UPDATE - Nelsen has returned from his Over-Age Olympic duty with New Zealand after their 5 - nil demolition at the hands of Brazil.

Now back at Ewood Park after his agreement with the Guv’na, Nelly’s focus will now be on Blackburn’s opening fixture at Everton.

Former DC United and current Blackburn Rovers Captain Ryan Nelsen has been given the all clear by new manager Paul “the Guv’na” Ince to represent New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Yes, there’s a bit of a catch. Nelsen must be back at Ewood Park by August 16th which is their opening day match against Everton.

Nelsen will be one of the Kiwi’s three overage (over 23) players and will definitely face China and Brazil before the deadline set by Ince.

image via BBC

Have to agree with Maurice Edu, these sneaks are very cool. These are part of the USA uniform designed by Ralph Lauren and inspired by the movie Chariots of Fire.

I have been loving the Nike basketball commercial featuring Marvin Gaye singing the National Anthem that has been getting airtime during the Olympics.  I came across the full version of this commercial today and just had to post it. Really dope commercial, and quite possibly my favorite rendition of the National Anthem of all time. MG smashed this!

Omega might be the official timekeeper of the 2008 Olympics, but that didn’t stop Ernst Benz from coming up with his own, limited edition ChronoScope. Two models will be released to celebrate the Olympics. Playing off of the location of this years Olympics, traditional Chinese characters have been used as part of the design of the watch. These come in extremely limited quanitities, so if you are a watch collector, now might be the time to start hunting for yours.

[Via Luxist]

Argentina 1 - Australia 0  -  Lavezzi

Nigeria 2 - Japan 1  -  Obinna, Anichebe -  Toyoda

New Zealand 0 - Brazil 5  -  Anderson, Ronaldinho 2, Pato, Rafeal Sobis

Cameroon 1 - Honduras 0  - Mbia

Italy 3 - South Korea 0  - Montilivo, Rocchi, Rossi

Belgium 2 - China 0  - Mirallas, Dembele

Serbia 2 - Ivory Coast 4  - Mrdakovic, Rakic - Kalou, Gervinho, Moura-Komenan

Lopez Lomong’s incredible journey from a 6 year old kidnapped Lost Boy to his day carrying the American Flag at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

“I’m here to compete for my country,” Lomong told reporters when they asked questions about human rights. “The Olympics are supposed to bring people together to peacefully blend and I’m looking forward to that and stepping on the track and wearing my colors and representing my country.”

The 23 year old Lomong will compete in the 1500 meter.

The USA took on the “Total Football” of the Netherlands early this morning. Click here for the result.

Next up, Nigeria, on Wednesday at 5am EST.

Image via Yimg

“Then May-Treanor turned her back to the president, offering her bikinied rear for one of the traditional slaps that volleyball players frequently give each other.

“Mr. President, want to?” she asked, repeating an offer she made when Bush gave a pep talk to the U.S. athletes before Friday’s opening ceremonies.

Bush smilingly gave a flick with the back of his hand to the small of her back instead…”

Image via LA Times