The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged 2012 Olympics London

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• Mo Farah Becomes Newest Internet Olympic Meme

  August 17, 2012

  

  Move over, McKayla Maroney. You've got company in the Internet meme department.

  British runner Mo Farah has become the hot new Internet meme with him running away from things.

  Farah, who ran for Britain in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter at the Olympics, has been photoshopped into pictures of him running away from things like an unruly mob from The Simpsons to runaway brides to Mo Farah clones.

  All of these and more can be found on a Tumblr called "Mo Farah Running Away From Things". Here are just some of the pictures found on the Tumblr.

  

  

  

  

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• Nike Makes a Sexist Shirt; Now is Under Fire

  August 15, 2012

  

  As an official outfitter of the London Summer Olympics, Nike made a shirt to promote that fact, but now the shirt is coming under fire for being sexist.

  The shirt in question is emblazoned in gold lettering with the phrase "Gold Digging". Since the shirt is only available for women, some are calling it sexist and offensive.

  The shirt although is selling surprisingly well as many retailers are almost sold out of them. The shirt comes in black, gray, or white and is going for $24.99.

  But people are still outraged by the shirt's message. Styleite, a fashion blog, tweeted, "US ladies win two-thirds of the country's gold medals at the Olympics, and @Nike rewards them with this sexist tee."

  On the other hand, some people don't seem to mind and one person tweeted that she actually had gotten compliments. "I've gotten so many compliments or laughs at my shirt I'm wearing 'Gold digging' #nike", she tweeted.

  This is the second time during the Olympics that a product of clothing has come under fire by Nike. A shirt was made after the US Women's soccer team defeated Japan for the gold medal and the shirt read, "Greatness Has Been Found". Many found the shirt to be smug and classless.

  Nike responded to the complaints of the "Gold Digging" shirt saying, “Nike has consistently supported female athletes and the position they enjoy as positive role models. The t-shirt uses a phrase in an ironic way that is relevant given it was released just as the world focused on the success of female athletes.”

  Nike clearly has pride in Team USA, but maybe should just find better words and slogans next time. This whole thing will blow over soon and the shirts probably won't be pulled.

  Another victory for Overlord Knight.

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• The British Get Into the Olympics Lip Syncing Video craze

  August 15, 2012

  The United States Olympians may have started the craze with Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", but the British may have perfected the art of lip syncing viral videos.

  After the British completed their biggest medal haul in the modern Olympics era, the athletes were feeling pretty good and rightfully so. So, naturally, they decided to sing the Queen classic "Don't Stop Me Now"

  The video features popular British athletes like David Beckham, Jessica Ennis, and Victoria Pendleton.

  Queen>Carly Rae Jepsen. Point, British.

  Your move, America.

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• Olympian Jeff Demps to Try His Hand at the NFL

  August 15, 2012

  

  US sprinter and former Florida Gator running back Jeff Demps announced that he will try and play in the NFL.

  Demps won a silver medal for the US in the 4X100 meter relay team at this year's Summer Olympics in London. He didn't run in the final, but earned a medal by running in the qualifying stages.

  Demps went undrafted due in part because he announced he was going to pursue a track career. He had a pretty good career at Florida rushing for 2,470 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns while in Gainesville.

  Agent Daniel Rose has said the Demps has picked up interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, according to Rose, "there are a lot of other teams interested."

  Rose also said that Demps hopes to make a decision on his NFL future soon.

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• Bolt Has "No Respect" for Carl Lewis

  August 10, 2012

  

  After completing the historic 100 and 200 meter back to back, Usain Bolt said that he had "lost all respect" for legendary American sprinter Carl Lewis.

  Lewis criticized Bolt and the Jamaica track team after he said that Jamaica's doping controls are not as strong as other participating countries. Lewis didn't name names, but has said that the Jamaicans need to strengthen their drug testing procedures.

  When asked if he'd like to be compared to Lewis or another sprinting legend, Jesse Owens, Bolt said, "I'm going to say something controversial right now. Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him. The things he says about the track athletes is really downgrading for another athlete to say something like that. I think he's just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him.

  "That was really sad for me when I heard the other day what he was saying. It was upsetting. I've lost all respect for him. All respect."

  Bolt said that the drug comments in particular upset him the most.

  "It was all about drugs. Talking about drugs. For me, an athlete out of the sport to be saying that. That was really upsetting for me. Really upsetting," Bolt said. "To jump up and say something like that. As far as I'm concerned he's looking for attention. That's all."

  Bolt steadfastly claims that he and teammates Yohan Blake and Warren Weir are clean and train really hard. The three swept the podium in the 200 meter with Blake winning silver and Weir winning the bronze.

  Bolt became the first athlete to win the 200 meter twice in Olympic history and the first to the 100 and 200 meter in back to back Olympics.

  
  

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• Usain Bolt Wins 200 Meter, Becomes First to Win Two Straight 100 and 200 Meter

  August 09, 2012

  

  Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has done it again. Bolt won the gold medal in the 200 meter dash and becomes the first person to win the 100 and 200 meter in two straight Olympics.

  Bolt won the 200 meter in 19.32 seconds beating out fellow countryman Yohan Blake, who finished at 19.44. Another Jamaican, Warren Weir, finished third for the bronze medal to make it a Jamaican sweep in the event. Weir finished at 19.84 seconds.

  The top American in the race was Wallace Spearmon who finished fourth. Spearmon was clearly disappointed with his performance and was sobbing afterwards.

  Spearmon said of Bolt's performance, "The guy is on another planet right now."

  Bolt has one more event left in the London Games, the 4X100 relay. The qualifying for the event is on Friday with the finals to be contested on Saturday.

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• Michael Phelps Pees in the Pool

  August 07, 2012

  

  In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps admits to peeing in the pool and says that every swimmer does it.

  Phelps says that its not a big deal that the swimmers pee in the pool. He said, “I think everybody pees in the pool. It’s kind of a normal thing to do for swimmers. When we’re in the water for two hours, we don’t really get out to pee.”

  Phelps continued, "Chlorine kills it so it's not so bad."

  Recently, Phelps' rival, Ryan Lochte, has admitted to peeing in the pool on occasion. Lochte said that he relieved himself during the heats, but never during races.

  The full Wall Street Journal interview with Michael Phelps is below and his comments about peeing in the pool are towards the end.

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• Officials Say Seven Cameroon Olympic Athletes Have "Disappeared"

  August 07, 2012

  

  Officials from Cameroon have said that seven of its Olympics have "disappeared".

  Reuters reports that five boxers, a swimmer, and a soccer player are believed to have fled so they can "stay in Europe for economic reasons".

  Team Cameroon mission head David Ojong said, "What began as rumor has finally turned out to be true. Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated at the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village."

  The IOC was unaware that the athletes have gone missing when asked to comment by Reuters.

  The Cameroon embassy has heard about the disappearances, but could not confirm details at this time.

  The athletes are women's goalkeeper Drusille Ngako, swimmer Paul Ekane Edingue, and five unnamed members of the boxing team.

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• FOX News Calls Out Gabby Douglas and Her "Un-Patriotic" Uniforms

  August 06, 2012

  

  You know it must have been a slow news day, when FOX News targeted gold medal winning gymnast Gabby Douglas for her "un-patriotic" uniforms.

  Really.

  FOX News reporter Alisyn Camerota took issue with it when she said that the "famous flag-style outfits" of past Olympics have been replaced by "yellow shirts, grey track suits and pink leotards"

  
  

  Camerota and her guest on "America Live", radio host David Webb, targeted Gabby Douglas in particular, with Camerota saying, "You know, Gabby had that great moment, and everyone was so excited, and she's in hot pink -- and that's her prerogative,"

  Webb, host of The David Webb Show on Sirius/XM Radio, said that America has lost our pride. "We're a very nationalistic nation," Webb said. "But we've also lost over time that jingoistic feeling."

  Douglas' wore a red, white, and blue jacket with "USA" across the back while on the sidelines of the individual all-around competition and a gray jacket with an American flag patch during the medal ceremony.

  But I guess FOX News is looking for something more like this.

  

  C'mon, FOX News, let the girl have this moment with a "controversy".

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• Man Arrested After Throwing Bottle at Sprinters

  August 05, 2012

  

  The Scotland Yard has arrested a man for throwing a bottle towards the runners of the 100 meter dash moments before the race was to begin.

  The video shows the bottle clearly being thrown onto the track. Disregard the unnecessary 80s rock music.

  The man was said to be intoxicated as he threw a plastic bottle that landed behind Yohan Blake. The runners were unharmed.

  The man who threw the bottle, however, probably not so much.

  Dutch bronze medalist in judo, Edith Bosch, claimed that she hit the man after throwing the bottle, tweeting, “A drunken guest throws a bottle for me on the track! I HAVE BEATEN HIM... Unbelievable! Mad disrespectful”

  According to London's Daily Telegraph, a spectator backed Bosch's claims, tweeting, "So a drunk (expletive) actually threw a bottle onto the track as 100m started! He got punched by Dutch judo bronze medallist Edith Bosch tho."

  LOCOG haven't confirmed Bosch's story, but could face charges if she did in fact hit the man.

  The winner of the 100 meter dash, Usain Bolt, said that he was not distracted by the incident. American sprinter Justin Gatlin was distracted, but didn't effect his mindset saying, "There was a little distraction (at the start) and I didn't know what it was. You could hear a pin drop. You just have to block it out. It was a great race, one in the history books and I'm glad to be a part of it. The crowd were electrifying."

  Scotland yard has charged the unnamed man on a suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

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• Lochte's Parents Facing Foreclosure

  August 04, 2012

  

  All the success the Ryan Lochte has garnered at the London Games might not help with a bigger issue he and his family are now dealing with.

  The parents of Ryan Lochte, Steve and Ileana, are facing a foreclosure in the state of Florida. CitiMortgage is suing to foreclose on the Lochte's home. The bank is looking to recoup about $250,000, according to TMZ.

  Ileana Lochte has said that none of her five children knew anything about the foreclosure saying, "We didn't discuss this with Ryan or any of my children, really. I would never allow him to help us."

  Ileana Lochte asked the court to dismiss the case, according to court documents. The Lochtes divorced last year and records did not state whether Steve Lochte had an attorney or not.

  Steve Lochte could not be reached for comment.

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• Golden Girl: Gabby Douglas Wins All-Around Gold

  August 02, 2012

  

  American gymnast Gabby Douglas won the women's all-around gold today in London and becomes the third straight American to win the gold.

  Douglas' gold medal in the all-around is the second of her Olympics thus far, she won gold when the Americans won the team competition two nights ago.

  Known as "The Flying Squirrel", Douglas finished with a score of 62.232, just edging out the runner-up in the world competitions last year, Viktoria Komova of Russia.

  Komova's floor routine was a good one, but not good enough to topple Douglas. When the score for her routine came down, Komova ran to the sidelines sobbing as she knew her score wasn't enough to take gold.

  DOuglas now joins Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson, and Nastia Liukin as the American gold medalists in the all-around.

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• Kobe Signs Opposing Players Shoe After a Thorough Beating

  August 01, 2012

  

  What do you do when your team loses by 47 points on the world stage? the natural response is to be upset about it, but one player decided to take advantage of a situation he'll probably never be in again.

  Tunisian basketball player Mohamed Hadidane had Los Angeles Lakers superstar and USA basketball player Kobe Bryant sign his shoe.

  Oddly enough, it was the same type of shoe that Kobe had worn in the same game.

  And he was wearing the colors of the US and not his home country of Tunisia, complete with the Nike Elite "Team USA Basketball" socks.

  Hadidane will probably never be on the same court as Kobe again, so it was a pretty smart move to have a future Hall of Famer sign the shoes of his own feet. Also, Tunisia beat the spread, so a pretty good night overall for the Tunisian reserve.

  Good move, Mohamed.

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• Eight Accused of Throwing Badminton Matches at Olympics

  August 01, 2012

  

  Eight female badminton competitors face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after being accused of throwing Olympic matches to get a more favorable draw.

  The Badminton World Federation issued a statement that charged the doubles team from South Korea, Indonesia , and defending world champion China for "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport."

  The doubles team and coach from South Korea has already been questioned regarding the matter.

  Fans booed the accused teams when they realized that the teams were throwing matches.

  The IOC has said that it will let badminton's governing body handle this matter. IOC president Jacques Rogge was present for badminton on Tuesday, but reportedly left before the matches being thrown took place.

  "We have full confidence in the federation to take any necessary steps," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "They have the experience to deal with such issues."

  Yu Yang of China claimed that she and her partner were just trying to conserve energy for the knockout stages and not intentionally trying to throw matches.

  "We would try hard in every match if they were elimination games," she said. "Because they are group stage that's why we are conserving energy. If we're not playing the best it's because it doesn't matter — if we're the first or the second (in the group) we're already through. The most important thing is the elimination match tomorrow."

  The accused teams could be expelled from the Olympic Games at the disciplinary hearings on Wednesday.

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• US Women's Gymnastics Win First Team Gold Since '96

  July 31, 2012

  

  The US Women's Gymnastics team lived up to expectations won the team gold on Tuesday.

  The Americans won their first team gold since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in outstanding fashion. The US finished five points in front of the silver medalist Russian squad.

  The Americans closed out their performance with a floor routine, but the event already seemed to be locked up.

  When the final score came down, the arena filled with chants of "U-S-A!, U-S-A!" while the Russians cried along the sidelines. Many say that this US team going into the Olympics was the strongest they have ever had and they proved it by routing the field.

  Former coach and coach of the 1996 gold medal winning team, Bela Karolyi, said of this current team, "I think this is a more even team with their performances. The 1996 team had ups and downs."

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