Tag Archives: Olympics

Settlement in Larry Nassar abuse case

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The legal wrangling between USA Gymnastics and the hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, among others, is over after a $380 million settlement was reached. The fight for substantive change within the … Continue reading →

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The Karolyis and Larry Nasser

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Ouch. A report commissioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee into the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal was strongly critical of the culture created by longtime coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, saying that the atmosphere at the couple’s Walker County ranch … Continue reading →

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USOC moves to decertify USA Gymnastics

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

About time. On Monday night, the U.S. Olympic Committee made a long-overdue announcement: It is taking steps towards decertifying USA Gymnastics by revoking its recognition as one of the USOC’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Now, what’s to come is not … Continue reading →

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Another Lopez brother gets banned from taekwondo

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Steven Lopez this time. Two-time Olympic taekwondo gold medalist Steven Lopez has been banned permanently from competition by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, based on the results of the agency’s investigation into Lopez’s sexual relationship with an underage female in … Continue reading →

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“How Chinese Baseball Came to North Texas”

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating story. The Texas AirHogs are members of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, a federation of twelve, mostly Midwestern, teams unaffiliated with Major League Baseball. Inning breaks are punctuated with water-balloon-toss competitions and mascot races. The level of … Continue reading →

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Taekwondo coach Jean Lopez un-banned

Posted on August 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to understand this. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has lifted a permanent ban imposed earlier this year on Sugar Land taekwondo coach Jean Lopez, clearing the way for Lopez to resume coaching while he and his brother, two-time Olympic … Continue reading →

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Add taekwondo to the list of problematic sports

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Also a sport with local ties. Last week, four female USA Taekwondo (USAT) athletes filed a joint lawsuit against the USOC and USAT, alleging that the two organizations engaged in sex trafficking by forcing its athletes — including minor females … Continue reading →

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Investigating the Karolyis

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I’m fine with this, but I feel like we’re overlooking something. Nearly a week after prominent USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to prison for the sexual assault of several female gymnasts, Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the Texas … Continue reading →

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No athlete should go to the Olympics if they don’t want to

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Spare me. It’s like a Draymond Green kick straight to your special place. The world’s grandest athletic stage, providing a public platform for the greatest basketball stars alive to unite for a single cause. Cherished history and untouchable names – … Continue reading →

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Bring the USWNT to Houston

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’m in. If you love the beautiful game, you should want to help Jen Cooper. Cooper has been on a crusade for women’s soccer in Houston for almost two decades. She’s on a mission again. Cooper is one of the … Continue reading →

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Armstrong gives up the fight against USADA

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. With stunning swiftness, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he dropped his fight against drug charges that threatened his legacy as one of the … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Closing ceremonies

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Inspired by this, here’s one last Olympics-themed Random Ten: 1. Bicycle Race – Queen 2. Holy Diver – Dio 3. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel 4. Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen 5. Jump – Big Daddy 6. Nightswimming … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Going for the gold

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing the Olympics theme this week: 1. Band of Gold – Freda Payne 2. Gold – Emmylou Harris 3. Heart of Gold – Johnny Cash 4. Gold for Bread – Blitzen Trapper 5. Not Enough Gold In The World – … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Let the games begin!

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the Summer Olympic Games! Pomp! Circumstance! Tradition! Overwrought personal stories! Athletic orgies! Ten songs about games! 1. Fool’s Game – Bonnie Raitt 2. The Name of The Game – from “Mamma Mia!” 3. Play The Game – Queen 4. … Continue reading →

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Marathon weekend

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you know that this Sunday is the Chevron Houston Marathon, but did you realize that there’s some hot marathon action happening on Saturday, too? Organizers for Saturday’s U.S. Olympic marathon trials arrived Tuesday to find a city and … Continue reading →

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Olympic Marathon trials coming to Houston

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We get multiple marathons in 2012. Houston outbid the prestigious Boston and New York marathons and will host the men’s and women’s 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, the first time a city has staged both races. USA Track and Field … Continue reading →

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Special Saturday random (more than) ten: Olympics

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Linkmeister throws down the gauntlet. The Olympics motto is “Swifter, Higher, Stronger.” Here are songs from my iTunes library which have those words, synonyms, or root forms in their titles: Click the link to see his list. Here’s mine, which … Continue reading →

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Metro does historic preservation

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I was sent this press release about Metro workers getting some interesting training as they prepare to build the new light rail lines, and thought it was worth sharing. ‘Hardhat and blue collar’ was the dress code for training classes … Continue reading →

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