Openly Gay Boxer, Mark Leduc, Died at 47

Mark Leduc, the openly gay boxer who took home the 1992 Barcelona Olympic silver medal for boxing, died Wednesday in a Toronto hospital.  He was found in a local hotel sauna and is believed to have died as a result of heat stroke. 

Leduc was a surprise medalist at the '92 games since many didn't believe he had a chance against better known boxing stars of the time. Mark Johnson, Leduc's brother-in-law said "He was shocked. I think he believed the reports they were saying that he wouldn't make it very far ... But he could throw like an ox and hit like a mule."

Shortly after winning the silver medal Leduc joined the professional ranks and won the 1993 Canadian super lightweight championship.  However his professional career quickly ended when he retired after winning the championship.

The 2009 ESPY Award Winners

The stars were out at the 2009 ESPY Awards to honor the best athletes from around the world.  No surprise here, Michael Phelps was the big winner having picked up 3 awards (Best Male Athlete, Best US Male Olympian and Best Record Breaking Performance). 

Wimbledon winners Roger Federer and Serena Williams grabbed the top tennis honors and Tiger Woods picked up the best golfer award. 

Did your favorites grab awards?  If not, who do you think should have won?

Coming Out On The Fairway

Out On The Green, the Vancouver gay and lesbians golf league, has just announced its first Pride golf Tournament.

If you're a gay and lesbians golfer, of any skill level, how about heading to Vancouver, Canada and playing in the first pride weekend tournament?

The tournament is just for fun and doesn't require an official handicap, meaning it's open to all golfers no matter what your skill level is.

Numerous prizes will be award, such as the longest drive by a male and female, closest to the pin and so on.

For more information and to sign up you can visit their website at http://www.outonthegreen.com/

(Photo: Getty Images)

Former Nebraska Wrestlers Talk. Watch And Vote!

In an interview on ESPN's "Outside the Lines", Paul Donahoe and Kenny Jordan got a chance to talk about their dismissal from the University of Nebraska wrestling team for posing naked on a gay website. Without going into too much detail, we learn about their previous incidents with the law, other teammates who may have done worse things than posing naked and a coaching staff possibly covering up further infractions.

Watch the video then take our poll and let us know what you think about the whole thing.

Former College Football Captain Was Out To His Team in 2000

In an ideal world gay athletes would be treated exactly the same as anyone else on their team but all too often we hear just the opposite happening. So it's great to hear an encouraging story like Brian Sims'. 

Cyd Zeigler over at Outsports interviewed the former defensive tackle and team captain for the Bloomsburg University football team.  In the interview Sims recalls that he never actually came out to his team.  "My team came out to me" after the team's quarterback was told of his sexuality by one of his former lovers. 

What Just Happened With Cristiano Ronaldo?

Dimitar Berbatov and a very nervous looking Cristiano Ronaldo were caught in an interesting position in last Saturday night's game. 

How would you caption this photo?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Talking With Out Olympian Ryan O'Meara

Ryan O'Meara is proud of who he is and what he has done. As an athlete, he won four medals at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from 1999 to 2006 and represented the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics in ice dancing with partner Jamie Silverstein. As a businessman, he has created a successful interior design firm in Scottsdale, Ariz. As a gay man, he is a role model for gay and straight athletes. If that's not impressive enough, we should mention that he's just 24 years old.

Evan Darling: Just Being Himself

To many gay men and lesbians who love auto racing, he's a trailblazer. To the LGBT community at large, he's an advocate. To the many closeted gay athletes, he's a mentor.

If you ask Evan Darling who he is, he'd say he's just being himself. It only takes a couple of minutes to realize there is more to this speed demon than meets the eye.

Sports Pulse: Baseball

If you're reading this, chances are you're a sports fan. But with the wide world of sports expanding all the time (and hot athletes to keep track of), we want to know which sport makes your jock itch.

For the next couple of weeks, we'll be running a number of polls asking you to gauge your level of interest: are you an ice skating fanatic or is soccer more your cup of tea? Be a sport and let us know.

Mitcham Gets Sponsor. Can We Give It A Rest Now?

Let the celebration commence; Australian diver Matthew Mitcham now has a sponsor. Australian telecommunications and media company Telstra has signed Mitcham for an undisclosed amount to represent the company throughout Australia.

For months many have tried to figure out why corporate sponsors weren't flocking to his side and offering him the same lucrative contracts Michael Phelps was getting. I am thrilled for him, simply because I'm sick and tired of listening to all of the whining and idiotic comparisons.

Sports Pulse: Basketball

If you're reading this, chances are you're a sports fan. But with the wide world of sports expanding all the time (and hot athletes to keep track of), we want to know which sport makes your jock itch.

Everyday for the next two weeks, we'll be running a different poll asking you to gauge your level of interest: are you an ice skating fanatic or is soccer more your cup of tea? Be a sport and let us know.

Phelps Backed By Sponsors After Marijuana Photo

Two of Michael Phelps' leading sponsors expressed support for the Olympic great Monday, a day after he apologized for being photographed in a British newspaper inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega termed Phelps' actions a private matter and "nonissue." Swim wear manufacturer Speedo called the 23-year-old American a "valued member of the Speedo team."

Phelps In Hot Water Again After Pot Pic Surfaces

Michael Phelps embarrassed himself after a triumphant Olympics, this time getting his picture snapped as he inhaled from a marijuana pipe. The photo wound up in a British tabloid Sunday, forcing Phelps to publicly apologize and his handlers to deal with sponsors who are surely none too pleased about the swimmer's choices away from the pool.

Steeler Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

What's not to love about this, unless you're a Cardinals fan. 

Thanks to Cyd at Outsports for finding this one.

Sports Pulse: Hockey

If you're reading this, chances are you're a sports fan. But with the wide world of sports expanding all the time (and hot athletes to keep track of), we want to know which sport makes your jock itch.

Everyday for the next two weeks, we'll be running a different poll asking you to gauge your level of interest: are you an ice skating fanatic or is soccer more your cup of tea? Be a sport and let us know.