In Albany, Matthew Hamilton reported U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) are co-sponsoring a bill that would "exempt the value of medals and prizes paid out" by the USOC from athletes' taxable incomes. The USOC "doles out hefty bonuses to medal winners" -- $25,000 for a Gold Medal, $15,000 for Silver and $10,000 for Bronze. However, because the money is deemed "'earned income abroad,' it and the monetary value of the medal are subject to federal taxation" (TIMESUNION.com, 8/2).
TALKIN' BOUT A REVOLUTION: THE UNDEFEATED's Marc Spears reported former Olympic medalists John Carlos and Tommie Smith, who raised a gloved black fist during the '68 Mexico City Games, believe the U.S. men's basketball team "could make a big Olympic statement if it chooses to" regarding the "violence between African-Americans and police officers." Smith said, "You not only have one star, but you have a plethora of stars on that team. And each star has its own light to shine. And hopefully that light that they will shine will make a better picture of things that are extending out there in the world that needs light to be shone on." Carlos added, "I would hope that they circumvent the circumstances of society and digest it and do what they feel is necessary for them to help alleviate the pain of so many people, not just in the United States, but around the world" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 8/2).
CAPTAIN AMERICA: In Hartford, Tom Yantz reports U.S. golfer Patrick Reed showed up at the PGA Tour Travelers Championship yesterday "wearing a red shirt, blue pants and hat, and white shoes." He also "proudly unveiled his USA Olympic golf bag." Reed, who will be joined on the U.S. team by Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar, said, "I'm obviously very excited to play for the Olympics, if you couldn't tell. ... I'm debuting the Olympics bag (Tuesday) and carrying that this week; just really cool. Thought it would be great for the fans to see" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/3).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: USA TODAY's Martin Rogers reports Australian swimming team nutritionist Greg Shaw believes the "size and scale of the dining hall at the Olympic Village has the potential to spell disaster for athletes who typically follow a rigid eating pattern." He said, "It is an amazing food environment. ... There's multiple cuisines available, and often the athlete has difficulty narrowing the choice. It can be really detrimental to their performance." Rogers notes the dining area "also becomes a social experience at the Olympics, with great restraint needed to stop eating when others nearby are gorging themselves" (USA TODAY, 8/3).
