Category Archives: Olympics

She just may be my very favorite person at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Forget the male gymnasts, the Speedo-clad divers, and the gingers, this is Oksana Chusovitina, who was born two months before me (which means she is 41 years old). Ms. Chusovitina has been competing for so long that she once represented the Soviet Union. This is her seventh time at the Olympics.

Seven.

It’s impressively mind-boggling, and the fact that she still bounds through the air like she’s just beginning is a glorious testament to her dedication and perseverance, as well as her simple love of her sport. This year she is representing Uzbekistan, and the first time I saw her compete, I cringed a little at her outfit.

Then I saw her expression.

Her determination.

Her hunger.

Her spirit.

And her smile upon completing each of her events.

She won me over. I thought about her storied career, and looked up her accomplishments. She never had the best costumes, or the most fabulous hair, or the glamorous poise of some other gymnasts, but she had something else: the unfailing love of doing what she does, and doing it in the best way that she can could do it – over an incredibly long span, unheard of in gymnastics, and most other sports.

That quiet, unassuming grit and greatness is the stuff of the truest champions.

The best part of these Olympics goes beyond the bulge, and this powerhouse of a woman from Uzbekistan reminded me of that.

As the rest of the diving world gets challenged by the windy conditions at Rio for today’s springboard competition, the Americans relied on their outdoor practice to make strides into medal territory. This is Kristian Ipsen, who was right behind Zac Efron look-alike Michael Hixon the last time I checked – but these standings are as volatile as the peripatetic wind.

The Rings.

They are the true test of strength, focus, balance, endurance, and body fitness.

I can barely hang onto a handrail going up a flight of stairs, so the idea of holding onto two rings that aren’t connected to one another is a feat of superhuman insanity.

Eleftherios Petrounias has no such issues, as exhibited by his wondrous performance at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Representing Greece, he does his country proud.

It’s stank outside.

In this heat and humidity, grammar and words don’t mean much.

(Kind of like Donald Trump every day of the year.)

On with the previous week and everything that went down on this site, including the kick-off to my birthday countdown.

It was all about the Rio Summer Olympics.

Swimmers like Adam Peaty, Marcelo Chierighini, Chad Le Clos (but no cigar), Ryan Lochte, Ryan Held, Joseph Schooling, and Anthony Ervin.

Gymnasts like Marcel Nguyen, Brinn Bevan, and Kohei Uchimura.

Divers like Zac Efron look-alike and doppelgänger Michael Hixon.

Runners like LaShawn Merritt.

Volleyball players like Matt Anderson.

Gingers like Christophe Harting and the great Greg Rutherford.

Heroes like Amini Fonua.

Sexiest Olympic Couple: David & Steele or Dan & Tom?

Because one post wasn’t enough, here’s the bodacious bulge of Ryan Lochte again.

Even the Hunks of the Day were mostly Olympic men: Nicolai Ceban, Devon Allen, Chen Aisen, Ryan Murphy, and Dan Goodfellow.

Not to be outdone by all the Olympic bodies, these gentlemen bared their all, and a few famous nude guys made for a rollicking post. Including the otherwise wretched Justin Bieber.

Somehow Madonna managed to make her way into the proceedings, with this gorgeous song from the ‘Like A Prayer’ album.

Gay Uncles Day? Whatevs.

As we stumble along…

We love a good comeback story. Sixteen years ago, Anthony Ervin won his first gold medal at the Olympics. In the ensuing years, he dabbled with alcohol and drugs, womanizing and a suicide attempt, but managed to make his way back to the Olympic Games in Rio this summer. Last night, he won his second gold medal. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling, but I’m guessing it’s pretty good. Congrats to Mr. Ervin for making it back to the top of that golden mountain.

This discus-throwing ginger behemoth from Germany just won the Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics, and there’s absolutely nothing about this that I don’t like. This site has been partial to gingers since the great Greg Rutherford disrobed for the first (but not the last) time. As for Mr. Harting, kudos to his gold-medal-winning spin-and-throw.

I will never understand, or forgive, NBC for relegating the men’s springboard diving competition to 1:30 AM, but by chance and luck I managed to catch the bodacious back-ends of the whole thing to see Jack Laugher and Chris Mears win the gold in a spellbinding upset. The US gained the silver and the heavily-favored Chinese team earned the bronze. It was quite the (late) night. Mr. Laugher and Mr. Mears have been featured here before, so this seems as good a time as any to recap some of the loveliness that this Olympic Games has brought into our lives.

Chris Mears has gone naked for some scorching layouts, and Jack Laugher bared his butt for all the world to see as well.

Tom Daley and his diving partner Dan Goodfellow made a striking pair, and a pair of practically-splash free performances.

Michael Phelps has made more history winning a couple more gold medals in these games, but most visitors to these parts will focus on his naked photos for the ESPN Body Issue. His friendly rivalry with Ryan Lochte, and not-so-friendly rivalry with Chad Le Clos made for some riveting moments. Mr. Lochte has his own sizable following, thanks to pics like these.

Another swimmer who made a sexy splash on this site is Marcelo Chierighini.

The US Men’s Gymnastics team didn’t fare as well medal-wise, but body-wise they were charged up and ready to impress, proudly proclaiming they be happy to perform without shirts. No one put up an argument.

Entering the second week of the Summer Olympics, we’re only about half-way through, so more Hunks are sure to come.

When he was a kid, Joseph Schooling looked up to Michael Phelps as an inspiration for an incredible swimming career. Today, Schooling edged out Phelps for the Gold Medal, and it was a sight to behold. The swimmer from Singapore sailed past Phelps and Chad Le Clos to take his own moment of Olympic glory. It was a great race, and seeing Phelps give him a hug at the end of it is an exercise in classy sportsmanship. Congrats to Mr. Schooling on his golden triumph.

Volleyball dynamo Matt Anderson has done wonders for the US team in the Rio Summer Olympics, and he’s doing some fine things for the blog as well if we are to judge this crop of fit and fine photos. Mr. Anderson also has a growing collection of body ink artwork. I’m especially partial to that tree. (And that beard.)

Born in the year of our Queen’s ‘Ray of Light’ triumph (1997) British gymnast Brinn Bevan flexes his impressive muscles for this Olympic treat. His body betrays a growing trend in Olympic champions: body ink. Many opt for the five linked Olympic rings, but some branch out to words.

If Zac Efron were to slip into a Speedo and dive a routine worthy of an Olympic Silver Medal, he might look something like Michael Hixon, this late evening’s spotlight guy. Mr. Hixon and his partner just won the silver medal in something of an upset, but no one’s all that upset by anything because we got to see this guy in all his glory.