DOB: January 21, 1952 In: Long Beach, CA

Baseball Inspirations: “Don Drysdale and Frank Howard. They’re my guys. Frank Howard was my hero.”

Nicknames: “Otter. (Why?) The guy in Animal House. They just slapped that on me. Who knows. Wake up one day and you got a nickname. It’s like, Oh, whatever.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Reading, bicycling, snowboard, play music, golfing, I have five kids.”

Favorite Movie: “Well, Field Of Dreams is the best movie ever made.”

Musical Tastes: “I likie anything. Broadway musicals, rock ‘n roll, blues, classical. When I was playing in Puerto Rico, I loved it down there. I love reggae. Love it all. Wherever I’m at. To me it’s hard to listen to reggae – reggae does not go in Houston, Texas. And likewise Dwight Yoakum does not go in Jamaica. When I played in Puerto Rico, my wife and I were dancing to salsa by the time we got out of there.”

Early Baseball Memory: “How much time do you got? Hours and hours? First pitch, first strikeout, first, all the firsts. First home run I gave up. First home run I hit. First all the kids – because I had four of my kids were born during the season. So I remember all that.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Was pitching in the playoffs 1987, pitching the final out of the game, to beat St. Louis 4-2. And it was a complete game, that was pretty neat.”

Most Painful Moment: “Breaking down. Ripping the rotator cuff July of 1989. And having played for 17 years, wanting to get to the World Series, finally got there and couldn’t play.”

Funny Baseball Memory: “We’re talking about stuff that happens to us all the time. Too many.”

First Job: “Paperboy – Post Advocate.”

Favorite Meal: “Fresh fish grilled, with fresh vegetables, salad.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Don Robinson – The Caveman. Bob Brenley. Rennie Martin. Steve Nicosian. My partner Duane Kuiper. Tug McGraw – my roomate in Philadelphia. Bruce Sutter – my roommate coming up in the minor leagues. And playing with him in Chicago – great guy.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Pete Rose. Pete took everything personal. Having played against him and with him in Philadelphia, and he was one of the guys who truly lived up to expectations. He took every at-bat personal. It was intense. You know exactly when he got in the batter’s box. He was awesome. Loved him. Bill Buckner was incredible also.”

Favorite Uniforms: “I like all the old ones – Giants, the Cardinals, the Cubs, the Dodgers, the Tigers, the Yankees, I like all the classic ones. The Braves are a sweet uni. I like ‘em all. I don’t think there are many bad uniforms in the big leagues. Other than a few, I kinda like ‘em all.”

Favorite Ballparks: “Our ballpark is fabulous. Unbelievable. The only thing bad with that is that I didn’t play there. I like Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, the old ones. Great yards.”

Embarrassing Baseball Memory: “Oh geez, where do I start.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “People who persevere through adversity. People who go through tough times and don’t make any excuses. I like that.”

Family: Wife, Jennifer; Children, Tessa, Baker, Chase, Jarek, Weston.

Career Accomplishments: 1986 All-Star; 20-game winner in 1986, 124-117 career record with 1478 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA; won five Emmy Awards for his TV commentating work.

DOB: May 18, 1975 In: Chicago, IL

Status: Pittsburgh Steelers five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle.

Football Heroes: “I never had a hero actually. Always my childhood hero was to know the things I needed to do, to be what I wanted to be, whatever that was at the time.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Computer surfing, traveling, driving. Just a long drive. I’ll drive within eight hours anywhere. But if it’s over eight, I’m flying [smiles].”

Nicknames: “Just Big Flo. The Hotel.”

Favorite Movies: “The Color Purple and Matrix.”

Early Football Memory: “When I didn’t allow a sack my first start in college, at Michigan State against Nebraska (1995). When they were coming off the national championship.”

Pre-Game Feeling: “Just go out there and kick ass, that’s the feeling [smiles].”

First Job: “Was financial services for Equitable when I was 20.”

First Car: “Spartan green Ford Taurus SHO.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Cookies and cream.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Super Bowl.”

Most Painful Moment: “I’d have to say not winning a Bowl game while I was in college, out of all the Bowls we went to.”

Funniest Players: “Roy Williams was just silly in general.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Hugh Douglas. Year after year he was tough to go up against when he was with Philly.”

Funny Football Memory: “When this teammate in college used to dip a lot, he kept all his spit in a milk jug. And he had it in his locker. Then one day it fell down and got all on me [smiles]. That’s like six months worth of dip. And I had to jump up and ran and just took a shower. I was on the shower with my clothes on, takin’ them off while I was takin’ a shower. It was so nasty.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “People who are direct and don’t give any bull****.”

Ht: 6-foot-4 Wt: 200 pounds

DOB: May 24, 1988 In: Yaroslavl, Russia

Hockey Inspirations: “To play in NHL.”

First Hockey Memory: “First time I go to hockey. My coach in the school take a ball and say, ‘play basketball.’ And we play basketball. I score a couple of baskets in basketball. After, he gave me paper (saying) to go to hockey at a time. I go to hockey and get on the skates with the pads. And go skate around. And after I start playing – in six months we had our first game. I played on the second line (age 9).”

Nicknames: “They call me ‘Arty.’ (Enver) Lisin called me Grandpa because I have a lot of experience.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Go on the street and walk around. Go in the museum, educational stuff. I like walking around in good parks. See nature, nice views, nice trees, can breathe fresh air. Read book. Summer time, go fishing.”

Favorite Movies: “It was Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Last Book Read: “Russian book.”

Musical Tastes: “I like all kinds, pop, rock, hip-hop.”

Childhood Dream: “Hockey player. (Raises one finger to correct himself) NHL hockey player.”

Pre-game Feeling: “I’m trying to release all thoughts in my head and concentrate on the game only. Like, little bit relaxed. But strong in the mind at the same time.”

Favorite Meal: “Pre-game meal – mashed potatoes, steak, little bit of vegetables. Ranch sauce (‘Ranch dressing’, corrects teammate Brian Boyle who was seated nearby). Ranch dressing. Thank you man (to Boyle).”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Getting to the NHL.”

Most Painful Moment: “(Laughs) After first NHL game, sent me back to Hartford.”

Favorite Uniforms: “Rangers.”

Closest NHL Friends: “Semyon Varlamov. Alex Vasyunov in New Jersey.”

Funniest Player Encountered: “Evgeny Grachev.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “New Jersey. Trap team.”

Most Memorable Goal(s): “I have two. In a pre-season game against Boston and last one in the season against New Jersey. I like those two goals.”

Strangest Game: “Yeah, sometimes in a game, bad game, you know, nothing you can do. The puck jumping around, bounce away. It happens. It’s a tough game.”

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: “Soccer. England soccer.”

Last Vacation: “San Francisco.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “I like to turn on TV and watch some games. A player I like to watch – Kovalchuk, Malkin, Datsyuk.”

Personality Qualities Most Admired: “Friendly, friendship, smart, funny.”

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 192

DOB: November 7, 1988 In: Kiev, Ukraine

First Tennis Memory: “Probably traveling with (Andrei) Medvedev when my father (Oleksandr) coached him, being on court and having fun. We were friends. I was always there, he was winning some tournaments, I was there. When I took the balls and the racquet I was small, sitting there watching him play. I don’t remember the cities. One tournament, I got lost at the tennis courts. I remember I was surrounded one time. I couldn’t really write – I was just writing my name as a signature, because they know I was always on the court with him. I was really a popular kid then. Because all the players played with me. And I was having some fun.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Thats’s a tough one. I just enjoy the game. I want to be the best – one time – in the world. So I’m just going to that goal and having fun on the court. We have some small goals with records, but not any in particular, win any tournaments. I just go out and try to show the best game and beat the guys in the game.”

Nicknames: “Some players call me Dolgo.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “I really like to drive my car. I like racing – not professional – we have some tournaments, they’re like drag racing. I have a Subaru. So I like to do that. Just hang out with my friends, but I don’t have much time to do that. I come back for a week maximum. Just rest, go to movies, meet my friends, that’s it.”

Last Book Read: “Was a Russian book.”

Favorite Movies: “I actually like all the movies. I watch all kinds of stuff. When I’m at home, every two days I go to the cinema. So I like to watch movies. I don’t have a movie that I like the best, I have a lot of them.”

Musical Tastes: “I listen to all sorts of music in my life, now I’m into club music, dancing music, something like that.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “Just happy to go on the court. Think about the player I’m going to play. I think about how I’m going to play him. It’s all different, depends on the player I play.”

Favorite Meal: “That’s a tough one. Probably spaghetti and Russian meat.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Coffee.”

Current Car: “Subaru Impreza WRX STI (black).”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Well, probably that’s the first point in the ATP (age 16 or 17). I remember I was really happy to do that. That happened in Ukraine, I got a wildcard. I got my first ATP point. That was a big moment. Now, I haven’t won some big events. Probably, as well, I remember winning a Challenger, winning my first ATP title. That was pretty big. Every moment I got was special but the first ATP point was pretty big. I mean, I didn’t win a Grand Slam yet. Or any Masters Series, so I can’t say anything about big wins. So that was probably the biggest moment I remember now. And I’m getting higher now, so it’ll come.”

Most Painful Moment: “Losing final qualies Australian Open when I was 18. From a triple match point and four match points in the match, with 5-4, love-40, his serve, third set, and lost (vs. Sam Warburg).”

Favorite Tournament: “Well, for now, I like the clay. Roland Garros would be my favorite.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “All the USSR countries, all the Russian guys. But I’m really well with everyone. I know most of the players. I’m not preferring the Russian guys because I speak the language better, I mean, I’m friends with everyone. Everyone is nice on the Tour. There’s not like guys who are not nice off the court, so.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “That’s a tough one. Daniel Koellerer on the court, is really doing some stupid **** on the court [smiles]. There’s a lot of players you can see doing fun stuff.”

Toughest Competitors: “I had a lot of tough matches. Last year, probably the toughest matches were Tsonga and Clement. I had five sets with them. That was the toughest matches I had. I played Nadal in Madrid. That was really tough to play him, clay court especially.”

Strangest Match: “Nothing in particular.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “I remember in a practice I was running for a drop shot and I was sliding on the clay courts. Then I couldn’t get my balance and I just fell over the net [smiles] and that was the funniest.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Losing from four match points – that was embarrassing for me. But nothing I would want to change or anything.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “Well, it used to be Marcelo Rios. He was really fun to watch. He was really improvising on the court. Now, I don’t know, tennis has gotten more monotone and everything. Running and physical. Because everyone is hitting so fast, you can’t really play that style. I mean, Roger’s got some of that still in him. He still does that playing style – volleys and drop shots, slices. I like to watch his game the most probably. (Did you meet Rios?) I met him when I was small. Not really in person, that I remember. The second time my father was with Medvedev was in 1998, that time when Rios won in a row Indian Wells and Miami. I was at the tournaments and I was always killing my parents to go to the matches. He was always playing night matches and I was, Let’s go watch him. Let’s go watch him [smiles]. I really like to watch his matches. I was crazy about him that time. The style of his game was incredible. He could pull out any of the shots in any moment. It was really fun. You don’t know what the guy can do. He wasn’t playing the same game all the time. He was really variative, tough to play, I think.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Well, for me, it’s most important, it’s people are honest. Say what they think about you. I don’t like people who come and go, depending on your successes. So, I mean, the people who are with me from the small age or people who don’t care how I do, are the best people that I really want them with me.”

Check out Scoop’s tennis site www.tennis-prose.com

DOB: Feb. 20, 1942 In: Sault St. Marie, Ont.

Early Hockey Memory: “What I really liked the best was when I played juvenile, which was about 16 or 17. It was the last time I played where I never got paid and we won an all-Canadian championship and I was captain of the team. It was just a tremendous thing I’ll never forget. That was just unbelievable.”

Nicknames: “Espo. Shoot, man, I’ve been called Espo my whole life. I’ve been called Skinny when I was a kid. Now I’m called Chubby (laughs).”

Hockey Heroes/Inspirations: “Gordie Howe was one. Mickey Mantle in baseball – he’s why I wore No. 7 in hockey. Rocky Marciano in boxing.”

Favorite Movie: “Godfather, I love that movie. I love One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. And any, I mean any comedy. And I love the old movies – AMC. I like watching those: Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Three Stooges, Abbott & Costello. The more I watch them, there’s always something that I miss, a line here, a line there. My wife looks at me, ‘You’ve seen that movie.’ I say, ‘Yeah, but there was a line I missed.’ Those are my favorites.”

Musical Tastes: “I do not like the hard rock or the rap. I do not like that at all. Even when I was a kid I didn’t like The Beatles and they were in my era. I hated The Rolling Stones. People think I’m like sacrilegious. Grateful Dead – I hated them. I guess I should have been living in the ‘40s and ‘50s because I love (Frank) Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como love songs, ‘It’s Impossible.’ That’s my favorite. Still is.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Golf. I really try hard at golf. I don’t seem to be getting any better at it, to tell you the truth (laughs). I do a lot of charity stuff.”

First Job: “Watering slag to keep the dust down at the steel mill.”

Favorite Meal: “I’m a steak and potatoes man.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “As an individual? On a team was winning my first Stanley Cup. That was just amazing, Boston, 1970. As a kid growing up, that’s all you ever wanted was to win a Stanley Cup. Even when you made the NHL, it was to win that Stanley Cup. When Bobby Orr scored that overtime goal to beat St. Louis (in four games). We were going to beat them, there was no doubt in our minds. We were up three games to none. And we just didn’t want to go back to St. Louis for the fifth game because they had no business in the business with us. We were just so much better than them.”

Most Painful Moment: “Painful? When I got traded from Boston to New York. It was a total shock and very painful for me.”

Pre-game Feeling: “I was a guy fooling around and joking. I was a jokester so I didn’t really get nervous before the game. Didn’t bother me one way or another, I was ready to go out and play. I hated getting to the rink real, real early. That was stupid. The game was at 7:30, you had to be there at 5:30 – that was stupid. It takes me 20 minutes to get dressed! That’s the way I was. Bobby Orr, for example, went to the rink at 3:00 in the afternoon! He played gin with the trainer ‘til the guys came in. Me, I was sleeping then.”

Funny Hockey Memory: “Bobby Orr cut my socks once in Pittsburgh. Kept pulling them up, pulling them up and they ended up on my thigh because there was no button. And it was cold that night, god it was cold. I put shaving cream in guys’ skates or in his bed. Or short-sheet the bed. So when he gets in he almost breaks his legs trying to get in. You get in, go to put your legs up right away. And you can’t do it. Everybody goes, ‘What the?’ You’re trying to push it, push it. I remember doing that to Mike Walton. I thought he was gonna die. And he was a neat freak. So we’d mess his clothes up and he’d get really pissed (laughs).”

Strangest Game(s): “Playing in Russia in ‘72. We did some crazy things over there. We were told by the FBI and mounted police that the rooms would be bugged. And they were. Don’t forget, this is ‘72, the Cold War. It was so weird over there. I can’t explain it. They’d phone us at the hotel room at 3 a.m. to wake us up a night before the game. You’d pull the phone out of the wall and they’d come up and fix the damn thing at 4 a.m. Try to get someone to do that here. So things like that were the things that drove me crazy. We won the series there. They beat us in Canada and then we ended up beating the s— out of them. We won three in a row in Russia. First game in Russia we lost 6-5, then we won three in a row. I’m really convinced if we’d played another five or six games with them, they wouldn’t have beat us. I really believe that because we had really become a team. Training camp was hilarious, we were so bad; we were so out of shape.”

Closest Hockey Friends: “Wayne Cashman, Ken Hodge, Bobby Orr, Ronnie Greschner, I really like ‘Gresch.’ He became a real good friend of mine.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Eddie Shack. There’s nobody like Eddie Shack. The nuttiest human being I ever knew. The very first time I ever met him he was walking into the dressing room – we had both got traded to Boston at the same time. And he’s walking into the dressing room – he’s got the skates over his shoulder with the hockey sticks, singing, ‘Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go!’ And I’ll never forget that as long as I live. Wayne Cashman was funny too, in a different way. Gerry Cheevers had maybe the best sense of humor I ever saw. Sharp as a tack.”

Toughest Competitor: “John Ferguson. Man, he was a fierce competitor. He hated losing, you could see it. Man! Even when he became the GM and coach in New York he punched the s— out of me in the back when we were losing a game. Pow! He nailed me hard too. God. On the bench! He punched me right here in the middle of the back. Took my breath away.”

Worst Injury: “My knee. I had reconstructive surgery on my right knee in 1973. The doctors told me I’d probably never play again and walk with a limp for the rest of my life. And I tell him, ‘You’re full of s—. I’ll be back in training camp.’ I got the operation in April. I skated for the first time Aug. 28 and my leg felt like it was gonna fall off. It was like, loose. I played my first pre-season game Sept. 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks and scored three goals against my brother. I ended up winning the scoring championship and the MVP that year. Got hit by a hip check by Ronnie Harris with the Rangers. Got me with a hip, didn’t see him coming. He nailed me good.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “I love going to the Caribbean, but I live in Florida now. Just anywhere, laying out and drinking a few beers, reading a book. I mean, I love that. That’s what I like. Then going and getting dressed up and going to dinner at night, dancing and just having a great time with my lady.”

Personality Qualities Most Admired: “Loyalty. I love a loyal person. I like an honest person. I’m the type of person, if I shake hands with someone, it’s a done deal.”

Career Accomplishments: Elected to Hall of Fame in 1984; Won two Stanley Cups; Played in 10 All-Star Games; Won five Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies; Won Lester Patrick Trophy in 1978; Scored 717 regular season goals including 118 game-winners; Scored 61 playoff goals; Former GM of the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ht: 5-10 Wt: 212

DOB: April 19, 1981 In: Garden Grove, Calif.

Football Inspiration: “Walter Payton.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Read the Bible. Woodworking. Surf. Growing flowers. Play piano. Go to the movies.”

Nicknames: “None.”

Early Football Memory: “Getting beat up a lot [smiles]. (What position?) Running back.”

Favorite Movie: “The Godfather.”

Musical Tastes: “Reggae.”

Favorite TV Shows: “Don’t really watch TV.”

First Job: “Working at a skating rink, skating around in circles, helping people who fell down (age 16).”

First Car: “A 1986 Dodge Ram van.”

Favorite Meal: “Samoan food.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Pop rock cotton candy ice cream.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the Super Bowl (2006 and 2009). And being drafted (16th overall in 2003).”

Most Painful Moment: “Every game [laughs].”

Favorite NFL Uniforms: “I like ours.”

College: USC.

Funny Football Memory: “Every day in the locker room [smiles].”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty.”

[Note: When the interview ended, which was after a recent Steelers victory, Troy commented, "That's the best interview I ever had. You can put that in there too."]

Career Accomplishments: Two-time Super Bowl champion; six-time Pro Bowl participant.

Family: Wife, Theodora; sons, Paisios, Ephraim.

DOB: May 5, 1975 In: Asmara, Eritrea

Running Inspirations: “God-given talent. You gotta tap it in. And I believe I have more PR’s. And I still want to see that full potential.”

First Running Memory: “There’s two actually. When I first ran a mile, my brother had run at the school. He said, Hey will you run a mile? You get a T-shirt if you run 6:15. And I ran 5:20 – almost a minute faster. That was very memorable. And the other memory was I got lost in a race – Woodbridge H.S. Cross-Country meet and I was so much in the lead. By about 400 meters or more. And I was the last guy. You’re supposed to go over the bridge a second time – they direct me to go under the bridge. I ran about 800 meters extra and that lap I finished tenth. From winning to finish tenth. But I’m not a quitter. I went back and finished the race and finished tenth.”

Leisure Activities/Hobbies: “Be a good father and husband. Playing soccer, reading. On the phone. Many people call me ‘on the phone maniac.’ Like to be on the phone.”

Nickname: “Meb, Tom, Luciano – Italian version of what Meb means.”

Favorite Movies: “Coming To America, Rush Hour I and II, comedies. I still can‘t get enough of Coming To America. Lots of similarities.”

Musical Tastes: “Hip-hope, R&B and definitely my traditional Tigrinya songs – Tigrinya which is my natural language. And I listen to a lot of that. You go through stages of life with music. I also like Janet Jackson.”

Last Book Read: “The Prayer of Chavez.”

Favorite TV Show: “I love George Lopez, The Cosby Show, Three‘s Company. I just watch a lot of cartoons, soccer and stuff.”

Favorite Meal: “I like lasagna.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Gelato, vanilla.”

Favorite Sport To Watch Outside Of Running: “Soccer.”

First Job: “McDonalds cashier. And sometimes fries. That was in San Diego (age 15).”

First Car: “1973 Ford LTD, brown. I still have it [smiles].”

Pre-race Feeling: “Fun, fun, fun. Let the game begin. It’s all about the preparation. I do a lot of visualization before and during, while I practice. I try to be relaxed. Smile.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “New York Marathon (2009). And Athens (silver medal in 2004).”

Most Painful Moment: “I would say Olympic Trials. I love New York. I run New York. At about mile 20 I realized, No, I’m not gonna make the team. I know I give it all, my all, 100% and they were saying, Meb, you’re our hero, we love you. And when you hear the crowd telling you that – anybody can go emotional. I went to tears. Because, you know, it’s not clicking that day. The reason it’s my most disappointing day – here I am trying to make the team and I lost a dear friend (Ryan Shay) at the finish line. Somebody told me, Do you know what happened to Ryan? And I was thinking, Did he fall? No. I just went to the ground.”

Favorite Marathons: “I love New York.”

Embarrassing Career Memory: “I say I’m gonna give a talk at the New York Athletic Club tomorrow night (in 2002). I say this is my first and last Marathon. I ran out of energy and hit the wall and was cold. I finish ninth. So frozen, I couldn’t untie my shoes. I say I will never run a marathon again. I’m done. I’m going back to the 10K and shorter distances. Embarrassing moment is to come back on that – win New York and get a silver medal [laughs].”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “In terms of running – Haile Gebreselassie. I wanted to be the Haile of the USA. And of the world. Dominant. And Paul Tergat. Kobe Bryant, I like his style. Deena Kastor. Just because of the great person she is. I know her very personal. Very humble person. If you go back in the day – Andre Agassi. Jackie Robinson. Muhammad Ali.”

Funny Memory: “My accent sometimes. I went to school with Jaleel White – Steve Urkel. We were classmates. Before he became my classmate, I remember first time I met him. I said I wanted his autograph. I said it wasn’t for me, it was for my sister who admired him. I said can you make it to my sister actually? He wrote Ashley instead of ‘actually.’ I was telling him to make it for my sister. He said, Ashley? So I said, Ashley is my neice. So I tell him, Can you make it to my sister? And he wrote it. Then it’s right. When I said…Actually make it to my sister, he said Ashley. So that was funny.”

Childhood Dream: “Pilot.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Consistency. Be who you are no matter what. Smile on your face all the time. And that’s what I try to do. I don’t like people fluctuating. Friends are always friends and just a friend when you talk to them. Always respectful. Treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Family: Wife, Yordanos; three daughters.

Residence: Mammoth Lakes, CA

Career Accomplishments: 2004 Olympic silver medalist; Winner of 2009 New York City Marathon in a personal best 2:09:15; Winner of 2009 USA Half-Marathon Championships, USA Cross-Country Championships and USA 7-Mile Championships.

Status:  Two-time Olympic champion in 200 meters.

DOB: May 15, 1982 In: Trelawny, Jamaica

Track Inspirations: “I would say Merlene Ottey. She’s a great athlete and I always just watched and admired her.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “I like to read, listen to music and watch TV. I don’t do any other sports besides track. I do a little bowling sometimes.”

Favorite Movies: “I don’t really have any favorites, I think it just depends on the movies that are out at the time. So I don’t really have any favorites.”

Favorite TV Show: “I like to watch comedy, a lot of comedies.”

Musical Tastes: “I really like reggae but I listen to a little of everything. Bob Marley – he’s a great inspiration to me also. Mariah Carey.”

Last Book Read: “My book (“A Better You, Inspirations For Life’s Journey”). I read it again. I needed some inspiration, so.”

First Job: “Actually, I never worked before, besides being a professional athlete.”

First Car: “[Laughs] Ford Escord – silver.”

Pre-Race Feeling: “I’m always nervous. And I always just try to be confident. And just have a positive mind. But I’m always nervous. Just cannot wait to get the race over with. It’s a business when you’re on the track. Sometimes things happen around me but I don’t see because it’s business. It is your business in the race to beat her, so there are no friends on the track. Off the track but not on the track. Everybody want to win. And the person that is more mentally focused – most of the time – is gonna be the one to cross the finish line first. So it’s business.”

Early Track Memory: “When I first started in track I normally get beat. I didn’t start out winning. I remember in high school, it wasn’t until my second to last year in high school when I really started to win almost all my races every time I run. I just stayed confident and just kept working hard.”

Favorite Meal: “Ackee and saltfish, dumplings. It’s Jamaican national dish.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Rum raisin – off-season [smiles]. Not able to eat during season. Off-season it’s gotta be rum raisin [smiles].”

Greatest Sports Moment: “I think that came after Beijing, going into the Olympic Games as defending (200 meter) champion – and to win with a super time (21.74). And also to become the second-fastest woman in history, has been great. And right now it’s my most memorable Olympic moment.”

Most Painful Moment: “Hmmm. I cannot recall a painful moment. Because whenever something happens, I just look at it as, it was meant to happen. It’s just part of life.”

Funny Track Memory: “Not that I can recall right now. My group – it’s always fun being in my group. Because we normally make a lot of jokes off each other. Basically, everybody in my group if funny, from my agent right down to every athlete. We just try to be happy every time we’re together.”

Childhood Dream: “When I was growing up I wanted to be an accounts teacher but my dream was always to win an Olympic gold medal in either the one or the two.”

Favorite Places To Compete: “It’s always fun competing where there are a lot of Jamaicans because they just give you the energy, that drive, the motivation to run fast. They are so energetic when cheering for me. So I always like competing in front of Jamaicans. I like to compete in the U.K., Jamaica and New York.”

Most Memorable Race: “I would say it was the 200 meters in Beijing. It was a perfect race. I executed well, maintained my form well. It was a great race.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Merlene Ottey. I watch a lot of athletes, especially in sprints. Because the more you watch other people compete, the more you learn. So I just admire a lot of people. I like the Williams sisters. Kobe, LeBron and Shaq. Muhammad Ali, though he’s retired now. And his daughter Laila has a really good career so I admire her also.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Kindness, good-hearted people.”

Status: #16 seed in the U.S. Open men’s doubles with partner Rohan Bopanna of India. Has reached the semifinal round and will meet the Argentine team of Zeballos/Schwank for a spot in the finals. Has also reached the final of Mixed Doubles with partner Kveta Peschke. Winner of one career ATP doubles title (2010 South Africa w/ Bopanna).

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180

DOB: March 17, 1980 In: Lahove, Pakistan

Tennis Inspirations: “Actually, my mother was Pakistan’s #1 for ten years. She was a national champion. My maternal grandfather was also #1 before partition. So tennis was always in my blood, my family. I was not a big fan when I was younger because in Pakistan cricket is like religion – every single kid likes cricket. I used to play cricket a lot. And we only used to see Wimbledon finals. And both times I only watched Edberg and Becker. So I grew up watching them play and when I first started traveling, I practiced a lot with Stefan Edberg in London. So I after meeting him I would definitely say he’s my idol in tennis, by far.”

First Tennis Memory: “I think the first time I played a junior tournament in th e14s, I lost 60 60 – and I remember – I think I never cried so much in my life for a tennis match. So that really motivated me and the next time I really wanted to beat that guy. And the next year I was really happy in the 14s where I actually beat him.”

Nicknames: “Everyone back home calls me Somi – my close friends and family members. My mother gave me that name.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Big fan of music, reading, I just joined University of Phoenix. I wouldn’t call it a hobby but I have to study now. And for the last year, when I’n back home, spend as much time with my two nephews. And I love to go out clubbing – if Rohan is in the mood, we can go out together. Watch movies. Just a normal guy who happens to play tennis.”
Last Book Read: “The Greatest Salesman In The World.”

Favorite Movies: “Gladiator. Interview With a Vampire. Last
of the Mohicans.”

Favorite TV Show: “Friends, by far.”

Musical Tastes: “Pretty much everything that makes me move. I really like hard rock, heavy metal helps me when I’m in the gym. Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Guns & Roses, Metallica was actually the first time I bought a CD – Black album. Ever since I became a really big fan of heavy metal.”

Current Car: “I’ve got two actually. I live with my parents still back home, so we have five cars. So I could just choose whatever I want. I don’t really have a particular car.”

Favorite Meal: “Gurg walay shawl. Actually, curry is the sugar cane and you actually make sweet rice from them. That’s sweet. I’m not a big fan of normal food – I have a sweet tooth. That’s my favorite dish and every time I go home my mom cooks that for me.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Caramel, by far. I can’t say no to caramel [smiles].”

Pre-Match Feeling: “(Think about) just not to mess it up. Especially if I’m playing doubles. To help my teammate as much as possible. And stay focused. And I work a lot on my breathing. Try to get a sweating going on. Listen to music. Do some sprints and some abs, get the body going. I do some prayers before the match, whether for singles or doubles. Mostly keep the same routine before every match.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “To make semifinal for the first time at U.S. Open. I’ve never done that. Last year, I think, beating Federer in doubles in Basel, was a huge moment. The first time I qualified for Wimbledon two years ago (2007).”

Most Painful Moment: “Would be, I think, my first Davis Cup, I lost to Paradorn Srichaphan. I lost with four match points to win the tie for Pakistan. It was my first Davis Cup, I was 18. I won my first singles, I won the doubles, and he was top 100 then, their #1. And I lost to him 12-10 in the fifth set. At home. From four match points. It took me a while to get over it.”

Favorite Tournaments: “Wimbledon, by far.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “Sitting right here on the left (Rohan Bopanna).”

Funniest Player Encountered: “He can be pretty funny at times (Bopanna). Recently, I would say Dustin Brown. He’s a pretty funny character.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “I think every guy I lost to in my career [laughs]. I think everybody’s tough in my 14-year career. Everyone I’ve lost to especially are the toughest opponents by far.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “Nowadays, obviously Roger. And Nalbandian.”

Strangest Match: “The ones that I recall – I don’t like playing my friends. When I play, especially with him (Bopanna) on the courts – I played with him three or four times – and every time I stepped on the court it wasn’t a good feeling. We played in Davis Cup, at the Challenger level, and now I’m really looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in two weeks in India. I just hope I don’t play this guy over there. So every time it’s been pretty strange when we play.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Davis Cup at home in Pakistan, I was wearing the wrong shorts and there was no time. I had to change my shorts in front of all the crowd. There was a logo that was not supposed to be on my shorts – in Davis Cup you have different rules for ATP and ITF. So I would say that was the most embarrassing moment. I had to change in front of all the crowd watching.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Friendly. Loving. Everybody who wants peace. And just good to each other. Respect elders as kids. And I think those kinds of qualities definitely make you a good human being.”

For more tennis news check out Scoop’s tennis site www.tennis-prose.com

Status: Professional flute player. Her latest CD is titled “Dreams.”

First Music Memory: “First time when I remember I heard music was around five in kindergarten. I told my mom, I want to play that [laughs]. The language of music was so clear to me. I was like, I want to be in that world.”

Inspiration: “Good people, good art, good food and drink.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Hiking, biking, yoga, oh, I love swimming but I can’t find a swimming pool in Brooklyn. But if I find it I’m gonna go a couple times a week.”

Favorite Movies: “I just watched ‘City Of Lost Children’ last night. The film takes place in France.”

Favorite TV Show: “I don’t watch TV.”

Musical Tastes: “Well, so many heroes. Like…Beatles. Still listen to Beatles…still cry sometimes [laughs]. I love classical music, jazz, and some electronic music.”

Last Book Read: “That was by John E. Sarno, ‘Healing Back Pain.’ It’s about mind/body, how you can heal by yourself with controling your mind. Like with mind/body connected healing. It’s amazing.”

First Job: “Working for bakery.”

Favorite Meal: “Sushi.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Pre-Performance Feeling: “Try to be nothing. Blank page. Like a white canvas, ready to be painted on.”

Childhood Dream: “Musician. flutist. And I wanted to work at ice cream store.”

Greatest Music Moment: “When I made great music with other great musicians. There are lots actually but not necessarily like special performances at top-notch venue. When the audience and musician connect through music sometimes that magic happens!”

Most Painful Moment: “When I have suffering, from tendinitis. It was painful actually. I can’t practice, I can’t play. I’ve been taking a break from performances the last couple of months. I really need to. I learned a lot from this too. About my body, about my capability.”

Funny Memory: “I came up to the stage without the flute. That happened before. Backstage after finishing my book. (Then) I was looking for my instrument. Where’s my flute? I knew to go backstage. Audience was like, Are you gonna sing? Oh yeah, sing!”

Embarrassing Memory: “There was a performance where I was the leader of the band and for some reason I can’t remember the name of the drummer. And I kept asking. And it’s, okay, bass – dadadada, piano – dadada, and drums – and he’s like one of those generic names like John. I’m looking…that was embarrassing. I did it like three times for him. I’m really bad with names. I remember vividly what he looks like, who they are. But names – so bad.”

What Performance Stands Out As Your Finest: “Think I’m still waiting for that moment. I’m sure I have a few moments that were great but also it wasn’t just me, other musicians that were playing with me, they were also lifting me up. So it was my performance but at same time it’s great band performance. And I can’t exist without them.”

Favorite Live Performer: “Madonna. I love her stage look. I can’t mimic or do something close to it. But I love her stage, very entertaining.”

Last Vacation: “That was when I was touring Japan this summer. My family decided to take a day trip to Hakone – one hour train ride from Tokyo and we hiked all day and went to hot springs afterwards. I highly recommend Hakone for hot springs and hiking.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. Loyalty. Hard-working.”

www.yukariflute.com