With Tropical Storm Hanna affecting many along the Eastern seaboard, Atlanta Motor Speedway has opened its doors to help aid those displaced by the hurricane-like weather. “We always want to extend a hand to those in need. This is something simple we can do to payback many who have supported our events and others forced to flee their homes,” said Atlanta Motor Speedway president and general manager Ed Clark. “We have done this in the past that has been utilized and well received by those forced to flee encroaching storms.” The Speedway will provide facilities to both campers and RVs, including shower facilities. For additional information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-877-9-AMS-TIX.
The Atlanta Braves will continue their philanthropic ways this Thursday when they hold their Power Lunch at Maggianos in Buckhead. The lunch, presented by Publix, will give Braves fans the opportunity to enjoy lunch with Braves players, coaches and radio personalities. Guests will enjoy a buffet lunch and will receive a gift bag with an autographed item from one of the luncheon participants. The event begins at 12 p.m. and tickets are $35 for one or $315 for a table of 10. All proceeds from the benefit will go towards the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Keeping with the theme of giving back, last Thursday it was announced that Atlanta Falcon Jonathan Babineaux will serve as a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter. Babineaux will help raise money to treat and awareness for lupus, a disease that affects 55,000 Georgians and more than 1.5 million Americans. On Monday, Sept. 22, the LFAGA is hosting its first annual “Drive for Lupus Now” Golf Tournament at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. To get involved or for more information, call 770-333-5930.
NEW RULES
A big change in the women’s tennis rulebook was announced last week, as the coaches of players will now be able to visit them on the court during WTA Tour matches. The new rule will go into affect beginning next year. According to Tour CEO Larry Scott, the main motivation for the rule change was television, as fans will now receive more insight into the game and its many varying strategies. To have on-court access to their players, coaches must agree to wear microphones during the action. For doing so, they will be allowed one visit per set and will also be allowed on the court when an opponent is taking a medical break. The new rule is particularly newsworthy in a sport that, in the past, has greatly limited the roles of coaches during matches.
POST-OLYMPICS
Just in case you didn’t get enough of Michael Phelps during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the swimming star will be performing for the nation once again when he hosts the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” this coming Saturday on NBC. Though the sketch comedy show presents a far different challenge than the swimming pool, Phelps says he is “more excited” than nervous for his debut comedic performance. The 14-time Olympic gold medalist has also made headlines lately by lobbying for Chicago to win the 2016 Summer Games. Phelps recently appeared on the season premiere of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which is taped in Chicago, and Chicago Olympic organizers are banking on the athlete’s support of their bid.
In other Olympic news, the International Olympic Committee is currently investigating the silver and bronze medalists in the men’s hammer throw for suspected doping offenses. Allsport, a Russian news agency, is reporting that Belarusian athletes Vadim Devyatovskiy and Ivan Tsikhan tested positive for traces of testosterone after the hammer final on Aug. 17. According to IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau, a disciplinary commission will meet at the end of the month to hear the case. As of now, both athletes are denying all allegations. If found guilty, both will be stripped of their medals.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
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