Ex-Olympian says escort work related to depression

Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton sent shock waves through the running community Thursday by admitting she led a double life, secretly working as a call girl who earned $600 an hour for a Las Vegas escort service.

In a story first reported by The Smoking Gun, the 44-year-old wife and mother from Wisconsin described her call girl work as "exciting." She used an alias but revealed her identity to several clients, The Smoking Gun wrote. She said her husband, Mark Hamilton, knew of her work as a call girl in the last year but didn't support it.

After news of the story spread, Favor Hamilton wrote on Twitter that she made "highly irrational choices and I take full responsibility."

"I am not a victim here and knew what I was doing," she wrote, adding the escort business provided coping mechanisms during a challenging time in her marriage. "I do not expect people to understand, but the reasons for doing this made sense to me at the time and were very much related to depression."

PHOTOS: Suzy Favor Hamilton through the years

Suzy Favor Hamilton is all smiles while running a victory lap after the women's 1,500 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trails in 2000. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

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Sports officials expressed shock. "There's an old expression, 'You're as sick as your secrets.' This is a big one," said Nancy Hogshead-Makar, senior director of advocacy for the Women's Sports Foundation, while offering her condolences to Favor Hamilton. The foundation studies how sports influences girls' lives, including sexual behavior. "It is the exact opposite of this behavior," Hogshead-Makar said.

USA Track and Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee had no comment. Calls to Favor Hamilton's real estate agency in Madison were not returned.

One of the most decorated middle-distance runners in NCAA history, she won nine national titles for Wisconsin. After being Big Ten female athlete of the year three times, the conference named the award after her. The Big Ten declined to comment.

Favor Hamilton went on to make the U.S. Olympic team in the 1,500 in 1992 and 2000 and in the 800 in 1996.

Considered a medal contender in the 1,500 final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Favor Hamilton collapsed on the last lap. She later told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she fell on purpose because she wasn't going to win a medal in honor of her brother, who had committed suicide.

Favor Hamilton was paid to make appearances at Rock 'n Roll Marathon events to teach runners as part of its legends program. Tracy Sundlun, senior vice president of Competitor Group, said it had not been discussed whether she would continue. "My guess is no," said Sundlun, who has known Favor Hamilton for almost 30 years.

She also was a special guest at a couple of Disney running events, said Andrea Finger, a spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort. Finger confirmed that Disney had canceled a scheduled appearance by Favor Hamilton for a running expo next August.

Sundlun said he met Favor Hamilton when she was a teen competing at the national scholastic indoor championships. He said she was "inspirational" to marathon runners who came out to hear her story.

Said Sundlun: "Other than this one step off the pier, this is a truly classy person."

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2012/12/20/suzy-favor-hamilton-worked-escort-las-vegas/1783279/

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin looking for more on the ground

The Steelers running game has been one of the worst in football this season, but the return of Rashard Mendenhall could give it a huge boost. (US Presswire)

Of course, Mike Tomlin isn't happy with the special teams he helps coach, primarily because they haven't contributed positively during a 1-2 start. He isn't content with a defense that hasn't played with its full complement of expected starters in almost a calendar year. And outside linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu -- from the way Tomlin talked Tuesday -- are at long last expected to return Sunday against Philadelphia. And, no, he's admittedly "not satisfied" with the no-huddle offense.

His biggest disappointment, and unclaimed opportunity, remains that Steelers staple: the running game.

Look at them now. The Steelers rank dead last in the NFL, a paltry 2.6 yards per rush. In yards per game, they rank second to last with 65, inches ahead of the Raiders, who beat them most recently (34-31 before the bye week). Used to be, 65 yards was a Steelers half.

No wonder Tomlin talked Tuesday as if Rashard Mendenhall will make his 2012 debut Sunday, 10 months after a New Year's Day ACL tear.

"We need to be better," Tomlin said Tuesday of that running game. "And we will be."

Mendenhall, whom the coach called their "lead dog," could work well in a retooled blocking scheme under offensive coordinator Todd Haley. But a post-surgery Mendenhall had no preseason, so he'll be adjusting as he goes.

Will he return Sunday against the Eagles? Tomlin said something about tuning in at 4:30 p.m. Sunday to find out, which would be after the game.

"Obviously, if he's capable, he'll help us," Tomlin said.

Same for Harrison, who, like Mendenhall, started training camp on the physically unable to perform list (among six Steelers total). Tomlin is optimistic that Harrison (knee) and Polamalu (calf) will both return to the field Sunday. Polamalu has played the one game between them so far, the loss at Denver.

Sunday could mark the first game since last season when all anticipated starters are on the field at once.

Follow Steelers reporter Chuck Finder on @CBSSteelers and @cfinder.

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20434335/steelers-coach-mike-tomlin-looking-for-more-on-the-ground

Michigan players accept responsibility for tough loss

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson apologized to teammates regarding his poor outing against Notre Dame, but defensive lineman Will Campbell assured the quarterback that no apology was necessary. (David Guralnick/Detroit News)

Ann Arbor - Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson apologized to Wolverines fans after his five-turnover performance in a loss at Notre Dame last Saturday.

He echoed those apologies to his teammates following the 13-6 loss.

Michigan does not have a game on Saturday. The Wolverines, who are 2-2 and dropped out of the national polls, open Big Ten play Oct. 6 at Purdue.

"He addressed us in the locker room," defensive lineman Will Campbell said on Tuesday. "We told him it wasn't all on him and we need to stand behind each other and protect one another.

"We all as a defense went up to Denard and told him it's a team thing."

That was the message from Michigan coach Brady Hoke, as well.

"You make sure he understands we took 69 guys to the game, we've got 115 on this football team," Hoke said. "We're all responsible — coaches, players, everybody. He's smart enough, he's competitive enough he'll take a lot out of this game."

Asked if there was a common thread to Robinson's turnovers, Hoke was brief.

"No, not really," Hoke said.

Was there anything Notre Dame did to affect Robinson?

"No, not really," he repeated.

Hoke said Robinson has met with Al Borges, the Wolverines' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He did not reveal much about that discussion.

"Decisions," Hoke said when asked what was said to Robinson. "What else are you going to say? Decisions."

Robinson admitted after the game he clearly made some poor decisions on throws and forced some of them.

"I just told him to keep his head up," right guard Patrick Omameh said. "We understand this is a team concept."

Tailback Fitz Toussaint, who said earlier this season that Robinson gave him a great deal of support while he dealt with legal issues and a one-game suspension, has offered similar support to Robinson.

"He's our brother, we have to show him support," Toussaint said. "We all made mistakes, not just Denard. We did it as a team. We have his back through anything."

Since the loss, Robinson has been resilient.

"Denard's been Denard," Toussaint said. "He had a smile on his face and is ready to improve."

Injury update

Receiver Devin Gardner , slow to get up after hitting a metal apparatus just beyond the end zone late in the Notre Dame game, is "fine", Hoke said.

"Devin, in his own way, is mentally tough," he said. "I think he likes where he's gone to with that being a wideout."

Safety Marvin Robinson didn't make the trip to Notre Dame. Hoke said he suffered an undisclosed injury during the UMass game and realized Wednesday in practice "he just couldn't go."

Big Ten chances

Hoke called last season's 11-2 record a disappointment because it didn't include a Big Ten championship. He was asked his opinion Tuesday of Michigan's chance to win the conference.

"I think nothing's changed," Hoke said.

Does he like the Wolverines' chances?

"I like our team," he said.

Firing up the offense

Late in the Notre Dame game, Campbell was in the middle of the offensive huddle trying to fire up his teammates.

"I was just trying to get them riled up, let them know we were behind them all the way, just let them know the defense was behind them," Campbell said. "At practice if Denard sees the defense lagging, he's going to come in our huddle and tell us to pick it up. It's only right if I did the same thing to them."

Taking time off?

Just because the Wolverines don't play Saturday doesn't mean they're slacking this week.

The team has today off, will practice Thursday and Friday and have Saturday off before returning Sunday.

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com twitter.com/chengelis

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120926/SPORTS0201/209260334#ixzz27YN29rwu

Funny images of Wayne Rooney

Wayne Mark Rooney, one of the best English footballers, was born in October 1985 in Liverpool, where there are two big football clubs: Liverpool and Everton. At the age of 10, he joined the youth team of Everton and became the youngest footballer to play for England at seventeen. Rooney now plays for Premier League club Manchester Unitedand England national team.

The case that Rooney wanted to quit Manchester United and suddenly came back has been listed among the most enjoyable topics of funny and colorful caricatures in England. Here are some photos of Rooney that  make people laugh a lot.

Rooney’s image in Man City’s traditional blue board is planned to be set up in Manchester

“Stubborn son” Rooney is in the arm of “father” Alex Ferguson

Rooney and “beautiful girls” including Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Redknapp, Carlo Ancelotti, Carlos Tevez và Roberto Mancini (from left to right)

Rooney looks like a prostitute, bargaining the price with “playboy” Roberto Mancini of Manchester City

“Please Sir Alex, can we have Rooney? We’re so very hungry for a trophy,” Manchester City’s manager entreated

Many people think that Rooney knows nothing at all. His recently actions have been guided by his consultant, Paul Stretford

Coming back Manchester United, Rooney can gain a lot of money

Joining in Manchester City, Rooney can earn a lot of money as well.

The threatening sentence “Join in City and you’re dead” was written on a board with Rooney’s image in Manchester. Is Ferguson is its owner?

Take care, Ferguson! Rooney may bite you

Real Madrid: Richest European Soccer Team

The European soccer season is coming soon in August where most of the best football clubs on Earth compete for both trophies and financial rewards. Deloitte's football annual 'Money League' 2011 has released the list of richest European teams’ revenues for the 2009/2010 season for the 2009/2010 season in the sixth year running.

Real Madrid / League: La Liga (Spain)

2010 Revenue: 438.6 million euros ($625.8 million)

2009 Revenue: 401.4 million euros ($572.8 million)

Although Barcelona is the undisputed king of the pitch, but Real Madrid has topped the richest list. The team makes broadcasting revenues of 158.7 million euros which accounted for 34 percent of Real's 2010 revenue. The team has Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Wunderkind Mesut Özil and Christina Ronaldo.

Real Madrid / League: La Liga (Spain)

FC Barcelona / League: La Liga (Spain)

2010 Revenue: 398.1 million euros ($575 million)

2009 Revenue: 365.9 million euros ($528.3 million)

The continuous success of Barcelona makes the team the greatest in the history of club soccer. The team wins Spain's La Liga and European champions in 2010/2011. Most importantly, Barcelona is the first team in history to ever win Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, Copa del Rey and the FIFA Club World Cup.

FC Barcelona / League: La Liga (Spain)

Manchester United / League: Premier League (England)

2010 Revenue: 349.8 million euros ($493.8 million)

2009 Revenue: 327.0 million euros ($461.6 million) B

Considered the valuable sports franchise in the world, Manchester United is rumored to worth $1.8 billion. The team failed to win European Champions League final to Barcelona but managed to have the nineteenth Premier League trophy.

Manchester United / League: Premier League (England)

Bayern Munich / League: Bundesliga (Germany)

2010 Revenue: 323.0 million euros ($455.7 million)

2009 Revenue: 289.5 million euros ($408.5 million)

Bayern Munich has always been the Germany's most successful club with 22 league titles, four European Champions League cups. German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer had been playing for the team in the 1970s.

Bayern Munich / League: Bundesliga (Germany)

Arsenal / League: Premier League (England)

2010 Revenue: 274.1 million euros ($359.4 million)

2009 Revenue: 263.0 million euros ($358.8 million)

Arsenal is the most successful soccer club in London and the second richest team in England in terms of income.

Arsenal / League: Premier League (England)

Manchester United - The Club With History

Vietnam chess champ in second place at Dortmund contest

Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem drew his match with the Hikaru Nakamura, ranked first in the US, at the 39th Super GM Chess meet in Dortmund, Germany on Friday.
The draw with the 6th-ranked Japanese American helped the 27th-ranked Vietnamese extend his non-losing streak to seven matches with one win and remain in second spot at the July 22-31 event.
Second-placed Liem now has four points while fifth-ranked Russian Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik leads the tournament with six points. Liem, who is the only Vietnamese to enter the world top 100, also finished second at last year’s event.

By Hoang Quynh, Thanh Nien News  

 

Article source: http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110730185841.aspx

Owen lifts Man United to 2-1 friendly win over Barca

Michael Owen scored in the 76th minute to lift Manchester United to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a friendly football match that reprised their clash in the Champions League final.

Manchester United's Nani celebrates scoring a first half goal against Barcelona during their friendly match at FedExField, on July 30, in Landover, Maryland. Man United won 2-1

Nani on Saturday opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for English Premier League champions Manchester United, who were dominated 3-1 by the Spanish giants in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley in May.

Thanks to the stature of the clubs, FedEx Field in suburban Washington -- home of the NFL's Redskins -- drew a crowd of 81,807, the largest ever for a football match in the Washington DC area.

Tom Cleverley set up Owen's goal, intercepting Sergio Busquets' pass intended for Seydou Keita and racing toward the goal before finding Owen, who lofted the ball over Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Six minutes earlier Thiago Alcantara had equalized, blasting into the top corner of the goal after winger Carlos Carmona had cut inside and slotted a pass through.

The victory completed a perfect US tour for Manchester United, who return to England after five victories in their five friendlies.

"Tonight wasn't a do-or-die situation," United assistant coach Mick Phelan stressed. "It was important that the players we put out on the pitch understand what it takes to play against an exceptional team.

"We have some very good young players out there and (they) proudly conducted themselves to a high standard."

Barcelona, who are without two-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi as well as Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez for their US tour, travel to Miami on Sunday to face Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara in the second match of their North American pre-season tour.

"The confidence is huge," Guardiola said of Barcelona's outlook on the Spanish season, which begins in late August. "It's impossible to have more confidence in these players.

"It's impossible because they've shown me many, many times the quality they are."

Even with the notable absentees, Barcelona controlled the ball for long stretches.

But it was Nani who broke through to open the scoring, after Danny Welbeck broke from the back to set up the goal, with Nani giving Valdes little chance to make a save.

Although Barcelona continued to control possession, United's defence dealt ably with the constant pressure and Barcelona couldn't find another equalizer.

Thiago came close with a mid-range shot in the 89th, and Owen had a chance to add another goal in the first minute of injury time after a cross from Gabriel Obertan, but fired over the bar.

Thousands of spectators arrived early and gave the match a festive feel.

Chants of "Barca! Barca! Barca!" rang out from before kickoff, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reckoned support was about equally divided.

Once again on this North American tour, Ferguson was impressed by the atmosphere.

"It's quite possible it was 50-50 in terms of the fans for (Barcelona) and ourselves, and they're all mixed together," said Ferguson, whose side is now looking toward the Community Shield match on August 7 and their Premier League opener on August 14.

"It's a fantastic sight to see that. It gives you hope that the game is bereft of some of the things that have happened in the past."

Article source: http://www1.dtinews.vn/news/sports-_-entertainment/sports/owen-lifts-man-united-to-2-1-friendly-win-over-barca_14795.html