As you can see, Shaq completely makes waste of Gerald Wallace in a game January 23, 2009.

He’s still got it.

I must say, though I’ve never learned to skate, it was a bunch of fun. I ripped it up on one of those handle things that look like old people walking cage whats-a-ma-doodles, and that’s no lie.

Not only was the building beautiful on the outside, it was also amazing inside. When I walked in, there were many Olympians done training and leaving or just hanging about. There’s also a very intense fitness centre. Public skate and the weight lifting are available to the public. They range from $4.50 to $12.50 depending on your age. Or you could get the 60 day pass for $60.

When 2010 comes, I’m sure we’ll see an exciting Olympics, as the Oval gave me a fun experience.

I know I do.

But that’s not what we’re here for today. This time, I’ve come to honor some of my other favourite athletes, of the girl-ular variety.

Stephanie Rice

Born in June 17, 1988, she currently holds the world record for 200m and 400m individual medley, winning 3 golds at t

he Beijing Olympics. She was born in Brisbane, Australia. I don’t know about you, but I find the Aussie accent just tantalizing.

Recently, her facebook account had pictures deemed too raunchy for Swimming Australia, so she had to take them off…though not before getting over 1.7 million hits. And I wouldn’t blame all 1.7 million, as the pictures showed her in a questionable police uniform.

Of course, the pictures were taken off and replaced with more wholesome pictures of her modeling in her swimsuit.

Ellen Hoog

Ellen winning gold at the Olympics with her less attractive friend

I certainly love the foreign girls. Ellen Hoog, born March 26, 1986 in Bloemendaal (Netherlands), is a member of the Dutch field hockey team. She was part of the Dutch squad that became World Champion at the 2006 Women’s Hockey World Cup. As well she won the 2008 Olympics with the Dutch team.

Not only is she talented in field hockey, a sport that I suddenly now have interest in, she has also starred in the movie “Goud”. The movie is a documentary that will absolutely teach you nothing what-so-ever about hockey, but will entertain you nonetheless.

Lolo Jones

Lori Jones, also known as Lolo Jones, was born August 5, 1982. She went through a tough childhood. She went to eight schools in eight years while her single mother, Lori, often held down two jobs to support her family of six. In 3rd grade, her family settled in the basement of a Des Moines church. There was a camp at the church in the summer and Lolo would wake up early to avoid being teased by other kids if they found out she was living in the basement.

When her family wanted to move to Forest City, she begged her mom not to go somewhere without track and field, telling her that she wanted to pursue her dream. And pursue her dream was exactly what she did. She won three NCAA titles gaining 11 All-American honors while at LSU. She also won an indoor national titles in 2007 and 2008 in the 60m hurdles. Lolo also won her first world championship in 2008 in 60 m hurdles.

It was heartbreaking in the Beijing Olympics. She was expected to win the 100m hurdles, but clipped the 9th hurdle, losing her first place position, coming in at 7th. She fell to the floor crying, mouthing “why?why?” I felt her pain when I watched. Despite all her hard work, she ended up in a crushing defeat. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also a determined person, overcoming many obstacles.

Right before the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, a condom company in Argentina made this ad:

If you dont understand, Im not explaining

Unfortunately for them, Brazil won that match. This made the Brazillian Football (yes, everyone else in the world calls it that) organization create this ad:

“It was not the first time, neither will it be the last. Brasil 3 X 1 Argentina.”

Very witty and tasteless — just the type of humour I like.

In other news, People magazine recently voted him one of the sexiest men alive, not that it concerns me though…

Also, about two weeks ago, this went down in Village Idiot Pizza & Pub in Columbia, S.C. Michael Phelps distracted a girl while his friend dumped a bucket of ice on her.

Luckily, the girl saw it was Michael Phelps and let it go.

Hopefully, the greatest swimmer in the world won’t think that he can do anything, just because he’s Michael Phelps.

Last Saturday, November 8th, I got the chance to meet Olympic rower and gold medalist in the men’s 8+ event, Adam Kreek. I row for the school team, so it was an honour to talk to him. Standing at 6’4″, over 200lbs, the winner of 9 world championships and world cups was a truly intimidating figure, despite his friendly, humble manner.

But why was he at a little Bantam hockey tournament in the Ladner Liesure Centre? In case you missed it, when Canada won the men’s 8 event, Adam Kreek sang his heart out in the form of “O’ Canada” with such enthusiasm that the phrase “Sing Like Kreek” started. His singing was an inspiration for Canadian triathlon silver medalist Simon Whitfield, who wrote “sing like Kreek” on the bars of his bike, and repeating the phrase to himself as he finished.

He wants to tour the Canadian NHL cities, singing and rowdy-ing up the crowds. He came so that we could sing like him too. Equipped with a decibel meter, he measured just how loud the little crowd of maybe 100 could sing. I personally sang my heart out, but I felt that the crowd just wasn’t as inspired as I was. We got a grand total of 94 decibels; I wasn’t sure just how loud it was, but apparently, 85 decibels begins ear damage, and 100 decibels is the max volume of a normal car or house stereo.

The highlight of my night was definitely getting the picture signed and talking to Adam Kreek, though he relayed through three things to write (“Sing Like Me”, “Smiles are Golden”, and of course “Seize the Moment”) I will keep the picture to inspire me to work harder, so that maybe one day I’ll be as big and strong as him (probably not), and so that our team wins nationals this year (very possible).

If When I do win nationals come June, 2009, I will seize the moment, and sing like Kreek.

Wait, Adidas and who?

Adidas is known for endorsing many great athletes like Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Gilbert Arenas, but definitely not for Kobe and Jordan right?

The superpower Nike owns endorses those two to this day, but Kobe was once with Adidas back in the day. Just watch this commercial, it’s one of my favourite.

And what about Michael?

It’s a little known story, but according to my English teacher, Michael Jordan loved Adidas. When he was in high school, Nike offered him an endorsement. He went to Adidas and basically said, “Just offer me something.”

They didn’t. Dumb move.

And that’s why Michael Jordan and the iconic jumpman is property of Nike.

Everyone knows it. Wrestling is fake.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining, captivating, and luring. With its gimmicks and high flying demonstrations of athleticism, it’s hard not to take a second look when you see something like this:

…actually, I’m pretty sure I’m not allowed to show it but check it out yourself

They certainly know how to get the attention of the male audience all around the world. No wonder the WWE is such a thriving business

You might or might not have seen this page: http://kchrzast.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/pole-vaulting-my-new-favorite-sport/

But you’ve certainly seen this picture on it:

And what a fine picture it is. That’s why I’ve decided to give you all my favourite athletes, of the female variety:

Allison Stokke

Of course she would be here. Her overnight rise to success and fame is because of the picture above, taken when she was 17. Her birthday is December 31, 1989.

Most people know about her for being amazingly attractive, yet not many people know how well-balanced this girl is. She has a 2004 California state pole vaulting title, broke five national records and earned a scholarship to the University of California. She also is graduated high school with an above 4.0 grade point.

Yet, she has become an internet sensation and has gotten a lot of unwanted attention from blogs like this.

Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone, and Shawn Johnson,

This trio of gymnastics represented team USA recently in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and are a true example of sucess, heartbreak, and true Olympic spirit. In a controversial series of events, they emerged victorious, yet stayed humble.

Nastia Liukin was born in Moscow on October 30, 1989, to father Valeri Liukin, a double gold medalist at the 1988 Seoul Games; and mother Anna Kochneva Liukin, 1987 rhythmic world champion. They moved to Parker Texas, where she grew up. At first, her parents did not want her to be a gymnast, but at age 4, she would imitate moves she saw and they could not deny her talent.

Standing at 5’3″, she is considered tall for a gymnast and has an elegant style. She has won nine world championships medals. Nastia Liukin left Beijing with an amazing 5 medals(1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze), tying a U.S. record held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). In the all-around category, she won gold, with teammate Shawn Johnson coming second, for the one-two finish. She one-ups her father, Valeri, who “only” has four. Certainly, it runs in the familly.

Needless to say, I want Liukin to get Nastia with me…get it?

This pint sized, self professed “daredevil with a smile” is 4’9″. She was born (January 19, 1992) and raised in West Demoines, Iowa. She goes to a public school and tries to be a normal kid — well, as normal as a 16 year old can get after winning 4 Olympic medals.

As a child, Shawn was hyperactive and her parents did not know what to do; it just so happened that former Chinese Olympic gymnast, Liang Chow, had opened up “Chow’s Gym” nearby. The rest, they say, is history.

Winning a gold and three silvers at the Olympics is no average feat; neither is winning countless national and pan-American games titles. Yet, her future still holds so much.

Oh, and did I mention she bench presses 180 pounds?

At 5’1″ and 20 years old, Alicia Sacramone is the team captain of team USA. She was born and raised in Winchester, MA. She attends Brown as sociology major.

Alicia has established herself as one of the world’s best on floor and vault, winning gold on floor at the 2005 World Championships and adding silver on vault in 2006. In 2007, Sacramone took bronze on vault and silver on floor at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

Her Olympic story is unfortunate. After taking the blame for a fall, which contributed to a silver (her only medal from the games) finish behind China, I could not help but feel bad for the poor girl. Individually, Sacramone placed third overall on vault in the preliminary round of competition and qualified to the individual event final on that event. In the vault final, Sacramone placed fourth, just out of the medals. By the London Olympics, she will be 24, which is like a dinosaur in gymnastics age.

The three make an amazing team, but it is truly heartbreaking that such an amazing girl had a bad Olympic experience, which will probably be her only.

So, in the end it kinda turned out to be my favourite gymnasts and being stoked for Stokke, but don’t worry; I’ll work on bringing you more of my favourite atheletes. Part 2 is coming soon