MTV Newsroom › Sports

Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: The Highlights

Posted 2/13/10 6:29 am EST by in Sports

On Friday night, the eyes of the world were on Vancouver's BC Place, as the games of the XXI Winter Olympics got underway with a lavish, joyous opening ceremony that had soul, showmanship and plenty of Wayne Gretzky.

Some 60,000 people packed inside the arena (this was, after all, the first indoor opening ceremony), and, unfortunately, I was not one of them. But I was next door, at the Molson Canadian Hockey House, a raucous viewing party/concert/celebration of all things Canuck that featured plenty of beer, ladies clad in skin-tight hockey dresses, and a piano painted with the maple leaf. It was a pretty excellent time, so I started to write an impromptu LiveTweet of the entire event -- and, by proxy, the opening ceremonies -- over on the @MTVNews Twitter account.

And since you probably weren't glued to your computer during the ceremony, I figured I'd recap some of the highlights on the Newsroom blog. Also, let's just say the entire MTV News crew enjoyed themselves a bit too much last night, and this is a pretty easy thing to knock off first-thing Saturday morning. So, come with me as we relive the best moments from the opening ceremony ... like the time I mistook Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean for comedienne Wanda Sykes. Yeah, it was that kind of night. On to the Tweets!

**Trying to make it to Molson ... security has the streets locked down. Scalpers selling tix for 700 Canadian pesos. That's like $20,000 U.S. or something.

**We made it!!! Only 20 minutes late!!! #olympiclivetweetfail

**It's officially the "Indigenous Persons" portion of the opening ceremonies, BTW. Followed, of course, by athlete intro time!!!

**Albania and Algeria have one athlete each. The Algerian dude looks like Paolo Nutini.

Read more culturally insensitive jokes after the jump. Read More...

Tags , ,

2010 Winter Olympics Report: David Lauren Explains USA Olympic Apparel

Posted 2/12/10 6:05 pm EST by in Sports

At tonight’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony, the men and women of the U.S. team will enter Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium looking very much like they just stepped out of Lake Placid circa 1932.

And that's just how the folks at Ralph Lauren want it to be.

Once again, they've designed the outfits U.S. athletes will wear during the opening and closing ceremonies. Much like they did two years ago at the Beijing summer games, they've drawn heavily from the past, but with a modern, fashionable twist on things. It's something MTV News learned firsthand, when Lauren head of marketing David Lauren gave us an exclusive preview of the line at the official Team U.S.A. store.

"We are always trying to find inspiration from some of the past Olympic games," Lauren said. "So these outfits take inspiration from the '30s and '40s — the heyday of the American teams — and add it a modern sensibility. We're always rooted in the classics, but with a modern twist."

Which means ultra-warm, retro-leaning vests, well-worn knit caps and chunky black boots in tonight's events, while the closing ceremony will feature a classic, contemporary and clean look with sweaters, plaids and berets. It's forward-thinking (yet backward-looking) high fashion that is sure to be talked about in the coming days.

As is the case with everything Ralph Lauren does, it's high-concept, too. "We worked closely with the athletes and the U.S. Olympic Committee on the designs," Lauren explained. "They always wanted to do something classic — the idea of Americans as ambassadors on the world stage. The athletes taking on a bigger meaning than just being sports people."

MTV News is on the ground in Vancouver all week, so stay tuned for more coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Tags , ,

2010 Winter Olympics Report: Sway Gets A Lesson In Skeleton

Posted 2/12/10 4:00 pm EST by in Sports

Here in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the sky is overcast but the mood around town is extremely festive. I haven't seen much of Vancouver yet, but I'm looking forward to it in the days to come. I grew up running track in the Bay Area and it was always a dream to either compete in or at least attend the Olympics, so needless to say I'm excited.

I have to say that I was thrilled to interview two Olympic legends in Dan Jansen and Picabo Street. Both are being featured on a tribute mural dedicated to Olympic Hall of Famers spearheaded by AllState. The art work, done in colored chalk, captures various moments in time during their glorious careers.

Dan spoke of finally winning the gold medal and dedicating it to his deceased sister (but added that not even that compares to having his first child). Picabo spoke on losing being a greater teacher than winning, which was interesting stuff. I also got a great piece of salmon jerky in "Gas Town" district of Vancouver. (If you didn't know, Gas Town was named after a saloon keeper named Captain John "Gassy Jack" Deighton. He was the first settler in the area that eventually became Vancouver. I dropped that in there because I think history is always an interesting component to include when you're documenting travel to a place you've never been.)

Later, I had a chance to speak with two more Olympians: Skeleton sliders Kate Uhlander and Noelle Pikus, pace both of whom are mad cool. If you aren't aware, Skeleton is the event where you speed down a luge head first at speeds up to 90 miles per hour (which, needless to say, is insane). Kate, from Colorado, was very jovial and even showed me a surgical scar on her knee that has to be at least eight inches long! She thought that Black Eyed Peas "Imma Be" could be a great song to get her in a competitive mood. Meanwhile, Noelle was just simply impressive! She has managed to balance being an elite world-class athlete with being a mom. Who does that? She's definitely a front runner in these Olympics, and with her patriotic red and blue extensions in her hair, she wont be hard to miss! Good luck ladies.

Tags , ,

The 2010 Winter Olympics Begin With MTV News Medaling Against A Blizzard

Posted 2/12/10 9:00 am EST by in Sports

Not even a blizzard could stop us. Early Thursday morning, after five hours spent watching the snowbanks build on the runway of JFK airport (and six more spent banging around the turbulence-filled night), MTV News finally landed in Vancouver, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. And though we were all tired, we hit the ground running. After all, this is the biggest stage in the entire world, and it was our time to shine.

Okay, so actually we checked in to our apartment (no hotels left in town) and crashed out for about six hours. But then he got down to business, spending the day with three U.S. athletes (skeleton racers Katie Uhlaender and Noelle Pikus-Pace and bobsledder and U.S. National Guard Sergeant Mike Kohn), interviewing legends like Picabo Street and Dan Jansen and getting a tour of the official Team USA Shop (given by none other than Ralph Lauren's son David).

We also met Jeb Bush's daughter (you know, the model one), traded U.S. Olympic pins with a Vancouver shopkeeper and drove some of the U.S. athletes back to the heavily-guarded Olympic Village. Sway even promised one Olympian he'd learn how to snowboard while he was here, too. Vancouver is alive with energy and excitement: The streets are packed, bars and clubs are booming late into the night, and the opening ceremonies for the games don't even happen until tonight.

And while we'll have more on our adventures throughout the weekend — including that tour of the Team USA Shop, where you can catch a glimpse at the outfits our guys and gals will be wearing during the opening ceremony — we just wanted to take this time to let you know that we're here, we're ready, and we're never going to be afraid of a little blizzard ever again.

Tags , , , , , , , , ,

The NBA Hops On The 'Twitter Banned' Wagon

Posted 10/1/09 1:35 pm EST by in Sports

By Joel Hanek

Yes, you read correctly and no, that doesn’t mean we will be missing out on misspelled tweets from Shaq anytime soon.

According to the Associated Press, the NBA has announced a rule that prohibits players from using cell phones and other communication devices 45 minutes before a game and until after the players have fulfilled their obligations after the game. The NFL also banned the use of Twitter during games earlier this year. While there has been no "Twitter-gate" incident just yet, many of the national sports organizations have taken preemptive actions to ban the social networking tool.

The NBA hasn't stated any specific reason for the ban, but the choice doesn't seem that shocking. After all, the somewhat conservative organization did just instate a formal dress code policy for players arriving to games last year. While tweeting on the job probably isn't the most professional thing for a player to be doing between quarters, there could also be monetary reasons for the ban (endorsements) or preoccupations over the release of sensitive/privileged information (sometimes the cameras get exclusive access to coaches' huddles during timeouts, but there's probably a reason that information isn't all that intimate).

If you're on Twitter, you're most likely following Kazaam himself, Shaquelle O'Neil, who is arguably one of the individuals who has made Twitter the celebrity powerhouse that it is. (Also on that list? John Mayer and Ashton Kutcher would have to be included.) With nearly 2.5 million followers on Twitter, Shaq is notorious for sharing odd and hilarious insights with the world, often inviting his followers to come and find him. (When I reached Shaq's Twitter page for comment, all I got was a recommendation for an Italian restaurant in Cleveland.

Other notable NBA tweeters include Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (who recently starred in a hilarious viral video for Vitamin Water along with 50 Cent) and Mr. Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom.

Tags , , , ,

Marc Anthony And Jennifer Lopez Are Ready For Some Football

Posted 7/22/09 11:21 am EST by in Music, Sports

Most of us are content to simply stare at pictures of Jennifer Lopez while we play fantasy football. But Marc Anthony gets to stare at the real J.Lo, and now he also gets to have a stake in an actual NFL team. Anthony has acquired a minority interest in the Miami Dolphins. His stake is believed to be relatively small, but the move is consistent with majority owner Stephen Ross' trend of recruiting celebrity partners: Anthony joins Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffett as famous minority owners (Buffett's deal even includes the naming rights to the team's stadium, which is now called Land Shark Stadium after Buffett's brand of beer). Anthony and Lopez were both presented with Dolphins jerseys at a press conference announcing the deal.

Anthony is a New York native but will be moving to Miami to be closer to the action. It's uncertain just how hands-on he will be, but Ross said there won't be any expectations to "perform." For his part, Anthony is a huge football fan who performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl in New Orleans in 2002, and will do the same when the Dolphins play the New York Jets on October 12.

While many athletes aspire to be musicians, a number of superstars of the music world have turned more to ownership than to breaking a sweat. Jay-Z has an ownership interest in the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Usher has a stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers, Nelly has a portion of the Charlotte Bobcats and Jon Bon Jovi owns the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul. Of those, only the Cavs have had any sort of success since getting a cash influx from a musician, but Anthony's Dolphins have a fighting chance this year. Perhaps Anthony's next Super Bowl performance will be for his own team.

Tags , ,

How The Los Angeles Lakers Are Just Like The Wu-Tang Clan

Posted 6/17/09 3:06 pm EST by in Music, Sports


Having dispatched the Orlando Magic in five games, the Los Angeles Lakers are the 2009 NBA Champions. Kobe Bryant finally won without the help of Shaquille O'Neal (just like Jay-Z hoped he would), and the team will be celebrating with a parade in Los Angeles this afternoon. All through the playoffs, it was a familiar-looking Lakers team, and not because they resembled any of the past championship clubs. Rather, they looked and played a lot like the Wu-Tang Clan. Don't believe me? Check this out:

» Kobe Bryant is RZA: The most talented and controlling member of the team (and also the richest). Are they both a little bit crazy? Sure. Doesn't it just make us love them more? Definitely. Plus, both Kobe and RZA are friendly with gritty New York City film directors (Kobe & Spike Lee, RZA & Jim Jarmusch).

» Phil Jackson is GZA: The wise sage who is heavily influenced by Eastern philosophy.
Read More...

Tags , , ,

John Legend Will Flex His Sports Knowledge As ESPN 'Mike And Mike' Cohost

Posted 6/11/09 5:17 pm EST by in Music, Sports


John Legend is no stranger to the sports world. He sang at the Super Bowl, performed at WrestleMania and put synchronized swimmers in the "Green Light" video. But Friday morning, one of music's biggest stars will have his sports knowledge and passion tested when he co-hosts ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning." He will sit in the seat normally taken up by former NFL All-Pro Mike Golic and will trade trivia and opinions with Mike Greenberg. It's an early show — the party kicks off at 6 a.m. — but it'll be worth hearing Legend's insights on the morning's topics, which will probably include the results of tonight's NBA Finals game, the Major League Baseball draft and the upcoming NFL season. It's unlikely that Legend will attempt to talk while filling his mouth with donuts, but hey, you never know.

Tags

First Limp Bizkit Reunion Show In U.S. Will Be At UFC 100

Posted 6/11/09 11:43 am EST by in Music, Sports

The Limp Bizkit "Unicorns N' Rainbows" reunion tour has been underway for almost a month, and the band has finally announced the first U.S. stop on the tour. The newly reconstituted band will headline The Beach at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Friday, July 10 as part of the UFC Fan Expo, leading up to the history UFC 100 on July 11.

It has been eight years since the original lineup (including just-returned guitarist Wes Borland) has played a show in North America. It's an appropriate return, as a band who had a huge hit called "Break Stuff" makes perfect sense as the opening act for a mixed martial arts event. If you won't be in Vegas to watch Brock Lesnar take on Frank Mir and see Thiago "The Pitbull" Alves challenge Geroges "Rush" St-Pierre, the concert will also stream live on UFC.com.

Believe it or not, this isn't the first time that the Bizkit has appeared on a show headlined by current UFC Heavyweight Champion Lesnar: Fred Durst and friends also played live at WrestleMania XIX in 2003 in Seattle. On that show, Lesnar was wrestling for the WWE championship and famously knocked himself unconscious while attempting a top-rope move. Hopefully the presence of Durst doesn't jinx the champ a second time.

Tags ,

Lil Wayne Joins Tiger Woods, Chris Brown At NBA Finals In Orlando

Posted 6/10/09 1:00 pm EST by in Music, Sports

By Ben Hockin

Lil Wayne made yet another NBA Finals appearance last night, though his presence wasn't as lucky for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers as it was on Sunday night. The Orlando Magic won their first ever NBA Finals game, topping the Lakers 108-104 and cutting L.A.'s series lead to 2-1. Despite the obvious distraction created by Weezy's Cosby-esque cardigan, the Magic managed to set a Finals record by sinking 62.5 percent of their shots.

Perhaps Wayne's next basketball-related freestyle should be called "Dwight Howard," as the Orlando star scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.

Other celebrities at courtside included Spike Lee, Ludacris, Tiger Woods, University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Chris Brown and hard-core Lakers fan Jack Nicholson. Clearly the draw of the NBA Finals was inspiration enough for these guys to travel (only Woods is local). We can only hope that Lil Wayne's visit to sunny Orlando will soon result in a mixtape about visiting Sea World.

Tags , , ,

123456
SPONSORS
AD:
©2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.