I was going to post this in the Hot Jocks section, because this Olympian is one of the hottest jocks. Yes, he has a great body. But it is his character that makes him really hot to me. He's Brendan Hansen, and last night at the trials he fell to fourth place in the 200 breaststroke, an event in which he held the world record. I'm linking to an article below that shows that he is an Olympian: true sportsmanship and humility. Unfortunately, we won't get to see him race against his rival, a Japanese swimmer. The Japanese press have been shadowing Brendan at the trials. He's better known in Japan than Michael Phelps. But Brendan has secured a ticket to Beijing. For good measure, I'll link to a few pictures of this fine young gentleman.


Sportsmanship in Being a Team Player


No Limits!


I was drawn first to the Olympic Rings on his left shoulder blade!

On his Mark!

Brendan Hansen is definitely a cutie. He and Aaron Piersol will hold my attention as they pursue their Olympic dreams.

And kudos for Cullen Jones who doesn't shirk the responsibility for being a role model even though it is not something he asked for or has to do.

And my favorite picture of him is [url= http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/20...arge_cullen.jpg]training kids to swim[/url] so they won't drown - no false encouragement that they might be Olympians one day. Though I'm sure he'd love it if he found someone with that potential.

Nice feature on Alexandre Despatie's friendship with Chinese rival.

Toronto Star: Diver pals breach Chinese wall

Swimmer Eric Shanteau learned shortly before the Olympic trials that he has testicular cancer. Although it was apparently discovered early, his doctor wanted to perform surgery immediately. Instead, Shanteau has made the decision to delay surgery until after Beijing. He will be monitored every week to make sure the cancer does not spread; if it does he will immediately undergo surgery. Kudos to him; I don't know that I could ever be so brave.

In the news this morning there was an item about the death of an Hungarian canoeist, Gyorgy Kolonics, while training for Beijing. It would have been his 5th Olympic Games. He gold medaled in Atlanta and at Sydney.

Sad.


Obit from Die Welt

Kayaker Adam Van Koeverden to carry the flag in the Opening Cermonies for Team Canada. His blog on the Rogers Sportsnet website.

Another great story..
A female open water swimmer from South Africa is also an amputee. She lost her leg just above the knee and still competes. Her name is Natalie Du Toit. NBC did a spotlight profile on her tonight. A wonderful story. Though I wonder why they let her compete. It's an obivous disadvantage. But then if she used or even could use her prostetic, some would say it's a advantage. Personally I admire her courage and spirit.
I also wonder how often this type of issue comes up and the rules reguarding such conditions.


So great to see German gymnast Fabian Hambuechen get a medal. A bronze in the horizonal bar final. Not only is this guy a total cutie hunk, he has one of the best olympic attitudes and sportsmanship I've seen in these games. Glad he didn't go home empty handed. Allthough in one pic he looks like he's getting a big handful of Horton. Is their romance in the air for these two?


And last but not least is the cyclist from Great Britian, Mark Cavendish. What a hottie with bedroom eyes. But it's just my luck I keep missing the cycling coverage on, 'the family networks of NBC.'