Police in Lincoln City, Ore., said 42-year-old Richard Swanson was hit at about 10 a.m. while walking south along U.S. Highway 101 near the city limits. He was declared dead at a hospital. The driver has not been charged.

Lt. Jerry Palmer said investigators found materials among Swanson’s belongings listing his website.

Swanson set out on the trek to promote the One World Futbol Project, based in Berkeley, Calif., which donates durable blue soccer balls to people in developing countries.

“We are deeply saddened to learn about Richard’s death,” Lisa Tarver, chief operating officer of One World Futbol Project, said in a statement. “He was a very inspiring man who in a very short time walked his way into many lives. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Police said Palmer’s soccer ball was recovered.

Kristi Schwesinger, a Seattle interior designer and close friend of Swanson’s, said he had been a private investigator for many years, and switched to a new career as a graphic designer, but was laid off recently, and looking for an adventure.

Continue Reading...

This year she set a women's record for most World Cup points scored in a season. In 2010 she became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in Downhill. She's held the World Cup season title in that event five consecutive years, and she's held the overall World Cup season title (which includes Downhill, Super G, and Combined) four out of five years. She is a few years from 30, and has already earned her place as one of the greats.

The World Cup season opens at Lake Louise in November. Vonn has won nine of the 11 events she's entered there. Looking for a new challenge, she wrote to the International Ski Federation and asked if she could race with men. Competitive male athletes with the need for speed look for the fastest race, even if that means they'll lose it. That is how they get faster. That's how they surpass their limits. Men race "up" until they can't.

The fastest women in the world are not supposed to do this. They are supposed to race not against the whole of humanity, but half of it.

Continue Reading...

If we succeed in meeting still formidable challenges, the first ceremonial kick of the World Cup game may be made by a paralyzed teenager, who, flanked by the two contending soccer teams, will saunter onto the pitch clad in a robotic body suit. This suit—or exoskeleton, as we call it—will envelop the teenager's legs. His or her first steps onto the field will be controlled by motor signals originating in the kicker's brain and transmitted wirelessly to a computer unit the size of a laptop in a backpack carried by our patient. This computer will be responsible for translating electrical brain signals into digital motor commands so that the exoskeleton can first stabilize the kicker's body weight and then induce the robotic legs to begin the back-and-forth coordinated movements of a walk over the manicured grass. Then, on approaching the ball, the kicker will visualize placing a foot in contact with it. Three hundred milliseconds later brain signals will instruct the exoskeleton's robotic foot to hook under the leather sphere, Brazilian style, and boot it aloft.

Continue Reading...

Blatter, head of world football's governing body, said Monday in an apparently lighthearted remark that gay fans "should refrain from any sexual activities" during the tournament in Qatar, where homosexual behavior is illegal.

Juris Lavrikovs, communications director for the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said the comments were "very unfortunate and have left people deeply offended."

"I think they should come out with a strong statement and not just wash it away and hide behind it with some wishy-washy comments," Lavrikovs told The Associated Press. "We are talking about a very basic human right that is being violated."

Blatter, speaking in South Africa on Monday at the launch of a post-2010 World Cup legacy project, was asked if he could foresee any cultural problems with the tournament being held in Qatar.

"I'd say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual activities," he said, smiling.

Lavrikovs noted the situation "is not a joke."

Continue Reading...

The worst part is, not only was America snubbed, but terrorists won. The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar, a tiny Persian Gulf state. Behold the wrath of Mike Allen:

Continue Reading...

FIFA's executive committee choose Qatar over the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea in a secret vote Thursday.

Minutes earlier, Russia was announced as host of the 2018 tournament. It was chosen over England and joint bids by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ZURICH (AP) -- Russia will host the 2018 World Cup.

It was chosen Thursday by FIFA's executive committee over England and joint bids by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.

Russia won despite the absence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Zurich. At the last minute, he declined to make a final pitch for his country.

The 2022 host was to be announced minutes later. The U.S. was competing with Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea.

Continue Reading...

Paul had reached the octopus old age of 2 1/2 years and died in his tank on Tuesday morning in an aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, spokeswoman Ariane Vieregge said.

Paul seemed to be in good shape when he was checked late Monday, but he did not make it through the night. He died of natural causes, Vieregge added.

After rising to global prominence during the World Cup in South Africa in June and July, Paul retired from the predictions business after the final between Spain and the Netherlands -- the result of which he also forecast correctly -- and returned to his prime role of making children happy.

The invertebrate was stepping "back from the official oracle business," Tanja Munzig, a spokeswoman for the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, told AP Television News at the time.

"He won't give any more oracle predictions -- either in football, nor in politics, lifestyle or economy," she said. "Paul will get back to his former job, namely making children laugh."

Continue Reading...

Executive committee members Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii from Tahiti are barred from all soccer-related duty until the probe ends, said Claudio Sulser, chairman of FIFA's ethics committee.

Four other lower-ranked officials -- Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Ismael Bhamjee -- also have been suspended while FIFA investigates whether they breached bidding rules.

The soccer world governing body's ethics committee also will investigate whether two countries bidding for either the 2018 and 2022 World Cups engaged in collusion.

"Today is a sad day for football and for FIFA," Sulser said.

FIFA's ruling executive will select the two World Cup hosts in a Dec. 2 secret ballot in Zurich. The 2018 tournament bidders are England, Russia and joint bids by Belgium-Holland and Spain-Portugal.

FIFA launched investigations after British newspaper The Sunday Times alleged Adamu and Temarii offered to sell their votes for funding toward soccer projects.

Amadu was filmed requesting $800,000 to build four artificial soccer fields in Nigeria, and for the money to be paid to him directly.

Continue Reading...

Continue Reading...

Hundreds of thousands of people -- if not more -- jammed Madrid's historic avenues as an open air bus ferried the national team down stately avenues to cheers from Spaniards decked out in a sea of red and yellow, the colors of the Spanish flag.

The celebration in Madrid, where national unity is at its strongest, was expected. But there were striking examples of support from unlikely places: The well-off Catalonia region, which has long sought greater autonomy, and the separatist Basque region, where anything pro-Spain is often shunned.

The massive Madrid street party came after players visited Madrid's Royal Palace, normally used only for dreary state affairs. But team chatted and drinks with King Juan Carlos, who hugged many players and gave coach Vicente del Bosque friendly punches on the cheek and the chest.

"You are an example of sportsmanship, nobility, good play and team work," said the king.

Continue Reading...

Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs -- all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final -- is going to retire.

The intuitive invertebrate will "go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him, Tanja Munzig, a spokeswoman for the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, told AP Television News.

However, Paul took one last curtain call on Monday. Aquarium employees presented the octopus with a golden cup -- similar to the official World Cup trophy.

Although the cup was garnished with mussels, Paul ignored it as it was lowered into his tank -- showing the world one last time that he isn't just any old octopus who can be excited simply by shiny bait.

Paul won worldwide attention as he called all of Germany's games correctly -- including its semifinal defeat by Spain. He crowned his career by forecasting correctly that Spain would beat Holland in Sunday's final.

Continue Reading...

It came after an exhausting 1-0 victory in extra time over the Netherlands on Sunday. Two years after winning the European title, the stylish Spaniards did even better.

This was a physical test of attrition that sometimes turned dirty -- a finals-record 11 yellow cards were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the end, it was Andres Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, taking a pass from Cesc Fabregas and putting a right-footed shot from 8 yards just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

For the Dutch and their legions of orange-clad fans wearing everything from jerseys to jumpsuits to clown gear to pajamas, it was yet another crushing disappointment.

Their first World Cup title tantalizingly within reach, they failed in the final for the third time. This one might have been the most bitter because, unlike in 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands was unbeaten not only in this tournament, but in qualifying for the first World Cup staged in South Africa.

Continue Reading...

FIFA signed deals allowing every country in the world to watch the Netherlands play Spain, head of television Niclas Ericson said.

"We think (Sunday's match) will be bigger than the 2006 World Cup final, which was I believe around 700 million," Ericson said.

Ericson said FIFA expects a record audience Sunday for any sports broadcast in Spain, and a market share of more than 90 percent of Dutch viewers.

If the World Cup final meets predictions, it will beat the estimated 600 million audience for the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"I think this is the first time anyone has succeeded in more or less placing the rights in every territory," Ericson said.

FIFA uses more accurate methods than four years ago to calculate audiences in nearly 100 countries, and estimates viewer numbers in more than 100 others.

"The increase has been so much in so many territories that we feel quite confident saying it must be a bigger audience this time," Ericson said.

FIFA reported that ratings in the United States rose 50 percent from the 2006 tournament, Canadian viewers more than doubled for some matches, and a German record of 32 million saw the semifinal match against Spain.

Continue Reading...

Don't worry, though. I'm not going to bore you with another paean to the poetics of the Beautiful Game. If you can't see them, or don't care to, that just means more room on the couch for me.

But I do think it's worth summing up what we learned from this year's Cup, which amounts to the world's largest sporting event, and which culminates Sunday with a contest between Spain and the Netherlands.

The last time the Spanish and the Dutch fought a battle this big was in the 1580s, when William of Orange bucked the rule of King Philip II of Spain, an act that essentially paved the way for Dutch independence. OK, so it's not exactly a grudge match with a lot of recent history. But that doesn't mean it won't be great. 

Lesson No. 1: Commercials Totally Ruin American Sports

Throughout the course of the Cup, I kept trying to figure out why I found watching the games so relaxing. And yes, part of it was the natural flow of the game, its spontaneous grace. But a lot of it was simply the absence of commercials.

Continue Reading...

Allow me to quote from the Stadium Code of Conduct, which prohibits fans from bringing into the stadium (unless perviously authorized) a long, long list of items including:

p) cameras (except for private use and then only with one set of replacement or rechargeable batteries), video cameras or other sound or video recording equipment;

q) computers or other devices used for the purposes of transmitting or disseminating sound, pictures, descriptions or results of the events via the internet or other forms of media...

Skip down a bit and you find another long list of prohibited actions once inside the stadium. The relevant one here says one may not:

Continue Reading...

This evidence of industrial prowess does not appear to have assuaged the bruised feelings of some patriotic Chinese citizens, however. Displaying an Internet-enabled grouchiness that transcends national and cultural boundaries, their comments suggest that China's status as low-wage labor factory of the world isn't any more popular at home as it is with workers in the Western world.

Continue Reading...

And now the Spanish have the biggest prize of all within their sights.

Spain will play for the World Cup title for the very first time, thanks to Carles Puyol's goal on a powerful header in the second half Wednesday night. The 1-0 victory was the same score as the European Championship final two years ago, which Spain won to end a 44-year major title drought.

But while the European title is nice, nothing compares to being the world champ.

"This is one of the greatest moments for Spain, for us to be in the final of the World Cup, it's history," said David Villa, who remains tied with the Netherlands Wesley Sneijder for tournament scoring leader at five goals. "And we want to make more history in the final."

Somebody will.

Spain faces the Netherlands on Sunday at Soccer City in Johannesburg, ensuring a first-time champion. The Dutch, who beat Uruguay 3-2 on Tuesday night, have lost in their only two trips to the final. The two teams have never met in the World Cup.

When the final whistle sounded, the Spanish players on the field thrust their arms in the air while the substitutes raced onto the field. Two teammates grabbed Villa, who has scored all but two of Spain's goals here, and carried him on their shoulders.

Continue Reading...

How does he do it? Well, that's a matter that defies rational explanation. But the nuts of bolts of his method are simple: His keeper at Oberhausen's Sea Life aquarium puts two containers of mussels in his tank, one emblazoned with the flag of Germany, and the other, of its football opponent. The nation that bears the flag of the mussel he deigns to feed on is assured victory. Paul, who's been calling the outcomes of German football matches for the last two years, has only failed once, unsuccessfully ripping into the German-designated mussels before the Euro 2008 final went to Spain. His predictions are so revered that they're carried live on German television, giving Europeans something to preempt reruns of "Baywatch."

Continue Reading...

For good measure, he threw kisses at his teammates and fans. His goal gave the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Uruguay and a spot in the World Cup final.

Now that's a Dutch treat!

The big prize — that elusive first title — is still one game away. But this was such a moment to savor that most of the squad made a curtain call nearly an hour after the biggest Netherlands victory in decades, leading about 1,000 orange-clad fans in cheers that figure to last until Sunday.

That's when the Dutch play either Spain or Germany for the championship of the world.

"If you win the final, you make yourself immortal, at least in our country," Robben said. "We will do everything we can to take the Cup back."

Long wasteful with its soccer talent, the Netherlands sure has found the right touch in this tournament.

Stars Wesley Sneijder and Robben scored three minutes apart in the second half as the Netherlands advanced to its first title match since losing in 1978 to Argentina.

"We are so close," Sneijder said. "There is nothing bigger than the World Cup."

And nothing better than sharing it with their countrymen.

Continue Reading...

Just what that something is, though, won't even be addressed until after the tournament in South Africa is over.

A high-tech solution is possible, but it probably would address only that most egregious of refereeing mistakes: whether or not the ball crosses the goal line. Even putting the idea on the table, however, is a concession for an organization that has long insisted that errors by officials are simply part of the game.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Tuesday that changes will be considered, and that he has apologized to the English and Mexican teams, both of which were victims of bad calls Sunday. Several other teams were incorrectly denied or granted goals earlier in the World Cup.

Blatter said "something has to be changed" to prevent similar embarrassments in the future.

"After having witnessed such a situation," Blatter said, "we have to open again this file, definitely."

In 2008, Blatter said soccer should be left with errors and that officiating should be left to "a man, not a machine." But on Tuesday he said, "It would be a nonsense to not reopen the file of technology."

Continue Reading...