Queen of Sports

Ryan Seacrest To Join NBC Olympic Coverage Team

Ryan Seacrest appeared on the Today Show this morning, and announced plans to join the NBC family while continueing his roles with the E! Network (both networks are in the same family).

He joked with Matt Lauer about taking his job on the Today Show, but also announced some exciting news regarding the Olympics. Seacrest’s first NBC gig will be with the primetime team covering the Olympics.

Seacrest also said his newest plans won’t take him away from American Idol, where he plans to stay as a host.

Stella McCartney Unveils New British Olympic Team Uniforms

Stella McCartney unveiled the outfits to be worn by Olympians competing for Great Britain, at a gala event at the Tower of London. Olympians who will be competing from a heptathlete and rowing champion to a Paralympic swimmer modeled the designs.

McCartney is serving as Adidas’ creative director for the Summer Games, and with her creations she hopes to “unify the team.” She used the British flag, breaking it up and using it in various elements of the outfits.

She incorporated technology into the creations, taking the concerns of the athlete above any fashion statements.

Clothing modeled at the event included competition uniforms, training wear, a presentation suit, footwear and accessories.

Photo: Mirrorpix / Splash News

Usain Bolt Shows Prince Harry How It’s Done

Prince Harry visited the Usain Bolt Track at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica as part of a tour honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne.

Harry fooled the fastest man on the planet in a race, with a false start that put him ahead. After some laughter, Bolt caught up to Harry and made his signature skyward point. Prince Harry followed suit for the entertainment of the audience of mostly University students.

The two discussed running in front of the crowd, and the Prince recognized Jamaica for being a track and field powerhouse, encouraging any runners in the crowd to, “Don’t go running off to America, because you’ve got talent your country needs.”

Photo: James Whatling / Splash News

Athlete Sightings At The Cartoon Network Hall Of Game Awards

Shaquille O’Neal hosted the Second Annual Carton Network Hall of Game Awards over the weekend in Santa Monica. The show, which hands out awards in categories ranging from “That’s How I Roll” to “We Got Game” will air tonight on Cartoon Network at 4 pm PST.

David Beckham beat out Giants pitcher Brian Wilson, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, and Serena Williams in the “That’s How I Roll” category.

USA soccer goalie Hope Solo got the “She’s Got Game” award, beating out skier Lindsey Vonn, hoops star Maya Moore, and tennis pro Maria Sharapova.

Cam Newton got the award for “Gnarliest Newb.” Other football stars who won awards: Victor Cruz beat out Novak Djokovic for the “Dance Machine” award. Tim Tebow got the “Captain Clutch” award and Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson won the “Dynamic Duo” award.

Always one to make us say, “Awww,” Tim Tebow brought a special date. Presli Collins, a 9-year-old from Colorado with a genetic tumor disorder, got to walk to “green” carpet with the Broncos star.

Photos: Andrew Evans / PR Photos

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