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Fitflop Oasis Thong Sandal for Women

FitFlop Oasis toning sandalsThe FitFlop is the toning sandal revelation which has been keeping women's legs and butts in trim for three years now. Whilst it was the FitFlop Walkstar which launched the brand, the FitFlop women's Oasis thong sandal is one of the bestselling FitFlops in the whole range. The Oasis sandal offers class, classic styling and soft suede making it one of the most attractive and versatile models of toning shoes ever produced by FitFlop

The FitFlop was the result of Spa spa chain founder Marcia Kilgore's bored daydreaming. She was wondering whether it was possible to get more of a tone up during everyday activity to help shift cellulite, inspired by a particularly dull meeting on the troublesome condition. If more of a workout could be incorporated into walking, women would be able to tone throughout the day and get rid of cellulite, burn fat, and get great looking legs. What's more, it wouldn't even take any extra effort! Oh, if only it were possible!

2 years on and she had created the FitFlop, albeit with the biomechanical expertise of Dr. David Cook and Darren James from London Southbank University.

The FitFlop builds the gym into every step and allows you to tone while you walk. It is the toning sandal which started the lifestyle footwear craze back in May 2007. The FitFlop offers unrivaled toning in the legs and bottom, b Women Nike Free Run + 2 y far the best style on offer from any toning shoe range and it now caters to both men and women for year round toning.

The shoes have been independently tested at Salford University and the test results demonstrate that the FitFlop increases muscle activity in the gluteus by up to 30%, the hamstrings by up to 16% and the calves up to 11%.

And now there are FitFlop boots for winter toning, featuring the same soft suede uppers as the Oasis, with a great deal more warmth and comfort for the winter.

The FitFlop suede Oasis sandals

FitFlop sandals are widely regarded as the best toning shoes for women. FitFlop has been accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for its benefits to the body, and it is recommended by health professionals for the posture correction and cushioning which the shoe offers.

FitFlops were designed as a vanity shoe, however the extensive arrange of fashionable models has seen this sandal become the number one bestselling toning shoe for summer fitness fun and fashion in the UK. It's not doing badly in the States either with Oprah Winfrey a notable devotee and sales booming as the summer approaches.

However FitFlop also helps sufferers of many common musculoskeletal conditions to get important pain relief from wearing the shoes. The sandals correct the posture and ease the pressure on the joints. When walking shockwaves are reduced by the posture correction and the EVA foam in the sole does the rest.

By absorbing the force from walking, painful joints are eased removing pain. The FitFlop offers footwear for the recovery of bunion surgery, or for non surgical bunion correction. With the feet naturally aligned the sandals can prevent hammer toes from forming.

Even serious medical conditions can have p Men Nike Free 3.0 V5 ain in the joints eased by wearing the shoes Sufferers of sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and chronic osteoarthritis have all been reported to have benefited from wearing the shoes regularly.

With the posture corrected at an early age it is possible to prevent many postural problems from occurring in the first place, so it is no surprise that FitFlop have now started up a range of shoes for children. Children's FitFlops are great for ensuring the bones of the body grow straight at the most important age to prevent problems in later life.

The shoes are also comfortable and fun, so you shouldn't have to have the daily fight to get them on your kid's feet! When they are kicked off in a hurry, the soft and absorptive EVA foam cushions the force of impact with otherwise breakable objects around the house too!

FitFlop Oasis FeaturesThe women's Oasis thong sandal features a stretch proof suede upper with a circular embroidered central FitFlop motif. The sole is constructed from easy clean EVA foam, which is anatomically moulded to fit comfortably on the foot. An ultra thin suede toe post is supple straight out of the box, so it is not necessary to wear them in. The FitFlop is designed to stay on the foot when walking and not flop against the heel as with standard flip flops.

The outsole of the sandals is constructed from non slip rubber to offer robustness and durability, and will help to keep you on your feet with great grip. The sandals have a 1.5 inch heel with a 1 inch platform and hidden away out of sight in the middle is the Microwobbleboard, the power house of the shoes, where the muscle activation is generated.

The FitFlop Women's Oasis Sandal is available in a great selection of colours to keep you looking stylish no matter what the occasion.

For this season more colours have been added to the range which now include: Black, chocolate, stone, sand, sky blue, grey, and violet and a pair will set you back around $45 a pair or 40 in the UK.

FitFlop toning: How does the FitFlop work?The FitFlop offers an alternative to the rocker sole, the most frequently used method for achieving extra toning in toning shoes and sandals.

Instead, the soles feature an innovative medley of EVA foam with different densities specifically suited to the action taking place in that area of the shoe

In the heel, high density foam offers the maximum shock absorption from a heavy heel strike. The soft foam in the centre of the midsole slows the movement of the foot through the mid section of the stride, activating the muscles whilst giving support to the arches.

Momentum generated from the heel strike propels the foot forward in a smooth rolling motion and in the toe section the medium density foam cushions the forefoot and gives a firm base for the push off, promoting a brisker walking stride.

Do FitFlops work?The FitFlop is one of the few toning shoes which has had its toning properties confirmed by independent tests, which were completed at the University of Salford by Dr Phil Graham Smith a nd Dr Richard Jones of the Centre for Rehabilitation Human Performance Researce.

Having been on the market for three years, they have also had considerable testing by women of all builds and weights which gives a real test of the shoes toning properties.

FitFlop receive an extraordinary volume of correspondence from pain sufferers for the relief which they have been given. To many women they have been a miracle cure which has enabled them to walk comfortably again. One sufferer of degenerative disc disease was able to get up and about again without pain and claimed the shoes to be better than morphine!

The vast majority of women agree that the sandals are very comfortable, they fit well, that they noticeably ease the strain on the joints, and the muscles feel like they have had a workout from walking, and the shoes do not stretch over time.

On the down side, the shoes do look a little larger than most sandals and only come in full sizes. If you are American it is best to go up a half size for a perfect fit, with European women are better going down a size, as a general rule of thumb. The reason? American women tend to have higher arches than across the pond!

Woods struggle as Donaldson takes lead Knoxville News Sentinel

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) With Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods struggling, unheralded Jamie Donaldson took the spotlight at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday, shooting an opening round 5 under 67 for an early one shot lead.

McIlroy, p facebook laying with new clubs following his multimillion dollar sponsorship deal with Nike, finished with a 3 over 75 and risks missing the cut. He repeatedly missed fairways including a shot on his 12th that hit a tree and ended up in a parking lot, leading to one of his two double bogeys. His other double bogey came when he muffed a chip in thick rough on his par 3 6th. He also putted poorly, missing a par putt on his 17th and a birdie putt on the 18th.

Mclroy insisted his difficulties had more to do with rusty strokes than the new equipment. PGA Tour money winner seemed resigned to the fact that it would take time for him to adjust to the new Nike clubs.

"When you go out and you've got new stuff, you are going to be a little anxious and hopefully you play well," McIlroy said. "But I guess I can learn from it and move on and go into tomorrow and try and play a bit better. It's about playing yourself into the weekend."

Woods, meanwhile, finished a rollercoaster round at even par after "grinding it out." The 14 time major winner had four birdies to go along with four bogeys and ended his round by three putting his 18th for a bogey when he hit the second putt too hard.

"I'm still right there," said Woods, who was five shots behind Donaldson. "You know, if I two putt that last hole I'm in I think 12th or 13th or something like that. There's not a lot of guys going low out there. These fairways are tiny to begin with, but there are a lot of crosswinds."

Woods can thank his short game and putter for salvaging the round, saving par on several occasions and sinking several long birdie putts. He made three birdies on the last four holes of his front nine. But he lost that momentum on the back nine, when he mishit a tee shot that led to a bogey on 10, and couldn't hole a short par putt on his 11th.

"I put something up there and lost it," Woods said of his bogeys on the back. "I had another chance at 3 to make another bogey in row and made a good save there. That kind of got it going a little bit. But it was tough out there. I didn't hit it that well. On top of that, this wind just magnifies it. You really have to control your ball today."

It was left to the 47th ranked Donaldson to show how to overcome the wind and master the narrow fairways. He had six birdies including holing a bunker shot on his 12th to go along with a bogey. T nike free australia he Welshman is one shot clear of Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark and Pablo Larrazabal of Spain. Three others including Henrik Stenson of Sweden are a further shot back in fourth.

"Solid start, played some pretty good golf out there," said Donaldson, who was looking for his second European Tour victory. "Obviously 5 under is a great start. I played pretty good in most of the round but there were times when it wasn't quite on, we made some good up and downs. It was a matter of scoring well and keeping the momentum going."

With Simon's growth spurt comes more recruiting attention

Iowa State also has offered as Simon improved during the summer, consistently leading the Lasers in scoring at about 17 points per game. Her highest scoring game was 29 at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago, in which the Lasers went 5 0.

Many more colleges are interested, including New Mexico State, Maryland, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Kansas State, Denver, Central Michigan, U facebook NO and Northern Iowa. The list is growing daily, and some coaches are planning in home visits in September.

Coaches see a big kid who can run and is athletic, Simpson said. Simon, a No. 2 guard, was second in the 300 hurdles, third in the 100 hurdles and on the state winning 4x400 relay team for Lincoln Pius X.

Her mom, Nicole Ali, was a Big Eight track champion at Nebraska and an academic All American. Her brother Zach ran track at NU and will coach this year at Norfolk Catholic.

just so athletic, Simpson said. gets into the passing lane and even against competitive teams, she can get to the basket pretty easy. She's very fluid on the court how she can run. has been stunned by the attention, and Simpson has told her not to make any quick decisions. She shoots every day to improve her game.

are the most important four years of your life, he told Simon, you better make sure you get the right coach and the right situation. Lasers have moved up to the elite division at some tournaments to better showcase their players. That's when Simpson started catching glimpses of coaches such as UConn's Geno Auriemma and the Cyclones' Bill Fennelly.

Kennedy Sander, a 6 foot forward from Pius, also played well. She averaged double figures despite injuring her hip midway through July.

Simon, Sander, Briahtia Sebek and Becky Brokaw all play for Pius and the juniors have played for the Lasers since fourth grade.

Attack features D I talent

John Jungers had never coached girls basketball before this summer.

He hopes his first season with the South Dakota Attack, which went 20 6, was as fun for them as it was for him.

Jungers, a longtime college coach who had stints at Iowa Western and Western Nebraska, made the jump to club sports to coach stepdaughter Kate Liveringhouse, a 6 foot 1 forward and center from Bellevue West.

thought I better do it since it's her last year of high school, he said.

Jungers teamed with player development specialist Shane Warwick to focus on helping the team get better.

Several area players attracted a lot of attention from college coaches.

Kianna Ibis, a 6 1 forward from Omaha Benson, has drawn interest from Creighton, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, Arizona State, Washington State, Stanford and Oklahoma. Her NU offer came last week.

Liveringhouse has plenty of Division I interest, including an offer from South Dakota. She's also heard from all the Ivy League schools, who can't o nike free run ffer athletic scholarships.

an excellent student, Jungers said.

Bellevue West's Chloe Akin Otiko, a 5 8 guard, had many of the same schools who offered Ibis looking at her, although she is just entering her sophomore year. Her older sister Alexis plays at Creighton.

Taygen Larson, a 6 3 wing forward from Sioux Falls Roosevelt, has narrowed her choices to Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska. Alexys Swedlund, a 5 11 guard from Rapid City St. Thomas More, has interest from Creighton, Colorado State, Wyoming, Washington State and Arizona State.

a very talented bunch, Jungers said.

Although Jungers lives in Omaha, a South Dakota hospital sponsored the group, hence the name.

Three titles for Crusaders

The OSA Crusaders 17 and under team went 40 7, including an 8 0 record while winning the 17u Gold championship bracket at the Las Vegas Fab 48 tournament.

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What is the big deal about Nike

What is the big deal about Nike + iPod Nano?

Have you ever wondered what the big deal about the Nike plus iPod is? I mean sure, it can track how many miles you ran, how many times you ran in a week, and the distance you ran but you can get the same output in any old pedometer so it should be the same right? Wrong, wrong, wrong! The Nike + iPod Nano definitely changed my view of running because my old view of running consisted of pain and getting winded easily (so I wasn too psyched about the idea). If you can imagine running while getting entertained with your favorite play list of music or having your own personal trainer telling you how far you have to go, wouldn that motivate you to run? It certainly made me motivated to run more. And that just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of the Nike + iPod Nano.

One of the biggest advantages to the Nike plus running system is that you can customize it to your needs. For example, say you needed to run for only 20 minutes (because you have a very busy schedule) you can set the Nike + google iPod in the New Workout selection to the settings of time and then input 20 minutes and choose a favorite play list on your iPod to run with and there you go, put your ear buds, get your run and rock on! The same idea applies if you only want to run a certain amount of mile(s) or if you want to burn a specific number of calories (because maybe you feeling guilty about the cupcake you ate that your co worker brought in).

Other nice features include: setting a specific goal and target date (for example : burning 3500 calories in 4 weeks or running 3 times in one week) If you do achieve your goal, famous athletes such as Sanya Richards and Allyson Felix congratulate you on your achievement (getting props from the pros is always nice!) This is a great workout tool for an effective fat burning exercise while making efficient use of your time.

Nike also does a nice job of tracking your runs, duration times, dates and times of your run, total calories burned, average miles per run, and total miles ran in one graphical representation in the Nike+ Runs side bar menu. Every time I see this graph I just get pump up because I can see my progress growing rapidly. Nike also has color levels for the types of runners based on miles ran (similar to a martial art color belt system).

Here are the Nike level color designations:

Black (over 5,000km or 3,107mi)

Right now I in the orange level which is not too bad. I ran a total of 116.66 miles based on the Nike+ running website (only 39 more miles to get to the green level, woo hoo!) Oh yeah, by the way, if you have been slacking off on your runs your mini avatar will start saying something to get you motivated again. Nothing seriously offensive (like your high school football coach) but enough to get you moving.

What the cost?

In my opinion, Nike sets a decent price of $99 for the lunar shoes (which by the way is the most comfortable running shoes ever made) you have to buy the shoe because if not you have to cut a hole in your old shoes to fit in the sensor did it before and believe me it didn work! It better to buy the shoes that are Nike + approved. The sensor cost as low as $19.99 plus tax but I saw some shoe stores charge a little bit extra so shop around. A word from the wise: shut down your sensor after use or else it will drain the battery life and you will have to buy a new one! (Sorry once these babies are drained they are gone and you will end up having to shell out another 20 bucks). The only other downside to the sensor is that it doesn have any indicator lights that it has been turned off. I think this is a given but you must also already own an iPod Nano.

I was a bit of a skeptic at first, but when I cheap nike free realize the usefulness of this product and the ease of use it turned me into a running addict. The euphoric feeling of accomplishing something so monumental that you didn think it was possible (I ran 6.32 miles at one point which I thought I couldn do). The best part? It all recorded baby! You can even post your accomplishments in Face book and get some major recognition from your friends.

All in all, this is a great product especially because of the features that come along with the iPod Nano system. Motivating yourself is the key in keeping a consistent track record of your runs and I think Nike and Apple combine their two technological expertises together to create an effective fat burning and calorie burning system while keeping your mind off from running. I never thought I would end up enjoy running until I tried the Nike plus iPod running system.

Western Michigan volleyball team to be led by a group of savvy veterans

KALAMAZOO With virtually everyone returning from a volleyball team which made the NCAA tournament last season, one would think Western Michigan University coach Colleen Munson wouldn have much to do when practice starts on Wednesday. The sophomore, who was All Mid American Conference first team, is among the many returners.

All the coach starting her eighth season would have to do is plug in a new middle to replace the graduated Ashley Turnage and the Broncos would be all set to build o aol n last season 24 9 overall record, which included going 12 4 in the Mid American Conference West Division.

However, something that simple isn in Munson DNA.

told the girls they work hard and earn their role by what they do in the gym, Munson said. position is solidified, except maybe I going out on a limb and say except for one. it looks like sophomore setter Terin Norris (Delton Kellogg) doesn have to worry since there aren any other players in her position on the team. Being on last season All MAC first team and the league freshman of the year didn hurt, either.

Like Norris, the names of returning starters are very familiar. There all league first team members such as senior middle blocker Jess Brown (East Kentwood) and junior libero Lena Oliver (Battle Creek St. Philip). Junior Gillian Asque (Chicago) is back on the right side. Battling for playing time on the left will be junior Ali Gossen (Evanston, Ill.), Claire Gerwig (Louisville, Ky.) and Carlee Berland (Lincolnshire, Ill.), all of which started at some point last season.

Anchoring the defense with Oliver is returning defensive specialist Kaycee Acree (Muncie, Ind.), which means there are a lot of gaudy statistics back for the Broncos. WMU returns 100 percent of last season service aces, 98 percent of the service aces, 98 percent of the sets, 82 percent of last season kills, 75 percent of the block assists and 68 percent of the solo blocks.

In fact, the only returning player who didn start a match is sophomore middle Richelle Ranney (Eagle, Wis.). The three new faces are incoming freshmen Caroline Rose (Elmhurst, Ill.), Ave Stout (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Stephenee Yancy (Aroma Park, Ill.). Rose is an outside hitter and Stout and Yancy are middle blockers.

View full sizeWMU volleyball coach Colleen Munson

While Munson will look at everyone on the team, including the freshmen, she has a lot of tools in the tool chest in which to build.

Actually, the building started in the winter with offseason training. For a change, Norris had virtually everyone to work with thanks to so many returning players. Then there was the team two week trip to Brazil in the spring to play and train.

had a lot of volleyball since the Washington match (NCAA first round), Munson said. program goals include bettering the level of training and play we had in Brazil. with all the veterans returning, Munson and her coaching staff of associate head coach Ryan Manning, assistant coach Kyle Stahl, strength and conditioning coach Tim Hermann and director of volleyball operations A nike free australia llyson Doyle won change the approach to practice this season.

don approach the season any differently in that we meet them where they are and push them to beyond their expectations, Munson said. intensity is the same as what we experienced two months ago in Brazil. big key for the Broncos is that the freshmen have been doing their summer training in Kalamazoo with the veterans.

three freshmen have been here for six weeks, Munson said. not like we picking them up today and introducing ourselves. opens the season at the Oklahoma Nike Invitational Aug. 24 25.

Longer Drives with an Alpha C830

Longer Drives with an Alpha C830.4Certainly, leading golf driver makers Callaway, Cleveland and Taylor Made have a earned their reputation. The C830.04 Plasma driver earns Alpha Golf a spot with the best.Alan L. HammondAlpha Golf drivers have been a top performer in long drive championships since the company's inception in 2000. To date, Alpha drivers have claimed six RE/MAX Long Drive Championships, but they're not simply "long drive" drivers. A thorough testing and review of one of the Alpha's latest drivers proved they deserve mention alongside golf industry giants.Driver Tested: Alpha Golf C830.4 Plasma, 9.5, Alpha Platinum 65 shaft, stiff flexMSRP: $499According to Alpha Golf: The C830.4 Plasma is created from a super thin SP700 Titanium face featuring the maximum coefficient o Men Nike Free Trainer 5.0 f restitution (COR) that works together with a carefully crafted wide body construction. This allows for easier airborne launches, low backspin, and straighter and longer drives. Following the original C830.2 driver technology, the C830.4 Plasma driver also utilizes an innovative Increased Target Design (ITD) face insert for a large sweet spot and super hot face. All those innovations and features translate into an easy to hit, super long driver.The C830.4 also has one of the most talked about features in drivers this year, interchangeable shafts. Alpha's version is called the M Fit system. According to Dr. Jim Yeh, President and founder of Alpha Golf, "We took the core elements of distance, accuracy, and forgiveness and added to it a simple and easy to use feature for matching the perfect shaft to your swing. With a quick turn of a screw, shafts can now be swapped in and out until the ideal combination has been found."Lastly, the C830.4 Plasma's clubhead maximizes Coefficient of Restitution (COR) and the "spring effect" with an ultra thin face made from SP700 Beta Titanium. The large and deep 460cc head, designed with precise perimeter weighting, positions the center of gravity optimally in the X,Y, and Z planes. This ultimately serves to maximize Moment of Inertia (MOI) and forgiveness. A plasma welding process of the face to the body creates a solid feel and sound at impact. Variable thickness across the clubface increases the effective sweet spot.Driver Distance Results: First things first. It should have been apparent from the outset that testing this driver would be an unforgetable exerience. After all, aside from Alpha Golf, there isn't another company that offers a 100% refund if their driver doesn't deliver extra yards to driving distance; Not just five or six extra yards, but 20.The first tee shot with the C830.4 told the story for the next several hundred balls. Pure contact with the driver's large sweet spot resulted in drives that were noticably longer than the Nike SQ Sumo2 and the Callaway FTi, both of which were compared alongside the C830.4 during much of the testing period.Alpha won't be writing many refund checks. Of course, that they already knew. Driver Distance Rating: 10 (out of 10). Shots struck near the toe, heel and too high or low on the clubface will never, in any club, deliver the same results as those hitting the sweet spot. The C830.4 Plasma driver's variable clubface thickness and high MOI (moment of intertia) provided shots that traveled a surprisingly long distance and remained relatively true to the target line. Forgiveness exceeded other comparable drivers. Forgiveness Rating: 9.8.Feel/Workability Results: Oftentimes, increased sweetspot size and other innovations to improve forgiveness are detrimental to feel and workability. Not so with the C830.4. The driver provided feedback as to the location of clubface impact. The most noticeable impact location was in the center of the clubface, which resulted in a pleasureable experience akin to the sweet spot of a wooden bat meeting the baseball. Sweet. Likewise, working the ball both left and right was on par with other golf drivers and more than adequate. Feel/Workability Rating: 9.7.Design/Concept Results: The driver came with all the tools necessary for implementing the interchangeable shaft technology, a nike long with three shafts. It was surprisingly simple to do. A turn of the Allen wrench provided by Alpha to remove one shaft, a turn to put in another. Very simple. Typically, the drawback to interchangeable shaft technology is that only shafts from the particular club manufacturer can be used. With the M Fit shaft sleeve, Alpha has made it possible to use any shaft a golfer wants. All that is needed is for a club fitter to install the M Fit sleeve onto a shaft and it's ready to go.The clubhead design fits the traditional eye and the impact sound fits the ear. It stands in stark contrast to Nike SQ Sumo, a great driver, but nothing traditional about it. The C830.4 Plasma compares to a German sportscar; it looks solid and performs solidly. Design/Concept Rating: 9.9.Overall Results: Simply because Alpha Golf isn't a household name is no reason not to try this club. Twenty extra yards can transform every golfer's game. Alpha has proven itself to be among the best.

Life after Olympic triumph

After the toil and the sweat and the years of practise and painful preparation, Olympic athletes meet their moment of glorious competition. But whether they win or lose, they all are equal in one last respect: they must all, at the end of their run, leave the sporting spotlight to face the prospect of life after the Games.

For some, this can mean a smooth transition into high end corporate worlds, leveraging their profile to land sponsorship, coaching or commentary jobs or p Men Nike Free 5.0 V5 lum positions on international boards or companies. For others, things can be a little tougher they can struggle to maintain their identity and lose direction as they seek to build a life outside of the sporting spotlight.

One Aussie star to go on to lead a rich life post Games was Murray Rose. Rose won a total of six swimming medals, including four gold medals at the Melbourne and Rome Games. And with matinee idol looks and a warm demeanour, he was a promoter's dream. Post Olympics he landed roles in a number of Hollywood films and TV shows, plus became a sought after figure for corporate fundraising activities and a keen advocate for disabled children, as the patron of The Rainbow Club charity, which teaches disabled children to swim. When Murray passed away this year, a massive congregation attended his Sydney funeral service.

Fellow Australian swimming legend Shane Gould has dealt with life post Olympics in a different way. Gould was only 15 when she stunned the world at the 1972 Munich Olympics, winning three gold medals in freestyle swimming events. At such a tender age, it was considered a given that she would go on to compete at several more Olympics. But, always one to run her own race, when she returned to Australia she felt the pressure of being "Shane Gould the swimmer" and promptly retired from competitive swimming at age 16.

Her life since has been a tapestry of charity work, personal discovery and a striving to find meaning in the world, which has included a battle through depression and a desire to lead a holistic and alternative lifestyle. Officially designated as a "Living National Treasure", Gould's warm and enigmatic persona continues to inspire all who deal with her.

When Cathy Freeman clinched a famous victory in the 400m race at the Sydney 2000 Games, it was the culmination of both an athlete's dreams and the dreams of a nation. The Aboriginal girl who had lit the Games' Olympic cauldron had warmed the hearts of the nation despite the weight of expectation on her shoulders. And proving that the pressure of the spotlight was something she was comfortable with, Freeman has gone on to become a popular figure in theWhilst a strong supporter of indigenous youth and health initiatives, her own personal life has seen some ups and downs, with the break up of her relationship with former coach Nic Bideau ending in acrimony and her later marriage to Nike executive Sandy Bodecker dissolving in 2003. After subsequently dating Aussie actor Joel Edgerton, she went on to marry Melbourne stockbroker James Murch in 2009, and gave birth to daughter Ruby Anne Susie Murch in July 2011.

But the impact of the Games on the lives of athletes isn't necessarily all about ongoing success or life changing experiences. The lives of some Olympians can basically go right back to where they were before the Games.

An example of such would be Aussie weightlifter Dean Lukin. A tuna fisherman from the South Australian town of Port Lincoln, Lukin eschewed the big opportunities that no doubt came his way after winning gold. Instead, the knockabout South Australian, who won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, took his medal and promptly returned home to the family's tuna fishing business.

Another ex Olympian to maintain a high profile is US decathlon champion Bruce Jenner. A Superman of his day with square jawed, all American good looks and a way with words, Jenner was a '70s media darling and sponsor's dream. After winning gold in the 1976 Montreal Games, he became a popular sports commentator, motivational speaker and actor, scoring roles in such TV shows as The Love Boat and Murder She Wrote.

And while his sporting peak was reached more than 30 years ago, some would say his career highlight has been more recent becoming stepfather to the Kardashian siblings and appearing in reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Then t nike here are stories such as that of the legendary Jesse Owens. The iconic black American sprinter thumbed his nose at Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Games and snatched four gold medals in the face of deep racial prejudice. But when he went back to the States he found racism remained deeply entrenched there too.

Despite his success, he claimed he was never invited to the meet the President at the White House and was reduced to eking a living as a sort of "athletics entertainer". He would race at local carnivals, taking on all comers and beating them for bets. At one stage he even became a novelty act, running against racehorses to earn a buck.

As his star faded, the one time "fastest man on earth" got a job in a gas station and eventually filed for bankruptcy. However, in 1966, the US Government came to his aid and appointed him a Goodwill Ambassador and he subsequently travelled the world, his legend status rightly recognised.

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Islamist extremists kill 39 at Kenyan mall

NAIROBI, Kenya Terrified shoppers huddled in back hallways and prayed they would not be found by the Islamic extremist gunmen lobbing grenades and firing assault rifles inside Nairobi top mall Saturday. When the way appeared clear, crying mothers clutching small children and blood splattered men sprinted out of the four story mall.

At least 39 people were killed and more than 150 wounded in the assault, Kenya president announced on national TV, while disclosing that his close family members were among the dead.

Foreigners were among the casualties. France president said two French women were killed. Two Canadians were killed, including a diplomat, said the Candadian prime minister. Four American c Men Nike Free Trainer 3.0 itizens were reported injured in the attack, the State Department said.

Early today, 12 hours after the attack began, gunmen remained holed up in the mall with an unknown number of hostages. President Uhuru Kenyatta called the security operation under way and said a top priority was to safeguard hostages.

As the attack began shortly after noon Saturday, the al Qaida linked gunmen asked the victims they had cornered if they were Muslim: Those who answered yes were free to go, several witnesses said. The non Muslims were not.

Somalia Islamic extremist group al Shabab claimed responsibility and said the attack was retribution for Kenyan forces 2011 push into Somalia. The rebels threatened more attacks.

Al Shabab said on its Twitter feed that Kenyan security officials were trying to open negotiations. will be no negotiations whatsoever, al Shabab tweeted.

As night fell in Kenya capital, two contingents of army special forces troops moved inside the mall. Police and military surrounded the huge shopping complex as helicopters buzzed overhead. An Associated Press reporter said he saw a wounded Kenyan soldier put into an ambulance at nightfall, an indication, perhaps, of a continuing shoot out inside.

Witnesses said at least five gunmen, including at least one woman, first attacked an outdoor cafe at Nairobi Westgate Mall, a new shopping center that includes Nike, Adidas and Bose stores. The mall ownership is Israeli, and security experts have long said the structure made an attractive terrorist target.

The attack began shortly after noon with bursts of gunfire and grenades. Shoppers fled in any direction that might be safe: into back corners of stores, back service hallways and bank vaults. Over the next several hours, pockets of people trickled out of the mall as undercover police moved in. Some of the wounded were taken from the mall in shopping carts.

started by hearing gunshots downstairs and outside. Later we heard them come inside. We took cover. Then we saw two gunmen wearing black turbans. I saw them shoot, said Patrick Kuria, an employee at Artcaffe, the restaurant with shady outdoor seating.

Al Shabab, on its Twitter feed, said it has warned Kenya government many times that failure to remove its forces from Somalia have severe consequences. The group claimed that its gunmen had killed 100 people, but its assertions are often exaggerated.

attack at WestgateMall is just a very tiny fraction of what Muslims in Somalia experience at the hands of Kenyan invaders, al Shabab said. Another tweet said: long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land Westgate. Twitter account was suspended shortly after its claim of responsibility and threats against Kenya. Twitter terms of service forbid making threats.

Al Shabab had threatened in late 2011 to unleash a large scale attack in Nairobi. Kenya has seen a regular spate of grenade attacks since then but never such a large terrorist assault. State Department condemned senseless act of violence that has resulted in death and injury for many innocent men, women, and children. Embassy in Kenya have been affected by the attack. No other information was provided.

perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, and we have offered our full support to the Kenyan government to do so, said Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.

The gunmen told hostages that non Muslims would b nike e targeted, said Elijah Kamau, who was at the mall at the time of the midday attack. gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave. They were safe, and non Muslims would be targeted, he said.

Jay Patel, who sought cover on an upper floor in the mall when shooting began, said that when he looked out of a window onto the upper parking deck of the mall he saw the gunmen with a group of people. Patel said that as the attackers were talking, some of the people stood up and left and the others were shot.

Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his nation knows too well the human costs of violence like this as he extended prayers to those in Kenya.

Has Harris Tweed put its jackets on a shoogly peg

But the new owner of Harris Tweed has confirmed he may stop creating new patterns and withdraw supplies to the world's fashion houses and concentrate on men's jackets instead.

Angry weavers say plans to return to a "stuffy" image under the new English management will send the traditional Scottish industry into ruin.

Yorkshire businessman Brian Haggas bought the Stornoway based KM Group, which produces about 98% of Harris Tweed, in December. Industry representatives hailed the move as a new era of stability for the group, which had been for sale for four years.

Last week, weavers met Haggas to discuss his plans for the future. But they left far from positive, warning that the entrepreneur's vision will have "disastrous" consequences for the industry and the local economy.

Whereas the group previously sold cloth to major fashion houses across the world, which manufactured it into garments, now almost all cloth will be transported for use in Haggas's factory, they said, effectively breaking Harris Tweed's bond with global fashion.

And after years of rejuvenating the brand with bright colours to appeal to a younger market, weavers said Haggas plans to return exclusively t Men Nike Free 5.0 V4 Deconstruct o muted shades and the old fashioned image the industry fought to leave behind.

"He told us that his policy after this season for the following year was to go for a reduced number of patterns and colours to be used for the manufacture of jackets by one of his subsidiary companies and sold by that method. He made this absolutely clear," said Ken Bartolomy, a weaver on Harris.

"In the short to medium term this will keep the weavers in work. But what happens if the bottom falls out of the men's jacket market? Or if consumers don't like the limited range of colours?Known as Cl Mr in Gaelic, Harris Tweed is a cloth woven by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their homes using pure wool that is dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. The world's only commercially produced hand woven tweed, its definition is enshrined in the Harris Tweed Act of 1993.

Business has declined from a production peak of seven million yards annually in the mid 1960s to less than one million yards today.

To optimise profits, previous owners of the KM Group had closed one of its two mills and transferred production to its textile manufacturing site in Stornoway. Today the company employs around 80 people and commissions about 120 self employed weavers.

When a weaver struck a deal with Nike to supply Harris Tweed for a new men's trainer in 2004, many believed the industry's hard times were over. Indeed, the cloth is worn by leading fashionistas such as Kate Middleton, who last month turned heads at Cheltenham Festival with a blue fitted tweed jacket.

But Haggas's vision understood to involve reducing the number of patterns from thousands to around five, and the number of colours from several hundred to around 10 will merely put the twee back into tweed, say local politicians.

"No one wants Harris Tweed to be worn exclusively by middle aged gentlemen in dowdy colours," said Alasdair Morrison, Labour MSP for the Western Isles, who plans to meet with Haggas.

"Harris Tweed is recognised globally. In recent years it's been paraded on catwalks and has adorned top models.

"We are thinking about producing men's jackets. No decision has been made on this yet," said Haggas, who has a long history in the textile industry and owns Brook Taverner Ltd, a company which manufactures Harris Tweed jackets.

"As we've got 8,000 patterns already, we are not making new ones for the coming season.

"We are going to take the product upmarket. This is a huge task and can't be done overnight. We're looking at many options.

"We're optimistic about the future. We are investing in new equipment in the factory. We are trying to revitalise Harris Tweed."

Fashion experts lamented any plans to remove Harris Tweed from the catwalk.

"It's a real tragedy. This is a huge disappointment to everyone who loves Harris Tweed across the world," said Mary McGowne, founder of the Scottish Style Awards.

"Harris Tweed had just come full circle, leaving its stuffy image and becoming trendy thanks to the Nike deal. This has serious implications for the fashion industry.

"The only answer is to establish a new mill, according to Shawbost councillor Roddy Morrison, who worked in the tweed industry f nike or 37 years. Without the ability to produce modern styles for global fashion houses, the industry and the community will suffer, he warned.

"If the big fashion companies can't get hold of cloth, this will be disastrous for the industry and the local economy. Companies like Polo and Paul Smith bought lots of tweed and shipped it across the world. Now we will miss that. We will struggle.

"Concentrating on jackets with a small number of patterns is not going to work. Harris Tweed will lose its image and drop off the world stage."

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