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2 out of 3 people worldwide tuned in for Olympics (AP)

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:53:56 PDT

More than two out of three people worldwide tuned in for the Beijing Olympics. Nielsen Media Research says 4.7 billion viewers globally saw at least some of the 17 days of TV coverage last month. This audience was one-fifth larger than the 3.9 billion who watched the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Host nation China claimed more viewers than any other nation, Nielsen said Friday, logging an audience...

Appeal for Martina taken to CAS (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:38:57 PDT

The Olympic Committee of the Netherlands Antilles has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the disqualification of Churandy Martina from the men's 200 meter final at the Beijing Games.

Giselle Davies resigns as IOC spokeswoman (AP)

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:33:59 PDT

Giselle Davies has resigned after six years as the International Olympic Committee's communications director and chief spokeswoman. The 39-year-old Briton told The Associated Press on Thursday she was stepping down to "start a new chapter" in her professional and personal life. Davies' resignation, to be announced officially by the IOC on Friday and taking effect later this year, comes 10 days...

Football club may get rebuilt 2012 Games stadium (AFP)

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:16:34 PDT

A top football club could end up with a rebuilt version of the London 2012 Games Olympic stadium, media reports said on Thursday.

IOC Investigate pair of hammer medalists (PA SportsTicker)

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:54:57 PDT

The International Olympic Committee is investigating the Belorussian athletes who claimed silver and bronze in the men's hammer throw at the Beijing Games over alleged failed drug tests.

Phelps pledges support for Chicago's Olympics bid (AP)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:48:43 PDT

The thought of wearing a skintight swimsuit in public makes many people cringe. But gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps said he wouldn't be surprised if he dons his Speedo when he hosts the Sept. 13 season premiere of "Saturday Night Live." "I'd probably be more comfortable," Phelps joked in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Bobsledder Todd Hays restarts US Olympic quest (AP)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:37:39 PDT

American bobsledder Todd Hays' hopes of competing in one more Olympics got a boost Wednesday. Hays, a 2002 Olympic silver medalist who retired after failing to reach the podium at the 2006 Turin Games, officially returned to national-level sliding competition by winning the drivers' competition at the U.S.

Oprah throws party for U.S. Olympic medalists (Reuters)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:39:13 PDT

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey threw a rousing welcome home party for more than 150 U.S. Olympic medal winners on Wednesday that was a salute to the athletes and a pep rally for efforts to bring the 2016 summer games to America.

Oprah Winfrey hosts Olympians in Chicago (AP)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:32 PDT

Thousands of spectators cheered Olympic medalists Michael Phelps, Dara Torres and Kobe Bryant on Wednesday as the city of Chicago got a high-profile boost to its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Oprah Winfrey was taping the season premiere for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at a downtown park, and she invited 150 U.S.

London 2012 organizers reach agreement with unions (AP)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:03:48 PDT

London organizers secured an agreement Wednesday with Britain's trade unions to help avert strikes that could hamper preparations for the 2012 Olympics. Organizers said the "Principles of Cooperation" with the Trades Union Congress were not legally binding but would lead to collaboration in staff training, equality, health and safety and fair employment standards.

Beijing sees clear air from Olympic cleanup (AP)

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:37:03 PDT

A massive effort to clear up the skies over Beijing for the Olympics paid off with China's capital seeing its cleanest air in a decade, the city's environmental authority said Monday. The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said the improvement in air pollution was mainly the result of special temporary measures that shut factories and banned cars from the roads for the Olympic...

Togo fetes kayaker who won its first medal (Reuters)

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:36:48 PDT

Thousands of cheering Togolese gave a hero's welcome on Sunday to kayaker Benjamin Boukpeti, whose bronze medal in Beijing was the first Olympic medal won by the tiny West African state.

Olympic champion Liukin honored in hometown parade (AP)

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:25:23 PDT

Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin was greeted by thousands of cheering fans at a welcome-home parade in her North Texas hometown Saturday. The 18-year-old gymnast waved to the crowd while riding on the back of a pink Saab convertible along the rural parade route. Liukin won five medals at the Olympics in Beijing, including gold in the all-around competition.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe gives Olympic swimmer $100,000 (AP)

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:45:31 PDT

The president accused of impoverishing Zimbabwe has handed out $148,000 to the nation's Olympians, most of it to a top-performing swimmer. The government-controlled Herald newspaper reported Saturday that Robert Mugabe announced the awards during a brief ceremony Friday. He called Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe's "golden girl" and gave her $100,000.