Who Is This Black Italian Olympian And What Does He & Kobe Have In Common?

This guy Andrew Howe is a 23-year-old talented biracial Italian Olympic track star. So, what's his story? No Cream No Sugar has the scoop.

Beijing Olympics: Jamaican Bolt Stuns With World Record, Americans Place 2-3 Amongst Controversy

A series of early-morning protests Thursday changed the medal order for the Olympic 200-meter dash, although Usain Bolt's incredible victory in the race still stands.

Bolt ran a world record 19.30 Wednesday to break Michael Johnson's mark and become the ninth man to win both the Olympic 100 and 200 in the same year.

After the race, however, protests began flying. Almost immediately, American Wallace Spearmon, who crossed the finish line in third place, was disqualified...

for stepping outside his lane. With Spearmon out of medal contention, the bronze went to the fourth place finisher -- Shawn Crawford of the United States.

American track and field officials, in an attempt to support Spearmon, protested his disqualification.

After looking at replays of the race, the officials agreed Spearmon had stepped out of his lane. Those replays, however, indicated that silver medal winner Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles also had stepped out of his lane.

A protest was filed by the Americans concerning Martina and, eventually, he was disqualified as well. That cost Netherlands Antilles what would have been its second Olympic medal in history and elevated the runner who finished fifth all the way up to the bronze medal.

That was American Walter Dix, who also won a bronze in the 100.

The rearranging of the medals gave the United States one more than it had previously and going into Thursday's action the Americans had a three-medal lead over China in the overall total.

US Runners Finally Show Up At Beijing Olympics: Men Sweep 1-2-3 400 Meters Hurdles

I don't know about you but I was getting nervous for Team USA sprinters in the Olympics. Each night my wife and I just count the number of green and gold Jamaican jerseys we see in each race and wait for them to "smoke" the US runners. Yesterday we had a break through...

I was overjoyed to see the 400 Meter Hurdles race dominated by Team USA runners in the top three places. Congratulations to winner Angelo Taylor, who breezed to victory in a convincing time of 47.25. Silver went to Kerron Clement crossing the line at 47.98. Bronze winner Bershawn “Batman” Jackson closed out the top three at 48.06, giving Team USA their first Olympic sweep in the 400 hurdles since 1960.

Post Script: Check out the in depth article by Duncan Mackay The UK GUARDIAN, as he breaks down just where all those great Jamaican runners are being groomed.

Jamaican Men Are Fast, But Jamaican Women Are Faster And Sweep 1-2-3 Olympic 100 Meter Finals

Shelly-Ann Fraser won gold in the women's 100 meters Sunday at the Beijing Olympics in a clean medal sweep for the Jamaicans. Americans placed 4th and 5th. Olympic track relay races are yet to come and it's obvious U.S. teams are in big trouble, and I'm not just talking about the women runners.

With U.S. men sprinters only able to get a third place from Walter Dix in yesterday's 100 meters, and former world champion U.S. Tyson Gay is really running with a hurt hamstring and didn't even qualify for the 100e finals, I don't see the men wining any sprint relays.

The battle for silver was extremely close as both Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart both from Jamica crossed the line in 10.98 seconds. Simpson and Stewart will share the silver medal.

American Lauryn Williams, the silver medalist in Athens, was fourth at 11.03 seconds and fellow U.S. runner Muna Lee was fifth at 11.07. Torri Edwards finished in the eighth and final spot at 11.20 seconds.

Olympic Black Men Are Fast Black Men:

For the 2008 Olympics, title of "The Fastest Man Alive", yesterday went to Jamican Usain Bolt who easily won the 100 meter dash in a world record time of 9.69 seconds .

"I didn't even know I got the world record until after I finished my victory lap, actually," said Bolt, the first Jamaican to win a gold medal in the men's 100. "One aim was just to come here and be Olympic champion. I did just that, so I was happy with myself. It means a lot to my country and it means a lot to me."
The dominant performance by the 21-year-old Bolt was the second shocker of the night. The first came in the semifinals when Gay failed to qualify. Bolt was disappointed that the reigning world champion did not compete for the gold. Gay called his failure to advance "devastating."

Silver medalist was Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago and the Bronze was won by new Nike heart throb American Walter Dix with a personal-best of 9.91.

See our source boston.com for more of this story.

Racism from the Spanish Olympic Basketball Team?

By Jayar Jackson

In anticipation for the Olympics in Beijing, the Spanish basketball team took a picture for an advertisement a courier company had carried in a major Spanish newspaper. In the picture, all the players pulled the sides of their eyes, making the well known "slant eyed" look that mocks Asians' most recognizable feature.

No one on or associated with the team or the courier company that ran the ad seemed to find anything offensive or distasteful about the photo that included a Chinese dragon in the middle of the basketball floor. But many Chinese and other Asians didn't have to look very long to see racism oozing through the page.


The first thing to wonder is "what the hell were they thinking?" These guys aren't isolated to a small village that preaches hate and racism against anyone not like themselves. One of their star players, Pau Gasol, is a very popular NBA player, currently with the Los Angeles Lakers after spending over 6 years with the Memphis Grizzlies. Such a traveled individual must realize how the Chinese, the host country for the Olympics, would take this gesture. Even if he was riding off of the comradery of his fellow Spaniards, as he pulled his eyes back and laughed for the cameras, he must have been thinking in the back of his mind that this won't be something others will understand.

So this begs the question, are the Spanish so racist that they don't even realize it? Or, are the Spanish are just so accepting of other races, ethnicities, and cultures that their offbeat humor is nothing more than a simple joke? Does it really mean that the Spanish Basketball Federation, the courier company, and the newspaper that ran the ad are all so hateful and racist that they would boldly put this highly offensive image out there as they head to China? What is Spain's history with Asian countries...do they have something against the Chinese?

While reading discussions about this touchy subject, I found that some defenders of the Spanish mindset point out that Asian people's eyes ARE slanted and wonder why they are so offended when it's pointed out. Maybe everyone else is being a little ultra P.C. The Spanish always brazenly make fun of others and some say they see it all in good fun, harboring no ill will.

Then again, as I read this story, I got some flashbacks of stories out of Spain where football (soccer) players were mocked and called ugly racist names. As Black players touched the ball, fans would make monkey noises and bananas were thrown in their direction. Sure, those were a bunch of rowdy, out of control soccer fans, typical in some countries in Europe, but what about Luis Aragonés?

The Spanish football manager was caught on tape in front of a bunch of reporters referring to the French player Thierry Henry as "that Black shit." Although he apologized saying he hadn't meant to offend anyone, he continued to defend his comments.

There are racist people in every country in the world, Spain included. They have their preconceived ideas as to what others are like, painting them in a negative light to prop themselves up. This slanted Chinese eyes picture the national team took has to be categorized as racially insensitive. They may not disrespect and hate their Chinese hosts for the Olympics, but they don't seem to care that some jokes are not acceptable, whether they see the offensiveness or not. In the end, some Spanish people are obviously racist and they simply don't deserve a reputable organization to legitimize their hateful beliefs.

Cullen Jones, That Black Swimmer, Not Deserving A Place On Olympic Gold Medal Team

At least that is what I overheard yesterday. That Black Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones was not worthy to be put on the US 4 X 100 freestyle relay team that won the gold medal. That his inclusion on the team was a form of affirmative action...or a "ghetto boy rules the pool" feel good story.

And as proof of this they pointed to his leg (portion) in the race as being the slowest and that he actually gave up the lead when he hit the pool.

When I heard this I just had to stand up for the brother, but I said hey I better do some research and find out all the details. For the sake of this article I'll make it short and sweet. And tell you why Cullen had every right to be on that relay team and get the gold medal.

Let's first put aside the feel good story of Cullens life. That as a child he nearly drowned and coughed up a pint of water. Let's forget about his heart in working with inner city youth and his mantra of getting more African Americans involved in swimming. He has been relentless in this with every interview. With the gold medal, I think he has made his point, but let's just look at these facts.

1. A year ago Cullen was part of the U.S. relay team that won the World Championships and set a world record back then.

2. In the "individual freestyle competition" each country is only allowed to enter two swimmers. Cullen got bumped out, because he placed third at the US trials by 0.16 Third best of all our US freestyle swimmers.

3. Earlier in the day at the Olympic preliminaries, Cullen Jones was again part of a world record team. Only one of that team would be on the finals team.

4. Of that relay team Culllen had the fastest split (leg) of the race.

5. In the gold medal race Cullen may have had the slowest leg, but let us also remember, no one else on the gold medal team had swam earlier that day. Cullen raced freestyle twice that day.

So please give this brother his due as the best of the best and an inspiration to all.

Black Swimmer Cullen Jones Makes Gold And Olympic History

"We love listening to other people talk stuff about us, It just fuels us to be ready and we don't say anything until it's over. When you see it in the pictures, that's when we start celebrating.. when we win."---Cullen Jones only the second African-American swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal as part of yesterdays world record setting 4 X 100 freestyle relay team.

The Trip To Beijing, Was It Worth It? US Volleyballers Fighting Grief And Dispair Win

Sunday afternoon at the Capital Gymnasium came a test of his teachings. Not far away, U.S.A Coach Hugh McCutcheon's in-laws had been attacked a day earlier by a lone assailant at the historic Drum Tower. His father-in-law was killed, his mother-in-law critically injured. His wife witnessed the attack. So the U.S. men's volleyball team opened play without the coach who taught them how to fight through such ordeals.

Perhaps as a testament to his teachings, his players walked onto the floor of the Capital Gymnasium devoid of emotion. They did not partake in a melodramatic pantomime of despair. They did not point to the sky or write his name on their shoes. Rather they gathered in a small circle for the briefest of moments, then set to the task of battling through a surprisingly difficult five-set preliminary round victory over Venezuela.
See the rest of this Les Carpenter story at Washington Post.com, he really did a good job.

Olympic Tragedy Less Than 24 Hours After Opening Ceremony

The U.S. couldn't get passed the first day of full activities at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing without being devastated with tragedy. An American man was killed and American woman attending the Olympics was wounded in downtown Beijing Saturday by a Chinese man who then killed himself, according to China's official news agency, Xinhua.

A Chinese tour guide, a woman, was also wounded in the attack, which happened around noon at the Drum Tower, a popular tourist site, Xinhua reported.

The attacker, identified as a 47-year-old man from the eastern Chinese city Hangzhou, jumped to his death from the second level of the Drum Tower, a spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Government Information Office told Xinhua.

The official said both U.S. citizens had entered China with tourist visas. The report did not say how they were attacked.

A White House spokesman said President Bush, who is attending Olympic events Saturday, was told about the attack against the U.S. citizens.

The U.S. Embassy and the White House have offered the victims' families whatever assistance is needed, the spokesman said.

Serena Injures Knee And Quits Semi-Finals, Is She Possibly Out For Beijing Olympics???

Top-seeded Serena Williams injured her left knee and pulled out of the Bank of the West Classic on Saturday, becoming the third singles player on the U.S. Olympic women's tennis team with a knee injury.

She retired while trailing during the second set of her semifinal match against qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak.

Williams' sister Venus and Lindsay Davenport, the other U.S. Olympic singles players, have already pulled out of next week's East West Bank Classic in Carson, Calif., with right knee injuries.

Serena Williams struggled from the start against the 85th-ranked Wozniak and first called for the trainer when trailing 5-2 in the first set. She got the knee heavily taped by the trainer and came out to finish the set, but appeared to struggle to plant on her injured leg.

Wozniak held serve to win the set and won 11 straight points to take a 3-1 lead early in the second. Williams appeared to injure the knee further while stretching for a backhand in the fifth game of the set and retired. She walked off the court and embraced her father, Richard.

Williams underwent surgery on her left knee in 2003 and missed 10 tournaments in 2006 with another injury to the knee. The extent of this injury was not immediately known.

Wozniak will play in Sunday's final against the winner of the night semifinal between sixth-seeded Marion Bartoli and Ai Sugiyama.
By JOSH DUBOW

Move Over Spidey, The Black Panther Is Coming To A Beijing Bar Near You!

Marvel's "Panther" To Debut Anticipated Black Superhero

Jackson Forced to Apologize Again Sharpton 'Disappointed'
Bill Clinton: He's Ready to Stump for Obama
New York Governor, NAACP Condemn Magazine Cover
Obama Predicts Black Voter Increase, Southern Wins
Civil Rights Old Guard Should Let Obama Lead

Beijing Bars Told To Refuse Blacks During Olympics

Sharpton, Steele on McCain Eyeing the African-American Vote
Minority Home Buyers Reimbursed for Unfair Loan Fees
No Offers for Barry Bonds: Agent
Diaspora Key to Haiti's Future

Tweet Returns with New 'Love Tweet'

Dara Torres Doping Like Marion Jones? Will Super Mom Take The Test? Is She The Real Deal?

At least that is what everyone is saying and why shouldn't we? I mean really, how many 41 year olds go out and set swimming records like Dara did in the 50 freestyle semi and then win the 100 freestyle at the US Olympic Trials? How many recent, over age 40 super athletes have been "the real deal"; doing incredible feats of sports strength unassisted by drugs? I only know of one athlete and that was...
George Foreman who regained the Heavy Weight Championship at age 45. Does that mean the Foreman Grille is the only 'real deal'.?
Because the rest of the "Geriatric Giants List", Roger Clemens and his 'cut-up' wife, Sammy Sousa, Barry Bonds, are all over age 40 and all guilty of steroids or growth hormones.

All of us have a knee jerk reaction in these post Balco times when we hear or see with our own eyes any athlete kicking butt, especially if they are past their prime or have had some sort of injury or illness.

This is yet another reason why Tiger Woods is truly "the real deal". Earlier this year he had just recovered from knee surgery. He then steps out to play his first tournament a lot sooner than we all really thought he should. He then has the nerve to choose as his 'coming out' performance, not a little tune-up PGA tournament, no, Tiger chooses golfs 2008 U.S. Open as the first test of his surgery.
After 5 days of intense knee pain, stiff competition and miraculous shots, Tiger rose victorious. In the postscript Tiger is headed to surgery and can't play golf for the rest of the year and for who knows how long. That is what we expect. That is 'the real deal.'

So excuse us Darra as we take a wait-and-see position. We do wish you good luck, because we want to believe and partially because you have one cute little baby.

The 1968 Olympics - Do You Remember Tommie Smith's Raised Fist?

Anthony Samad Has Our Vote To Replace Tavis On Tom Joyner!!!

This Video Is Incredible. Take A Minute, You Won't Be Disappointed!

Dara Torres Setting Swimming Records And Standards for the Geritol Generation

By now you have heard that Dara Torres set a US record in the Semi finals of the 50 meter freestyle at 24:38. And at 41 will be the oldest ever athlete to swim for a US Olympic Team.

What you probably didn't hear her say, when asked about her speed, "Dara you swim like you're going to swim through the wall" Dara: "that's because (at age 41) I can't see the wall."

Why Black Women Love Black Men: Travis Padgett

Talented Clemson U sprinter Travis Padgett will be the first alternate in the 100-meter dash on the U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Games, said coach Charles Foster.

The 21-year-old finished fourth in the 100 finals last Sunday and was edged for an automatic berth, but Foster said Padgett will be one of three additional in China to fill out the relay teams and serve in case of an injury to one of the top three.

World champion Tyson Gay won the race in 9.68 seconds, the fastest 100 in history, but Gay’s time will not be recognized as a record because of the prevailing wind.

Walter Dix of Florida State was next in 9.80 seconds, followed by Darvis Patton at 9.84 and Padgett at 9.85, lowering his personal best.

Padgett set an American college record here in the second round with a 9.89.

U.S. Olympic Basketball "Dream Team" Or Nightmare?

Pistons Tayshaun Prince, The New Face of Team USA

Basketball "Roll Players" and "Team Basketball"

It has been eight long years since the U.S. team won a major basketball championship. During that time, our basketball swagger has diminished. Our supremacy has vanished. Our nation's inner hoopster has been sadly humbled.

So the choice was either to abdicate the basketball hoop to Argentina and pursue team handball as a specialty, or do something about it. Yesterday the march towards respect started with the addition to Team USA of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Redd.

Is this enough to get the job done? In the past we thought superstar names were all we needed, and when I think about that first Dream Team of the 1992 Olympics, the names that stick out are Bird, Magic, Stockton, Malone. Yes superstars all of them, but also four players with a high basketball IQ and a large concept of "team basketball". The main thing missing from every team since and the thing that has caused every ugly defeat Team USA has had since that Olympics.

Read Mercury News Staff Columnist Ann Killion as she takes us back to that first Olympic Dream Team and shows the changes in personnel selection to get the team concept back.

Beijing Olympic Terrorist Plot Halted

Once Again I ask, Am I the only one nervous about the Beijing Olympics?

China said Thursday it had uncovered a criminal ring planning to kidnap athletes and others at the Beijing Olympic Games.
The "violent terrorist gang" was based in the restive western Xinjiang region and headed by a man identified as Abdulrahman Tuersun, Public Security Ministry spokesman Wu Heping said at a news conference. He also gave more details on a second alleged ring that had been uncovered in January... Family read on and leave a commment or I'm going to start the boycot campaign right now.

Wu said 35 people, including Tuersun and another man, Kuerban Mutalifu, were arrested between March 26 and April 6 for plotting to kidnap athletes, foreign journalists and other visitors to the August Olympics.

"They wanted to make a global impact to sabotage the Beijing Olympics," Wu said.
"We face a real terrorist threat," he added.

AP at USATODAY has more comentary

Olympic Torch Put In Paris Protective Custody Over Tibet Protest And Calls For Complete Boycott!

Is it me or am I the only one nervous about the Olympics in China.

Protests Are Intensifying Over China's Human Rights Issues

Tibetan protest and arrest in London too.

Amid pro Tibetan demonstrators who yesterday knocked the Olympic Torch bearer to the ground on three separate occasions, Paris officials have put the Olympic relay torch in safe keeping and have stopped the Traditional Olympic Torch Relay that comes to each continent of the world. It will resume today as the torch will finish it's tour of France on a bus. Yes, the Olympic torch is taking the bus.

China Restricts Internet Access During the Olympics

Am I the only one getting nervous about this summer's Olympic Games in China?

First we have the repression and killing going on by the Chinese Government in Tibet. Now we find out that the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is having to fight just to get Internet access for the journalist and athletes attending this summers Olympic Games. Voice of America's (VOA) Internet site is not allowed in China and they have more on this story, read on.