Queen of Sports

“Beckingham Palace” For Sale

Soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria have put their Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire property dubbed “Beckingham Palace” up for sale according to various reports.

The couple bought the mansion in 1999 for £2.5million ($3.5 million) and it is now believed to be worth an estimated £18million ($27 million).

The property boasts an indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a petting zoo, recording studio, a snooker room, a gym, and state-of-the-art floodlit tennis courts. The garden has three gazebos, each with a different theme – lakeside, romantic and ornamental. They have also installed a 52ft garden pavilion with a marble floor, which houses a 4ft barbecue.

Rumors have been swirling that the Beckham family are moving closer to making Los Angeles their permanent residence. David still has three years remaining on his Los Angeles Galaxy contract. Sources say the couple plans to purchase a London townhouse for UK visits.

Victoria was spotted having dinner at Maze restaurant on Saturday night with chef and owner Gordon Ramsay and actress friend, Eva Longoria-Parker.

Photo: WENN

Usain Bolt Wants To Dominate Soccer Field After Track

Gold medal winning Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt is currently on a book tour promoting his book. “Usain Bolt My Story 9.58″.

Usain spoke with the media at a recent event and gave reporters insight into his future.

“I have four more good years in me if I train hard,” he told BBC Radio 5 lives’ Sportsweek program. “When I finish I’d like to play football  for two years. I always watch those guys and I think I could be a professional footballer.”

But don’t worry, he’s not planning on challenging our guys in the NFL. He wants to take his talents to the soccer field.

“I’m definitely a good player – a defensive or attacking midfielder,” said Usain.

What do you guys think about Usain going a soccer team? Do you think his quickness on the track will translate?

Photo: WENN

MLS Teams Partner With Choco Milk

Choco Milk, a children’s premium ingredient nutritional milk supplement, has partnered with three Major League Soccer teams to co-present and fund free community and school-based soccer clinics.

The Los Angeles-based Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire are among the professional soccer clubs that Choco Milk will collaborate with and donate funds to during “The 2010 Choco Milk Cup Tour.”

“The 2010 Choco Milk Cup Tour” is a traveling tour staged like a free, miniature soccer clinic with the purpose of engaging children in a series of activities that teach nutrition awareness and physical fitness. Children will learn to strengthen their mind, body and spirit through consistent exercise and a balanced nutritional diet while using the skills necessary for soccer, such as heading, juggling and scoring.

“The 2010 Choco Milk Cup Challenge for Charity,” is a fundraising activity in which participants can choose to score a goal by kicking, throwing or heading a ball into an 8-foot-tall inflated Choco Milk Trophy Cup. For every goal scored, Choco Milk will donate $1 to the local professional soccer team’s youth clinic and academy programs. Overall, Choco Milk’s target is to tally 2,010 goals in each city it visits.

Photo: Choco Milk

“This Time For Africa” Best-Selling World Cup Song

Shakira’s World Cup song Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) has become the best-selling World Cup song in history.

It was announced that the song sold over two million singles since its release.

New Study Finds Differences In How Men and Women Kick a Soccer Ball

“You kick like a girl” is now a scientifically proven statement. A study published this month in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows significant differences in knee alignment and muscle activation between when men and women kick a soccer ball. Men use certain hip and leg muscles more than women, which may be a reason why women are at higher risk for ACL injury. Conducted at the Motion Analysis Laboratory and Sports Medicine Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, the study used 3-D video-based motion analysis and a technique that evaluates and records the electrical activity of skeletal muscles when testing how 13 male and 12 female college soccer players kicked a ball.

The new study is important in  allowing trainers and players to be conscious of how using their hip muscles more in a kick can prevent injury.

Adidas Extends Partnership With MLS

Adidas and Major League Soccer have extended their partnership, continuing Adidas’ position as official athletic sponsor and product supplier for the MLS. The agreement emphasizes a focus on developing soccer programs for the youth, in an effort to further the sport of soccer in the US. President of Adidas America said, “We need to accelerate the model for soccer development in North America to attract and keep elite talent engaged and excited about professional opportunities in the sport.  We share a long-term vision with MLS to develop the game and are excited to foster the next generation of American soccer stars.”

Adidas and the MLS have had a partnership since the league’s inception in 1996.

Major Gaffe By Russian Goalie!

Wow, check out this video. Russian goalie Sergei Ryzhikov messed up big time when he tried to chase down an approaching ball. Never know which way it’s going to bounce! Sergei looked pretty upset afterwards… The game ended in a tie, so at least he didn’t quite lose the game for his team.

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Athlete Sighting: Ronny Turiaf And Thierry Henry

Fellow French men basketball player Ronny Turiaf and soccer star Thierry Henry caught Roger Federer’s opening match at the US Open on Monday night in Flushing Meadows.

Kaka Modeling For Adidas

We’ve found some awesome pictures of our favorite Brazilian soccer player Kaka modeling the latest Adidas gear.

In addition to having a modeling contract with Adidas, Kaka has been featured in ads for Armani and Dolce & Gabbana.

Photos: Adidas SLVR

Athlete Sighting: Thierry Henry

New York Red Bulls soccer stud Thierry Henry was spotted sitting on the court during one of Roger Federer’s practice sessions at Flushing Meadows yesterday.

Thierry seems to be enjoying life in the big apple!