Ex-Olympian Gets 46 Months for Check Fraud

They come back quickly even after lazy years

(NEWSER) - Good news for former jocks who've been lazing around for years: You can regain your former muscle strength in a fraction of the time it would take lifelong non-athletes, thanks to muscles' long-lasting "memory" of their former strength. A new study has found that rather than reverting back to their starting condition when strength training is halted, muscles undergo permanent structural changes through exercise—and can quickly regain former strength. More»

Pettigrew lost gold medal after doping scandal

(NEWSER) - Former world champion sprinter Antonio Pettigrew has been found dead in the backseat of his car in North Carolina. Pettigrew, 42, was part of the American 4x400-meter relay squad that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, only be be stripped of their medals after Pettigrew confessed to being part of a doping program. More»

But man, did we love 'roids, disgraced runner says from jail

(NEWSER) - The “fastest couple on earth” was as much a fairy tale as Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones’ athletic achievements, the disgraced runner says. In a jailhouse interview with the London Times, Montgomery says he never loved Jones. “Before we got together, Marion and I never spoke at practice. Never,” he says. Once there relationship started, Jones quickly got pregnant, and Montgomery liked the press. “I told myself I could learn to love her.” More»

Phelps, Bolt, Xiang take sport's center stage

(NEWSER) - Competing in 20 Olympic events and going for a record eight gold medals, American swimming phenom Michael Phelps is first off the block in the BBC's list of 10 to watch in Beijing. Here are some of the others:

• Natalie du Toit: This South African swimmer and Paralympic gold-medalist will make a splash as the first female amputee to compete at the Summer Games.

Female runners banned from Olympics

(NEWSER) - Seven female athletes from Russia were suspended today for doping violations, a potentially devastating blow to the nation's medal hopes just a week before the Olympics begin, the New York Times reports. Five of the women, all members of Russia's track and field team, were scheduled to compete in the Games. They have 14 days to appeal, but it appears unlikely they will be running in Beijing. More»