Sunday, August 5, 2012

EYES ON LONDON: Wambach, Phelps, Murray, Douglas

Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer to win the men's singles gold medal match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in London, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Britain's Andy Murray celebrates after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer to win the men's singles gold medal match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in London, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Serena Williams, left, and Venus Williams of the United States laugh together on the podium after receiving their gold medals in women's doubles at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

United States' Abby Wambach speaks during a women's soccer news conference for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, speaks with Britain's gymnasts Kristian Thomas, left, during the artistic gymnastics apparatus finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

United States swimmer Michael Phelps speaks during a news conference at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

(AP) ? Around the 2012 Olympics and its host city with journalists from The Associated Press bringing the flavor and details of the games to you:

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DOUBLE BOXES

Laura Trott, Britain's Olympic gold medal-winning track cyclist, will have two mailboxes painted in her honor after the country's Royal Mail postal service mixed up her place of birth.

The Royal Mail is painting one of its famous red post boxes gold in the home town of each of Britain's gold medal winners.

But after the postal service decorated a box in Harlow, in eastern England, Trott said her birthplace was actually 14 miles (22.5km) away in Cheshunt. She mobilized her followers on Twitter to lobby the Royal Mail.

It quickly responded and said the cyclist would be honored with not one but two golden post boxes.

? David Stringer - Twitter http://twitter.com/david_stringer

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PHAMILY TIME

Michael Phelps has had a busy Olympics and now he's settling into retirement with some quality family time.

The 27-year-old U.S. swimming star who won his last-ever Olympic race on Saturday tweeted on Sunday afternoon that he was spending the day with his family.

"What an amazing day!!!" he wrote, adding that he was with his mom and sisters, Hilary and Whitney.

"Gotta love the fam!!!" said the 18-time Olympic gold medalist.

Phelps later posted a photo of himself with his niece, Taylor, and one of his four gold medals from the London games.

? Fergus Bell ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb

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WRONG PRIORITIES

The message from Gabby Douglas to people who criticize her appearance is pretty irrefutable: "I just made history, and people are focused on my hair?"

The 16-year-old women's gymnastics all-around champion likes her hairstyle just fine, thanks.

She said Sunday she was a little confused when she logged onto her computer after winning her second gold medal in three days and discovered people were debating her pulled-back look.

"I don't know where this is coming from. What's wrong with my hair?" Douglas says. "It can be bald or short, it doesn't matter about (my) hair."

Douglas uses gel, clips and a ponytail holder to keep things in place while she competes. She's worn the style for years and says she has no plans to change her hairstyle anytime soon.

Later this week she will try to add to her medal count in bars and beam finals.

? Will Graves ? Twitter http://twitter.com/WillGravesAP

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BRAND LOYALTY

Abby Wambach moved the IOC-supplied bottles of Coca-Cola and Powerade out of camera shot when she sat down at the table for the U.S. women's soccer team press conference on Sunday.

You see, Wambach has done commercials for Gatorade, which is also a sponsor of U.S. Soccer.

Quipped Wambach: "I love how LeBron didn't even take sip of Gatorade when he was cramping in the finals."

That would be LeBron James, who has a deal with Powerade.

? Joseph White ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

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JENNA BUSH ON PINGPONG

Jenna Bush was working at the table tennis venue this morning, filming a little segment for NBC on the trio of 16-year-old American women who just wrapped up playing in the Olympics ? Ariel Hsing, Lily Zhang and Erica Wu.

The three are becoming minor celebrities in the United States, with Hsing attracting attention because of her rousing play and friendship with billionaire Bill Gates.

Gates was here last week to see her play singles when she nearly upset the eventual champion Li Xiaoxia of China. She calls Gates "Uncle Bill" and Warren Buffett "Uncle Warren."

? Stephen Wade ? Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP

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KATE HANGS OUT

It was Sunday in the park for Kate.

Prince William, his wife the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have been popping up at all sorts of Olympic venuesin offical capacities. On Sunday, however, Kate was seen just strolling around the vast Olympic Park in east London, getting a private tour after showing up sans hubby at the men's gymnastics competition.

As usual, she brought the Olympic crowd to a standstill, with visitors rushing to get a photo as she passed by.

After months of appearing in long dresses at posh charity bashes, the duchess had a chance to break the red carpet mold. She walked around in appropriately low-key Team GB wear ? a dark blue sweat shirt, blue leggings and red sneakers.

?Barbara Surk ?Twitter http://www.twitter.com/BarbaraSurkAP

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SELLING THE SWATCH

For some it's a keepsake they would never let go. For others it is a way to make a quick buck.

London Olympic volunteers ? known officially as Gamesmakers ? are all issued with a red Swatch watch as part of their standard uniform. They are allowed to keep them after the games but a search Sunday on eBay shows that some volunteers are planning on cashing in instead.

With two hours remaining on the auction, one Swatch was up to 51 ($80) with 10 bids on Sunday.

Other items for sale included pairs of Adidas trainers issued to the volunteers and even a Gamesmaker pocket guide.

? Fergus Bell ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb

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HAPPY HEAT

Turns out the NBA champion Miami Heat have more than just LeBron James to root for at the London Games.

The Heat did pretty well in tennis, too.

Heat managing general partner Micky Arison was one of the first to tweet congratulations to British tennis star Andy Murray after toppling Roger Federer to win gold on Sunday at Wimbledon.

Murray is a Heat fan and has been a season-ticket holder.

The Heat had ties all across the Wimbledon medal stand this weekend: Women's gold medalist Serena Williams is courtside in Miami for a few games each season.

? Tim Reynolds ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ByTimReynolds

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QUICKQUOTE: ALL BUSINESS

"I don't do tricks. I just go fast." ? Britain BMX cyclist Shanaze Reade when asked if she does exhibitions for sponsors to raise money.

? Jon Krawczynski ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APKrawczynski

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MURRAY MAGIC

Same venue, same players, different result.

There was no sobbing for Britain's Andy Murray at Wimbledon this time ? on Sunday he made tennis No. 1 Roger Federer run around the court like a ballboy.

Murray won the Olympic gold medal on an ace, beating Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on the same court where just last month, Murray had been in tears over losing the Wimbledon final to the Swiss tennis legend.

As relief washed over Murray's face, he bounded into the stands to hug his girlfriend, his close supporters, and of course, his mom.

? Sheila Norman-Culp ? Twitter http://twitter.com/snormanculp

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YOU SHOULD NOT BE SERIOUS

As the roof opened at Wimbledon, ball boys and girls went on a hop-skip-jump parade round the courtside, flinging souvenir tennis balls into the crowd. For commentators who'd just been in the same court weeks ago for the Wimbledon tournament, the contrast between the atmosphere of the two finals couldn't have been greater.

"This feels like a Davis Cup crowd. This is taking place at Wimbledon, but this is not Wimbledon," said former British tennis No. 1 Tim Henman, a silver medalist in Atlanta.

And John McEnroe, a popular fixture on British Wimbledon TV coverage, suggested the pro tennis circuit, particularly the mother of Grand Slams, could benefit from the Olympic spirit.

"They're too damn polite here at Wimbledon, simple as that," McEnroe said as the conga-line of ball-chuckers bobbed past.

Referring to the passing raucous youth, McEnroe said, "I absolutely love it. Over at beach volleyball it gets crazy. They even have DJs. I think we should incorporate more of that into our sport."

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KING OF THE SEA

Britain's Ben Ainslie didn't win the race, but he still sailed into the history books.

By coming in ninth in Sunday's race, Ainslie won his fourth straight gold medal and fifth Olympic medal overall to eclipse Denmark's Paul Elvstrom as the most decorated sailing Olympian ever.

The key for the British sailor was to come ahead of Denmark's Jonas Hoegh-Christensen, who crossed last Sunday but still took the silver.

On the shores of Weymouth, where tens of thousands watched the race on Jumbotrons, British fans erupted in joy at Ainslie's achievement, waving a sea of Union Jacks.

? Sheila Norman-Culp ? Twitter http://twitter.com/snormanculp

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OLYMPIC INK

Tattoos of the iconic Olympic logo ? the five interlocked rings ? arent just for the worlds top athletes.

Amateurs, performers at the opening ceremony and tourists, too, have been inspired to get the Olympic spirit under their skin.

London tattoo parlors say the plain Olympic rings are the most popular choice for tourists and fans who want a permanent souvenir.

"Theyre mainly Americans ? theres a hell of a lot of Americans in town," said Darryl Gates, owner of the Diamond Jacks tattoo parlor.

British fans, meanwhile, are getting something more patriotic.

"We did the Team GB lion logo on two athletes who came in on opening ceremony day," said Scott Maclaren at the Fulham Tattoo Center.

?Sylvia Hui ? Twitter http://twitter.com/sylviahui

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EDITOR'S NOTE ? "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-08-05-OLY-Eyes-on-London-Package/id-1346374e929c4a3682119aefe5f40e6c

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