*** The latest news from the USOC - July 8 ***

(Courtesy of United States Olympic Committee)

Salt Lake City, UT (My Sportsbook) - The following is a recap of events from the United States Olympic Committee.

Baseball: (July 1) Returning members Ian Kennedy (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Drew Stubbs (Atlanta, Texas) headline a 22-man roster selected as the 2005 USA Baseball National Team. The selections were made after the four-day trials in which 39 players participated at Doak Field on the campus of North Carolina State. (July 1) 1993 USA Baseball National Team member Steve Reich, a relief pitcher who played at the U.S. Military Academy, was among the 16 U.S. military members killed when a Chinook helicopter crashed in the eastern mountains of Afghanistan. For more information, log on to www.usabaseball.com.

Basketball: (July 1) Team members Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J.), Erlana Larkins (Riviera Beach, Fla.) and Candice Wiggins (Poway, Calif.) have been elected tri-captains of the 2005 USA Women's U19 World Championship Team. For more information, log on to www.usabasketball.com.

Canoe/Kayak: (July 1) USA Canoe/Kayak announced its Flatwater Sprint Senior and Junior Pan American Championships and World Championships Teams. These athletes will represent the U.S. at national and international competitions in 2005. For more information, log on to www.usack.org.

Cycling: (June 28) As international cycling's premier event gears up for its 92nd running, the Tour de France will feature eight Americans - several of whom will seriously contend for stage wins and overall podium performances, along with one who'll be gunning for his seventh consecutive Tour de France victory in the final race of his illustrious career. (July 1) The 2005 Junior Track Cycling National Championships return to the Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Trexlertown, Pa. July 6-9. This year's championships will feature events for riders between the ages of 10 and 18 and serve as a selection event for the UCI Junior Track World Championships Aug. 7-14 in Vienna, Austria. For more information, log on to www.usacycling.org.

Diving: (July 5) USA Diving named 14 athletes to its XI FINA World Championships roster. The Championships will take place July 17-24 in Montreal, Canada. For more information, log on to www.usdiving.org.

Equestrian: (June 29) The United States Equestrian Federation announced the team for the third European show jumping tour-a series of three stops on the 2005 Samsung Super League circuit. (June 29) The USEF is accepting nominations for the 2005 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing an individual whose "lifetime experience and accomplishments exemplify uncommon devotion to the sport of competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport's excellence." This year's honoree will be presented the Jimmy A. Williams trophy during the 2006 USEF Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La. (June 29) As competition organizers and show managers continue to push forward in the 2005 season, some United States Equestrian Federation employees will be rolling their sleeves up to work with them. It's part of a new outreach program, designed to build a productive bridge between the USEF office, show organizers and competitors. (July 1) The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, welcomes Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate as the new title sponsor of this year's Grand Prix. (July 5) The CN North American Young Riders' Championships will host vaulting demonstrations at the 2005 competition, which takes place July 26-31 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. For more information, log on to www.usef.org.

Field Hockey: (June 29) USA Field Hockey will crown its 2005 National Champion when five regional teams and the USA Under-21 squad compete for top honors June 29-July 3 at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va. The six-team tournament marks the culmination of USA Field Hockey's Elite Performance Training Center program where college-age and older athletes are offered the opportunity for regionalized training with some of the nation's top coaches. (June 30) Major international field hockey returns to the United States for the first time since the 1996 Olympic Games when USA Field Hockey hosts the Rabobank Champions Challenge July 8-16 at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach. This competition features six of the world's top teams including New Zealand (ranked 6th in the world), England (8th), Spain (9th), Japan (10th), South Africa (11th tie) and the United States (11th tie). For more information, log on to www.usfieldhockey.com.

Gymnastics: (July 1) Reigning world and Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm and his twin brother, Olympic silver medalist Morgan Hamm, both of Waukesha, Wis., have decided to take the next 18 months to focus on completing their educations. In early 2007, they will make a decision regarding efforts to qualify to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Both brothers, 22, attend The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

Hockey: (June 30) Dave Ogrean, one of amateur sports' most dynamic leaders, has been named the new executive director of USA Hockey. He will begin his duties with the nearly 600,000-member national governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States on Aug. 1. For more information, log on to www.usahockey.com.

Luge: (July 5) Young athletes who want to experience the thrill of luge and train under the guidance of USA Luge national team coaches and athletes can do so at the Verizon-USA Luge Slider Search in Grand Rapids, Mich. July 16-17 and Westmont, Ill. July 23-24. For more information, log on to www.usaluge.org.

Sailing: (June 29) Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. is getting ready for the arrival of 90 young female sailors between the ages of 13 and 18 who will be competing at US SAILING's U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship for the Ida Lewis Trophy. The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will take place July 5-11 in Club 420s provided by Vanguard Sailboats. (June 29) US SAILING has organized 10 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals taking place in July, making it one of the busiest months ever for the USA Junior Olympic Sailing program. Through these July events, more than 1,600 young enthusiasts will develop their skills while having fun on and off the water. (July 1) National champions were crowned on the last day of US SAILING's U.S. Youth Sailing Championship in Westport, Conn. For the first time in the 23-year history of the event, an all-female team won the doublehanded Club 420 fleet. Emily Dellenbaugh (Easton, Conn.) and Leigh Hammel (Warren, Vt.) deserved the honors, demonstrating great consistency throughout the Championship by always finishing in the top six of seven races in the 50-boat fleet. Thomas Barrows (St. Thomas, USVI) was victorious in the Laser class and Kyle Rogachenko (Collegeville, Pa.) won the Laser Radial class. For more information, log on to www.ussailing.org.

Skiing: (June 30) The weeklong, first preseason training camp for U.S. moguls skiers was "just the tip of the iceberg" in terms of what's needed to produce titanic results during the Olympic winter, according to head coach Donnie St. Pierre. Moguls rules mandate two "airs" (jumps) on each run. Nearly 20 bumps skiers went through their paces for seven days at Utah Olympic Park. (July 5) Olympian Clint Jones (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) laid down the longest jump on each round and breezed to victory for the third consecutive year in the annual Chevrolet 90-meter Summer Ski Jump, which doubled as the first jumping SuperTour event of the 2006 Olympic season. Jessica Jerome (Park City, Utah) won the women's jumping contest. (July 5) U.S. nordic combined skiers, who mix air (ski jumping) and ground (cross country skiing) in their sport, resume jump training at Utah Olympic Park, looking to maintain the momentum gained during a weeklong overland training camp in southern California. For more information, log on to www.usskiteam.com.

Soccer: (June 30) U.S. Women's National Team head coach Greg Ryan has named 24 players to a training camp prior to the second domestic match of the year against Ukraine on July 10 at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland (3:30 p.m. PT live on ESPN2). (June 30) U.S. Soccer announced the fourth-round pairings for the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after the second- round matches were played. The final eight teams that will join the tournament - all from Major League Soccer - will play the winners of the July 12-13 third-round games. (July 5) U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Lacey, Wash.) rolled in from Seattle, rounding out the USA's roster for the Gold Cup. The team will spend two more days in Portland before heading to Seattle, in advance of the July 7 opening match of the 2005 Gold Cup against Cuba. The match will be shown live on Telefutura at 10:45 p.m. ET. (July 5) The U.S. men's national team enjoyed the fields at the Seattle Seahawks training facility. When 22 players reported fit for duty, with only New England goalkeeper Matt Reis (Atlanta, Ga.) getting an excused absence as he travels back from Los Angeles after the Revs 1-1 draw with the Galaxy. (July 5) The U.S. Women's National Team will take on the Ukraine July 10 live on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. PT, unveiling brand-new uniforms. USA is 5-0-0 and has not allowed a goal, while scoring 11. (July 5) U.S. National Team members Mia Hamm (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Landon Donovan (Redlands, Calif.) and Eddie Johnson (Palm Coast, Fla.) are nominated for the 2005 ESPY Award for Best Soccer Player for their 2004 overall performances. For more information, log on to www.ussoccer.com.

Softball: (June 30) The USA Junior Men exploded for 20 runs in just four innings to defeat Denmark, 20-0, on day six of the ISF Junior Men's World Championship. With the win, the U.S. improves to 3-3 in the championship and remains hopeful of earning a spot in the finals. (June 30) It took extra innings but the USA Junior Men kept their hopes alive at the ISF World Championships with a dramatic 5-3 win over Mexico to improve to 4-3 in round- robin competition. Camden Decker (Aurora, Ill) came through with a three-run homer in the eighth inning to give the U.S. a 5-2 lead. (June 30) The USA Women's Elite Team completed day one of practice in preparation for the July 2-10 Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C. Led by head coach Carol Hutchins (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan) who is making her Team USA coaching debut, the U.S. opens pool play on July 2 against the Carbondale Cougars. (July 1) The USA Junior Men's hopes of advancing to the medal round for the first time since 1985 came to an end as Japan rallied for a 5-1 win in the final game of round-robin play. The U.S. finishes with a 4-4 record, which is its best record in a World Championship in almost two decades. (July 2) The U.S. Women's Elite Team opened the 2005 Canada Cup sneaking by the Carbondale Illinois Cougars in a 1-0 decision. A base hit RBI in the third inning from designated player Mackenzie Vandergeest (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) along with the pitching of Dana Sorensen (San Diego, Calif.) and Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich.) was just enough to give the U.S. the victory. (July 3) Improving to 2-0, the U.S. Elite Team shut out China-Beijing, 4-0, in day two action of the 2005 Canada Cup. Winning pitcher Jocelyn Forest (Santa Maria, Calif.) made her first ever appearance in the circle combining with Leigh Ann Ellis (Barboursville, W.Va.) for the no-hitter. Lindsay Schutzler (Monterey, Calif.) and Kaleo Eldredge (Kahului, Hawaii) played a strong offensive role for the U.S., going 2-for-3 on the day. (July 4) The USA Elite remained undefeated at 3-0 in pool play action of the 2005 Canada Cup, taking a 5-2 victory against the Dominican Republic in the first of two games. Right fielder Marissa Nichols (Diamond Bar, Calif.) led the U.S. offense going 2-for-3 along with Nicole Giordano (Saugus, Calif.) who was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill.) saw her first hit of the tournament, collecting two RBI in the U.S. win. (July 4) A RBI base hit to left field from Gina Oaks (Alta Loma, Calif.) in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the U.S. its second victory of the day as the U.S. defeated tournament host Canada, 1-0. Pitchers Jennie Ritter and Dana Sorensen combined for a one-hit performance as the U.S. connected on six hits in the extra-inning contest. For more information, log on to www.usasoftball.com.

Speedskating: (July 5) U.S. Speedskating announced the hiring of Thomas E. McLean as the Managing Director of Marketing and Development. McLean brings to U.S. Speedskating a successful track record in sports marketing and development within an Olympic marketing framework including 12 years with USA Track and Field. For more information, log on to www.usspeedskating.org.

Synchronized Swimming: (July 1) Top contenders made themselves known at the 2005 esynchro Age Group Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., bringing the host club Buffalo Swimkins into the spotlight. The Swimkins took third place in the 16-17 duet semifinal, sending them to the final round. Buffalo athletes swimming for the Swimkins are Nicole Cardinale and Carrie Roehner. For more information, log on to www.usasynchro.org.

Taekwondo: (June 30) As 10-year-old R.J. Agaran of Paia, Hawaii, climbed atop the highest step of the awards podium in San Antonio's Alamodome, he appeared to be just another happy Junior Olympic gold medalist. However, his amazing story began in February of 2000 when R.J. was diagnosed with kidney failure. (July 5) La Shondra Rawls (Clinton, Md.), will represent the U.S. in the lightweight division at the 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, Aug. 11-21. She is a business management major at Prince George's Community College and was a silver medalist at both the 2005 National Team Trials and National Collegiate Championships. For more information, log on to www.ustu.org.

Tennis: (July 5) Venus Williams (Palm Beach, Fla.) overcame an early deficit and a championship point to beat top-ranked Lindsay Davenport (Laguna Beach, Calif.), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 9-7, for the Wimbledon title. This was Williams' fifth major championship and her first in nearly four years. Roger Federer strengthened his claim to greatness, winning his third consecutive Wimbledon title by beating Andy Roddick (Boca Raton, Fla.). (July 5) Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport will be on the same side of the net July 9-10 when they team up for the U.S. Fed Cup Team in a pivotal semifinal with Russia in Moscow. For more information, log on to www.usta.com.

Track and Field: (June 29) Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Fla.) was named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the 400m hurdles and the men's Visa Championship on the final day of the 2005 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Carson, Calif. Clement's remarkable time of 47.24 seconds is the fastest in that event in seven years, and it vaulted him to the win in the Race for the Championship with 1,261 points - the top performance by any athlete in the Visa Championship Series. (June 30) Raymona Carryl (Long Island, N.Y.) broke a 33-year-old record in the bantam girls division of the long jump on the third day of competition at the 2005 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Carryl leaped 4.78 meters/15 feet, 8.25 inches to win the bantam girls long jump crown. The 10-year-old bettered the 4.61m/15-1.50 mark set in 1972 by Joyce Bowie (Santa Barbara, Calif). (July 1) Joanna Hayes (Williamsport, Pa.) Lashinda Demus (Inglewood, Calif.), James Carter (Baltimore, Md.) and Brad Walker (Seattle, Wash.) all won their respective events at 2005 IAAF Golden League, the Gaz de France in Paris. (July 1) Anselm LeBourne (Maplewood, N.J.), set another pending world masters 45-49 age-group record at the Metropolitan Athletic Congress Championship in New York City. (July 1) Recognized as three of the finest shot putters in the world, look for John Godina (Fort Sill, Okla.), Adam Nelson (Atlanta, Ga.) and Christian Cantwell (Jefferson City, Mo.) to add to a rich U.S. history in that event at the 2005 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships this summer in Helsinki. (July 1) Members of Team USA who will compete at the World Youth Championships in Morocco shined on the fourth day of competition at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships. World Youth Team member Kamorean Hayes (Charlotte, N.C.), tossed 45.80 meters/150 feet, 3 inches to win the intermediate girls division. Bianca Knight (Ridgeland, Miss.) ran 11.66 seconds clocking the fastest qualifying time by any female in the 100m preliminary round. April Williams (Dallas, Texas) ran the fastest qualifying time in the 400m hurdles (1:02.31) while Ebony Collins (Los Angeles, Calif.), clocked the second fastest time in both the 400m hurdles (1:02.71) and 100m (11.77). Timothy Grier (Powder Springs, Ga.) leaped 7.20m/23-7.5 to win the young men's long jump title. Corey Webster ((7.12m/23-4.5) finished second followed by David Kelch (San Ramon, Calif.) (6.90m/22-7.75). Both Grier and Kelch will compete in the long jump event at the World Youth Championships. (July 5) Bryshon Nellum (Los Angeles, Calif.) ran the fastest 200m time by any male in winning his division at the USA Youth. Nellum scorched the first 100 meters on the track, but eased up the last few meters to win the intermediate boys 200m title in 21.30. William Johnson came from behind to win the young men's 800m final. Johnson ran 1:54.71 (FAT .704) to barely edge Brandon Jones (Charlotte, N.C.), who finished in second place with a time of 1:54.71 (FAT .709). World Youth Team member Latavia Thomas (Philadelphia, Pa.) cruised 2:09.78 to win the 800m young women's division. Khrystal Carter (San Jose, Calif.) pulled ahead the last five meters to win the young women's 200m crown against Scottesha Miller. (July 5) Wins in the 400m by Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas) and Jeremy Wariner (Grand Prairie, Texas), and hurdle wins by Michelle Perry (Granada Hills, Calif.) and James Carter highlighted the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Lausanne, Switzerland. Richards, a two-time U.S. champion, powered away in the final 100m to win in 49.96 seconds. For more information, log on www.usatf.org.

Volleyball: (June 29) Volleyball superstar Ogonna Nnamani (Normal, Ill.), a member of the 2004 USA Women's Olympic Team and a student at Stanford University, has been named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. (June 30) The 2005 Junior Olympic Boys Volleyball Championships will be held at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. July 6-13. There will be 375 teams from across the nation competing in the tournament that is expected to bring approximately 20,000 people to Louisville and the surrounding areas. (July 1) A career match from Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) wasn't enough to prevent Korea from defeating the USA Women's National Volleyball Team, 3-2, at the World Grand Prix. Metcalf scored a career-high 38 points on 36 kills and two blocks to lead four players in double figures but Korea still prevailed, 25-23, 13-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-13. (July 2) A balanced attack and a refusal to quit guided the USA Women's National Volleyball Team to a stunning 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic at the World Grand Prix. Nancy Metcalf (19 points) and Tayyiba Haneef (Laguna Hills, Calif./15 points) led five Americans with at least nine points as Team USA rebounded from an 0-2 deficit after two sets to register a 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16, 15-6 victory. (July 3) Nancy Metcalf and Tayyiba Haneef dominated on both offense and defense to lead the USA Women's National Volleyball Team to a decisive 3-1 victory over Japan at the World Grand Prix. Metcalf scored a match-high 31 points and Haneef added 22 points in the 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 29-27 win on the final day of the second weekend of play. For more information, log on to www.usavolleyball.org.

Water Polo: (June 30) The Americans out-played the German National Team in the first day of preliminary-round competition at the Women's FINA World League Series in La Jolla, Calif. to score an 11-5 win. (July 2) Team USA defeated Australia, 7-5, in a physical second game of the FINA World League Series. (July 2) The USA Women's Water Polo Team took on Brazil and Canada during the third day of play at the FINA World League Series. Team USA dominated against Brazil, 10-0, and played an even match with Canada, 10-8. For more information, log on to www.usawaterpolo.com.

Water Skiing: (July 1) USA Water Ski has selected Todd Haig (Redlands, Calif.) and Mallory Nordblad (Claremont, Calif.) as its Athletes of the Month for June. The U.S. Elite Water Ski Racing Team was selected as Team of the Month. For more information, log on to www.usawaterski.org.

Weightlifting: (July 5) Amber Davis (Chiefland, Fla./53 kilograms), Rachel Hearn (Savannah, Ga./75+ kg) and Emmy Vargas (Panorama City, Calif./75+ kg) are traveling to Villeneuve-Loubet, France to compete in the University World Championships July 7-10. For more information, log on to www.usaweightlifting.org.

Wrestling: (July 5) Patrick McCaffrey (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) won a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling at 50 kg/110 lbs. during the first day of competition at the FILA Junior World Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania. For more information, log on to www.themat.com.