Iraq’s Olympic Hopes: When Sports Mean More

The Olympic Games are just that, games–they can’t stop world hunger, find a cure for AIDS or put an end to war. But for a couple weeks they can make things seem a little brighter. This isn’t a new idea, it’s been reported on in the past and I’m sure it’ll be reported on in the future, but that doesn’t make it a tired topic.

Iraq has seen war, and little else, for the past six years. But come August 8, two Iraqi athletes may be just what the country needs to find a release from the hardships it faces.

Iraq is lucky to have any athletes competing in these summer games at all; in June the country’s national Olympic committee was suspended by the International Olympic Committee for what it called “political interference” by the Iraqi government. And with deadlines for the submission of athlete names for competition looming it seemed likely that no Iraqi athletes would be able to beat it. Read More »

Rock Drummers Considered ‘Top Athletes’

Despite rockers’ (deserved) reputations for late nights, drugs, booze and women, a new study has found that rock drummers require the physical stamina of a (much harder working) top athlete to be able to play all the way through a show. Ninety minutes of drumming could bring a person’s heart rate to a thumping 190 beats-per-minute, and an hour concert can burn between 400 and 600 calories, says the BBC. Read More »

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If Athletes are Stripped of Their Awards For Drug Use, Should Entertainers Be As Well?

Marion Jones steroidsThe use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports is a slippery slope indeed.

Olympic athlete Marion Jones was stripped of her medals and wiped off the record books today due to her use of steroids during the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She admitted in October to using steroids in 2000 prior to the Olympics, and had returned her medals to the Olympic Committee before today’s announcement.

Not only has Jones lost her medals and records, but she’s facing the very real possibility of being banned from all future Olympic games.

Jones’ irresponsibility may have also jeopardized the gold medals of her relay teammates. She will be sentenced on January 11, and could face between three to six months in jail.

With several athletes this year being dragged through the mud for drug use, one must wonder: does the use of performance-enhancing drugs ruin the reputation of popular sports exclusively? Do we as a society frown upon athletes that use steroids while some musicians take “art-enhancing” drugs on the regular just to attend rehab and be awarded with a big thumbs-up from the public? Read More »

The 10 Best Sports Jobs for Non-Athletes

Zamboni - great sports job

A few weeks back we honored the sad, lonely lives of water boys and sparring partners; this week we give props to the most exciting (and highest paying) jobs for non-athletes in sports. Some of these professions require skill, finesse and a past-career in the sport while others…well, you’ll see.

Honorable mention: the beer guy. Yeah, it’s amazing to offer up beer to rabid sports fans, but you don’t get to drink any brews on the job. Well, at least legally.

Check out the Top 10 after the jump! Read More »