Olympic People & Personalities: Phelps Draws Crowd While On Leno

NBC's "Tonight Show" Nets Ratings Boost From Phelps' Appearance

WELCOME HOME: In Baltimore, Nick Madigan reports 11 U.S. Olympians "with Maryland ties," including Phelps, are being invited to take part in an October 4 parade in their honor in Towson, Maryland, "followed by a salute at Fort McHenry that will be capped off with fireworks." Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley yesterday said that $300,000 in private funds "would be raised to pay for the parade and the show at Fort McHenry" (Baltimore SUN, 9/10).

LET'S DANCE: Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” yesterday afternoon wearing her adidas U.S. Olympic team warm-up apparel and carrying her medals from Beijing. Host Ellen DeGeneres told Johnson, “You just carry (your medals) around with you all the time, don’t you?” After being interviewed, Johnson performed a routine on the balance beam. DeGeneres said, "I know that it’s everyone’s dream to be on the Wheaties box. ... It didn’t work out for you, but I have something that I think is going to be better for you.” DeGeneres displayed a box of “Ellen’s Feeties” in the size and color scheme similar to a box of Wheaties. The box was full of “feetie” socks that featured a picture of Johnson on the sole of the sock (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” 9/9).

BEARD BUSINESS: Former Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer Amanda Beard appeared on Fox Business last night where she discussed how she decides which companies to endorse. Beard: “For me, it’s about not just only being sponsored by companies. It’s also owning part equity in these companies and being involved hand-in-hand so that creates a relationship where it’s not going to last two or three years like a normal contract. It’s going to last ten years, 20 years.” Beard is involved in Mission products, along with other elite athletes including Suns G Steve Nash, skateboarder Ryan Sheckler and former women's national soccer team member Mia Hamm (“America’s Nightly Scoreboard,” Fox Business, 9/9).

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