A Month After Wimbledon Defeat, Murray Returns To Beat Federer And Win Gold At London Olympics

A Month After Wimbledon Defeat, Murray Returns To Beat Federer And Win Gold At London Olympics

Source:forbes.com:
Only a month after losing to Roger Federer on Centre Court at Wimbledon, Brit Andy Murray beat the Swiss Federer (6-2, 6-1, 6-4), winning gold at the London Olympics and giving the British more reason to embrace a full-blown Olympic fever.

The win marks Great Britain's first Olympic gold medal in tennis since 1908.
"The atmosphere was unbelievable," Murray said in an NBC interview immediately after the win. "I don't feel that nervous. It's strange. I felt much more comfortable on the court. It was amazing. The crowd helped me get in a few extra miles per hour on the last few serves. But no way did I expect a score like that in the final."
In the third set of the men's tennis finals, each point Murray won was met with increasingly louder cheers and waving Union Jacks.
With his final ace serve, Murray covered his eyes as the crowd gave a roaring standing ovation and chanted his name. Murray slipped into the crowd to hug his family and coach, surrounded by the kind of excitement rarely seen at the normally reserved crowd at Wimbledon.
"This was one of the biggest wins of my life," Murray said later. "I have had a lot of tough losses in my career and this is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final. This week has been incredible for me, the support has been amazing at all of the Olympic events.
"I watched the athletics last night and the way Mo Farah won gave me a boost coming into today. I didn't expect that at the start of the week. I thought I'd go deep into the tournament but I felt so fresh today. It's amazing."
Federer was gracious in defeat.
"He was better, much better than I was today but I'm happy with silver," Federer said in a post-game interview. "I had a very emotional tournament. Maybe I was emotionally drained but, nevertheless, I didn't think I played too badly, but things didn't go my way. It's unfortunate, but still a great day for me. Andy looked like he was never doubting himself and he was able to come through this time around. He's had a wonderful career already and I'm happy for him."
Tim Henman, Olympic silver medallist and BBC Sport tennis pundit, had this to say:

College or Pro: Missy Franklin May Miss Out On Big Endorsement Dollars By Competing At The Collegiate Level

College or Pro: Missy Franklin May Miss Out On Big Endorsement Dollars By Competing At The Collegiate Level

College or Pro: Missy Franklin May Miss Out On Big Endorsement Dollars By Competing At The Collegiate Level:

On Friday, 17-year-old Team USA swimmer Missy Franklin sealed her spot in the record books by breaking the world record in the 200 backstroke, for which she also won the gold medal.  During the London Olympics, Franklin has won four medals total, including three gold medals.  While Franklin's swimming talents have broken records and impressed viewers, her smiling face and happy disposition have earned her the adoration of millions of Americans.  That adoration has caught the eyes of brands desiring to sign Franklin to endorsement deals.  "From an appeal with a sponsors' standpoint she is "white hot" right now — young, great personality — she's arguably the American Sweetheart of these games which equals big endorsement opportunities," Eric Fernandez senior vice president MediaLink, a marketing consulting firm.

A New Social Media Strategy the Olympics, Future Sporting Events Can Adopt Today

A New Social Media Strategy the Olympics, Future Sporting Events Can Adopt Today

Source: forbes.com

Due to the growth and popularity of Twitter and the pervasive presence of Facebook, the 2012 Summer Games have been anticipated as the first “conversational” Olympics, further connecting the world during the seventeen-day span. However, the social media Olympics haven’t been as euphoric as the International Olympic Committee expected.

Forget London 2012 Olympics; In The Swiss Alps, The Flowers Stand On Ceremony

Forget the London 2012 Olympics

In The Swiss Alps, The Flowers Stand On Ceremony
Source: Forget London 2012 Olympics; In The Swiss Alps, The Flowers Stand On Ceremony:

 If you're sick of the crowds at the London Olympics? or anyplace else, for that matter? the Swiss Alps is a great place to get away from it all. To a casual observer, Switzerland is a nation of flowers that seem to thrive in the mountain air. Each species favors a different altitude and habitat? from rock crevices and screes to snow beds and springs.