Queen of Sports

Samuel Dalembert Wins Citizenship Award

76ers center Samuel Dalembert was honored by the NBA with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

A native of Haiti, Dalembert has worked tirelessly to provide relief for those devastated by the earthquake that hit the country in January.

In addition to donating $100,000 to UNICEF, the basketball player has visited the country twice since the quake and has been active in raising awareness for relief efforts.

His foundation, the Samuel Dalembert Foundation which was founded in 2007, has been working with UNICEF, the Red Cross and Feed the Children to help the devastated country.

Keep up the good work!

Dominique Dawes Wins the Bronze Medal…10 Years Later

After China’s gymnast Dong Fangxiao won the bronze medal at the Olympics in Sydney, concerns were brought up that she may be underage and thus eligible for disqualification. This February, the International Gymnastics Federation investigated Dong’s age, finding that she was 14 at the time she competed. Athletes are required to be at least 16 to participate in the Olympics. Her medal was stripped and she was instructed to return it. Next in line was now retired US gymnast Dominique Dawes, and her team mates  Amy Chow, Jamie Dantzscher, Kristen Maloney, Elise Ray and Tasha Schwikert. All just received their medals.

Dominique Dawes said in response to receiving the medal, “I never imagined in all my years of gymnastics that a decade following one of my Olympic Games I’d actually get a medal possibly shipped to me in the mail.”

Photo: WENN

Los Angeles Lakers Unveil Chick Hearn Statue

The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a new statue of legendary announcer Chick Hearn on Tuesday afternoon in front of Staples Center.

The statue shows Hearn seated at a desk while wearing a headset. There is a chair next to him that remains open, allowing fans to take photographs in it.

Approximately 500 fans attended the ceremony where former Lakers Byron Scott and James Worthy spoke. Other former Lakers in attendance included Bill Sharman, Rick Fox, Kurt Rambis and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Also on hand was Chick’s wife, Marge Hearn and Laker executive Jeanie Buss.

The Chick Hearn statue is the fourth that has been erected in front of Staples Center along with statues of Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky and Oscar De La Hoya.

Lindsey And Tom Vonn Attend ACM’s

Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and her husband, fellow 2002 Olympic Thomas Vonn attended the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday in las Vegas. The awards were hosted for the 12th consecutive time by Reba McEntire.

Some of the award winners included Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift.

Photo: Twitter

People All Stars Among Us

Major League Baseball has partnered with People Magazine to honor individuals that are making a difference in their communities. You can nominate a person from your community that has gone above and beyond to serve those in need.

A total of 30 everyday All-Stars (one representing each MLB team) will be honored at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim on July 13 and one will be featured in PEOPLE magazine.

To nominate someone you know, click here.

Vote For Athletes For Time Magazine’s 2010 Time 100 Poll

Time Magazine is asking readers to rank the Top 100 most influential people in the world for 2010.

Some notable athletes competing for the 100 spots: Lindsey Vonn, Tiger Woods, Apolo Ohno, Manny Pacquiao, Bode Miller, Drew Brees, Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters, Danica Patrick, Serena Williams, Alex Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry.

To cast your vote, click here. The final results will be revealed on April 29th.

USA Softball Player of the Year Jennie Finch Talks to Diamond Magazine

Olympic softball player Jennie Finch was named the Softball Athlete of the Year. Jennie sat down with Diamond Magazine to discuss the honor.

“I am completely honored all the way around to not only play for our great country but also to be recognized out of a group of extremely talented athletes,” said Finch. “I am surrounded by amazing women and feel blessed to be a part of USA Softball.”

Check out the full spread here.

Laureus World Sportsman Award Winners Announced

The 2010 Laureus World Sportsman Award winners were announced today in Abu Dhabi. Award winners include tennis champ Serena Williams and Olympic Usain Bolt.

Laureus celebrates the universal power of sport to bring people together as a force for good, passionately embodying the very spirit of sport – the pursuit of excellence, overcoming challenges, celebrating achievement and excellence, and winning against the odds.

Complete list of winners:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Usain Bolt

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Laureus World Team of the Year: Brawn GP Formula One

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jenson Button

Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Kim Clijsters

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Natalie du Toit

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Stephanie Gilmore

Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Nawal El Moutawakel

Laureus Sport for Good Award: Dikembe Mutombo

For more info about the Laureus Awards, Academy and Foundation click here.