The man, who is apparently married to a gambling Web site, had the words "GoldenPalace.com" written on his bare chest in black marker.

From Russia without love

In the press conference following her silver-medal effort in the Olympics all-around women's gymnastics event, Russian diva Svetlana Khorkina:

• Said the only reason she didn't win was because she is Russian and gold medalist Carly Patterson is American.

• Boasted, "I'm still Olympic champion."

• Stuck out her tongue.

• Said, "If the judges were Greek, I would have no difficulty winning the gold medal."

• And added, "(The judges) are the ones who are going to have to live with their conscience."

Basically it was the press conference scene from Rocky IV, complete with Russian accents and Cold War tension. Only thing missing was the bowling ball-shaped Russian official ending the media session with, "We go!"

Day for the races

The Miami Herald reported that the government of Grenada has declared Monday as Alleyne Francique Day in honor of the country's 400-meter Olympic contender.

Employers are being asked to give their workers time off to watch the 400 finals, church leaders are being urged to dedicate their services to the Olympian, and buses are carrying banners touting their star athlete. Government official Troy Garvey even has been assigned the task "to prepare the country for the big race."

No pressure

The Miami Herald also reported this week that Olympic sailor Kevin Burnham woke up this week to a 2 a.m. phone call. On the other line was his 6-year-old daughter, Kyla Burnham, a first-grader, who had a request.

"I want you to win the gold medal so I can take it to school and show everyone," she told him.

Get into dodge

The Boone County Parks Department is calling all former gym-class heroes to register for an upcoming indoor adult dodgeball league. Seriously.