London 2012: The Countdown Series: Venezuela

54 days to go until the first day of the summer Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Venezuela (VEN).

Venezuela has participated in the summer Olympics since 1948; a total of eleven medals have been won by Venezolano athletes in the summer games, including a gold medal.

The only gold medal for Venezuela to date was won by boxer Francisco Rodriguez, who defeated Jin Yong Yu (KOR) in the final of the light-flyweight (boxing) class at Mexico City 1968.

The most recent Olympic medal for Venezuela was won by Dalia Contreras (pictured), who scored bronze for her third place finish in the flyweight (taekwondo) class at Beijing 2008.

As of now, 62 Venezolano athletes are headed to London to compete in 13 events, including various athletics and swimming events, as well as weightlifting, judo, boxing, cycling and wrestling.

Up next: Vietnam

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Vanuatu

55 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Next up on the parade of nations: Vanuatu (VAN).

Vanuatu has participated in the summer Olympics since 1988; none of their athletes have won a medal in the Olympics.

As of now, Vanuatu will send three to London, to compete in various events in judo and table tennis.

Up next: Venezuela

Stanley Cup Finals 2012-Starts Wednesday.

Marty. McSorley's. Illegal. Stick.

Those four words will haunt the Kings forever since their 1993 run to the Stanley Cup Final in which they lost to the Habs (last Canadian franchise to hoist Lord Stanley).

The Kings, with such youth in their lines, with a supporting role by goalie Jonathan Quick, who has been phenomenal throughout this postseason, could silence the naysayers to the fact that an eighth seed could win it all. We'll see.

On the other hand, with almost two decades in the league and three Cups to show for, could this be the last hurrah for Devils starting goalie Martin Brodeur?

Why am I posting these questions? Because this is it. One of the oldest trophies in sport will be awarded within the next couple weeks.

STANLEY CUP FINAL
(best of seven)
(6E) Devils v (8W) Kings
Game 1-5/30
Game 2-6/2
Game 3-6/4
Game 4-6/6
Game 5-6/9*
Game 6-6/11*
Game 7-6/13*
*-if necessary

Every game is on free to air on either CBC or NBC.

Why is this significant? BECAUSE IT'S THE CUP.

2012 NBA Version of the 'Final Four'

Already underway with the game ones in the book, with the Spurs and Heat taking game ones. The rest of the series could be interesting.

WEST final
(best of seven)
(1) Spurs v (2) Thunder
Game 1-5/27 (won by Spurs)
Game 2-5/29
Game 3-5/31
Game 4-6/2
Game 5-6/4*
Game 6-6/6*
Game 7-6/8*

EAST final
(best of seven)
(2) Heat v (4) Celtics
Game 1-5/28 (won by Heat)
Game 2-5/30
Game 3-6/1
Game 4-6/3
Game 5-6/5*
Game 6-6/7*
Game 7-6/9*
*-if necessary

All games of the Western final are on TNT, while the East are on ESPN or ABC.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uzbekistan

56 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uzbekistan (UZB).

Uzbekistan has participated in the summer Olympics since 1996. A total of 17  medals have been won by Uzbeki athletes in the summer games, including four gold medals.

Artur Taymazov (pictured) is the only multiple gold medalist for Uzbekistan in the Olympics, with two gold medals. The wrestler scored both gold medal victories in the finals of the freestyle super-heavyweight (wrestling). His first gold was at Athens 2004 when he defeated Ali Reza Rezaei (IRI) in final, and at Beijing 2008, defeated Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (RUS) in the final.

Boxer Mukhammad Kadyr Abdullayev won the first gold medal for Uzbekistan, by way of his win in the men's light-welterweight (boxing) final over Ricardo Williams Jr. (USA) at Sydney 2000.

Wrestler Alexsandr Dokturisvhvili won gold in the Greco-Roman middleweight (wrestling) at Athens 2004, defeating Marko Yli Hannusksela (FIN) in the final.

As of now, 50 Uzbeki athletes are headed to London to compete in twelve events, including athletics, boxing, swimming, cycling, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

Up next: Vanuatu

The Ten Best Songs of EUROVISION 2012! Handpicked!

As expected, Loreen's blowout win in the voting at Saturday's EUROVISION Song Contest in Baku, could result in the single "Euphoria" gaining worldwide exposure in the months to come. "Euphoria" was one of my favorite songs from this year's EUROVISION, but there were some others that I thought stood out.

Max Jason Mai "Don't Close Your Eyes"

The Slovakian act's song didn't fair well with the voting in the second semifinal, but it's a good song.

Engelbert Humperdinck "Love Will Set You Free"

Despite a poor showing, Engelbert delivered very well and I thought because of the artist's namesake, he would win it all!

Loreen "Euphoria"

No doubt about it, she was in my top ten in the Grand Final on Saturday, and had to be one of the best songs of this year's EUROVISION.

Compact Disco "Sound of Our Hearts"

Great effort by the Hungarian band.

Kaliopi "Crno I Belo"

Some liked it, some didn't. I liked it because it was powerful.

Kurt Calleja "This is the Night"

Great effort representing a tiny country.

Buranovskiye Babushki "Party for Everybody"

These grannys rock!

Sinplus "Unbreakable"

One of the best of the competition, and this was the one I thought could win it all.

Litesound "We are the Heroes"

Another effort that was short on voting as the Byelorussians had a great effort, nonetheless.

Sofi Marinova "Love Unlimited"

Another effort I thought would have made the finals, despite a tie with the Norwegian acts, failed to make it in Saturday's grand final. Really a great track despite what the naysayers said about it.

So that's my opinion. What is yours? Feel free to reply in the comments!

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uruguay

57 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uruguay (URU).

Uruguay has participated in the summer Olympics since 1924. A total of ten medals have been won by Uruguayan athletes in the summer games, including two gold medals.

The only gold medals won by Uruguay in the summer games were in 1924 and 1928 by the men's football (soccer) team. In 1924, the men's football (soccer) team defeated Switzerland in the final, and at Amsterdam 1928, defeated Argentina in the final. No gold medals have been won for Uruguay since.

The most recent medal for Uruguay was won by track cyclist Milton Wynants (pictured), who earned the silver for his runner up finish in the men's points race on the track at Sydney 2000.

As of now, 26 Uruguayan athletes are headed to London to compete in seven events, including events in athletics, swimming, judo, and cycling. In addition, men's football (soccer), carrying momentum from the senior squad's 2010 performance in South Africa, has qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Uzbekistan

Your 2012 EUROVISION Song Contest Winner!

This is Loreen with "Euphoria"!

For the record, Engelbert Humperdinck finished 25th in overall voting. 

London 2012: The Countdown Series: United States, part 3

58 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Finishing the three-parter on the United States (USA), with a focus on team events, who's going to London and Olympic venues.

The USA has excelled a lot when it comes to the team sports in the summer Olympics. USA Basketball has been the most dominant program of Olympic basketball, since the sport's inception into the Olympics in 1936.

The United States have won gold in men's basketball every time in the summer Olympics with the exception of the infamous screw job against the Soviets in the final at Munich 1972, Seoul 1988, and at Athens 2004, where they ended up scoring the bronze. But everytime, they looked dominant. Check out these gold medal wins:

• Berlin 1936, defeated Canada in final
• London 1948, defeated France in final
• Helsinki 1952, defeated Soviet Union in final
• Stockholm 1956, defeated Soviet Union in final
• Rome 1960, defeated Soviet Union in final
• Tokyo 1964, defeated Soviet Union in final
• Mexico City 1968, defeated Yugoslavia in final
• Montreal 1976, defeated Yugoslavia in final
• Los Angeles 1984, defeated Spain in final
• Barcelona 1992, defeated Croatia in final "Dream Team," featuring guard Michael Jordan (pictured, above)
• Atlanta 1996, defeated Serbia & Montenegro in final "Dream Team II"
• Sydney 2000, defeated France in final
• Beijing 2008, defeated Spain in final

The women's basketball program has been successful since women's hoops were instituted in the summer Olympics in 1984. They won the first women's basketball gold at Los Angeles 1984, and also won again at Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 (defeating Australia in final), Athens 2004 and at Beijing 2008. Center Lisa Leslie (pictured) was an integral part of the last four gold medal teams, as she is the only member of USA Basketball to win four gold medals as a player.

The first team medal for the United States in the summer games was in 1904, in the rugby. The US also won in rugby at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924.

The volleyball and beach volleyball programs have been successful. The US's first gold in volleyball in 1984, along with the first gold for the US on sand with Kent Steffes and Karch Kiraly at Atlanta 1996, made Kiraly the only volleyball player to win a gold indoors and on sand in Olympic history. The men's volleyball team would win another gold at Seoul 1988 and again at Beijing 2008. The second most successful duo on sand-Kerri Walsh and Misty May Treanor (pictured)-won the last two golds in the women's competition at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Baseball won gold at Sydney 2000, while Softball won gold at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, before losing to Japan in the final at Beijing 2008. Both sports will no longer be on the schedule in the summer games.

As of now, 506 American athletes are headed to London to compete in 24 events. Among the events: athletics, boxing, cycling, equestrian, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, taekwondo, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling. In addition these team have also qualified for London:

• men's and women's basketball
• women's (field) hockey
• women's football (soccer)
• men's and women's volleyball
• men's and women's water polo

The US has hosted the summer Olympics four times. The first time was at St. Louis in 1904. Los Angeles would also host the next two times for the US, in 1932 and 1984, with Atlanta the most recent in 1996.

Up next: Uruguay



It's French Open Time!

After a four month hiatus, we're back to grand slam mode.

Roland Garros 2012 is here! Last year, Na Li held off previous French Open champ Francesca Schiavone in exciting fashion on the women's side, while it was business as usual for Rafa Nadal.

Who knows what's gonna happen on the clay surface. The only Grand Slam on clay!

Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka are the top seeds.

NOTABLE FIRST ROUND MATCHES (singles)

Men singles
(1) Novak Djokovic v Polito Starace
(2) Rafael Nadal v Simone Bolelli
(3) Roger Federer v Tobias Kamke
(4) Andy Murray v Tatsuma Ito
(5) Jo Wilfried Tsonga v Andrey Kutznetsov
(6) David Ferrer v Lukas Lacko
(7) Tomas Berdych v Dudi Sela
(8) Janko Tipsarevic v Sam Querrey
(9) Juan Martin del Potro v Albert Montanes
(10) John Isner v Rogerio Dutra Silva
(11) Gilles Simon v Ryan Harrison
(13) Juan Monaco v Guillaume Rufin
(14) Fernando Verdasco v Steve Darcis
(16) Alexandr Dolgopolov v Sergiy Stakhovsky
(17) Richard Gasquet v Jurgen Zopp
(18) Stan Wawrinka v Flavio Cipolla
(19) Milos Raonic v Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo
(21) Marin Cilic v Daniel Munoz de la Nava
(23) Radek Stepanek v David Goffin
(24) Philipp Kohlschreiber v Matthew Ebden
(25) Bernard Tomic v Andreas Haider Maurer
(26) Andy Roddick v Nicolas Mahut
(27) Mikhail Youzhny v James Blake
(30) Jurgen Melzer v Michael Berrer
Lleyton Hewitt v Blaz Kavcic
David Nalbandian v Adrian Ungur
Donald Young v Grigor Dimitrov
Juan Carlos Ferrero v Jonathan Dasnieres de Veigy
Tommy Haas v Filipo Volandri
Marcos Baghdatis v Juan Ignacio Chela
Jesse Levine v Benjamin Becker

Women singles
(1) Victoria Azarenka v Alberta Brianti
(2) Maria Sharapova v Alexandra Cadantu
(3) Agnes Radwanska v Bojana Jovanovski
(4) Petra Kvitova v Ashleigh Barty
(5) Serena Williams v Virginie Razzano
(6) Sam Stosur v Elena Baltacha
(7) Na Li v Sorana Cirstea
(8) Marion Bartoli v Karolina Pliskova
(9) Caroline Wozniacki v Eleni Daniilidou
(11) Vera Zvonareva v Timea Babos
(12) Sabine Lisicki v Bethanie Mattek Sands
(13) Ana Ivanovic v Lara Arruabarrena Vecino
(14) Francesca Schiavone v Kimiko Date Krumm
(15) Dominika Cibulkova v Kristina Mladenovic
(16) Maria Kirilenko v Victoria Larriere
(18) Flavia Pennetta v Su Wei Hsieh
(19) Jelena Jankovic v Patricia Mayr Achleitner
(22) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Greta Arn
(25) Julia Goerges v Lucie Hradecka
(26) Svetlana Kuznetsova v Mirjana Lucic
(27) Nadia Petrova v Iveta Benesova
(28) Shuai Peng v Tamira Paszek
Venus Williams v Paula Ormaechea
Melanie Oudin v Johanna Larsson
Sloane Stephens v Ekaterina Makarova
Vania King v Galina Voskoboeva
Heather Watson v Elena Vesnina
Yanina Wickmayer v Tsvetana Pironkova
Michaella Krajicek v Petra Martic
Christina McHale v Kiki Bertens
Ursula Radwanska v Pauline Parmentier

LIVE in the states on ESPN networks, Tennis Channel (I think) and of course, NBC, which will be in their 30th year of covering this Grand Slam event.

Also for radio and live scoring, head here!

London 2012: The Countdown Series: United States, Part 2

59 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Continuing the three-parter on the United States (USA), with this focus on individual performances.

The United States Olympic team has seen rising stars born in the summer Olympics. Too many to name.

Before their legendary rivalry in the ring as professionals, Cassius Clay (top) and the late Joe Frazier (bottom) both won gold medals. Clay defeated Zbigniew Petrzykowski (POL) in the light-heavyweight (boxing) final at Rome 1960. Frazier defeated Hans Huber (GER) in the heavyweight (boxing) final at Rome 1964.

Boxing gold for the US aren't just limited to those two. At Mexico City 1968, George Foreman won gold, defeating Jonas Cepulis (URS) in the finals of the heavyweight (boxing) division. Pernell 'Sweet Pea' Whitaker won gold at Los Angeles 1984 and Oscar de la Hoya won gold at Barcelona 1992.

USA Wrestling has also generated great top Olympians in wrestling. Dan Gable won gold at Munich 1972 in the freestyle lightweight (wrestling) final. Other great notables who won wrestling gold for the US include Kurt Angle, who won the freestyle heavyweight (wrestling) final, defeating Abbas Jadidi (IRI) at Atlanta 1996. Angle would go on to a successfull 'professional' wrestling career. Rulon Gardner also won gold, after defeating the legendary Alexsandr Karelin (RUS) in the final of the Greco-Roman super heavyweight (wrestling) at Sydney 2000.

At Athens 2004, Cael Sanderson (pictured above), defeated Mun Ui-Je (KOR) in the final of the freestyle light-heavyweight (wrestling) at Sydney 2004. Sanderson to this day is the only NCAA wrestler at any level (from Division I to Division III) to finish career undefeated; he currently coaches at Penn State, where he led that program to a recent Division I national title back in March.

The most recent success for USA wrestling is that of Henry Cejudo, who won gold at Beijing 2008, by defeating Tomohiro Matsunaga (JPN) in the final of the men's freestyle featherweight (wrestling).

Finally, some of the other individual gold-medal winning performances of the summer games. Some include gymnasts Mary Lou Retton and Mitch Gaylord, who won the respective all around (gymnastics) events at Los Angeles 1984. Not forget about Andre Agassi, who won tennis singles gold, defeating Sergi Bruguera (ESP) in the final at Atlanta 1996.

And then there are some very heartwarming stories, such as that of Rebecca Soni (pictured). Soni, a last minute addition to the USA Swimming roster for Beijing 2008 (replaced Jessica Hardy), came out of nowhere to win the 200m breaststroke (swimming) final at Beijing 2008. Remember, she had heart surgery a couple years back, which was damaging for her career. Since then, she has won Fina World Championships gold at Rome 2009 and Shanghai 2011.

In part 3, I'll examine the gold medal of the USA team sports in the summer games.

EUROVISION 2012: Grand Final Saturday!

Engelbert Humperdinck will be there, but why is he at this year's Eurovision?

The 57th edition of the EUROVISION Song Contest (a service of the European Broadcasting Union) will crown a winning act and song for this year's contest.

42 entered, 26 made the cut. The reason that Humperdinck is there in Baku at this year's Eurovision is because his "Love Will Set You Free" will be among a huge 26 finalists that will compete for the EUROVISION crown in 2012, at Baku, Azerbaijan.

Here are the 26 songs that made the cut for Saturday's grand final, which will be around 11pm local time, 9pm Central European Time, 3pm NAEDT/2pm NACDT. It will be streamed live on Eurovision.tv.

So many good songs were shut out of the grand final including those acts who represent Switzerland, Slovakia, Belarus and Bulgaria, in which I'll analyze over the weekend.

Lee Rich, 85, Television & Film Mogul

Link.

He, along with Merv Adelson co-founded film and TV outfit LORIMAR in 1968. The company would produce countless TV shows and films while he was there, including Dallas, Knots Landing, Falcon Crest, The Waltons, Eight is Enough, as well as films including The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh and Being There (distributed through UA), Escape to Victory (released through Paramount), and The Last Starfighter (released through Universal). The company would also self-distribute a few motion picture films as well. Months after LORIMAR's merger with Telepix Corporation (Telepictures), he left the newly named company for MGM/UA, and then his own programming entity, through distribution with Warner.

Friday Jukebox 5.25.12: A Short Tribute to Robin Gibb.

Within the last few months, Robin Gibb was batting cancer. This past Sunday (5.20), he lost the battle at age 62. The Brothers Gibb has had their share of hits, including "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever," and this one, "Tragedy," from 1979's Spirits Having Flown.

Wherever you are this weekend for this Memorial Day weekend here in the US, please enjoy the weekend and stay safely.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: United States, part 1

60 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: United States (USA).

The USA has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern Olympics of 1896. The 2,322 medals won by American athletes in these summer games are the most among active nations participating. The same could be said of the 944 gold medals which is expected to break the 1,000 mark at Rio 2016.

In part one, the focus is on the Americans who have won more than one gold medal in the summer games.

When you think swimming, who is the first name to come to your mind? That's right! Michael Phelps! Phelps (pictured), broke the individual gold medal record at Beijing 2008 with eight gold medals including a couple close finishes in a couple races, one being the 100m butterfly (swimming) final, where Phelps edged Milorad Cavic (SRB) at the finish. Cavic would protest Fina, but overturned due to the evidence. His fourteen gold medals is now second to gymnast Larysa Latynina, who has eighteen gold medals in her career. Phelps is considering retirement after London, but don't blink, another record could be broken for Phelps before he 'retires.'

Prior to Phelps' record breaking performance at Beijing, it was Ray Ewry (pictured) who had the most individual gold medals amongst Americans in the summer games with ten. Ewry won four times in the high jump (athletics), four times in the long jump (athletics) and twice in the triple jump (athletics)-all at either St. Louis 1904, Athens 1906 and London 1908.

Also prior to Beijing, it was Mark Spitz who had the most individual gold medals amongst swimmers in the summer games with nine. Spitz won the men's 100m and 200m butterfly (swimming) at Munich 1972, the men's 100m and 200m freestyle (swimming) at Munich 1972, and was a member of the winning 4x100m medley relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968, as well as ithe men's 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972, and also the men's 4x200m freestyle relay (swimming) at Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972.

Also with nine medals is Carl Lewis (pictured, with the USA tag on the front). Perhaps the second most successful athletics performer, Lewis won gold on the track in the men's 100m (athletics) at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 and in the men's 200m (athletics) at Los Angeles 1984. He also was a member of the winning 4x100m relay teams at Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992. He also won the long jump at Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

Swimmers Matt Biondi and Jenny Thompson have eight gold medals each.

Another swimmer, Dan Schollander has seven gold medals. Also, another swimmer, Amy van Dyken Rouen has six gold medals.

12 Americans have five gold medals each.

18 Americans have four gold medals each.

60 Americans have three gold medals each.

190 Americans have two gold medals each.

In part two, the segment will be devoted to the notable individual solo gold medal performances of the summer games.

BELLATOR Season Six Finale and K-1 Rising World Max 2012 This Weekend!

This weekend is a big weekend in combat sport as BELLATOR's season six comes to an end, as well as the return of K-1 kickboxing in a tournament event!

At BELLATOR 70, in which BELLATOR will make its New Orleans debut, there will be a bantamweight semifinal between Luis Nogueira and Hiroshi Nakamura. Also the lightweight tournament final as Brent Weedman takes on Rick Hawn for a shot at Michael Chandler's title belt!

But that's not all, the world heavyweight championship is on the line as Cole Konrad defends the belt against the most recent tournament winner Eric Prindle, who won the most recent heavyweight tournament after his rematch with Thiago Santos never happen. The reason: Santos had to forefeit due to weight issues, therefore Prindle gets a title shot.

CARD

Bantamweight tournament semifinal

(135lb/60.75kg)

Luis Nogueira v Hiroshi Nakamura

Lightweight tournament final

(155lb/69.75kg)

Brent Weedman v Rick Hawn

World heavyweight championship

(260lb/117kg or higher)

Cole Konrad (c) v Eric Prindle

LIVE on MTV2 and epix HD at 7pm NACDT. Last chance to see Bellator until June 22!

Also, K-1 kickboxing Rising World Max 2012 is Sunday afternoon at around 1pm NAEDT. K-1 Rising 2012, from Madrid, will feature a 'final sixteen' tournament, as well as five superfights. Among the superfights will be Badr Hari vs. Anderson Silva. Yes folks, Anderson Silva, the UFC veteran. Another UFC veteran, Mirko Filipovic will also be in action. 'Cro Cop' will be in a superfight with Loren Javier Jorge. K-1 Rising will be streamed on USTREAM.

Two of just the few events in combat sports on U.S. Memorial Day weekend. 

London 2012: The Countdown Series: United Arab Emirates

61 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Next up on the parade of nations: United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE has participated in the summer Olympics since 1984, and only one medal was won in the summer games by one of their athletes.

The lone medal for the UAE was won by Ahmed al-Maktoum (pictured), who won gold in the men's double trap shooting at Athens 2004.

As of now, the UAE will send 23 athletes to London to compete in four events, including judo and weightlifting. In addition, their men's football (soccer) team has also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: United States. Look for about a two-to-three part segment on the USA.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Ukraine

62 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Ukraine (UKR).

Ukraine has participated in the summer Olympics since 1996; a total of 96 medals were won by Ukranian athletes in the summer games including 28 gold medals.

Perhaps the most successful Ukranian in the summer games is swimmer Yana Klochkova (pictured), who won four gold medals herself in the pool. Klochkova, an individual medley specialist, won twice at Sydney 2000 in the 200m IM and 400m IM (swimming), and would win the same two events again at Athens 2004.

Two Ukranians have two gold medals each in the summer Olympics, and both are gymnasts. Rustham Sharipov won in the men's team all around (gymnastics) at Barcelona 1992 and in the men's parallel bars (gymnastics) at Atlanta 1996. Lilya Podkopaieva won twice on the women's floor exercise and all around (gymnastics) at Atlanta 1996.

Yes folks, the greatest boxers in the world are born in the Olympics. Take Wladimir Klitschko (pictured), as the Ukranian won super-heavyweight (boxing) gold at Atlanta 1996, via defeat of Paea Wolfgramm (TGA) in the final.

The most recent gold medal for Ukraine was by way of Nataliya Dobrynska (pictured), who won the women's heptathlon at Beijing 2008.

As of now, 257 Ukranian athletes are headed to London to compete in these following events: athletics, boxing, cycling, equestrian, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

Up next: United Arab Emirates. Not that far away from the United States and Great Britain.

Eugene Polley, 96, Inventor of the Remote Control

Link

With the remote, services will be available using the record, rewind, play and fast forward options. The power button starts the procession and ends the funeral. Simple as that.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uganda

63 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uganda (UGA).

Uganda has participated in the summer Olympics since 1956. A total of six medals have been won by Ugandan athletes in the summer games including a gold medal.

The late John Akii-Bua (pictured) will be remembered for not only bringing home the only gold medal for Uganda to date, but also pulling off a brilliant upset in the men's 400m hurdles (athletics) final at Munich 1972 to win that gold medal.

Davis Kamoga brought home the most recent medal for Uganda in the summer games, after a bronze finish in the men's 400m (athletics) final at Atlanta 1996. No medals for Uganda since.

As of now, 13 Ugandan athletes are headed to London to compete in various athletics and badminton events.

Up next: Ukraine, as we're getting closer and closer to the United States and Great Britain.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Turkmenistan

64 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Turkmenistan (TKM).

Turkmenistan has participated in the summer Olympics since 1996. The former Soviet republic's athletes have yet to win a medal in the summer games.

As of now, Turkmenistan will send six to London, and will compete in boxing, judo and weightlifting events.

Up next: Uganda

Ooh So Close!

Even Bastian Schweinsteiger couldn't believe that he missed out on a crucial goal...

Where Did I'll Have Another Come From?

This is also my 600th post.

He came from out of nowhere in the final turn. Just as Bodemeister had it in the bag, here comes I'll Have Another, the Kentucky Derby Winner!

On to Belmont Park in three weeks!

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Turkey

65 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Turkey (TUR).

Turkey has participated in the summer Olympics since 1908. A total of 82 medals have been won by Turkish athletes in the summer games including 37 gold medals.

Two Turkish athletes have three gold medals each, the most individual gold medals in the summer games for Turkey. Halil Mutlu (pictured) won gold three times in two different clases: in the men's flyweight (weightlifting) at Atlanta 1996 and in the men's bantamweight (weightlifting) at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

The other three time gold medalist for Turkey is Naim Suleymanoglu. Suleymanoglu, a weightlifter, won three time in the men's featherweight at Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

Three Turkish athletes have two gold medals each in the summer Olympics. Wrestler Hamza Yerlikaya (pictured) won in two separate divisions: in the Greco-Roman middleweight at Atlanta 1996 (defeated Thomas Zander (GER) in final) and in the Greco-Roman light heavyweight at Sydney 2000 (defeated Sandor Istvan Bardosi (HUN) in final).

The other two two-time gold medalist for Turkey are wrestlers. Mithat Bayrak won twice in the Greco-Roman welterweight at Melbourne 1956 (defeated Vladimir Maneyev (URS) in final) and at Rome 1960 (defeated Gunther Maritschnigg (GER) in final). Mustafa Dagistanli won twice in two different divisions: in the freestyle bantamweight at Melbourne 1956 (defeated Mykhailo Shakhov (URS) in final) and in the men's freestyle at Rome 1960 (defeated Stancho Ivanov (BUL) in final).

The most recent gold medalist for Turkey in the summer games is wrestler Ramazan Shahin (pictured), who defeated Andriy Stadnik (UKR) in the final of the men's welterweight class at Beijing 2008.

As of now, 88 Turkish athletes are headed to London to compete in 14 events, including various events in athletics, boxing, cycling, judo, taekwondo, swimming and wrestling. In addition, the women's volleyball team has also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Turkmenistan

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Tunisia

66 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Tunisia (TUN).

Tunisia has participated in the summer Olympics since 1960. A total of seven medals have been won by Tunisian athletes in the summer games including two gold medals.

The first Olympic gold medal for Tunisia was won by Mohamad Gammoudi (pictured), who won the men's 5000m (athletics) final at Mexico City 1968.

The second and most recent gold medal in the summer Olympic was won in the pool by Ous Mellouli (pictured). Mellouli won the men's 1500m freestyle (swimming) final at Beijing 2008.

As of now, 82 Tunisian athletes are headed to London, and will compete in 14 events, including various events in athletics, boxing, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. The men's basketball, volleyball and handball teams have also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Turkey

Friday Jukebox 5.18.12: A Short Tribute to Donna Summer.

On Thursday, Donna Summer (think "Hot Stuff" and "She Works Hard For Her Money") passed away after battling cancer at age 63. What is interesting out of this was that I had Cats Without Claws, released in 1984, years back on cassette. Cats Without Claws, was her 12th studio album, including such tracks as the title track itself, along with "Suzanna" and the best track on the album, "Maybe It's Over."

Surprising Preakness Odds!

Some surprising odds regarding the second leg of the Triple Crown. Bob Baffert-trained Bodemeister is the favorite, while Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another (pictured) is at 5-2. Want proof...here.