IOC leaves Rio de Janeiro impressed by 2016 Olympic bid

Per Reuters, the International Olympic Committee left its official visit to Rio de Janeiro "impressed" by the 2016 candidate city's bid for the Summer Games. It also said it was content with security plans for the crime-ridden city.

But many Twitterers in Rio are saying that the IOC was tricked into thinking the city is better than it really is.

1. 
   marques_samyn (Rio de Janeiro) O Rio nao tem mais favelas! Ao menos no vídeo exibido para o COI... http://tinyurl.com/cty87e RT @JucaKfouri (Rio has no slums! At least in the video shown to the IOC ... http://tinyurl.com/cty87e RT @JucaKfouri) 30 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   belzinhaaaaa (Rio de Janeiro) @adrianovinagre mas hoje o COI vai ver o lixo debaixo do tapete. o caminho de ônibus até o Engenhão é tão biiiiiito... (@adrianovinagre but now the IOC will see the garbage under the rug. the path of the bus to Engenhão is so biiiiiito ...) 01 May 2009 from web in reply to adrianovinagre
3. 
   PamelaKopp (Rio de Janeiro) Comitê Olímpico Internacional - COI - conhece a cidade dos sonhos de todo carioca. #2016 #fail http://migre.me/PSA (International Olympic Committee - IOC - know the city of dreams throughout Rio. #2016 #fail http://migre.me/PSA) 02 May 2009 from web
4. 
   matheustiburcio (Rio de Janeiro) @JucaKfouri Nós, cariocas, não vamos disfarçar a realidade do RJ. Por acaso o COI viu o velódromo do Pan abandonado? Uma lástima ... (@JucaKfouri We, the people, we will not disguise the reality of RJ. Did the IOC saw the Pan Velódromo the left? A shame ...) 03 May 2009 from web in reply to JucaKfouri
5. 
   mrmarona (Rio de Janeiro) O COI devia verificar tudo o que o Rio prometeu e deixou de fazer na cidade para o PAN. Cada promessa não cumprida, um ponto perdido. (The IOC should verify all that the Rio has promised to do in the city for the NAP. Each promises not fulfilled, a point lost.) 03 May 2009 from web

Not all were negative. Some did tweet support for the bid.

1. 
   ricardosolo (Rio de Janeiro) http://twurl.nl/0zduyn Com certeza uma ótima impressão para o comitê do COI. (http://twurl.nl/0zduyn Definitely a good impression to the committee of the IOC.) 01 May 2009 from twhirl
2. 
   VictorPencak (Rio de Janeiro) Os integrantes do COI estão visitando as instalações esportivas do Rio.Vamos torcer pela nossa cidade! http://migre.me/PsO #Rio2016 #euquero (The members of the IOC are visiting the sports facilities of Rio.Let's go cheering for our city! http://migre.me/PsO #Rio2016 #euquero) 01 May 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   mpbella (Rio de Janeiro) He visto a los del COI convencidos... Río va a llegar a Copenhague en primera línea (I have seen the conviction of IOC ... Rio will come to Copenhagen in the front line) 02 May 2009 from web

Rio 2016's official Twitter account, @vivasuapaixao, which translates to "Live your passion" in English, posted updates during the visit.

1. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) A presidente da Comissão de Avalição do COI ficou impressionada com a quantidade de pessoas que praticam exercícios na orla de Copacabana. (The chairman of the Commission of the IOC evaluation was impressed with the amount of people who practice exercises on the edge of Copacabana.) 29 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) 4 dos 8 membros da Comiissão do COI sentiram a emoção de atirar no stand de Deodoro (4 of 8 members of the IOC COMMISSION felt the thrill of shooting the stand of Deodoro) 01 May 2009 from web
3. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) Presidente da Comissão de Avaliação do COI bate bola com Pelé na visita ao Maracanã (President of the IOC Evaluation Commission for hits ball with Pele on visit to Maracanã) 01 May 2009 from web

Rio is hoping to host South America's first ever Games, and is competing with Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo. The winner will be announced in October.

IOC leaves Rio de Janeiro impressed by 2016 Olympic bid

Beckham sets England appearance record

Per the Associated Press, David Beckham made history Saturday by competing in his 109th match for England in a 4-0 win over Slovakia. Beckham now holds the English record for appearances by a non-goalkeeper and looks to break the all-time record held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton at 125 appearances.

Twitterers in the United Kingdom quickly reacted to the news.

1. 
   AndyTheRoo (Sunderland, U.K.) thinks that it's utter bollocks how David Beckham could pass Peter Shilton's appearance record by only playing injury-time for England. 28 Mar 2009 from web
2. 
   bobbyc3 (London, U.K.) David Beckham wins his 109th cap for England. He is a hard working player, truly deserves it. Hope he scores this half! 28 Mar 2009 from web
3. 
   grahamburglar (Manchester, U.K.) Congratulations David Beckham, and love the new England shirt. retro-a-go-go... 28 Mar 2009 from web
4. 
   jimmydove (U.K.) Thinks David Beckham is god pure and simple! 28 Mar 2009 from TwitterFon
5. 
   SammyPiller (London, U.K.) Just watched David Beckham become England's most-capped outfield player of all time. 28 Mar 2009 from ShoZu

Beckham sets England appearance record

Olympic torch relay scrapped

Per Sky News Australia, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to end the practice of international Olympic torch relays.

The Associated Press reports the decision was taken at an IOC meeting in Denver, after protests in several locations during the pre-Beijing Olympics torch relay last year.

Twitterers from Hawaii to New Zealand - and Olympic cities like Athens and Munich weigh in:

1. 
   schwefl (Munich, Germany) no more runs for the olympic torch over the world, that might be the first good decision the ioc made since years. 27 Mar 2009 from TwitterFox
2. 
   norock (Milton Keynes, England) Olympic Committee decide to stop doing torch relays after the China protests. Rather than being more careful who gets chosen to host. 27 Mar 2009 from EventBox
3. 
   TravisDST (Hawaii, USA) Apparently the International Olympic Committee is banning torch relays because of the incidents in last year's. http://ow.ly/1wvI 27 Mar 2009 from web
4. 
   stratosathens (Athens, Greece) No more international torch relay during the Olympic Games. It started with Athens and it ended with Beijing. #sportacccord 27 Mar 2009 from web
5. 
   vanrose (Oamaru, New Zealand) Completely forgot that I told everyone I was going to take up a sport and compete in the London Olympic Games. Really must get onto that. 27 Mar 2009 from web

Olympic torch relay scrapped

Featured TwitPic: March Madness in Glendale, Arizona

"Our view. Go Mizzou!" (@stonewunder at the Missouri-Memphis NCAA college basketball game in Glendale, Arizona, March 26, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: March Madness in Glendale, Arizona

Manchester United seeks new sponsorship with India

Per ESPN, “Manchester United have sent a shirt sponsorship proposal to the Indian conglomerate Tata Group.”

AIG logo currently lies on the jerseys sported by the Manchester United soccer team. AIG, already dismantled has said they will not be renewing their sponsorship with United that is set to expire May 2010 and may have issues of paying the 14 million pounds owed to United.

India's Tata Group has expressed serious interest in sponsoring Manchester United and the news of new sponsorship has twitterers reacting:

1. 
   xxslindyxx (Queens, New York) oh snap! Indian based Tata group to be Manchester United's new kit sponsor?? Kinda, really cool (to me at least)! 26 Mar 2009 from web
2. 
   sabremind (USA) "Manchester United have sent a shirt sponsorship proposal to the Indian conglomerate Tata Group." What, AIG isnt doing it for them anymo ... 26 Mar 2009 from web
3. 
   amitayre (India) Tata has a sponsorship proposal for Manchester united. Would love to c their T-shirts if it happenes :) 26 Mar 2009 from TwitterFox
4. 
   BusinessDesk (London) Guardian business: Manchester United may lose out on £14m of AIG cash as political pressure mo.. http://bit.ly/a2dy8 26 Mar 2009 from twitterfeed

Manchester United seeks new sponsorship with India

Japan outlasts Korea to win World Baseball Classic

Per SI.com, Ichiro Suzuki hit a two-run single in the top of the 10th inning to lift Japan over its rivals 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic finals. This came after Korea forced extra innings with a run in the bottom of the 9th with two outs.

Hundreds of twitterers followed along during the game. It only took seconds for reaction to spill in once the score went final.

The first to tweet the result was @mikeplugh.

@mikeplugh (Akita City, Japan ): Wow! Japan does it AGAIN!! Congrats! #kingsofbaseball #wbc #champions #yakyu



Here's some tweets from Japanese supporters:


@pjaficionado (Okinawa, Japan): Japan just took the WBC....やった！！！



@toshisato (Nanpeidaicho, Japan): Congratulations to Samurai Japan!! it was the most exciting baseball game I've ever seen! #WBC



@miyagawa (San Francisco, Calif.): YEAHHHH!!!!!!!! Japan wins!! #wbc




And tweets from fans of the losing team:

@jinoopan (Bundang, South Korea): Korea lost the WBC, but what a good game.




@jchung (Boston, Mass.): such a depressing way to lose, still buying that korea wbc fitted. sam im not coming to atx if ppl talk [expletive].

Japan outlasts Korea to win World Baseball Classic

Twittering athletes on the rise

Per the Arizona Republic, more athletes are twittering, including LPGA star Natalie Gulbis and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash.

Though Shaquille O'Neal has been on Twitter for some time, he recently posted his first in-game tweet.

The Suns All-Star center admitted to the tweet, poking fun at an incident in which another NBA player got in trouble with his coach for twittering at halftime.

@THE_REAL_SHAQ (Phoenix, AZ): Shhhhhhh

Shaq isn't the only well-known athlete twittering, as Lance Armstrong was providing updates on his injury Monday:

@lancearmstrong (Spain): I'm alive! Broken clavicle (right). Hurts like hell for now. Surgery in a couple of days. Thanks for all the well wishes.


Newly retired baseball pitcher Curt Schilling and NASCAR driver Ryan Newman are also posting regular Tweets.

Are these athletes blazing a new trail for more Twit-Jocks to follow? If so, is this a good trend? Here are a few Tweets on the subject:

@BrentWalkerJr (Cleveland, OH): Dang Shaq!! Word bout you twittering at halftime leaked to the media...its on ESPN.Com! Can't a man tweet in peace? haha


@SRegular (Louisville, KY): Is there really anything wrong with twittering if you are an NBA star like Shaq even if it's during a game at halftime?



@ronniefauss Had a dream last night where shaq and i were on a road trip, to mexico in a chevy nova, twittering the whole way!


@MamaCharlo Why didn't Shaq get in trouble for Twittering?



@BazzBrinca twittering while at werk is not as cool as shaq twittering at halftime during his game.now dats mad funny

Twittering athletes on the rise

Ireland wins rugby Grand Slam

Per BBC, Ireland overcame a 6-0 halftime deficit to defeat Wales 17-15 to win its first Grand Slam since 1948 in rugby on Saturday. England finished second in the tournament, France third and Wales slipped to fourth.

Ireland, Wales and #irewal have all soared to top terms in Twitter trends.

Here's some of the immediate reaction to the epic match from the British Isles:

@holyschmoke (Dublin, Ireland): @garthicus #irewal #6nations #rugby The nation will party tonight - it'll be Paddy's day all over but better!



@paulbuk (Letchworth, U.K.): Ireland won the grand slam after one of the most exciting games if rugby I have seen for a long time



@jonathangrimes (Skerries, Co. Fingal, Ireland): A generation of young rugby players have been truly inspired #irewal



@kevin_brown (Kent, U.K.): Wow. Exciting rugby match from Cardiff. Well done Ireland.



@dragozov (Laytown, Ireland): Congrats Ireland!I'm not a rugby fan, but know how much it means for everyone. #irewal

Ireland wins rugby Grand Slam

Obama names football owner Ireland Ambassador

Per Reuters, U.S. President Barack Obama has named Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney Ambassador to Ireland.

Rooney's Steelers won the Super Bowl this past season.

Obama and Rooney developed a relationship during the 2008 presidential campaign. The long time Steelers owner endorsed Obama during a Pennsylvania campaign stop in April of that year.

Europeans and Pennsylvanians are tweeting about the football guy moving to the other land of football.

@SeamusMcAleavey (Belfast): President Barak Obama has announced that Dan Rooney is the new ambassador to Ireland. His roots are in Newry Co Down!


@GWhit (England): Dan Rooney to be Ambassador to Ireland. Maybe he'll convert rugby players to linebacker.



@PADems (Harrisburg, PA): PA Dems congratulate Dan Rooney on being named Ambassador to Ireland. A fitting role for a good Irish Democrat! Go maire tu!



@steelymcbeam (Pittsburgh, PA): Congrats to my boss, Dan Rooney!!! New Ireland ambassador!! Bet he installs NFL Sunday Ticket at the embassy!

Obama names football owner Ireland Ambassador

Soccer coach accused of punching fan

Per Goal.com, Inter Milan soccer coach Jose Mourinho is being investigated for allegedly assaulting a fan after his team's 2-0 loss to Manchester United in the Champions League tournament late Wednesday in England.

Mourinho's bosses acted swiftly in denying the allegations.

Mourinho is well known in soccer circles for his flamboyance. Great Britain's Telegraph colorfully describes coaches such as Mourinho as "too bright, too beautiful, too brilliant for their own good. They gorge on their own gravity and then they are gone."

Twitterers around the globe who love their soccer reacted to the news about Mourinho.

@supersonicstl (St. Louis, Mo): Jose Mourinho makes takes one final shot on way out of Champions League...



@AndrewBucholtz (Kingston, Ontario): Jose Mourinho under investigation for assault; some people really can't lose gracefully!



@cduncan86 (London): Jose Mourinho - what a hero.




@wmager (London): Jose Mourinho's not the messiah, he's just a naughty boy...

Soccer coach accused of punching fan