AltWeeklies Wire
The International Competition in Vermontnew
It's Vietnamese spiking volleyballs at Roosevelt Park, Bosnians rolling bocce balls at Oakledge Park, and Somalis, Sudanese and Congolese heading soccer balls at Starr Farm Park, Leddy Beach and practice fields at the University of Vermont.
Seven Days |
Kevin J. Kelley, Matt Scanlon and Mike DiBiasio |
08-08-2008 |
Sports
Can the Chinese Olympics Induce the Traditional International Hug?new
I'd like to believe that the controversy that follows any Western discussion of China — be it over Tibet, Darfur, or human rights in general — can become part of the international hug that every Olympic gathering aims to be and not the central distraction (violent or otherwise) we remember from Beijing '08.
The Memphis Flyer |
Frank Murtaugh |
08-08-2008 |
Sports
Give Beijing a Breaknew
In the "one world, one dream" spirit of the special family-reunion feelings that fill my heart just once every four years (because the Winter Olympics are lame), I request a 16-day moratorium on China-bashing, at least where their crap environmental record is concerned.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Coco Tanaka |
08-08-2008 |
Sports
The Last Sports Writer: Manny Upnew
The night before, in his first game as a Dodger, Manny had faced Randy Johnson, who will one day be his neighbor in the Hall of Fame. But poor Yusmierio Petit never had a chance.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Neal Pollack |
08-08-2008 |
Sports
D.C. Becomes the Home of the Youth Triathlonnew
D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation runs two free camps that train kids ages 9 to 14 in the triathlon mainstays: swimming, biking, and running—which happen to be mainstays of childhood summers.
Washington City Paper |
Dave McKenna |
08-07-2008 |
Sports
Is Beijing Ready for Prime Time? No Waynew
I've been living in Beijing since the beginning of July, covering the mad month-long preamble to the Games. My experience has been the polar opposite of what I had read and seen in news stories about how the Chinese are ready and willing to accommodate the Olympic athletes, coaches, spectators, media, and volunteers.
Boston Phoenix |
Sara Faith Alterman |
08-07-2008 |
Sports
Eight Olympians To Watchnew
Sometimes we'd rather root for the unknowns, the underdogs, and the uniques than the professional jerks who are only competing to sweeten their endorsement deals.
Boston Phoenix |
Mike Miliard |
08-07-2008 |
Sports
Olympic Hypsterianew
How skimpy running shorts and nerdy headbands bridged a great cultural divide—without even trying.
New York Press |
Juliana Bunim |
08-07-2008 |
Sports
Julius Achon: A Portland Runner's Olympian Survival Storynew
Before moving to Portland in 2004, Julius Achon had already lived a full life of Olympian highs as an adult and unspeakable horrors as a child in his native Uganda.
Willamette Week |
Hannah Hultine |
08-06-2008 |
Sports
The Case of the Golden Thong, and Other Baseball Superstitionsnew
According to George Gmelch, cultural anthropologist and author of the article "Baseball Magic," superstitious behaviors among ballplayers fall into two major categories -- rituals and taboos. Nomar Garciaparra's famed batting gyrations, that's a ritual. When he jumps over the base line to take his position in the infield, that is a taboo.
Charleston City Paper |
John Strubel |
08-06-2008 |
Sports
Chicks Who Kick: The Other Kind of Celtic Dancenew
I had to put my hostilities aside this past Thursday night when I headed down to the Roxy for the Boston Celtics' 2008-'09 Dance Team final auditions. After months of training, 40 hopefuls from across the country (and one from Australia) came together to compete for 17 spots (a tribute to the World Champions' 17 titles) on next season’s squad.
Boston Phoenix |
Neely Steinberg |
07-31-2008 |
Sports
Gay or Straight? Pick a Side Before Joining a Lesbian Softball Leaguenew
As a woman married to man, I'm an anomaly here in the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association, which defines itself on the web as "a gay and lesbian softball league ... for both gay and non-gay participants."
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Amy Guthrie |
07-29-2008 |
Sports
Fixed-Gear Fanaticism Rolls into Phoenixnew
Fixed-gear bikes have exploded in popularity in many cities across the nation over the past decade, and they've been getting more and more popular in the Valley since 2005. The wheeled weapon of choice for bike messengers and competitive cyclists for decades, fixies have caught on among a young and cool crowd.
Phoenix New Times |
Benjamin Leatherman |
07-29-2008 |
Sports
Runner Matt Tegenkamp Looks Forward to His Olympic Momentnew
If Madison's Matt Tegenkamp is feeling nervous about running the race of his life at the Olympics in Beijing next month, he's not showing it.
Immigrant Soccer Players from Across the Globe Go Balls Out at a St. Louis Parknew
La Liga Latino Americana de Futbol has grown from a weekend assemblage of 4 teams -- all hailing from the same small town in southwestern Mexico -- to 28 teams, with more than 1,000 players representing nearly every corner of the map: Nigeria, Kenya, Iraq, Brazil and Hungary among them.
Riverfront Times |
Keegan Hamilton |
07-25-2008 |
Sports
