Mariem Alaoui Selsouli sent home

London 2012 Olympics: Mariem Alaoui Selsouli sent home after failed drug test as Paul Padcliffe tweets 'good riddance'

Team GB medal hopeful Paula Radcliffe has said "good riddance" to Mariem Alaoui Selsouli after the Moroccan gold medal track prospect was thrown out of the Olympic Games after failing a drugs test for the second time in her career.

Ridiculous Mascot up for 2012 Olympics

Wenlock: the 2012 London Olympics Mascot

The name Wenlock is inspired by Much Wenlock, a small town in Shropshire.

In 1890, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was invited to visit Much Wenlock by Dr William Penny Brookes, an advocate of physical education in schools.

De Coubertin watched Dr Brookes' ‘Much Wenlock Games’, comprising athletics and traditional country sports with a procession of flag bearers, competitors and officials.

In 1894, de Coubertin’s proposal to establish the Olympic Games in a modern form was approved and the very first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens two years later. 

Tokyo 64 Track Shoe Revisiting Olympic Games in 1964

Worn during the Tokyo Olympic games in 1964, the “Tokyo 64” Addidas Sprinter Shoe

The 1964 Summer Olympics were seen as vitally important to the Japanese government. Much of Japan's infrastructure had been destroyed during World War II and the Olympics were seen as a chance to re-introduce Japan to the world and show off its new modernised roads and industry as well as its burgeoning economy. Every Olympics since the first modern games in 1896 Summer Olympics had been committed to film to some extent to another, usually financed by theInternational Olympic Committee for reasons of posterity. For the 1964 Olympics the Japanese government decided to finance their own film and initially hired Akira Kurosawa who, at the time, was the most famous Japanese director worldwide thanks to films such as Ikiru and Seven Samurai. However, Kurosawa's famous tendency for complete control - he demanded to not only direct the film but the opening and closing ceremonies as well - led to his dismissal. This led to the bringing in of Ichikawa, who had a reputation of coming in to productions where events hadn't followed the initial plans.

The film is held in very high regard and is seen, alongside Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia as one of the best films about the Olympics and one of the best sports documentaries of all time. Based on 11 reviews collected by the film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of critics gave the film a positive review.

Voula Papachristou Racist Remarks on Africans (Oympics 2012)

LONDON – Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou was banished from the Olympic Games on Wednesday after making racist comments and expressing right-wing sentiments on Twitter.

Papachristou was scheduled to fly to London next week from her training base in Athens when the Hellenic Olympic Committee – Greek’s Olympic federation – made the decision to expel her from the team

Papachristou, 23, made a racist and tasteless comment on her Twitter account, @papaxristoutj, that highlighted the number of African immigrants in Greece.

“With so many Africans in Greece … at least
the West Nile mosquitos will eat homemade food!!!,” 

Papachristou wrote. She also reposted a comment from controversial Greek politician Ilias Kasidiaris, who has strongly criticized his government’s “soft” immigration policy.

The West Nile virus was first discovered in Uganda, but cases have recently been found during the European summer. Papachristou’s tweet was met with a flood of angry responses, but she didn’t respond until Wednesday, when it became clear she might lose her spot in the Olympics.

“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account,” she said. “I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.”


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The triple jumper issued a wide-ranging apology after the ruling was announced. Her tone turned defiant on Thursday when she spoke with Reuters about the decision:

"I have not slept at all and to be honest I am still trying to come to terms with what has happened. I am trying to stay calm otherwise I would lose control."

"I am thankful to my coach and family and so many other people who have stuck by me.... After so many years of hurt and sacrifices to try and get to my first Olympics I am very bitter and upset. But what has upset me the most is the excessive reaction and speed of the disciplinary decision."

Though it's probably not best to talk about how you may "lose control" -- I don't think that's taught in Crisis Management 101 -- Papachristou has a point. The reaction was excessive and the speed with which it was made suggests undue haste. It's strange; Greek officials are usually so prudent and judicious in their decision making.

Beautiful faces at London Olympics 2012

Darya Klishina is a 21-year-old from Russia, whose chosen sport is long jump. With those long legs of hers, Klishina will be one to watch out for at the London Olympic Games.

Norwegian hurdler Christina Vukicevic is not only a stunner, but is amongst the top favourites to come away with a medal from the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Xue Chen is a beach volleyball player from China, and was ranked third in CNN International's list of Asia's 30 Sexiest Athletes.

Bulgarian athlete Ivet Lalova specialises in the 100 metres and 200 metres sprint events; and has been dubbed 'the fastest white woman in the world'. Look out for Lalova before she races away past the finish line.

Russian high jumper Anna Chicherova won the gold medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. Chicerova won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, and at London will look to jump her way to a different coloured medal.

Russian high jumper Anna Chicherova won the gold medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. Chicerova won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, and at London will look to jump her way to a different coloured medal.

Nike Air More Uptempo ‘Olympic Dream Team’ Shoe

The 1992 U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team, often referred to as the “Dream Team”, took home the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and defeated their competition by an average of 44 points—setting a record that has yet to be beaten. The team included the the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Magic Johnson—each and every one of them legends in the world of sports.

Adidas Olympic Inspired Conductor Highs

What was formally Patrick Ewing’s signature shoe has taken on a new name and a new look with these Olympic inspired Conductor Highs.  Adidas applies  6 colors represent each of the 5 rings on the Olympic symbol plus the white field on which the logo sits on and gold details that include an Olympic Torch, making the shape of the Adidas trefoil on the tongue.

the Torch on the Upper sleeve makes it look ready for the Olympics!

One Flag, five rings, six olympic colors.