An Unprecedented Assembly of Performers, Olympians, Philanthropists and Actors to Preside Over Seven Neighborhoods on the World's Largest and Most Revolutionary Cruise Ship.

When Royal Caribbean International officially names its newest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, the global cruise line will continue its tradition of innovation by putting a new twist on one of maritime's longest standing traditions. While normally bestowing the honor of godmother on one special person, Royal Caribbean has chosen seven extraordinary godmothers to represent the seven signature neighborhoods onboard Oasis of the Seas, one of which is Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. Each of the seven godmothers was chosen because they personify strength of character, exemplify the spirit of giving, and are role models for men, women and children alike. The godmothers include: Shawn Johnson, four-time medalist at the 2008 Olympic games for women's gymnastics and cancer philanthropist, who in addition to serving as a godmother for Oasis of the Seas, will be granting wishes onboard as part of her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Gloria Estefan, Michelle Kwan, Jane Seymour, Dara Torres, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Daisy Fuentes The seven women will take their posts to officially name the ship at a ceremony during a one-night inaugural celebration-fundraiser onboard Oasis of the Seas to benefit the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. (read more)

(AP)- For $5.89, anyone can taste how Erin Hamlin was immortalized.  Vanilla ice cream, stacked with Reese's peanut butter cups, Oreos and hot fudge, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. In the sleepy village of

Remsen, N.Y., pop. 514, that's how homage was paid to a local who stunned the luge world -- the World Champion Erin Hamlin Sundae, a popular item at The Soda Fountain in town."It's very good," Hamlin said.  Sweet, too. After all, it marks the sweetest moment of Hamlin's luge career -- an 80 mph trip down an ice-coated mountainside track that carried the American who turned 23 on Thursday to a place many thought impossible to reach. She beat the unbeatable Germans for a gold medal in the world championships.  "A miracle," said USA Luge executive director Ron Rossi. (read more)

TSN- After sweeping their opponents throughout the tournament, the U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team earned silver as they were edged out by Canada in the championship game at the 2009 Women's Four Nations Cup, Nov. 3-7 in Tikkurila, Finland. The event featured the top four women's hockey teams in the world - the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden - and is the last international women's hockey tournament prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The U.S. team opened preliminary-round play with a 4-0 win over Finland and added two additional tournament wins after defeating both Sweden and Canada 3- 2.   The U.S. Women’s team beat Canada to win the gold medal at the 2009 World Championships earlier this year. (read more)

Omaha World-Herald

Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson participated in the Hy-Vee Whole Health Experience at the Mid-America Center. Q & A with Shawn Johnson: You've certainly been busy since Beijing. What's your schedule been like recently?   This is actually a slow time for me, which with me isn't really slow. I'm staying home a lot. I'm getting more time to spend in the gym and get back into shape. I'm finishing up school and trying to get into college. I'm working with McDonald's. I'm going to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Ten kids get to travel with me there and experience the Games. I've done some correspondence work with “Dancing with the Stars.” I'm kind of enjoying life right now. What is next for you in gymnastics?   It's still a huge question on whether I'm going to return right now. It's a hard decision. I fulfilled my lifelong dream and goal in Beijing. It's a huge commitment, but I miss the sport. I am getting back in shape. I'm playing around in the gym to see if it's still what I want to do. How much time do you spend in the gym?   I haven't really started in the gymnastics gym yet. I go to a fitness center every day. I have a physical trainer I'm working with. I'm trying to get back in the position I want to be in. What has been the most fun thing you've done since the Olympics?  “Dancing with the Stars” by far. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could. Being thrown into something completely new was refreshing. I'd never done anything besides gymnastics. It was really rewarding for me. (read more)

Los Angeles Times

Like most athletes as they age, three-time U.S. Olympic hockey medalist Angela Ruggiero of Simi Valley realized that her 29-year-old body wasn’t rebounding as quickly as it used to after games and workouts.

Intent on helping Team USA return to gold-medal glory in February at the Vancouver Games, she worked out with male hockey players this summer at the Athletes Performance training facility at the Home Depot Center in Carson. She emerged leaner and stronger—and believes she might have added 10 years to her playing career.

Ruggiero spent May, June, July and part of August at Athletes Performance as the only woman in a training group that included Chris Drury of the New York Rangers, George Parros of the Ducks, Richard Park of the New York Islanders, former King Noah Clarke, and other pro players.

 “For me it was really cool,” she said from Spokane, Wash., where the U.S. women’s national team will faced Canada in a game televised by the NHL Network. (read more)