newsobserver.com blogs -- olympics

Olympic star Greg Louganis will speak to area divers at Duke

teribb — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:02:47 -0400

Triangle divers and their coaches and fans have the chance to meet one of competitive diving's legends this weekend.

Greg Louganis, a double gold-medalist at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, is visiting the Duke University campus in Durham for three days as part of an athlete mentor program conducted by USA Diving.

During Louganis' visit, Duke will hold a club day at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Louganis will talk with divers, coaches and fans at Duke's dry land practice facility located at 808 W. Trinity Ave., according to a Duke news release. The free event is open to the public.

Louganis, who won three NCAA championships, 47 U.S. national diving titles and was also a silver medalist on the platform in 1976, will spend three days helping Duke divers Abby Johnston and Nick McCrory prepare to travel to the July 16-31 world championships in Shanghai, China, and compete for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic squad.

Duke diving coach Drew Johansen is the U.S. coach for the world championships.

*** Got recreational sports news? Email Teri Boggess at play@newsobserver.com.

Find recreational sports events in the Play! Recreational Sports Calendar. ***

Olympians will greet hundreds of athletes at National Black Heritage Swim Meet in Cary

teribb — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:04:26 -0400

Olympians and Navy SEALs will be among the guests this weekend as more than 700 swimmers from around the nation converge at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary for the eighth annual National Black Heritage Championship Swim Meet.

2008 Olympic gold-medalist and former N.C. State swimming star Cullen Jones will sign autographs on Sunday, and he also will swim two 50-meter freestyle exhibitions with 14 meet participants whose names will be drawn on Friday, according to an event news release.

2004 Olympic silver-medalist Maritza Correia will host a clinic at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will hold three mini-clinics for meet participants on Saturday. She also will be the keynote speaker at Friday's community breakfast honoring minority swimming pioneers. The 9-11 a.m. breakfast is open to the public. (Weekend schedule.)

Among the visiting SEALs will be William "Bill" Goines, who was the first African-American Navy SEAL. Goines served more than 32 years on active duty and achieved the rank of master chief petty officer, according to a U.S. Navy news release.

The meet, which returns to Cary for the second consecutive year and is one of the stops on the national Cullen Jones Diversity Tour, is expected to draw more than 40 teams from 12 states and the District of Columbia.

The host team is the N.C. Aquablazers Swim Team, which, according to the event news release, is "a small group of diverse swimmers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, who, along with their parents, want to inspire more minorities to learn to swim and join the competitive swimming ranks."

Got more recreational sports news?

Report your own recreational sports news on the free community edition of Play!

Check out the 2010 Triangle Running Honor Roll.

Or post a photo of your team or an outstanding individual competitor.

You'll also find an extensive Play! calendar of tryouts, tournaments, camps, clinics and events, including the Triangle's many running events.

Looking for a team or league? Try the Guide to Triangle Recreational Sports.

Does your team need equipment or donations, or do you have equipment or facility time to donate? Check out the Play! Exchange.

- Teri Boggess

play@newsobserver.com

Olympic gold-medalist Peter Vanderkaay will conduct clinic for Triangle swimmers

teribb — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:39:35 -0400

An Olympic gold-medalist is coming to the Triangle to share his experiences and expertise with recreational and competitive swimmers.

Peter Vanderkaay, who won gold medals on the 800 freestyle relay teams at the Athens Olympics and the Beijing Olympics, will visit Raleigh for the clinic on April 17.

He will instruct swimmers during the Speedo Olympic Swim Clinic being held 9-11 a.m. at N.C. State's Willis Casey Natatorium.

The Marlins Of Raleigh Swim Team will host clinic.

Vanderkaay, who is a 26-year-old Michigan graduate, is one of the top freestyle swimmers in the United States and is aiming for the 2012 Summer Games in London.

At the Raleigh clinic, Vanderkaay is scheduled to talk about the finer points of freestyle swimming that have led to his international success and to speak about the motivation that has put him on record-setting relay teams with U.S. superstar Michael Phelps, Marlins coach Paul Silver said in announcing the clinic.

Registration for the clinic costs $20 per swimmer and is due by April 15. Parents can attend for free. For more information, contact Paul Silver at 919-851-3000 or visit the Marlins' Web site for a registration form.

Got more recreational sports news?

Report your own recreational sports news on the free community edition of Play!

Or post a photo of your team or an outstanding individual competitor.

You'll also find an extensive Play! calendar of tryouts, tournaments, camps, clinics and events, including the Triangle's many running events.

Looking for a team or league? Try the Guide to Triangle Recreational Sports.

Does your team need equipment or donations, or do you have equipment or facility time to donate? Check out the Play! Exchange.

- Teri Boggess

play@newsobserver.com

Iyer and Bowler run to victories in Raleigh's 28th Run for the Oaks

teribb — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:37:32 -0400

A threat of rain failed to keep more than 600 runners and walkers from turning out for the 28th annual Run for the Oaks on Saturday in downtown Raleigh.

The race is put on by the Raleigh
Parks and Recreation Department to raise money to plant oak trees in
the city known as the “City of Oaks.”

N.C. State junior Srini Iyer, 20, of Raleigh covered the 5K
route in 15:59, reported race organizer Jim Young of Young & Associates. Derrin Pierret, 20, also of Raleigh, was second in
16:08. Eric Blessed, 25, of Durham was third in 16:29.

Kimberly Bowler, 39, of Raleigh led the women with a 19:27 finish.
She was followed by two master runners - former U.S. 10,000-meters
Olympian Joan Nesbit Mabe, 48, of Chapel Hill in 19:40 and Debra
Warner, 45, of Cary in 20:03.

The race was the first event in the six-race Eastern Carolina
Corporate Road Race Series. IBM teams won the Open Men and Male
Masters competitions, and Paraxel took the Women’s Open team title.

For more running results, check the Running Honor Roll.

Got more recreational sports news?

Report your own recreational sports news on the free community edition of Play!

Or post a photo of your team or an outstanding individual competitor.

You'll also find an extensive Play! calendar of tryouts, tournaments, camps, clinics and events, including the Triangle's many running events.

Looking for a team or league? Try the Guide to Triangle Recreational Sports.

Does your team need equipment or donations, or do you have equipment or facility time to donate? Check out the Play! Exchange.

- Teri Boggess
play@newsobserver.com

What to Watch on Sunday: Seinfeld's "Marriage Ref" follows Olympics

brookecain — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Men's hockey, cross country, and curling all go for the gold! The closing ceremony begins at 8pm. Full schedule.

Amazing Race (8pm, CBS) - The nine remaining teams travel from Chile to Argentina, and one member of one team ends up in the emergency room, and another team overestimates their ability to use a compass (please don't be Jordan and Jeff).

Undercover Boss (9pm, CBS) - I skipped the 7-Eleven episode but I think I have to tune in tonight when White Castle CEO Dave Rife goes undercover at his chain restaurants.

Brothers & Sisters (10pm, ABC) - Sarah has decided she loves Luc, just as he's about to marry someone else for a green card.

The Marriage Ref (10:30pm, NBC) - It's a special sneak preview of the new Jerry Seinfeld-produced reality show after the Winter Olympics closing ceremony. In the show, real life couples argue about a marital problem in front of a panel of celebrities, and host Tom Papa decides the winner. The panelists on the first show are Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, and Alec Baldwin.

What to Watch on Friday: Big night for Lindsey Vonn, Apolo Ohno

brookecain — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Ryan Miller and the US men's hockey team head into the semi-finals, Lindsey Vonn competes in her final event, and Apolo Ohno races for short track gold. Also, curling gold and bronze games for women. Full schedule.

The Ricky Gervais Show (9pm, HBO) - Tonight on this very funny animated chat show, the topics include lion-mutilation in Cambodia, public nudity, and what you need to know about donating to charities.

CMT Cribs (10pm, CMT) - Ever wonder where Roscoe P. Coltrane lives? Me neither. Nonetheless, CMT takes you into the home of actor James Best and also his Hazzard County rival, John Schneider (aka Bo Duke). Also featured, Mr. George Jones.

Real Time with Bill Maher (10pm, HBO) - Bill's round table guests are editor Chrystia Freeland, author Reihan Salam, and actress Olivia Wilde. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, is interviewed.

What to Watch on Thursday: It's Ladies Night at the Winter Olympics

brookecain — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Gold is on the line for Rachael Flatt (right), Mirai Nagasu, and Kim Yu-Na in figure skating. Also, women's cross country and free skate, women's curling, and women's hockey (gold and bronze games). Full schedule.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Four contestants are voted out tonight -- two guys and two girls.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (8pm, CBS) - James gets overly physical in a challenge, and a female contestant identifies a threat and seeks to eliminate her rival. Someone goes home.

Burn Notice (10pm, USA) - No, it's not a reality show about sunglasses. It's the eighth highest rated show on cable. People love it. The New York Post calls it "a lot of fun." Tonight, Fi deals with a paranoid kidnapper and Michael tries to take down a black ops rival, but the situation gets out of control.

What to Watch on Wednesday: "Psych" think tank backfires

brookecain — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Apolo Ohno returns to the short track and Lindsey Vonn in the giant slalom. Also, USA hockey, curling, and bobsled. Full schedule.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Tonight it's time for the Top 12 men to perform.

Faces of America (8pm, UNC-TV) - Henry Louis Gates uses genealogical research and DNA testing to determine the ancestry of prominent people. Tonight he focuses on Meryl Streep, Yo-Yo Ma, and Eva Longoria Parker.

Psych (10pm, USA) - Shawn and Gus (left) are thrilled when they're asked to join a think tank group designed to protect a tycoon from assassination plot. But once the group disbands, the guys realize one member was using the group to plan an attack on the tycoon. Miguel Ferrer guest stars.

Jimmy Kimmel Live (12midnight, ABC) - Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") is Jimmy's guest.

What to Watch on Tuesday: Women compete on "American Idol"

brookecain — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Women's figure skating, curling and hockey. Full schedule.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The first night of real competition begins with the Top 12 female singers and viewer voting. Simon believes a woman will win this year, so pay attention.

RuPaul's Drag Race (9pm, VH1) - The contestants do celebrity impersonations on a TV game show, and Lisa Rinna and Niecy Nash are the guest judges.

White Collar (10pm, USA) - Neal's old rival challenges him to recreate a rare bottle of wine owned by Ben Franklin, but when the competition gets out of hand, Peter has to step in.

Southland (10pm, TNT) - In the first season finale, a Marta's Avenue gang member is found dead outside Dodger Stadium and Lydia takes Janilla into her home for protection. It's a great finale. Please watch and make NBC regret they were ever stupid enough to cancel this show. TNT will show six new episodes starting March 2.

What to Watch on Monday: "Men of a Certain Age" finale is nothin' but trouble.

brookecain — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Ice dancing concludes, free style skiing and ski jumping, men's and women's curling, and women's hockey. Full schedule.

The Bachelor: The Women Tell All (8pm, ABC) - Fifteen spurned ladies return to talk about Jake. I only want to see that crazy one. I know, I need to be more specific. The crazy one. Yeah, that one.

24 (9pm, Fox) - President Taylor tries to push the peace process forward, but the possibility of failure looms, which prompts some in power to look for scapegoats. Which is "24-ese" for "somebody gonna get got."

Men of a Certain Age (10pm, TNT) - In the season 1 finale, which was co-written by Ray Romano, Joe's new home (partly paid for with a crazy $25k bet) creates some game-changing financial problems. Owen's strained relationship with his father reaches a breaking point when he begins working for the competition, and Terry has troubles stemming from his new acting gig.

Damages (10pm, FX) - Patty argues with the DA about a potential witness, and a job candidate at Hewes & Shayes questions Ellen about Patty.

Kell on Earth (10pm, Bravo) - Kelly, Emily, and Robyn go to England to promote London Fashion Week, and Kelly reunites with the father of her daughter.

What to Watch on Sunday: Jordan is off to Chile (not China)

brookecain — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Curling, ski cross, biathalon, hockey, ice dancing, slalom, bobsledding. Full schedule.

Sins of the Mother (8pm, Lifetime Movie) - A graduate student (Nicole Beharie) returns home to her abusive mother (Jill Scott) to find that her mom has changed her ways. Still, she struggles to forgive. Our review.

Amazing Race 16 (8pm, CBS) - In an episode titled "When the Cow Kicked Me in the Head," the 10 remaining teams -- including NC's Jordan Lloyd (with Jeff, at left) and Miss Teen S.C. -- travel to Chile (not China). One team is eliminated.

Undercover Boss (9pm, CBS) - Last week's Hooters episode wasn't as good as the Waste Management pilot. Tonight, we get Joseph DePinto, the CEO from 7-Eleven. Work that Slurpee machine!

Desperate Housewives (9pm, ABC) - Stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold Robin (Julie Benz, aka Rita from "Dexter") helps the ladies on Wisteria Lane spruce up their sex lives.

Brothers & Sisters (10pm, ABC) - Gilles Marini is back as a regular member of the cast. Kitty's friend Buffy (Cheryl Hines,"Curb Your Enthusiasm") becomes her campaign manager when she runs for Robert's old Senate seat.

How to Make it in America (10pm, HBO) - Cam, Ben, and Renee search for a manufacturer for their 1970's-style designer jeans. Fashion designer John Varvatos appears as himself.

What to Watch on Saturday: Shorty's pit wants to be a star

brookecain — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Lindsey Vonn in the super-G, and in speedskating, Apolo Ohno on the short track and Shani Davis on long. Plus, curling and men's hockey. Full schedule.

The Deadliest Catch (12noon, Discovery) - Discovery is showing a marathon today honoring Capt. Phil Harris, who died earlier this month. The first two hours are made up of Harris's best scenes from Season 4. From 2pm to 3am, they air the second half of 2009's Season 5.

Pit Boss (10pm, Animal Planet) - While Ashley searches for a home for a pit bull abandoned at their office, Shorty Rossi (right) takes his dog to an audition and tries to convince the director that the mutt can act.

The Ricky Gervais Show (10:30pm, HBO) - If you missed last night's premiere, here's another chance.

Wanda Sykes Show (11pm, Fox) - Sade and rapper MC Lyte are Wanda's guests tonight.

Link to 2010 Olympic medal count

matthewfortner — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:46:02 -0500

Keep track of the number of medals won by each country at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The medal count is updated every hour and is optimized for small mobile devices, but should work with any browser.

So whether you are on a laptop, iPhone, RIM or Android device, check it out here.

What to Watch on Friday: Olympic Skeleton and new HBO premieres

brookecain — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Figure skating, alpine skiing, ski jumping, and skeleton (left), which I have never seen. That will change tonight. Full schedule.

Bang For Your Buck (9:30pm, HGTV) - Designer Vern Yip evaluates three kitchen remodels in Raleigh.

Ricky Gervais Show (9pm, HBO) - The series opener of a podcast-turned-animated series featuring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington, who discuss a variety of topics.

The Life and Times of Tim (9:30pm, HBO) - In the season 2 premiere of another HBO animated series, Tim's post-breakup beard interferes with his job. Guest voices tonight include Will Forte and Tony Hale.

Real Time with Bill Maher (10pm, HBO) - Fresh off his big HBO special (filmed in Raleigh), Maher opens season 8 of his political affairs enntertainment show with guests Wanda Sykes, Eliot Spitzer, Seth McFarland, Norah O'Donnell, and Elizabeth Warren.

20/20 (10pm, ABC) - Actor/comedian Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") talks about his new book, "My Footprint: Saving the Planet One Pound at a Time."

What to Watch on Thursday: Shotgun wedding on "Private Practice"

brookecain — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Figure skating, speed skating, snowboarding. Full schedule.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (8pm, CBS) - Boston Rob passes out in the jungle and needs medical help. Someone goes home. There are two contestants from NC this season! Check back tomorrow for our recap.

Past Life (9pm, Fox) - The team discovers that two people experiencing the same regressions are actually star-crossed lovers who find each other in each new life.

Private Practice (10pm, ABC) - Babies having babies... Naomi still won't help with the wedding plans of her pregnant teenage daughter, Maya, who is set to marry her baby's father, Dink (right).

Burn Notice (10pm, USA) - "Burn Notice" finally get its "infiltrate the fashion world" episode.

Nielsen tracking online buzz on olympians

matthewfortner — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:43:49 -0500

Blogs, tweets and online discussions are buzzing over Olympic athletes. Has your favorite Olympian make the top ten?

1    Apolo Ohno       USA    Speed Skating
2    Shaun White           USA    Snowboarding
3    Nodar Kumaritashvili Georgia Luge
4    Lindsey Vonn              USA    Alpine Skiing
5    Johnny Weir                USA    Figure Skating
6    Alexandre Bildeau        Canada    Freestyle Skiing
7    Bode Miller                  USA    Alpine Skiing
8    Hanna Kearney            USA    Freestyle Skiing
9    Seth Wescott               USA    Snowboarding
10    Gretchen Bleiler        USA    Snowboarding

You can read more at Nielsen.

What to Watch on Wednesday: Stephen Colbert meets his ancestors

brookecain — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Snowboarding, speedskating, Alpine skiing. Full schedule.

Faces of America (8pm, UNC-TV) - Henry Louis Gates uses genealogical research and DNA testing to help prominent Americans discover their ancestry. Tonight the focus is on Stephen Colbert, chef Mario Batali, Jordan's Queen Noor, and Kristi Yamaguchi.

Human Target (8pm, Fox) - An engineer wants to leave his job at a weapons company, but needs Chance's help to shake free.

American Idol (9pm, Fox) - The season's top 24 finalist are announced.

Psych (10pm, USA) - Eighties star Judd Nelson guest stars in an episode in which Shawn and Gus try to recover a stolen lethal pathogen which could be released into the city.

Nip/Tuck (10pm, FX) - Joan Rivers has a cameo as herself. Also appearing in guest star roles, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills.

Free Olympic videos of Lindsey Vonn & Shaun White

matthewfortner — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:00:19 -0500

iTunes is offering video profiles on American Olympians Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White.

Vancouver Olympics 2010
Alpine Skiing
Lindsey Vonn: Profile of a Champion
Download here

Vancouver Olympics 2010
Snowboarding
Shaun White Profile
Download here

What to Watch on Tuesday: Finale of Jimmie Johnson's HBO series

brookecain — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Figure skating, snowboarding, speedskating, Alpine skiing. Check out the full schedule here.

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - The Hollywood round continues with more contestants trying to win a Top 24 spot. Two hours tonight.

RuPaul's Drag Race (9pm, VH1) - RuPaul divides the ladies into teams to film a country-themed commercial directed by Kathy Najimy, who along with Tanya Tucker, serves as a judge.

24/7 Jimmie Johnson: The Race to Daytona (10pm, HBO) - The season finale of the NASCAR racer's reality show features Jimmie's performance in the 52nd Daytona 500.

What to Watch on Monday: "Unexpected" continues to shine

brookecain — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:30:00 -0500

Winter Olympics (NBC) - Figure skating, alpine skiing, speedskating, snowboarding. Check out the full schedule.

Life Unexpected (9pm, The CW) - Lux tries to make friends at school by throwing a party at Baze's loft, and Cate worries that she'll never have the same easy-going bond Lux has with her father.

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (10pm, Food) - A visit to a burger joint in Columbia, S.C. known for putting fried green tomatoes on top of the patties. Pawley's?

Damages (10pm, FX) - The name of tonight's episode is "Don't Throw That at the Chicken," so it'll be worth watching just to see why...

Men of a Certain Age (10pm, TNT) - Joe bets $25,000 on a basketball game hoping to make a down payment on a house. And when Owen's father decides to trim his schedule, he asks Marcus to manage the dealership.