Queen of Sports

Slovenian Skier: My Undergarments Are “Not Your Business”

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After the Swiss Ski Federation launched an investigation into Slovenian skier Tina Maze’s undergarments, she fired back with a message to them: “not your business.” Before a World Cup super-G race, Maze stripped down to expose her sports bra to the cameramen, where she had written the message across her chest.

Maze finished second at a super G race in Austria before her alleged “performance enhancing undergarments” were questioned by the ski federation. The group eventually ruled the undergarments were ok and did not in fact make her more aerodynamic.

You tell ‘em, Tina Maze!

Freestyle Skier Sarah Burke Dies At Age 29

In a very tragic turn of events since her accident on the slopes 8 days ago, Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke has passed away.

Burke was in an induced coma after falling and rupturing a vertebral artery, one of four major arteries which supplies blood to the brain. As a result, Burke suffered an intracranial hemorrhage which led her to go into cardiac arrest. She underwent surgery and many neurological examinations, but it was ultimately determined that the damage to her brain was severe and irreversible. Her family released a statement which noted that it was Sarah’s wish that all her organs and tissues be donated to save the lives of others.

Burke was a Roxy team rider for six years. On behalf of Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight, the company sent out their condolences to Burke’s family, reaffirming her importance in the action sports world, saying, “Sarah was a pioneer of her generation and for action sports. She has touched so many and accomplished so much in her time with us. Sarah’s memory will live on. Her skiing legacy continues to inspire people everywhere to believe in themselves and follow their hearts.  Her passing is not a cause to pack up our skis or our boards, but a reason to step in and ski our asses off for Sarah and the dreams that she inspired.”

Her family has set up a fund to honor her. Donations can be made here.

Our condolences go out to her family and friends. Sarah Burke may have passed, but her legacy will live on.

Photo: Roxy.com

Freestyle Skier In Coma After Training Accident

Freestyle skier Sarah Burke was airlifted from the mountains in Park City, Utah to a Salt Lake City hospital yesterday where she remains in a coma. Burke crashed during a training run on the superpipe.

Burke has eight Winter X Game medals under her belt and was scheduled to defend her title later this month at the Winter X Games in Aspen.

The nature of the 29-year-olds injuries have not been disclosed. Burke is seen as the pioneer of the freestyle halfpipe sport, which she lobbied to have included in the Olympics. The sport will see its debut in the 2014 Olympics.

We wish her a speedy recovery!

Johnny Weir Tied The Knot!

Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir announced via Twitter he is now a married man. Weir married his boyfriend, Viktor Voronov, on Dec. 30 in a civil ceremony at the New York City Courthouse. According to Weir’s rep, the couple exchanged handwritten vows in the company of their parents.

Voronov, a Georgetown Law graduate, said in a statement, “Getting married to Johnny has been the greatest experience of my life. He is the most wonderful, caring and nurturing person – and I can be guaranteed of one thing – with Johnny, I will never be bored. The support from my friends and family has been overwhelming and I am looking forward to beginning my life with the most incredible person I have ever known.”

Weir said in his statement, “Marrying Victor has been the greatest moment in my life and I will work very hard to make him proud and happy…I look forward to making a home for my family in Bergen County, New Jersey, and introducing my world of glitter and Faberge eggs to Victor.” Weir went on, “Our road to marriage has been a fast one, but one I never waivered on. I am honored to have been married in the great state of New York, and I hope more states pass laws allowing all Americans to be united through love and marriage.”

The couple plan on having a large wedding in July 2012.

Congratulations Johnny!

Evan Lysacek: Hot Or Not?

Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Evan Lysacek, seen above skating at the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink for a Today Show performance this morning, has not skated competitively since winning a gold medal at the 2010 Olympics. He did, however, announce in September that he is preparing to make a comeback for the 2014 Olympics.

Lysacek became the first American to win the Olympic title in men’s singles since Brian Boitano did so in 1988. Evan is also the 2009 World champion, and the 2007 & 2008 U.S. national champion.

Lysacek was born in Illinois, is of Italian and Czech descent, and is a Greek Orthodox Christian. He began skating at the age of eight. He originally wanted to play hockey, so his mother enrolled him in figure skating lessons to learn how to skate.  Soon after, he was competing as a figure skater. After graduating high school in 2003, Lysacek moved to Los Angeles. He trains at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

Lysacek appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2010. He and dancing partner Anna Trebunskaya placed second to Nicole Sherzinger and Derek Hough.

Lysacek is involved in many charities, from Figure Skating in Harlem to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

It was rumored Lysacek was dating Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin, however the two have been spotted together as of late and they never confirmed nor denied the rumor

So, what do you guys think about figure skater Evan Lysacek?

Hot or not?

Photos: Doug Meszler / Splash News and Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Olympians Apolo Ohno And Jennie Finch Run The NYC Marathon!

Olympic speed skater and SUBWAY spokesperson Apolo Ohno ran the 2011 ING New York City Marathon last Sunday. As you know, we’ve been documenting some of Apolo’s training over the past few months. This was Apolo’s first marathon and he finished with an impressive time of 3:25:14. On behalf of Apolo, SUBWAY donated $26,200 to the Special Olympics.

Apolo was joined in the race by Olympic softball legend Jennie Finch. She started the marathon dead last and sponsor Timex donated $1 to the New York Road Runners Youth Program for every runner she passed. Jennie crossed the finish line after 4 hours and passed approximately 30,000 people.

Big congrats to Apolo and Jennie! We love seeing athletes doing good!

*Thanks to Ross Kleinberg and Marlon LeWinter!

Photo: Diane Bondareff/AP Images for SUBWAY via Ross Kleinberg

Athlete Sighting: Amanda Beard

Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard celebrated her 30th birthday at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas this weekend.

The seven-time Olympic medalist celebrated the occassion with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, which she shared with friends. The entire crowd at the club sang her “Happy Birthday” and she danced to tunes by DJ Shift.

Doesn’t she look great in her gold dress?

Photo: Twitter

Athletes Attend Annual Salute To Women In Sports

The Womens Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King (pictured above),  held their annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Gala at Cipriani in New York City last night.

The Womens Sports Foundation “is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.”

Among those in attendance: tennis star Venus Williams (above), and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan, (pictured in the last photo). Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach from the women’s U.S. soccer team, as well as WNBA player Maya Moore, boxer and WSF President Laila Ali, and golfer Annika Sorenstam were just some of the many faces on the red carpet.

The U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping team received the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award for their “perservance and courage in fighting to gain equality in, and acceptance into, the Olympic Games.”

U.S. Women’s soccer goalie Abby Wombach was named the team sport’s Sportswoman of the Year, and LPGA golfer Yani Tseng was named the individual sport’s Sportswoman of the Year.

Twelve-year-old triathlete Winter Vinecki was the winner of the 2011 ANNIKA Inspiration Award. Winter founded Team Winter, a non-profit to benefit prostate cancer research and awareness, in honor of her late father.

Photos: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com and PR Newswire

Jennie Finch Visits NY Giants!

Olympic softball player Jennie Finch took time out of training for the NYC Marathon to drop in on the New York Giants practice on Wednesday.

Jennie chatted with Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (pictured above) and debated who best in a number 27 jersey. Who gets your vote? We say Jennie!

The softball princess tried out a couple moves with the team during practice. Jennie worked with the offense and special team units on speed, agility and footwork drills, and nailed a 20-yard field goal after a lesson from Giants punter Steve Weatherford (pictured above).

Good luck to Jennie in the upcoming NYC Marathon!

Photos: Jerry Pinkus

*Special thanks to Marlon LeWinter for the scoop!

Apolo Ohno In ESPN’s Body Issue

Check out Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno in the new ESPN Body Issue magazine! Check out those thighs! Apolo is currently training for the NYC marathon taking place on Sunday, November 6th. The anticipation for this issue arriving in our mailbox is overwhelming… guess it is similar to men looking forward to Sports Illustrated‘s Swimsuit edition!

Photo: via Ross Kleinberg