a lip lock outside of the Olympic Village at a celebratory bash of athletes, according to Page Six. The sighting is reportedly ‘all the buzz’ among the athletes. The pair have since been photographed together while doing a promotional photo shoot, where they reportedly laughed and joked around.

Rice, who won 3 gold medals at the Beijing Games, has been honored by Australia with the task of carrying her country’s flag during the Olympic Closing Ceremony. Phelps won’t be around to witness the event because he is heading to Europe to do some corporate work for the 2012 London Games.

Check out thumbnails of Rice and Phelps below – click to enlarge.

Top Photo: heraldsun.com.au

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Amanda Beard Says “Ew, No!” to Michael Phelps (Photos)

Meg — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:25:09 +0000

Amanda Beard, Olympic swimmer and Playboy model, has wrapped up her fourth consecutive Olympic stint amid rumors that she and champion swimmer Michael Phelps are a couple.

Beard was interviewed by a Phoenix radio station with the main topic of conversation centering on her love life. Amanda, in a moment of insensitivity, had this to say when asked if she was in a relationship with the 8 gold medal phenom:

“Ew, No! I am not dating Michael Phelps! I have never, ever in my life hooked up with Michael Phelps. I have really good taste. He’s not really my type, personally. To tell you the truth, we don’t even talk to each other.”

Michael Phelps was asked the same question by Ryan Seacrest on his morning radio show. He said, “my private life is my private life. I have to keep something private. You guys know everything else.” Another rumor is that Phelps is dating Lily Donaldson.

In a bizarre twist, Wheaties will not be featuring Michael Phelps with his 8 gold medals. Kellogg’s struck a deal with the athlete to feature his medal laden likeness on their boxes of Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes.

Check out Amanda Beard Playboy Pics here.

We’ve also got Ashley Harkleroad Playboy Pics here.

Four German Olympic athletes appeared in Playboy.

Check out Amanda in her HOT red bikini below – click to enlarge.

Source: bostonherald.com

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Spain’s Synchronized Swimmers Controversy (Photos)

Meg — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:09:01 +0000

One of Spain’s synchronized swimming teams was banned from competition because they deviated from the Olympic rules when they wore embedded waterproof lights. It seems the Spaniards wanted to call attention to their body of work by adding some extra sparkle and flare.

Team members, Andrea Fuentes and Gemma Mengual thought they could bring the judges around to their artistic costume choice but it didn’t work out in their favor. Fuentes had this to say about their decision to buck tradition and go for some real candle power:

“It got very sophisticated because obviously the battery doesn’t last long and then we had to look at circuits and interrupters, so we have been working on it around two months with a crack team. It looks a bit like Christmas lights. This is a very conservative sport…their excuse is that you cannot have accessories on your swimsuit, but the lights were sewn in. If you use those standards, sequins are a type of accessory”.

The pair were favored to medal in Beijing. Bummer.

Check out the light up swimsuits below – click to expand.

Source: Yahoo

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Dawn Harper Wins Gold in Track and Field (Photos)

Meg — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:57:18 +0000

Dawn Harper, 24, took the gold in the Women’s 100 meter hurdles final in Beijing on August 19, 2008. The strong field of women hurdlers included Damu Cherry and favorite Lolo Jones, who faltered, opening the door for Harper to leap through.

This was Harper’s Olympic debut. She is coached by Bob Kersee, husband and former coach of Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Both women hail from East St. Louis, Illinois.

Damu Cherry took 4th place and Lolo Jones came in 7th.

Check out photos of America’s latest superstar. Her life will be forever changed by her victory. We’ve also got a photo of Lolo Jones’ faltering stumble.

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Olympic US Hurdler Lolo Jones Poised For Gold Medal Win (Photos)

Meg — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:32:57 +0000

Lori ‘Lolo’ Jones is an American track and field athlete who has won a world championship and two American titles in hurdles competition. She won three NCAA titles during her stellar career at LSU.

The LSU hurdler fell near the end of her 2004 qualifying race and the stumble cost her a spot at the Athens Games. Lolo, a former state champion sprinter and hurdler from Des Moines, Iowa, had a breakthrough year in 2006 and won her first national title in 2007.

Lolo was peaking at the right time, having earned her spot of the 2008 U.S. team with the fastest time in the world during the qualifying finals. The 100 meter hurdles finals were Tuesday night in the magnificent Bird’s Nest Stadium. She went up against two other U.S. team members: Damu Cherry and Dawn Harper.

Lolo’s roots are a mix of Norwegian, French, German, Irish, American Indian and African American. She tells people she is black and white. The 26 year old is from a family of six children who were at one time homeless and living in a church basement while their father was in jail.

Jones believed that winning a gold medal at Beijing would be a life changing experience for her. It would have surely establish the athlete as the new face of the sport, like her predecessors Florence Griffith-Joyner, Gail Devers and Marion Jones. Her goal, though, is simpler:

“I’ve been watching the Olympics since I was a little kid, and honestly, I would just like to inspire someone out there. Our sport has been thrown in the garbage the last couple of years, with drugs and the attitude of some athletes. I know I can reach somebody and I just want to do it in a positive way.”

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. The hurdler faltered and her teammate Dawn Harper took GOLD – photos here.

More photos below.

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Night View of Beijing’s Magnificent Bird’s Nest Stadium (Photos)

Meg — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:29:22 +0000

The Beijing Olympics have been underway for 10 days with some of the most exciting swimming venues in history. We have witnessed Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals, breaking a 36 year old record which was set by swimmer Mark Spitz, who won 7 gold medals during the 1972 Munich Games.

We’ve seen drama in gymnastics with Alicia Sacramone, Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson and sheer genius in beach volleyball with the dynamic duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. The women swimmers, including 41 year old Dara Torres and the always exciting Natalie Coughlin, have given us a great deal of nail biting competitive actions.

This Olympic season has also had it’s fair share of controversial episodes as well, including four German athletes who posed nude in Playboy magazine, the French gymnast Laure Manaudou who’s ex boyfriend leaked nude photos and the super sexy Leryn Franco, Javelin thrower from Paraguay.

The focus will switch this week to track and field with the world’s elite runners taking center stage from the Beijing National Stadium – dubbed the Bird’s Nest. The magnificent structure was completed in March 2008 and is also the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, where the Olympic cauldron was lit on 08/08/08 and will remain burning until extinguished on 08/24/08.

Check out more photos of the Bird’s Nest below. We’ve also included some stunning night view photos of Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium – aka Crystal Crown. Click to enlarge.

Photos: WENN

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Michael Phelps 8TH GOLD Medal (Photos, Video)

Meg — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:21:30 +0000

Michael Phelps has beat the record of Mark Spitz, who won 7 gold medals during the 1972 Munich Games. Phelps shattered the record that had stood on the books for 36 long years. Spitz won 4 individual events and 3 relays all in record time. Phelps gold rush of 5 individual events and 3 relays cinched his 8 medal quest at Beijing.
The 23 year old swimming phenom from Baltimore had to rely on others to assist in pulling off his last event which was played out in prime time on NBC Saturday night at the Beijing Water Cube. Phelps swam the third leg butterfly in the 4×100 meter medley relay.

The nail biting 100 meter butterfly, on Friday night, defied logic when the entire world thought Phelps had touched second. He beat Serbian Milorad Cavic by a fingertip. Even the swimmers mother dropped to the floor when she realized fate and good karma had dealt Phelps a huge break that has kept his quest alive. Click here to see the miracle finish frame by frame.

Fans around the globe have been busy trying to find Michael Phelps on Facebook and MySpace. If the swimming legend hasn’t had time to delve into these areas, he soon will as he enters a new phase of his life – stardom. There will be a flood of endorsement offers for his agent to negotiate and life will become far more complex than his current schedule of sleeping, eating and swimming.

Check out more HOT photos below and the 8th gold medal VIDEO.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbqzWAvJ_fE[/youtube]

Photos: WENN – bottom two rows of picsSource: Chicago Tribune

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