Topic: athletes

Oscar Pistorius (The ‘Blade Runner’ Runner) Charged With Murdering His Girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius, often called the “Blade Runner runner” and “the Olympic athlete with no legs,” is being charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot twice and found dead in his home in Pretoria, South Africa. There are hardly any details out about the case to illuminate what might have happened between the 26-year-old sprinter and the 30-year-old model and law school graduate, but it’s already a tragic story. More »

Which Group Lives Longer Than The Average Life Expectancy? (Somehow, I’m Unsurprised)

Unshockingly, this group lives an average of 2.8 years longer than their fellow countrymen. Want to know who’s got the secrets for a dose from the Fountain of Youth? More »

How White Water Rafting Helped Me Face My Fears (And Re-Ignite My Inner Bad-Ass)

Becoming a powerlifter taught me to be fearless. Then a serious injury from lifting, followed by surgery and the loss of my beloved sport taught me to respect my own limits. One of the most painful parts of the experience was losing that bad-ass sense that I could do anything; after all, I got hurt precisely because I didn’t think it could happen. More »

The Gluten-Free Edge: Why All Athletes Should Consider Cutting Gluten

In the last two years or so, it seems like everyone knows someone who either has a gluten intolerance, or has, for another reason, decided to at least try a gluten-free diet. And while it’s not right for everyone, authors Peter Bronski and Melissa McLean Jory, MNT, think it may hold a secret power for a lot of athletes (and regular folks who like to be active). More »

Athletes On Adderall Really Scraping The Bottom Of The Performance Enhancement Barrel

It seems Adderall abuse is no longer the sole province of overachieving teenagers and the overachieving 20- and 30-somethings they grow into. The “study drug” (as the New York Times is so fond of calling it) is becoming a performance enhancer of choice for athletes, too. This week alone, two professional athletes — Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden and NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger — have come under fire for illegally using the ADHD med. More »

8% Of Olympic Athletes Suffer Asthma; If They Can Play, So Can You

According to records from the last five Olympic Games, 8% of Olympic athletes suffer from asthma, making it the most common chronic disease at the games. The data was collected by Australian researchers, who also found that athletes who suffer asthma often out-perform the competition. They’re not sure why asthma would make for better athletes (or vice-versa), but one thing seems clear: If they can play sports despite their condition, so can you. More »

Good News For Horny Olympians: Sex Won’t Hurt Athletic Performance

For some reason, this summer’s Olympic games have attracted a fair amount of prurient attention, beginning with an ESPN Magazine article on debaucherous Olympic Village sexcapades and followed-up by a bevy of breathless blog coverage. Many cited the centuries-old myth that abstinent athletes perform better, and wondered whether all the free love in London was bad for the games. Well good news, sports fans: It’s not. Studies show having sex has no effect on physical strength, power or endurance. More »

2012′s ESPN Body Issue Is Here, And It’s An Equal Opportunity Nude Olympian Bonanza

“ESPN the Mag or Playgirl?” asked a friend along with their Facebook post linking to this year’s ESPN Body Issue. it’s definitely a nude Olympian Bonanza—featuring nude photos of 27 Olympians—but it’s definitely not Playgirl…or Playboy. Although there are technically more women pictured than men (seven members of the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team posed together, throwing off the count), the shoot is surprisingly equal opportunity in terms of its admiration—and oh-so slight sexualization—of the male and female athlete’s form. More »

ESPN Body Issue 2012: 3 Cheers For Nude Athletes; None For Confusing Body Messages

ESPN’s Body Issue is on the brink of release, and it’s already causing the usual PR bonanza: Articles outlining which athletes will be shown nude (or semi-nude), headlines about their admirable physiques, and blogger tyrades against the objectification of women and ESPN’s kowtow to the male gaze. Personally, I’m mostly enthusiastic; sure, the nude female form is a tired trope used to sell magazines, but for the most part the photos are tasteful, showcasing men and women who’ve accomplished extreme physical fitness for the sake of their sport. My only real worry is the potentially confusing body messages surrounding their “celebration of the athletic form”: I love their goal of admiration, but posing them as “Bodies We Want”? No, thanks. More »

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Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek Says Veganism Made Him Run Better—Physically and Mentally

Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek Says Veganism Made Him Run Betterâ��Physically and Mentally

Like a lot of people, internationally-acclaimed ultramarathoner Scott Jurek used to assume that athletes who push their bodies to the extreme need to eat meat. But after educating himself about nutrition, he made a change that so profoundly changed the way he performed in grueling, 100+ mile races, he never looked back. And he’s not alone–recently, more and more vegan athletes (like Rich Roll, who we spoke to last week) have begun to come forward and change the discourse, proving that a plant-based diet isn’t for wimps. More »

Gordon Ramsay and Will Ferrell Play Charity Soccer; Kick Off Start Of Sports Injury Season

Memorial Day unofficially rings in the sportiest season of the year (for most of us). To kick it off, Gordon Ramsay and Will Ferrell played in Soccer Aid’s celebrity charity match in Manchester, England on Sunday, giving fans a good reminder that summer also happens to be that time of year when you’re most prone to injury: Both were injured, Ramsay went to the hospital with injuries, and their team lost. Which is why you’re going to cross-train, stretch, and built some recovery days into your summer schedule, right? More »

Lance Armstrong Is (Mostly) Vegan, Proving Even Mainstream Athletes Don’t Need Meat

Vegan athletes used to be unheard of; they’re still niche, but a handful of impressive, outspoken advocates (Brendan Brazier, Rich Roll, and Scott Jurek) are pushing a plant-based, super-active lifestyle into the spotlight, at least among the health-obsessed. But now Lance Armstrong is on board, and we’re pretty sure this could launch it into a full-blown trend. More »

Fit Inspiration: Virginie Razzano Competes In French Open After Fiance’s Death

Americans like to take pride in their refusal to take time off, but yesterday, Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano gave the American work ethic a serious run for its money: The French tennis player competed in the French open just eight days after her fiancee passed away. Her story is sad, but inspiring all the same: Her trainer and partner, Stephane Vidal, died after a nine-year battle with cancer, and she played as a tribute to his memory More »

August Alert: High temperatures in August can lead to heat-related illnesses for athletes. (via CNN)

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