Tag: Olympics

Go Away With … Kim Vanderberg

Jae-Ha Kim

A bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, swimmer Kim Vandenberg is hoping to be part of the United States contingent that will compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London this summer. “You never know what can happen at the Olympic Trials,” says the 28-year-old Californian. “I’m more experienced than the last time and I feel well prepared. There’s definitely some nervousness when you compete, but since this is my second time trying to make the Olympic team, I know what to expect in terms of emotional requirements at trials. I’m looking forward to it and try to take things one day at a time.”

Go Away With … Evan Morgenstein

Jae-Ha Kim

Sports agent Evan Morgenstein is used to the comparisons to Tom Cruise’s character in “Jerry Maguire.” But he says that Jeremy Pivens’ portrayal of uber-agent Ari Gold in “Entourage” was more true to life, because Gold ticked more people off. “I’m a little bit like them,” says Morgenstein, 46. “But I’m taller and have more clients.”

Go Away With … Natalie Coughlin

Jae-Ha Kim

Many people know that Natalie Coughlin is a world champion swimmer. She has won 11 Olympic medals, three of them gold, and made history in the 2008 Summer Olympics when she became the first American female athlete in Olympic history to win six medals in one Olympics.

Go Away With … Apolo Anton Ohno

Jae-Ha Kim

Apolo Anton Ohno will be competing in his third Olympic Games this month. The short-track speed-skating champ already has five Olympic medals, two of them gold. Ohno also showed his dexterity on the dance floor by winning the mirror ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” three years ago. As for the sport that made him famous, Ohno, 27, says, “I’m just enjoying my sport and taking it day by day. Anything can happen in short track and I’m blessed that I still have the talent to skate competitively and the desire to want to represent my country.”

Michael Phelps: Olympians’ swimwear works in water and with the ladies

Jae-Ha Kim

Michael Phelps may not have matched Mark Spitz’s record seven gold medals, but the Olympic swimmer has him beat hands-down when it comes to style. The 19-year-old — who won six gold and two bronze medals at last month’s Olympic games in Athens — set tongues wagging when he competed in Speedos that rode down so low on his hips they made Britney Spears’ outfits seem demure by comparison.

Hamill tests mettle with ice ballet

Jae-Ha Kim

Leaping and spinning her way through figure-skating routines at the 1976 Winter Olympics, 19-year-old Dorothy Hamill won hearts around the world as she won her prestigious gold medal. These days, that medal  is a reminder to Hamill not of how great she once was, but of how much untapped potential she still has.

Sarah Hughes: 2002 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating

Jae-Ha Kim

Sarah Hughes had a heart-to-heart with President Bush, met ‘N Sync (twice!) and won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. Oh yeah, in between all that, the honors student attends school in Great Neck, N.Y., where she’ll be a senior next fall. Hughes plans to compete next year. But her immediate goal isn’t the 2006 Olympics. It’s all about scoring well on the SAT.

`Disney on Ice Presents Toy Story’ at the Allstate Arena

Jae-Ha Kim

“Toy Story” begins in a young boy’s bedroom. When the household isn’t looking, the toys come to life. Their feelings mirror that of human beings. They get jealous, flirt and long for home. All the favorites from the movie version are here, though Woody the cowboy is more loose limbed and fey than his big-screen counterpart. His rival, Buzz Lightyear, doesn’t realize that he’s a toy and believes that he actually is a space ranger. Had he looked in the mirror, the big-chinned toy would’ve realized that he really was Jay Leno’s doppelganger.

Olympics film covered in `Glory’

Jae-Ha Kim

According to the Olympic creed, “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part.” Try telling that to the managers and sports agents who are counting on the athletes to upgrade their medals into deals with the likes of Nike, Gatorade and McDonald’s. That’s a cynical view of the Olympics. The latest Omnimax film, “Olympic Glory,” presents a purer version of the Games.