NADAL IS MOVING UP

Not only did Spanish delicacy Rafael Nadal spank Tommy Hass to make it to the quarterfinals, but he also added another notch to his Athlebrity profile. Kia Motors has signed the world’s sexiest tennis beast as a global advertising model for the automaker in TV commercials and print ads until 2008. The Spaniard will also act as a PR ambassador to promote Kia at auto shows and other events. So I suggest if you happen to notice an “auto show” in town, you might wanna check out the Kia’s to see who’s promoting them.

LETS TURN IT AROUND
“The young ones are bringing a different appeal to the tour. They’re great golfers and great people and have some character, and they obviously have the looks. I think it’s great for the game” – Annika Sorenstam, on some of the younger LPGA players being labeled as “sex symbols.”

Isnt this the way its always been? It’s okay to label the women as “sex-symbols” but not the men? How about if the PGA takes a little-look-see at who’s been crawling the greens, then we’ll talk sex symbols. The flashy styles and flawless appeal of Camilo Villegas, Ian Poulter, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia belong on the covers of the finest magazines. We’ve been “symbolizing” them for years and not just due to their game. Does this discredit the sport? Hell no. It sells the sport beyond Tiger Woods. The young, hot, talented next generation of kittens are upon us. It’s not just your daddy’s game anymore.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF BASKETBALL

Meet your hotties as they pose GQ style prior to the opening ceremonies of the FIBA World Championship of Basketball in Sapporo, Japan. France will open the games on Saturday against Argentina- sans Tony Parker who is out with a broken finger.

If Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James would stop teasing me with provocative poses and topless images, I might be able to concentrate on the games.

YOUNG, HOT AND WET
In case you haven’t done any laps around the swimming hotties lately, you may wanna think twice. Super-fine U.S. swimmer Cullen Jones has signed a seven-year deal with Nike potentially worth more than $2M. This would make him the highest-paid sprint free-styler in the world. Jones said that he will “use the spotlight to promote diversity in swimming and popularize the sport among people of color…if I can have the success my coaches believe I can, people will be able to call me the Tiger Woods of swimming.” Before you laugh at such a bold statement, here’s a little run down.

Cullen’s father Ronald Jones can fairly be compared to Earl Woods. Being a constant mentor and supporter of his son. Ronald passed away six years ago, and Cullen now sports sexy tattoo of a large cross and `41′ (his father’s old basketball jersey number) on his back. Last March, the sleek 6’5” beast won the NCAA title in the 50-meter freestyle. In April, he set a meet record in the 50 free semifinals and finished second in the finals. He won his first national title in the 50 free at the U.S. Summer National championships. And he is poised as the next golden boy for the 2008 Olympics. Oh, and did I mention he’s hot?

Another hottie I adore is long distance swimmer Lewis Pugh. On August 6th Pugh celebrated in front of the Houses of Parliament, London, during his attempt to swim the length of the River Thames. If you’re an avid readers of my blog, you may remember Pugh as the first person to complete long-distance swims in all five world oceans? Mad love to this crazy Brit who finished the 203-mile swim in eastern England, having begun on July 17 in western England.

TOM BRADY

Once again, the media has turned a molehill into a mountain of crap. Tom Brady said that he sought out Bonds’ personal trainer, because he was “looking for a gym in the Bay Area in ‘2000 or 2001’ where he could work out,” but they “never got together to train.” Brady said, “I was back in the Bay Area and I wanted to work out for a day and I knew he had a gym. I called and he wasn’t around. That was about it.” Brady added, “I did talk to him. I think he was at spring training from what I remember. … I never talked to him again.” Oooooh, scandalous. Maybe there is a story here? The “Natural” on the same SI cover as Bonds? There must be a connection…

SKIP YOUR STARBUCKS

Remember, this week launches a campaign to recruit 100,000 donors to help fund Mutombos hospital, which benefits the poor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The big guy kicked in $15M of his own money. The least you can do is check out his site (link on the right) and consider helping the worthwhile cause. Most of us won’t notice $10 bucks a month out of our budget, but that ten bucks (or two lattes) will help ease the suffering of many. Mutombo says the hospital is in keeping with an African proverb: “When you take the elevator up to reach the top, please don’t forget to send the elevator back down.” I’m not gonna let up on this one people. Let’s help change the world.

Ask D&D is getting slammed with emails, we love it, so pa-leeze keep ‘em coming. And we have decided to continue answering your questions on a weekly basis due to the number of beotch-slaps you gave us for trying to go monthly! Questions to: delinda@athlebrities.com OR debbie@athlebrities.com

Have a fantastic hottie filled weekend. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda