- published: 11 Jul 2007
- views: 19618684
- author: nqtv
Vimeo results:
Youtube results:
Loading...
..." width="225" height="168" class="playvideo1 gotop" onClick="activateTab('playlist1'); return false" style="display: block;" />
Open Collage in a new Window
Email the Collage
- Loading...
Loading suggestions ...
- 100 metre hurdles
- 100 metres
- 100 metres hurdles
- 110 metres hurdles
- 150 metres
- 1500 metres
- 1912 Summer Olympics
- 200 metres
- 2004 Summer Olympics
- 300 metres
- 3000 metres
- 4 × 100 metres relay
- 4 × 200 metres relay
- 4 × 400 metres relay
- 4 × 800 metres relay
- 400 metres
- 400 metres hurdles
- 50 metres
- 50 metres hurdles
- 500 metres
- 5000 metres
- 55 metres
- 55 metres hurdles
- 60 metres
- 60 metres hurdles
- 800 metres
- Ahmad Hassan Moussa
- Alejandro Cárdenas
- Aleksandr Apaychev
- Aleksandr Grebenyuk
- Algeria
- Alper Kasapoğlu
- Ancient Greece
- Aquathlon
- Argentina
- Arles
- Asunción
- Atanas Andonov
- Athens
- Athletics (sport)
- Athletics events
- Atlanta
- Attila Zsivóczky
- Austra Skujytė
- Australia
- Austria
- Azusa, California
- Backward running
- Barbados
- Beijing Olympics
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Beniamino Poserina
- Benjamin Jensen
- Berlin
- Bernhausen
- Biathlon
- Bill Toomey
- Birmingham
- Bojidar Spiriev
- Bonn
- Brazil
- Bruce Jenner
- Bryan Clay
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Caracas
- Carlos O'Connell
- Chess-boxing
- China
- Chris Huffins
- Christchurch
- Christian Plaziat
- Christian Schenk
- Claudio Escauriza
- CONSUDATLE
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Czechoslovakia
- Daegu
- Daley Thompson
- Damjan Sitar
- Dan O'Brien
- Dayron Robles
- DecaNation
- Decathlon
- Denmark
- Discus throw
- Dmitriy Karpov
- Dominic Johnson
- Douglas Fernández
- Dresden
- Duathlon
- East Germany
- Edmonton
- Eduard Hämäläinen
- Edy Hubacher
- Eelco Sintnicolaas
- Ekiden
- Emmitsburg, Maryland
- Encarta
- Erez Meltzer
- Erki Nool
- Estonia
- Eugene, Oregon
- Finland
- Formia
- France
- Frank Busemann
- Georgia (country)
- Germany
- Gernot Kellermayr
- Gongju
- Greece
- Greek language
- Greve
- Grigoriy Degtyaryev
- Guangzhou
- Guido Kratschmer
- Gustav V of Sweden
- Göteborg
- Götzis
- Hadi Sepehrzad
- Half marathon
- Hamdi Dhouibi
- Hammer throw
- Hans Van Alphen
- Havana
- Helsinki
- Heptathlon
- Hicham El Guerrouj
- High jump
- Houston
- Hungary
- Hurdling
- IAAF
- Ibach
- Iceland
- Icosathlon
- Igor Sobolevskiy
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Izmir
- Jagan Hames
- Jamaica
- Jan Železný
- Janis Karlivans
- Japan
- Javelin throw
- Javier Sotomayor
- Jim Thorpe
- Joško Vlašić
- Juri Dyachkov
- Jón Arnar Magnússon
- Jürgen Hingsen
- Jürgen Schult
- Kaunas
- Kawasaki, Kanagawa
- Kazakhstan
- Keisuke Ushiro
- Kiev
- Kim Kun-Woo
- Kladno
- Krefeld
- Kuala Lumpur
- Larbi Bouraada
- Lars Warming
- Latvia
- Lausanne
- Leningrad
- Lennart Hedmark
- Leonel Suárez
- Lithuania
- Long jump
- Los Angeles
- Luiggy Llanos
- Mannheim
- Marathon
- Maribor
- Markt Schwaben
- Masters athletics
- Medellín
- Metre
- Mexico
- Microsoft Excel
- Mihail Dudaš
- Mile run
- Modern pentathlon
- Moldova
- Montreal
- Moscow
- Multiday race
- Munich
- Murcia
- Mykola Avilov
- Mário Aníbal
- Netherlands
- Neubrandenburg
- New Zealand
- Nicklas Wiberg
- Nordic combined
- Norway
- Octathlon
- Olympic Games
- One hour run
- Osaka
- Ostrava
- Paraguay
- Paris
- Pentathlon
- Peter Blank
- Peter Soldos
- Poland
- Pole vault
- Portugal
- Prague
- Provo, Utah
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Qi Haifeng
- Quadrathlon
- Race walking
- Rainer Pottel
- Ramil Ganiyev
- Randy Barnes
- Ratingen
- Relay race
- Republic of Ireland
- Riga
- Road running
- Robert Změlík
- Rolf Beilschmidt
- Roman Šebrle
- Romania
- Rome
- Russia
- Ryszard Skowronek
- Saint Lucia
- Santo Domingo
- Sebastian Chmara
- Second
- Serbia
- Sergey Bubka
- Shot put
- Simon Poelman
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sofia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Soviet Union
- Spain
- Split (city)
- Sprint (running)
- Sprint medley relay
- Staiki
- Standing high jump
- Standing long jump
- Standing triple jump
- Stephan Niklaus
- Stuttgart
- Sweden
- Swedish relay
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Talence
- Tbilisi
- Tehran
- Tim Lobinger
- Tito Steiner
- Tokyo
- Tomáš Dvořák
- Torsten Voss
- Track and field
- Trey Hardee
- Triathlon
- Triple jump
- Tucson, Arizona
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Ultramarathon
- Uniondale, New York
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Usain Bolt
- Uzbekistan
- Valeri Kachanov
- Vasile Bogdan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Volos
- Vu Van Huyen
- Walnut, California
- Weight throw
- West Germany
- Wheelchair racing
- Willem Coertzen
- Women's pentathlon
- Wrestling
- Yang Chuan-Kwang
- Yeorgios Andreou
-
Algeria
Coordinates: 28°N 2°E / 28°N 2°E / 28; 2
Algeria
i/ælˈdʒɪəriə/ (Arabic: الجزائر, al-Jazā'ir; Berber: ⴷⵣⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer), officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية, al-Jumhūriyyah al-Jazāʾiriyyah ad-Dīmuqrāṭiyyah ash-Shaʿbiyyah), also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a large country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.
When referring to its land area, Algeria is the largest country in Africa, Maghreb and the Arab World. It is also the largest of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea; it is also the tenth-largest country in the world. The country is bordered in the northeast by Tunisia, in the east by Libya, in the west by Morocco, in the southwest by Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Mali, in the southeast by Niger, and in the north by the Mediterranean Sea. Its size is almost 2,400,000 square kilometres (926,645 sq mi) with an estimated population of 37.1 million as of 2012. Algeria is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, OPEC and the United Nations. The country is also a founding member of the Arab Maghreb Union.
wn.com/Algeria -
Argentina
Argentinai/ˌɑrdʒənˈtiːnə/, officially the Argentine Republic (Spanish: República Argentina [reˈpuβlika aɾxenˈtina]), is a country in South America, the continent's second largest by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth-largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations.
Argentina's continental area is between the Andes mountain range in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. It borders Paraguay and Bolivia to the north, Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast, and Chile to the west and south. Argentine claims over Antarctica, as well as overlapping claims made by Chile and the United Kingdom, are suspended by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961. Argentina also claims the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom as British Overseas Territories.
A recognised middle power, Argentina is Latin America's third-largest economy, with a "very high" rating on the Human development index. Within Latin America, Argentina has the fifth highest nominal GDP per capita and the highest in purchasing power terms. Analysts have argued that the country has a "foundation for future growth due to its market size, levels of foreign direct investment, and percentage of high-tech exports as share of total manufactured goods", and it is classed by investors as middle emerging economy. Argentina is a founding member of the United Nations, Mercosur, the Union of South American Nations, the Organization of Ibero-American States, the World Bank Group and the World Trade Organization, and is one of the G-15 and G-20 major economies.
wn.com/Argentina -
Arles
Coordinates: 43°40′36″N 4°37′40″E / 43.67670°N 4.6278°E / 43.67670; 4.6278
Arles (French pronunciation: [aʁl]; Occitan: Arle [ˈaʀle] in both classical and Mistralian norms; Arelate in ancient Latin) is a city and commune in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, of which it is a subprefecture, in the former province of Provence.
A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory (though Maripasoula, French Guiana is much larger). The city has a long history, and was of considerable importance in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles in 1888-1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. An international photography festival has been held in the city since 1970.
The Rhône river forks into two branches just upstream of Arles, forming the Camargue delta. Because the Camargue is for a large part administratively part of Arles, the commune as a whole is the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory, although its population is only slightly more than 50,000. Its area is 758.93 km2 (293.02 sq mi), which is more than seven times the area of Paris.
wn.com/Arles -
Asunción
Asunción (Spanish pronunciation: [asunˈsjon], Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.
The Ciudad de Asunción is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San Antonio, Limpio, Capiatá and Villa Elisa, which are part of the Central Department. The Asunción metropolitan area has more than 2 million inhabitants. Asunción is located at 25°16′S 57°40′W / 25.267°S 57.667°W / -25.267; -57.667 (-25.2667, -57.6667). The Municipality of Asunción is listed on the Asunción Stock Exchange, as BVPASA: MUA, a unique feature of any city.
It is the home of the national government, principal port, and the chief industrial and cultural centre of the country. Local manufacturing production includes footwear, textiles, and tobacco products.
Asunción is one of the oldest cities in South America and the longest continually inhabited area in the Rio de la Plata Basin; for this reason that it is known as "Mother of Cities". It was from here that the colonial expeditions departed to found other cities, including the second foundation of Buenos Aires and of other important cities such as Villarrica, Corrientes, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
wn.com/Asunción -
Atlanta
Atlanta (
/ətˈlæntə/, stressed /ætˈlæntə/, locally /ætˈlænə/) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia with a 2010 population of 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest in the U.S. It is a major component of a growing southeastern megalopolis known as the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion. Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County, and a small portion of the city extends eastward into DeKalb County.
Atlanta began as a settlement located at the terminus of a railroad line, and it was incorporated in 1845. Today, the city is a major business city and the primary transportation hub of the Southeastern United States (via highway, railroad, and air), with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the world's busiest airport since 1998. The World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University rated Atlanta as an "alpha(-) world city." With a gross domestic product of US$270 billion, Atlanta's economy ranks 15th among world cities and sixth in the nation. The city is a center for services, finance, information technology, government, and higher education. Metro Atlanta contains the country's third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, and is the world headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, The Home Depot, AT&T Mobility, UPS, and Delta Air Lines. As of 2010, Atlanta is the seventh most visited city in the United States, with over 35 million visitors per year.
wn.com/Atlanta -
Australia
Australia ( /əˈstreɪljə/), officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent as well as the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north; the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.
For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of roughly 250 language groups. After discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing Crown Colonies were established.
wn.com/Australia -
Austria
Austria (i/ˈɒstriə/ or /ˈɔːstriə/; German: Österreich [ˈøːstɐˌʁaɪç] (
listen)), officially the Republic of Austria (German: Republik Österreich (help·info)), is a landlocked country of roughly 8.47 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The territory of Austria covers 83,855 square kilometres (32,377 sq mi) and has a temperate and alpine climate. Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,798 metres (12,461 ft). The majority of the population speak local Austro-Bavarian dialects of German as their native language, and German in its standard form is the country's official language. Other local official languages are Burgenland Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene.
The origins of modern-day Austria date back to the time of the Habsburg dynasty when the vast majority of the country was a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Austria became one of the great powers of Europe and, in response to the coronation of Napoleon I as the Emperor of the French, the Austrian Empire was officially proclaimed in 1804. In 1867, the Austrian Empire was reformed into Austria-Hungary.
wn.com/Austria -
Barbados
Coordinates: 13°10′N 59°33′W / 13.167°N 59.55°W / 13.167; -59.55
Barbados (i/bɑrˈbeɪdɒs/ or /bɑrˈbeɪdoʊs/) is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is 34 kilometres (21 mi) in length and up to 23 kilometres (14 mi) in width, covering an area of 431 square kilometres (166 sq mi). It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about 168 kilometres (104 mi) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and 400 kilometres (250 mi) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is outside of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt.
Barbados was initially visited by the Spanish around the late 1400s to early 1500s and first appears on a Spanish map from 1511. The Spanish explorers may have plundered the island of whatever native peoples resided therein to become slaves. The Portuguese visited in 1536, but they too left it unclaimed, with their only remnants being an introduction of wild hogs for a good supply of meat whenever the island was visited. The first English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in Barbados in 1624. They took possession of it in the name of the British king James I. Two years later in 1627 the first permanent settlers arrived from England and it became an English and later British colony.
wn.com/Barbados -
Belarus
Belarus (i/bɛləˈruːs/ bel-ə-ROOSS; Belarusian: Беларусь, Russian pronunciation: [bʲɛlaˈrusʲ] Russian: Беларусь, Белоруссия, Belarus', Belorussiya), officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno (Hrodna), Gomel (Homiel), Mogilev (Mahilyow) and Vitebsk (Vitsebsk). Over forty percent of its 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) is forested, and its strongest economic sectors are agriculture and manufacturing.
Until the 20th century, the lands of modern-day Belarus belonged to several countries, including the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, Belarus became a founding constituent republic of the Soviet Union and was renamed as the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR). The borders of Belarus took their modern shape in 1939 when some lands of the Second Polish Republic were incorporated into it after the Soviet invasion of Poland. The nation and its territory were devastated in World War II, during which Belarus lost about a third of its population and more than half of its economic resources. The republic was redeveloped in the post-war years. In 1945 the Belorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations, along with the Soviet Union and the Ukrainian SSR.
wn.com/Belarus -
Belgium
Belgium (i/ˈbɛldʒəm/ BEL-jəm), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi), and it has a population of about 11 million people. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish (about 60%), and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons (about 40%), plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.
wn.com/Belgium -
Berlin
Berlin ( /bɜrˈlɪn/; German pronunciation: [bɛɐ̯ˈliːn] ( listen)) is the capital city of Germany and one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.5 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city and is the second most populous city proper and the eighth most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region, which has 5.9 million residents from over 190 nations. Located in the European Plains, Berlin is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. Around one third of the city's area is composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers and lakes.
First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701–1918), the German Empire (1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) and the Third Reich (1933–1945).Berlin in the 1920s was the third largest municipality in the world. After World War II, the city became divided into East Berlin—the capital of East Germany—and West Berlin, a West German exclave surrounded by the Berlin Wall (1961–1989). Following German reunification in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of Germany, hosting 147 foreign embassies.
wn.com/Berlin -
Birmingham
Birmingham (i/ˈbɜrmɪŋəm/ BUR-ming-əm, locally /ˈbɜrmɪŋɡəm/ BUR-ming-gəm) is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 (2010 estimate), and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a population of 2,284,093 (2001 census). Birmingham's metropolitan area is also the United Kingdom's second most populous with a population of 3,683,000.
A medium-sized market town during the medieval period, Birmingham grew to international prominence in the 18th century at the heart of the Midlands Enlightenment and subsequent Industrial Revolution, which saw the town at the forefront of worldwide developments in science, technology and economic organisation, producing a series of innovations that laid many of the foundations of modern industrial society. By 1791 it was being hailed as "the first manufacturing town in the world". Birmingham's distinctive economic profile, with thousands of small workshops practising a wide variety of specialised and highly-skilled trades, encouraged exceptional levels of creativity and innovation and provided a diverse and resilient economic base for industrial prosperity that was to last into the final quarter of the 20th century. Its resulting high level of social mobility also fostered a culture of broad-based political radicalism, that under leaders from Thomas Attwood to Joseph Chamberlain was to give it a political influence unparalleled in Britain outside London and a pivotal role in the development of British democracy.
wn.com/Birmingham -
Brazil
Brazili/brəˈzɪl/ (Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw]), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil, listen (help·info)), is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone country in the world.
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 km (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas region of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos form part of Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile.
Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until 1815, when it was elevated to the rank of kingdom and the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was formed. The colonial bond was in fact broken in 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese colonial empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, after Napoleon invaded Portugal.Independence was achieved in 1822 with the formation of the Empire of Brazil, a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. The country became a presidential republic in 1889, when a military coup d'état proclaimed the Republic, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to the ratification of the first constitution in 1824. Its current Constitution, formulated in 1988, defines Brazil as a Federal Republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.
wn.com/Brazil -
Bulgaria
Coordinates: 42°45′N 25°30′E / 42.75°N 25.5°E / 42.75; 25.5
Bulgariai/bʌlˈɡɛəriə/ (Bulgarian: България, IPA: [bɤ̞ɫˈɡarijɐ]), is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and the Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and the Black Sea to the east. With a territory of 110,994 square kilometres (42,855 sq mi), Bulgaria is Europe's 14th-largest country. Its location has made it a historical crossroad for various civilisations and as such it is the home of some of the earliest metalworking, religious and other cultural artifacts in the world.
Prehistoric cultures began developing on Bulgarian lands during the Neolithic period. Its ancient history was marked by the presence of the Thracians, and later by the Greeks and Romans. The emergence of a unified Bulgarian ethnicity and state dates back to the First Bulgarian Empire, which dominated most of the Balkans and functioned as a cultural hub for Slavic peoples during the Middle Ages. With the downfall of the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1396, its territories came under Ottoman rule for nearly five hundred years. The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 resulted in the Third Bulgarian State, recognised in 1908. The following years saw several conflicts with its neighbours, which prompted Bulgaria to align with Germany in both World Wars. In 1946 it became a Communist republic with a single-party system until 1989, when the Communist Party allowed multi-party elections. After 1990 Bulgaria transitioned to democracy and a market-based economy.
wn.com/Bulgaria -
Canada
Canada ( /ˈkænədə/) is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Spanning over 9,900,000 km2 (3,800,000 sq mi), Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the longest land border in the world.
The land that is now Canada has been inhabited for millennia by various Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French colonial expeditions explored, and later settled, along the region's Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy; the Canada Act 1982 severed the vestiges of legal dependence on Britain.
wn.com/Canada -
Caracas
Caracas (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈɾakas]), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English (Spanish: Caraqueños).
Caracas is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range (Cordillera de la Costa). Terrain suitable for building lies between 760 and 910 m (2,493.44 and 2,985.56 ft) above sea level. The valley is close to the Caribbean Sea, separated from the coast by a steep 2200 m (7400 ft) high mountain range, Cerro Ávila; to the south there are more hills and mountains.
El Distrito Metropolitano de Caracas (Metropolitan District of Caracas) includes the Distrito Capital (the capital city proper) and four other municipalities in Miranda State: Chacao, Baruta, Sucre, and El Hatillo. The Distrito Capital had a population of 2,097,350 as of 2009, while that of Distrito Metropolitano was estimated at 4,196,514 as of (2008).
wn.com/Caracas -
China
China (i/ˈtʃaɪnə/; Chinese: 中国; pinyin: Zhōngguó; see also Names of China), officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is the world's most-populous country, with a population of over 1.3 billion. Covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometres, the East Asian state is the world's second-largest country by land area, and the third- or fourth-largest in total area, depending on the definition of total area.
The People's Republic of China is a single-party state governed by the Communist Party of China. It exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four directly controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and two mostly self-governing special administrative regions (Hong Kong and Macau). Its capital city is Beijing. The PRC also claims Taiwan—which is controlled by the Republic of China (ROC), a separate political entity—as its 23rd province, a claim controversial due to the complex political status of Taiwan and the unresolved Chinese Civil War. The PRC government denies the legitimacy of the ROC.
wn.com/China -
Christchurch
Christchurch ( /ˈkraɪstʃɜrtʃ/, KRYS-church; Māori: Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-largest urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of Christchurch.
The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee of the association. Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand.
The river that flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.
wn.com/Christchurch -
Croatia
Croatia (i/kroʊˈeɪʃə/ kroh-AY-shə; Croatian: Hrvatska pronounced [xř̩ʋaːtskaː]), officially the Republic of Croatia (Croatian: Republika Hrvatska listen (help·info)), is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers 56,594 square kilometres (21,851 square miles) and has diverse, mostly continental and Mediterranean climates. Croatia's Adriatic Sea coast contains more than a thousand islands. The country's population is 4.29 million, most of whom are Croats, with the most common religious denomination being Roman Catholicism.
In the early 7th century the Croats arrived in area of present-day Croatia. They organised the state into two dukedoms by the 9th century. Tomislav became the first king by 925 AD, elevating Croatia to the status of a kingdom. The Kingdom of Croatia retained its sovereignty for nearly two centuries, reaching its peak during the rule of Kings Peter Krešimir IV and Dmitar Zvonimir. Croatia entered a personal union with Hungary in 1102. In 1527, faced with Ottoman conquest the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne. In 1918, after World War I, Croatia was included in the short-lived State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs that declared independence from Austria–Hungary and co-founded the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. A Croatian state briefly existed during World War II as a fascist puppet state. After the war, Croatia became a founding member and a federal constituent of the Second Yugoslavia, a socialist state. In June 1991, Croatia declared independence, which came into effect on 8 October of the same year. The Croatian War of Independence was fought successfully during the four years following the declaration.
wn.com/Croatia -
Cuba
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, (i/ˈkjuːbə/; Spanish: República de Cuba, pronounced: [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkuβa] ( listen)) is an island country in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. To the north of Cuba lies the United States (140 km or 90 mi away) and the Bahamas, Mexico is to the west, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic are to the southeast.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on and claimed the island now occupied by Cuba, for the Kingdom of Spain. Cuba remained a territory of Spain until the Spanish–American War ended in 1898, and gained formal independence from the U.S. in 1902. A fragile democracy, increasingly dominated by radical politics eventually evolved, solidified by the Cuban Constitution of 1940, but was definitely quashed in 1952 by former president Fulgencio Batista, and an authoritarian regime was set up, intensifying and catalyzing already rampant corruption, political repression and crippling economic regulations.Batista was ousted in January 1959 by the July 26 movement, and a new administration under Fidel Castro established, which had by 1965 evolved into a single-party state under the revived Communist Party of Cuba, which holds power to date.
wn.com/Cuba -
Cyprus
Cyprusi/ˈsaɪprəs/ (Greek: Κύπρος, Kýpros, IPA: [ˈcipɾos]; Turkish: Kıbrıs, IPA: [ˈkɯbɾɯs]), officially the Republic of Cyprus (Greek: Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía, IPA: [cipɾiaˈci ðimokɾaˈtia]; Turkish: Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti, IPA: [ˈkɯbɾɯs dʒumhuɾijeˈti]), is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria, Lebanon, northwest of Israel and north of Egypt. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the European Union.
The earliest known human activity on the island dates back to around the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological remains from this period include the well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia, which has been declared a World Heritage Site with an "enhanced protection" status in the event of armed conflict by UNESCO, along with the archaeological sites of Paphos and the Painted Churches of the Troodos Region. Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world.
wn.com/Cyprus -
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic (i/ˈtʃɛk/ CHEK;Czech: Česká republika, pronounced [ˈtʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka] ( listen), short form Česko Czech pronunciation: [ˈtʃɛskɔ]) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the north, Germany to the west, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east. Its capital and largest city, with 1.3 million inhabitants, is Prague.
It is a pluralist multi-party parliamentary representative democracy, a member of the European Union, NATO, the OECD, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Visegrád Group.
The Czech state, formerly known as Bohemia, was formed in the late 9th century as a small duchy around Prague, at that time under dominance of the powerful Great Moravian Empire (which reached its greatest territorial extent during the reign of Svatopluk I from the House of Mojmír). After the fall of the Empire in 907, the centre of power was transferred from Moravia to Bohemia, under the Přemyslids. During the rule of Přemyslid dukes/kings and their successors, the Luxembourgs, the country reached its greatest territorial extent (13th–14th century). Life in the country was significantly affected by the Hussite wars, during which it faced economic embargo and crusades from all over Europe. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the Crown of Bohemia was gradually integrated into the Habsburg monarchy as one of its three principal parts alongside the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary. The Bohemian Revolt (1618–20) led to the further centralization of the monarchy including forced recatholization and Germanization. During radical reforms in the 18th century the Bohemian Crown was even de facto abolished (1749). In the 19th century the Czech lands became the industrial powerhouse of the monarchy and the core of the Republic of Czechoslovakia which was formed in 1918, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire after World War I.
wn.com/Czech_Republic -
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia (Czech and Slovak: Československo, Česko-Slovensko) was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992. From 1939 to 1945, the state did not de facto exist because of its forced division and partial incorporation into Nazi Germany, but the Czechoslovak government-in-exile nevertheless continued to exist during this period. In 1945, the eastern part of Carpathian Ruthenia was taken over by the Soviet Union. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Form of state:
Neighbours:
Topography:
The country was of generally irregular terrain. The western area was part of north-central European uplands. The eastern region was composed of northern reaches of Carpathian Mountains and Danube River basin lands.
Climate:
The weather was predominantly continental, but varied from the moderate temperature of Western Europe in the west, to more severe weather of Eastern Europe and the western Soviet Union in the east.
wn.com/Czechoslovakia -
Daegu
Coordinates: 35°52′N 128°36′E / 35.867°N 128.6°E / 35.867; 128.6
Daegu (Korean: [tɛɡu]), (대구, 大邱, literally 'large hill') formerly spelled Taegu, and officially known as the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the surrounding Gyeongsangbuk-do province, although it is not legally part of the province. The two areas combined are often referred to as Daegu-Gyeongbuk, with a total population of over 5 million.
Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80 km from the seacoast, near the Geumho River and its mainstream, Nakdong River in Gyeongsang-do. The Daegu basin, where the city lies, is the central plain of the Yeongnam region, making the city the natural center of the region's politics, economy, and culture.
In ancient times, Daegu was part of the Silla Kingdom which was the first successful attempt to unify the Korean Peninsula. During the Joseon Dynasty period, the city was the capital of Gyeongsang-do which was one of eight provinces of the country. Daegu was an important motor during South Korea's rapid economic growth period (1960s–1980s) and is currently focused on becoming a leading center in Korea for the fashion and high-tech industries. Due to its status as a cultural center, popular nicknames for Daegu include "Apple City", "Beauty City", "Textile City", and "Fashion City".
wn.com/Daegu -
Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark (Danish: Kongeriget Danmark, pronounced [ˈkɔŋəʁiːəð ˈdanmɑɡ̊] ( listen)) is a constitutional monarchy and sovereign state consisting the country of Denmark in northern Europe and two autonomous constituent countries, the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic and Greenland in North America. The kingdom is a unitary state with some power being devolved from Denmark proper to Greenland and the Faroe Islands; this polity is referred to as the Danish Realm. Denmark proper is the hegemonial area, where judicial, executive, and legislative power resides. The Faroe Islands are defined to be a community of people within the kingdom, and the Greenlandic people are defined as a separate people with the right to self-determination.
Denmark is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, located southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. The country consists of a large peninsula, Jutland and many islands, most notably Zealand, Funen, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm, as well as hundreds of minor islands often referred to as the Danish Archipelago.
wn.com/Denmark -
East Germany
The German Democratic Republic (GDR; German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik [ˈdɔʏtʃə demoˈkʀaːtɪʃə ʀepuˈbliːk] or DDR), informally known as East Germany (German: Ostdeutschland), was a socialist state established by the USSR in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city. The GDR had an area of 107,771 km2 (41,610 mi2), bordering Czechoslovakia to the south, West Germany to the south and west, Poland to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the north. East Germany was dissolved upon joining the institutions of West Germany in the German reunification, on 3 October 1990.
wn.com/East_Germany -
Edmonton
Edmonton /ˈɛdməntən/ is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, Canada. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.
The city and its census metropolitan area had populations of 812,201 and 1,159,869 as of the 2011 Census respectively, making it Alberta's second-largest city, Canada's fifth-largest municipality and Canada's sixth-largest metropolitan area by population. Edmonton is the northernmost North American city with a metropolitan population over one million. A resident of Edmonton is known as an Edmontonian.
The majority of Edmonton's metropolitan population lives within the City of Edmonton rather than in the surrounding suburban municipalities. Historically, Edmonton was surrounded by few other urban municipalities (Strathcona, Beverly and Jasper Place being the largest) but these were absorbed through amalgamation or annexation. Edmonton annexed a significant amount of land up until the early 1980s, and as a result it has sustained much of the region's suburban growth within its own boundaries.
wn.com/Edmonton -
Estonia
Estonia
i/ɨsˈtoʊniə/ (Estonian: Eesti), officially the Republic of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Vabariik), is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia (343 km), and to the east by Lake Peipus and the Russian Federation (338.6 km). Across the Baltic Sea lies Sweden in the west and Finland in the north. The territory of Estonia covers 45,227 km2 (17,462 sq mi), and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. The Estonians are a Finnic people, and the official language, Estonian, is closely related to Finnish.
Estonia is a democratic parliamentary republic divided into 15 counties. The capital and largest city is Tallinn. With a population of 1.29 million, it is one of the least-populous members of the European Union, Eurozone and NATO. Estonia has the highest GDP per person among former Soviet republics. Estonia is listed as a "High-Income Economy" by the World Bank and as an "advanced economy" by the International Monetary Fund; the country is an OECD member. The United Nations lists Estonia as a developed country with a Human Development Index of "Very High". The country is also ranked highly for press freedom, economic freedom, democracy and political freedom and education.
wn.com/Estonia -
Finland
Coordinates: 65°N 27°E / 65°N 027°E / 65; 027
Finlandi/ˈfɪnlənd/ ( Finnish: Suomi; Swedish: Finland (help·info)), officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.
Around 5.4 million people reside in Finland, with the majority concentrated in the southern region. It is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area and the most sparsely populated country in the European Union. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a central government based in Helsinki and local governments in 336 municipalities, and an autonomous region of the Åland Islands. About one million residents live in the Greater Helsinki area, which consists of Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa, and a third of the country's GDP is produced there. Other larger cities include Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Lahti and Kuopio.
wn.com/Finland -
Formia
Formia is a city and comune in the province of Latina, on the Mediterranean coast of Lazio (Italy). It is located halfway between Rome and Naples, and lies on the Roman-era Appian Way.
Formiae (modern day Formia) was founded by ancient Romans, the name deriving from the Greek Ὁρμίαι hormiai, meaning "landing place". It was a renowned resort during the imperial era.
Cicero was assassinated on the Appian Way outside the town in 43 BC, and his tomb remains a minor tourist destination. The city was also the seat of St. Erasmus's martyrdom, by being disemboweled around 303 AD, during the persecutions of Diocletian. St. Erasmus later also became known as Saint Elmo the patron saint of sailors.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire the city was sacked by barbarians and the population moved to two distinct burghs on the nearby hill, which were under the rule of Gaeta. Charles II of Anjou built a fortress in the maritime burgh, Mola di Gaeta. The other burgh was known as Castellone, from the castle erected there in the mid-14th century by Onorato I Caetani, count of Fondi.
wn.com/Formia -
France
France (Englishi/ˈfræns/ FRANSS or /ˈfrɑːns/ FRAHNSS; French: [fʁɑ̃s] ( listen)), officially the French Republic (French: République française [ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛz]), is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often referred to as l’Hexagone ("The Hexagon") because of the geometric shape of its territory. It is the largest western European country and it possesses the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world, covering 11,035,000 km2 (4,260,000 sq mi), just behind that of the United States (11,351,000 km2 / 4,383,000 sq mi).
Over the past 500 years, France has been a major power with strong cultural, economic, military and political influence in Europe and around the world. During the 17th and 18th centuries, France colonised great parts of North America and Southeast Asia; during the 19th and early 20th centuries, France built the second largest colonial empire of the time, including large portions of North, West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and many Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
wn.com/France -
Germany
Germany (i/ˈdʒɜrməni/), officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, pronounced [ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant] ( listen)), is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 81.8 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state and the largest economy in the European Union. It is one of the major political powers of the European continent and a technological leader in many fields.
A region named Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, was documented before AD 100. During the Migration Period, the Germanic tribes expanded southward, and established successor kingdoms throughout much of Europe. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire. During the 16th century, northern German regions became the centre of the Protestant Reformation while southern and western parts remained dominated by Roman Catholic denominations, with the two factions clashing in the Thirty Years' War, marking the beginning of the Catholic–Protestant divide that has characterized German society ever since. Occupied during the Napoleonic Wars, the rise of Pan-Germanism inside the German Confederation resulted in the unification of most of the German states into the German Empire in 1871 which was Prussian dominated. After the German Revolution of 1918–1919 and the subsequent military surrender in World War I, the Empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic in 1918, and partitioned in the Treaty of Versailles. Amidst the Great Depression, the Third Reich was proclaimed in 1933. The latter period was marked by Fascism and World War II. After 1945, Germany was divided by allied occupation, and evolved into two states, East Germany and West Germany. In 1990 Germany was reunified.
wn.com/Germany -
Gongju
Gongju (Gongju-si), also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea.
Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo. Goguryeo had overrun the previous capital of Hanseong (modern-day Seoul), which forced Baekje to find a new center of strength.
In 538, King Seong moved the capital to Sabi (in modern-day Buyeo County). However, Gongju remained an important center until the kingdom's fall in 660.
On August 11, 2004, the South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan announced that the country's capital will be moved from Seoul to Gongju (approximately 120 km south of Seoul) and Yeongi commencing in 2007. A 72.91 square kilometres (18,020 acres) site was chosen for the project, which was scheduled to be completed by 2030. It was envisaged that government and administrative functions will move to the new capital, along with (possibly) the National Assembly and supreme court, although no sizable relocation was expected until the first phase of the project has been completed by 2012.
wn.com/Gongju -
Greece
Greecei/ˈɡriːs/ (Greek: Ελλάδα, Ellada, IPA: [eˈlaða] ( listen) historically in Katharevousa and Ancient Greek: Ἑλλάς, Hellas, IPA: [eˈlas] and [helːás] respectively), officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία, Elliniki Dimokratia, IPA: [eliniˈci ðimokraˈtia]), is a country in Southern Europe, politically considered part of Western Europe.Athens is the capital and the largest city in the country (its urban area also including Piraeus). The population of the country is around 11 million.
Greece has land borders with Albania, the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of mainland Greece, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece has the 11th longest coastline in the world at 13,676 km (8,498 mi) in length, featuring a vast number of islands (approximately 1,400, of which 227 are inhabited), including Crete, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the Ionian Islands among others. Eighty percent of Greece consists of mountains, of which Mount Olympus is the highest at 2,917 m (9,570 ft).
wn.com/Greece -
Guangzhou
Guangzhou (Chinese: 广州; Mandarin pronunciation: [kwɑ̀ŋʈʂóʊ̯]), known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port. One of the five National Central Cities, it holds sub-provincial administrative status.
Guangzhou is the third largest city in China and southern China's largest city. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 12.78 million. Some estimates place the population of the entire Pearl River Delta Mega City built up area as high as 40 million including Shenzhen (10.36 million), Dongguan (8.22 million) and most parts of Foshan (7.19 million), Jiangmen (4.45 million), Zhongshan (3.12 million) and a small part of Huizhou adjoining Dongguan and Shenzhen, with an area of about 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi) (about the size of US state of New Jersey). In 2008 Guangzhou was identified as a Beta World City by the global city index produced by GaWC.
wn.com/Guangzhou -
Havana
Havana (/həˈvænə/; Spanish: La Habana, [la aˈβana] ( listen)) is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 726.75 km2 (280.60 sq mi) — making it the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbours: Marimelena, Guanabacoa and Atarés. The sluggish Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay.
Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and due to its strategic location it served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the continent becoming a stopping point for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons on the crossing between the New World and the Old World. King Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of City in 1592. Walls as well as forts were built to protect the old city. The sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine in Havana's harbor in 1898 was the immediate cause of the Spanish-American War.
wn.com/Havana -
Helsinki
Helsinki ( listen (help·info); Swedish: Helsingfors, listen (help·info)) is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is 596,233 (31 January 2012), making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is located some 400 kilometres (250 mi) east of Stockholm, Sweden, 300 kilometres (190 mi) west of St. Petersburg, Russia and 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Tallinn, Estonia. Helsinki has close historical connections with these three cities.
The Helsinki Metropolitan Area includes the city of Helsinki and three other cities: Espoo and Vantaa, which immediately border Helsinki to the west and north, respectively; and Kauniainen, which is an enclave within the city of Espoo. The Helsinki metropolitan area is the world's northernmost urban area among those with a population of over one million people, and the city is the northernmost capital of a EU member state. Altogether 1.1 million people, approximately one in five Finns, live in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
wn.com/Helsinki -
Houston
Houston ( /ˈhjuːstən/) (Alibamu: Yosti ) is the largest city in the state of Texas, and the fourth-largest city in the United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of 656.3 square miles (1,700 km2). Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown, which is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, with 6.08 million people as of July 1st, 2011.
Houston was founded in 1836 on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It was incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837, and named after then-President of the Republic of Texas—former General Sam Houston—who had commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established. The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-twentieth century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.
wn.com/Houston -
Hungary
Hungaryi/ˈhʌŋɡəri/ (Hungarian: Magyarország [ˈmɒɟɒrorsaːɡ] ( listen)) is a country, which is located in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The country's capital, and largest city, is Budapest. Hungary is a member of the European Union, NATO, the OECD, the Visegrád Group, and is a Schengen state. The official language is Hungarian, also known as Magyar, which is part of the Finno-Ugric group and is the most widely spoken non-Indo-European language in Europe.
Following a Celt (after c. 450 BC) and a Roman (AD 9 - c. 430) period, the foundation of Hungary was laid in the late 9th century by the Hungarian prince Árpád, whose great-grandson Saint Stephen I was crowned with a crown sent by the pope from Rome in 1000 AD. The Kingdom of Hungary lasted for 946 years, and at various points was regarded as one of the cultural centres of the Western world. After about 150 years of partial Ottoman occupation (1541–1699), Hungary was integrated into the Habsburg Monarchy, and later constituted half of the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy (1867–1918).
wn.com/Hungary -
Iceland
Icelandi/ˈaɪslənd/ (Icelandic: Ísland, IPA: [ˈislant]) is a Nordic European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The country has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Reykjavík, with the surrounding areas in the southwestern region of the country being home to two-thirds of the country's population. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterised by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle.
According to Landnámabók, the settlement of Iceland began in AD 874 when the chieftain Ingólfur Arnarson became the first permanent Norse settler on the island. Others had visited the island earlier and stayed over winter. Over the following centuries, Norsemen settled Iceland, bringing with them thralls (slaves) of Gaelic origin. From 1262 to 1918 Iceland was part of the Norwegian and later the Danish monarchies. Until the 20th century, the Icelandic population relied largely on fisheries and agriculture, and the country was one of the poorest and least developed in the world. Industrialisation of the fisheries and aid from the Marshall Plan brought prosperity in the years after World War II, and by the 1990s it was one of the world's wealthiest countries. In 1994, Iceland became party to the European Economic Area, which made it possible for the economy to diversify into economic and financial services.
wn.com/Iceland -
Iran
Coordinates: 32°N 53°E / 32°N 53°E / 32; 53
Iran (i/ɪˈrɑːn/ or /aɪˈræn/;Persian: ایران [ʔiˈɾɒn] ( listen)), officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ایران Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān), is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran", which in Persian means "Land of the Aryans", has been in use natively since the Sassanian era. It came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia ( /ˈpɜrʒə/ or /ˈpɜrʃə/). Both "Persia" and "Iran" are used interchangeably in cultural contexts; however, "Iran" is the name used officially in political contexts.
The 18th-largest country in the world in terms of area at 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi), Iran has a population of around 79 million. It is a country of particular geopolitical significance owing to its location in the Middle East and central Eurasia. Iran is bordered on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. As Iran is a littoral state of the Caspian Sea, which is an inland sea, Kazakhstan and Russia are also Iran's direct neighbors to the north. Iran is bordered on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by Iraq and on the northwest by Turkey. Tehran is the capital, the country's largest city and the political, cultural, commercial and industrial center of the nation. Iran is a regional power, and holds an important position in international energy security and world economy as a result of its large reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Iran has the second largest proven natural gas reserves in the world and the fourth largest proven petroleum reserves.
wn.com/Iran -
Israel
Coordinates: 31°N 35°E / 31°N 35°E / 31; 35
Israel, officially the State of Israel ( /ˈɪzriːəl/ or /ˈɪzreɪəl/; Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, Medīnat Yisrā'el, IPA: [me̞diˈnät jisʁäˈʔe̞l] ( listen); Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, Dawlat Isrāʼīl, IPA: [dawlat ʔisraːˈʔiːl]), is a parliamentary republic in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan and the West Bank in the east, Egypt and the Gaza Strip on the southwest, and the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea to the south, and it contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area. Israel is defined as a Jewish and Democratic State in its Basic Laws and is the world's only Jewish-majority state.
Following the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 29 November 1947 recommending the adoption and implementation of the United Nations plan to partition Palestine, on 14 May 1948 David Ben-Gurion, the Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization and president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, declared the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel, a state independent from the British Mandate for Palestine. Neighboring Arab states invaded the next day in support of the Palestinian Arabs. Israel has since fought several wars with neighboring Arab states, in the course of which it has occupied the West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. Portions of these territories, including east Jerusalem, have been annexed by Israel, but the border with the neighboring West Bank has not yet been permanently defined.[neutrality is disputed] Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, but efforts to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict have so far not resulted in peace.
wn.com/Israel -
Italy
Italyi/ˈɪtəli/ (Italian: Italia [iˈtaːlja]), officially the Italian Republic or the Republic of Italy (Italian: Repubblica italiana), is a unitary parliamentary republic in south-central Europe. To the north, it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia along the Alps. To the south, it consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia–the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea–and many other smaller islands. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italy, while Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The territory of Italy covers some 301,338 km2 (116,347 sq mi) and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With 60.6 million inhabitants, it is the fifth most populous country in Europe, and the 23rd most populous in the world.
Rome, the capital of Italy, was for centuries a political and religious centre of Western civilisation as the capital of the Roman Empire and site of the Holy See. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Italy endured numerous invasions by foreign peoples, from Germanic tribes such as the Lombards and Ostrogoths, to the Byzantines and later, the Normans, among others. Centuries later, Italy became the birthplace of Maritime republics and the Renaissance, an immensely fruitful intellectual movement that would prove to be integral in shaping the subsequent course of European thought.
wn.com/Italy -
Izmir
Coordinates: 38°25′19″N 27°07′44″E / 38.422°N 27.129°E / 38.422; 27.129
Izmir (Turkish: İzmir) is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.95 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey. Izmir metropolitan area extends along the outlying waters of the Gulf of İzmir and inland to the north across Gediz River's delta, to the east along an alluvial plain created by several small streams and to a slightly more rugged terrain in the south. The ancient city was known as Smyrna, and the city was generally referred to as Smyrna in English, until the Turkish Postal Services Law of 1930 made "Izmir" the internationally recognized name.
The city of Izmir is composed of several metropolitan districts. Of these, Konak district corresponds to historical Izmir, this district's area having constituted the "Izmir Municipality" (Turkish: İzmir Belediyesi) area until 1984, Konak until then having been a name for a central neighborhood around Konak Square, still the core of the city. With the constitution of the "Greater Izmir Metropolitan Municipality" (Turkish: İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi), the city of Izmir became a compound bringing together initially nine, and since recently eleven metropolitan districts, namely Balçova, Bayraklı, Bornova, Buca, Çiğli, Gaziemir, Güzelbahçe, Karabağlar, Karşıyaka, Konak and Narlıdere. Almost each of these settlements are former district centers or neighborhoods which stood on their own and with their own distinct features and temperament. In an ongoing processus, the Mayor of Izmir was also vested with authority over the areas of additional districts reaching from Aliağa in the north to Selçuk in the south, bringing the number of districts to be considered as being part of Izmir to twenty-one under the new arrangements, two of these having been administratively included in Izmir only partially.
wn.com/Izmir -
Jamaica
Coordinates: 18°10′57″N 77°19′18″W / 18.1823878°N 77.3217773°W / 18.1823878; -77.3217773
Jamaica (i/dʒəˈmeɪkə/), officially the Commonwealth of Jamaica, is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (145 mi) in length, up to 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width, and 10,990 square kilometres (4,240 sq mi) in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres (119 mi) west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno name for the island was Xaymaca, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water" or the "Land of Springs".
Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, it became an English colony in 1655 under the name "Jamaica". It achieved full independence from Britain on August 6, 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm in concert with the Monarchy of Jamaica holding ultimate executive power, where Queen Elizabeth II is the current head of state and Queen of Jamaica.Kingston is the country's largest city and the capital.
wn.com/Jamaica -
Japan
Japani/dʒəˈpæn/ (Japanese: 日本 Nihon or Nippon; formally 日本国 
Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku, literally the State of Japan) is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, together accounting for ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.
Archaeological research indicates that people lived in Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan is in Chinese history texts from the 1st century AD. Influence from other nations followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War and World War I allowed Japan to expand its empire during a period of increasing militarism. The Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937 expanded into part of World War II in 1941, which came to an end in 1945 following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since adopting its revised constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament called the Diet.
wn.com/Japan -
Kaunas
Kaunas (/ˈkaʊnəs/; Lithuanian: [kɐˈunɐs] ( listen); see also other names) is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the centre of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation it was the capital of the Kovno Governorate from 1843 to 1915. It became the only temporary capital city in Europe during the Interwar period. Now it is the capital of Kaunas County, the seat of the Kaunas city municipality and the Kaunas district municipality. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaunas. Kaunas is located at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, the largest body of water entirely in Lithuania.
The city's name is of Lithuanian origins and most likely derives from a personal name.
Before Lithuania regained independence, the city was generally known in English as Kovno, the traditional Slavicized form of its name; the Polish name is Kowno; the Belarusian name is Koўнa, Kowna. An earlier Russian name was Ковно Kovno, although Каунас Kaunas has been used since 1940. The Yiddish name is Kovne (קאָװנע), while its names in German include Kaunas and Kauen. The city and its elderates also have names in other languages (see Names of Kaunas in other languages and names of Kaunas elderates in other languages).
wn.com/Kaunas -
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan (i/ˌkɑːzəkˈstɑːn/ or /ˌkæzəkˈstæn/) (Kazakh: Қазақстан, Qazaqstan, pronounced [qɑzɑqstɑ́n]; Russian: Казахстан [kəzɐxˈstan]), officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Europe. The ninth largest country in the world by land area, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of 2,727,300 square kilometres (1,053,000 sq mi) is larger than Western Europe. It is neighbored clockwise from the north by Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and also borders on a significant part of the Caspian Sea. Although Kazakhstan does not share a border with Mongolia, its most easterly point is only 38 kilometres (24 mi) from Mongolia's western tip. The terrain of Kazakhstan ranges from flatlands, steppes, taigas, rock-canyons, hills, deltas, and snow-capped mountains to deserts. With 16.6 million people (2011 estimate) Kazakhstan has the 62nd largest population in the world, though its population density is less than 6 people per square kilometre (15 per sq. mi.). The capital was moved in 1998 from Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, to Astana.
wn.com/Kazakhstan -
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv (Ukrainian: Київ [ˈkɪjiw] ( listen); Russian: Киев) is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press.
Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro.
The name Kiev is said to derive from the name of Kyi, one of four legendary founders of the city (brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and sister Lybid). During its history, Kiev, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of great prominence and relative obscurity. The city probably existed as a commercial centre as early as the 5th century. A Slavic settlement on the great trade route between Scandinavia and Constantinople, Kiev was a tributary of the Khazars, until seized by the Varangians (Vikings) in the mid-9th century. Under Varangians rule, the city became a capital of the Rus', the first East Slavic state. Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come. It was a provincial capital of marginal importance in the outskirts of the territories controlled by its powerful neighbours; first the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, followed by Poland and Russia.
wn.com/Kiev -
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 (94 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2012.Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in the country, in terms of population and economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remains in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.
wn.com/Kuala_Lumpur -
Latvia
Latviai/ˈlætviə/ (Latvian: Latvija), officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika), is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia (border length 343 km), to the south by Lithuania (588 km), to the east by the Russian Federation (276 km), to the southeast by Belarus (141 km), and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden. With 2,067,887 inhabitants and a territory of 64,589 km2 (24,938 sq mi) it is one of the least populous and least densely populated countries of the European Union. The capital of Latvia is Riga. The official language is Latvian and the currency is called Lats (Ls). The country has a temperate seasonal climate.
The Latvians are a Baltic people, culturally related to the Lithuanians. Together with the Finno-Ugric Livs (or Livonians), the Latvians are the indigenous people of Latvia.Latvian is an Indo-European language and along with Lithuanian the only two surviving members of the Baltic branch. Indigenous minority languages are Latgalian and the nearly extinct Finno-Ugric Livonian language. In terms of geography, territory and population Latvia is the middle of three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Latvia and Estonia share a long common history: historical Livonia, times of German (Teutonic Order), Polish-Lithuanian, Swedish, Russian, Nazi German and Soviet rule, 13th century Christianization and 16th century Protestant Reformation. Both countries are home to a large number of ethnic Russians (26.9% in Latvia and 25.5% in Estonia) of whom some are non-citizens. Latvia is historically predominantly Protestant, except for the region of Latgalia in the southeast which is historically predominantly Roman Catholic.
wn.com/Latvia -
Lithuania
Lithuania (i/ˌlɪθuːˈeɪniə/ or /ˌlɪθjuːˈeɪniə/; Lithuanian: Lietuva), officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika) is a country in Northern Europe, the largest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark. It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and a Russian exclave (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania has an estimated population of 3.2 million as of 2011, and its capital and largest city is Vilnius. The Lithuanians are a Baltic people, and the official language, Lithuanian, is one of only two living languages (together with Latvian) in the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family.
For centuries, the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea was inhabited by various Baltic tribes. In the 1230s the Lithuanian lands were united by Mindaugas, who was crowned as King of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the first Lithuanian state, on 6 July 1253. During the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest country in Europe: present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia were territories of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. With the Lublin Union of 1569, Lithuania and Poland formed a voluntary two-state union, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Commonwealth lasted more than two centuries, until neighboring countries systematically dismantled it from 1772 to 1795, with the Russian Empire annexing most of Lithuania's territory.
wn.com/Lithuania -
Los Angeles
Los Angeles (i/lɒs ˈændʒələs/ loss-AN-jə-ləs; Spanish: [los ˈaŋxeles], which is written Los Ángeles; British pronounciation /lɒs ˈændʒəliːz/ loss-AN-jə-leez) with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in the state of California, and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of 468.67 square miles (1,213.8 km2), and is located in Southern California. Often known by its initials L.A., the city is the focal point of the larger Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan statistical area and Greater Los Angeles Area region, which contain 12,828,837 and nearly 18 million people respectively as of 2010, making it one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world and the second largest in the United States. Los Angeles is also the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated and one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the United States, while the entire Los Angeles area itself has been recognized as the most diverse of the nation's largest cities. The city's inhabitants are referred to as "Angelenos".
wn.com/Los_Angeles -
Maribor
Maribor ( pronunciation (help·info) German: Marburg an der Drau, Italian: Marburgo) is the second largest city in Slovenia with 95,200 inhabitants as of 2011[update]. Maribor is also the largest city of the traditional region of Lower Styria and the seat of the City Municipality of Maribor.
Maribor is, jointly with Guimarães in Portugal, the 2012 European Capital of Culture. In November 2010, The European Youth Forum announced that Maribor will be the 2013 European Youth Capital.
In 1164, a castle known as the Marchburch (Middle High German for "March Castle") was documented in Styria. It was first built on Piramida Hill, which is located just above the city. Maribor was first mentioned as a market near the castle in 1204, and received town privileges in 1254. It began to grow rapidly after the victory of Rudolf I of Habsburg over Otakar II of Bohemia in 1278. Maribor withstood sieges by Matthias Corvinus in 1480 and 1481 and by the Ottoman Empire in 1532 and 1683, and the city remained under the control of the Habsburg Monarchy until 1918.
wn.com/Maribor -
Medellín
Medellín (Spanish pronunciation: [meðeˈʝin]), officially the Municipio de Medellín (Spanish) or Municipality of Medellín, is the second-largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. To 2012, it has a population of 2.7 million. With its surrounding area, the metropolitan area of Medellín (área metropolitana de Medellín), composed by another nine cities, it is the second largest urban agglomeration in Colombia in terms of population and economy, with more than 3.5 million people.
Medellín was founded in 1616 by the Spaniard Francisco Herrera Campuzano as Poblado de San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence Town) in present-day El Poblado. In 1675 the queen consort Mariana of Austria created the Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín (Town of Our Lady of Medellín).
In 1826 the city was named the capital of the Department of Antioquia by the National Congress of the young Republic of Greater Colombia (Gran Colombia), comprised by present day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. After Colombia won its independence from Spain, Medellín became the capital of the Federal State of Antioquia until 1888, with the proclamation of the Colombian Constitution of 1886. During the 19th century, Medellín was a dynamic commercial center, first exporting gold, then producing and exporting coffee. After the Thousand Days War (1899–1902), Medellín was the first Colombian city to take part in the Industrial Revolution.
wn.com/Medellín -
Mexico
Mexico (i/ˈmɛksɨkoʊ/; Spanish: México, IPA: [ˈmexiko] ( listen)), officially the United Mexican States (Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos (help·info)), is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States of America; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Covering almost two million square kilometres (over 760,000 sq mi), Mexico is the fifth largest country in the Americas by total area and the thirteenth largest independent nation in the world. With an estimated population of over 113 million, it is the eleventh most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country. Mexico is a federation comprising thirty-one states and a Federal District, the capital city.
In Pre-Columbian Mexico many cultures matured into advanced civilizations such as the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, the Maya and the Aztec before the first contact with Europeans. In 1521, Spain conquered and colonized the territory from its base in México-Tenochtitlan, which was administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain. This territory would eventually become Mexico as the colony's independence was recognized in 1821. The post-independence period was characterized by economic instability, the Mexican-American War and territorial cession to the United States, a civil war, two empires and a domestic dictatorship. The latter led to the Mexican Revolution in 1910, which culminated with the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution and the emergence of the country's current political system. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time that an opposition party won the presidency from the Institutional Revolutionary Party.
wn.com/Mexico -
Moldova
Moldovai/mɒlˈdoʊvə/, officially the Republic of Moldova (Moldovan/Romanian: Republica Moldova pronounced [reˈpublika molˈdova]) is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991 as part of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. On 29 July 1994, the new constitution of Moldova was adopted. A strip of Moldova's internationally recognized territory on the east bank of the river Dniester has been under the de facto control of the breakaway government of Transnistria since 1990.
The nation is a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. Moldova is a member state of the United Nations, Council of Europe, WTO, OSCE, GUAM, CIS, BSEC and other international organizations. Moldova currently aspires to join the European Union, and has implemented the first three-year Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
wn.com/Moldova -
Montreal
Montreal (i/ˌmʌntriːˈɒl/;French: Montréal; pronounced [mɔ̃ʁeal] (
listen)) is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the fifteenth largest in North America. Originally called Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", the city takes its present name from Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city, or Mont Réal as it was spelled in Middle French (Mont Royal in present French). The city is located on the Island of Montreal, which took its name from the same source as the city, and a few much smaller peripheral islands, the largest of which is Île Bizard.
As of May 10, 2011, Statistics Canada identifies Montreal's Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) (land area 4,259 square kilometres (1,644 sq mi)) as Canada's second most populous with an estimated metropolitan area population of 3,824,221 and a population of 1,886,481 in the urban agglomeration of Montreal, which includes all of the municipalities on the Island of Montreal. The city of Montreal proper had a population of 1,649,519.
wn.com/Montreal -
Moscow
Moscow ( /ˈmɒskaʊ/ or /ˈmɒskoʊ/; Russian: Москва́, tr. Moskva; IPA: [mɐˈskva] ( listen)) is the capital and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural and scientific center of Russia and the continent. Moscow is the northernmost megacity on Earth, the most populous city in Europe, and the 6th largest city proper in the world. Its population, according to the results of the 2010 Census, is 11,503,501. Based on Forbes 2011, Moscow has the largest community of billionaires in the world.
Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia. In the course of its history the city has served as the capital of a progression of states, from the medieval Grand Duchy of Moscow and the subsequent Tsardom of Russia to the Soviet Union. Moscow is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, an ancient fortress that is today the residence of the Russian President and of the executive branch of the Government of Russia. The Kremlin is also one of several World Heritage Sites in the city. Both chambers of the Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) also sit in Moscow.
wn.com/Moscow -
Murcia
Murcia (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmurθja]), a major city in south-eastern Spain, is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and the seventh largest city in the country, with a population of 442,573 inhabitants in 2009 (about one third of the total population of the Region). The population of the metropolitan area was 689,591 in 2010. It is located on the Segura River, in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, noted by a mild climate with hot summers, tepid winters and scarce precipitation.
Murcia was founded by the emir of Cordoba Abd ar-Rahman II in 825 AD with the name Mursiya مورسيا and is now mainly a services city and a university town. Highlights for visitors include the Cathedral of Murcia and a number of baroque buildings, renowned local cuisine, Holy Week processions, works of art by the famous Murcia sculptor Francisco Salzillo, and the Fiestas de Primavera (Spring Festival).
The city, as the capital of the comarca Huerta de Murcia is called Europe’s orchard due to its long agricultural tradition and as a fruits, vegetables and flowers producer and exporter.
wn.com/Murcia -
Netherlands
The Netherlands (i/ˈnɛðərləndz/; Dutch: Nederland [ˈneːdə(r)lɑnt] or [ˈneɪ̯də(r)lɑnt] ( listen); West Frisian: Nederlân; Papiamento: Hulanda) is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with some islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders with Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is a parliamentary democracy organised as a unitary state. The country capital is Amsterdam and the seat of government is The Hague. The Netherlands in its entirety is often referred to as Holland, although North and South Holland are actually only two of its twelve provinces (a case of pars pro toto; see terminology of "the Netherlands").
wn.com/Netherlands -
New Zealand
New Zealand (Māori: Aotearoa) is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses ‒ that of the North and South Islands ‒ as well as numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans.
During its long isolation, New Zealand developed a distinctive biodiversity of both animal and plant life. Most notable are the large number of unique bird species, many of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and introduced mammals. With a mild maritime climate, the land was mostly covered in forest. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions caused by the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates clashing beneath the earth's surface.
wn.com/New_Zealand -
Norway
Norwayi/ˈnɔrweɪ/ (Norwegian: Norge (Bokmål) or Noreg (Nynorsk)), officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and the subantarctic Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of 385,252 square kilometres (148,747 sq mi) and a population of about 5 million. It is the second least densely populated country in Europe. The majority of the country shares a border to the east with Sweden; its northernmost region is bordered by Finland to the south and Russia to the east; in its south Norway borders the Skagerrak Strait across from Denmark. The capital city of Norway is Oslo. Norway's extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea, is home to its famous fjords.
wn.com/Norway -
Osaka
Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka?) listen (help·info) is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, Osaka is the third largest city by population after Tokyo (special wards) and Yokohama.
Keihanshin is the second largest area in Japan by population and one of the largest metropolitan areas highly ranked in the world, with nearly 18 million people, and by GDP the second largest area in Japan and the seventh largest area in the world.
Historically the commercial centre of Japan, Osaka functions as one of the command centers for the Japanese economy. The ratio between daytime and night time population is 141%, the highest in Japan, highlighting its status as an economic center. Its nighttime population is 2.6 million, the third in the country, but in daytime the population surges to 3.7 million, second only after Tokyo (combining the Special wards of Tokyo, which is not a single incorporated city, for statistical purposes. See the Tokyo article for more information on the definition and makeup of Tokyo.) Osaka used to be referred to as the "nation's kitchen" (天下の台所, tenka no daidokoro?) in feudal Edo period because it was the centre of trading for rice, creating the first modern futures exchange market in the world.
wn.com/Osaka -
Paraguay
Paraguay (i/ˈpɛərəɡwaɪ/, PAIR-ə-gwy), officially the Republic of Paraguay (Spanish: República del Paraguay [reˈpuβlika ðel paɾaˈɣwai], Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái [teˈtã paɾaˈɣwaj]), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the country from north to south. Due to its central location in South America, it is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América, or the Heart of America.
The Guaraní have been living in Paraguay since before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, when Paraguay became part of the Spanish colonial empire. Following independence from Spain in 1811, Paraguay was ruled by a series of dictators who followed isolationist and protectionist policies. This development was truncated by the disastrous Paraguayan War (1864–1870) in which the country lost 60% to 70% of its population and large amounts of territory. During a large part of the 20th century, Paraguay was ruled by Alfredo Stroessner, who led one of South America's longest lived military dictatorships. In 1989 Stroessner was toppled and free elections were celebrated in 1993. In 1994 Paraguay joined Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to found Mercosur.
wn.com/Paraguay -
Paris
Coordinates: 48°51′24″N 2°21′03″E / 48.8567°N 2.3508°E / 48.8567; 2.3508
Paris (i/ˈpærɨs/; French: [paʁi] ( listen)) is the capital and largest city of France. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (or Paris Region, French: Région parisienne). As of January 2008 the city of Paris, within its administrative limits (the 20 arrondissements) largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,211,297 and a metropolitan population of 12,089,098, and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe. Paris was the largest city in the Western world for about 1,000 years, prior to the 19th century, and the largest in the entire world between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. It hosts the headquarters of many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce or the European Space Agency. Paris is considered one of the greenest and most liveable cities in Europe. It is also one of the most expensive.
wn.com/Paris -
Poland
Polandi/ˈpoʊlənd/ (Polish: Polska), officially the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska; Kashubian: Pòlskô Repùblika; Silesian: Polsko Republika), is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the world and the sixth most populous member of the European Union, being its most populous post-communist member. Poland is a unitary state made up of 16 voivodeships. Poland is a member of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Economic Area, International Energy Agency, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, International Atomic Energy Agency, G6, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Visegrád Group, Weimar Triangle and Schengen Agreement.
wn.com/Poland -
Portugal
Portugali/ˈpɔrtʃʉɡəl/ (Portuguese: Portugal, IPA: [puɾtuˈɣaɫ]), officially the Portuguese Republic (Portuguese: República Portuguesa) is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula . Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal. The country is named after its second largest city, Porto, whose Latin name was Portus Cale.
The land within the borders of the current Portuguese Republic has been continuously settled since prehistoric times: occupied by Celts like the Gallaeci and the Lusitanians, integrated into the Roman Republic and later settled by Germanic peoples such as the Suebi, Swabians, Vandals and the Visigoths. In the 8th century most of the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Moorish invaders professing Islam, which were later expelled by the Knights Templar under the Order of Christ. During the Christian Reconquista, Portugal established itself as an independent kingdom from León in 1139, claiming to be the oldest European nation state.
wn.com/Portugal -
Prague
Prague ( /ˈprɑːɡ/; Czech: Praha pronounced [ˈpraɦa] ( listen)) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic and fourteenth largest city in European Union. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of nearly 2.0 million. The city has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and chilly winters.
Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe with waxing and waning fortunes during its 1,100 year existence. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus then also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I became the capital of Czechoslovakia. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, and in modern history generally as the principal conurbation in Bohemia and Moravia whose second city is Brno.
wn.com/Prague -
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico (/ˌpɔrtə ˈriːkoʊ/ or /ˌpwɛərtə ˈriːkoʊ/), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, [esˈtaðo ˈlibɾe asoˈsjaðo ðe ˈpweɾto ˈriko]—literally, "Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico (Spanish for "rich port") comprises an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area of the Greater Antilles. However, it ranks third in population amongst that group of four islands, which also include Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), and Jamaica. Due to its location, Puerto Rico enjoys a tropical climate and also experiences the Atlantic hurricane season.
Originally populated for centuries by indigenous aboriginal peoples known as Taínos, the island was claimed by Christopher Columbus for Spain during his second voyage to the Americas on November 19, 1493. Under Spanish rule, the island was colonized and the indigenous population was forced into slavery and nearly wiped out due to, among other things, European infectious diseases. The remaining population was emancipated by King Charles I in 1520. Spain possessed Puerto Rico for over 400 years, despite attempts at capture of the island by the French, Dutch, and British. The Spanish Crown, in an attempt to keep Puerto Rico from gaining its independence, revived the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815. The decree was printed in three languages — Spanish, English and French — and it fostered the immigration of hundreds of non-Spanish European families.
wn.com/Puerto_Rico -
Qatar
Qatar (i/ˈkɑːtɑr/ or i/kəˈtɑr/;Arabic: قطر [ˈqɑtˤɑr]; local vernacular pronunciation: [ɡɪtˤɑr]), also known as the country or State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. A strait of the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island state of Bahrain.
Qatar has been ruled as an absolute monarchy by Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. Formerly a British protectorate noted mainly for pearling, it became independent in 1971, and has become one of the region's wealthiest states due to its enormous oil and natural gas revenues. In 1995, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became Emir when he seized power from his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, in a peaceful coup d'état. The most important positions in Qatar are held by the members of the Al Thani family, or close confidants of the al-Thani family. Beginning in 1992, Qatar has built intimate military ties with the United States, and is now the location of U.S. Central Command’s Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center.
wn.com/Qatar -
Republic of Ireland
Ireland (/ˈaɪərlənd/ or /ˈɑrlənd/; Irish: Éire, pronounced [ˈeːɾʲə] ( listen)) is a sovereign state in Europe occupying about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. Its capital is Dublin. The population of the state was 4.59 million in 2011. It is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy, with an elected president serving as head of state. In the 1937 constitution, the name of the state is given as simply "Ireland". The Constitution of Ireland (Article 4) and the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 provides that the "Republic of Ireland" (Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann) is "the description of the state".
Ireland is a member of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. A developed country with the seventh highest Human Development Index, Ireland is also highly ranked for press freedom, economic freedom and democracy and political freedom.
The modern Irish state was established in 1922 as the Irish Free State, a dominion within the British Empire, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty which brought an end to the Irish War of Independence. The partition of Ireland had already been provided for in previous British legislation in 1921 in response to opposition to Irish Home Rule or independence by Unionists, who formed a majority in the north-eastern part of the country. Six of the nine counties in the northern province of Ulster were established under that legislation as Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with which the Irish state shares its only land border. The state is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, St George's Channel to the south east, and the Irish Sea to the east.
wn.com/Republic_of_Ireland -
Riga
Riga (Latvian: Rīga, pronounced [riːɡa] ( listen)) is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 657,424 inhabitants ( 2011) Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial, cultural and financial centre of the Baltic Sea region.[citation needed] The city lies on the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of the river Daugava. Riga's territory covers 307.17 km2 (118.60 sq mi) and lies between 1 and 10 metres (3.3 and 33 ft) above sea level, on a flat and sandy plain.
Riga was founded in 1201 and is a former Hanseatic League member. Riga's historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture and 19th century wooden architecture. The city will be the European Capital of Culture in 2014, along with Umeå in Sweden. The city hosted the 2006 NATO Summit, the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 and the 2006 IIHF Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. It is home to the European Union's office of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). Riga is served by Riga International Airport, the largest airport in the Baltic states.
wn.com/Riga -
Romania
Romania (i/roʊˈmeɪniə/ roh-MAY-nee-ə; dated: Roumania; or Rumania;Romanian: România [romɨˈni.a] ( listen)) is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea. Romania shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south.
At 238,400 square kilometers (92,000 sq mi), Romania is the ninth largest country of the European Union by area, and has the seventh largest population of the European Union with over 19 million people. Its capital and largest city is Bucharest, the tenth largest city in the EU with about two million people.
The Kingdom of Romania emerged when the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia were united under Prince Alexander Ioan Cuza in 1859. Independence from the Ottoman Empire was declared on 9 May 1877, and was internationally recognized the following year. At the end of World War I, Transylvania, Bukovina and Bessarabia united with the Kingdom of Romania. Greater Romania emerged into an era of progression and prosperity that would continue until World War II. By the end of the War, many north-eastern areas of Romania's territories were occupied by the Soviet Union, and Romania forcibly became a socialist republic and a member of the Warsaw Pact.
wn.com/Romania -
Rome
Rome (/ˈroʊm/; Italian: Roma pronounced [ˈroːma] ( listen); Latin: Rōma) is a city and special comune ("Roma Capitale") in Italy. Rome is the capital of Italy and the capital of Lazio (Latin: Latium). With 2.8 million residents in 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi), it is also the country's largest and most populated comune and fourth-most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. Between 3.2 and 3.7 million people live in the Rome metropolitan area. The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.
Rome's history spans two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, which was the dominant power in Western Europe and the lands bordering the Mediterranean for over seven hundred years from the 1st century BC until the 7th century AD and the city is regarded as one of the birthplaces of western civilization. Since the 1st century AD Rome has been the seat of the Papacy and, after the end of Byzantine domination, in the 8th century it became the capital of the Papal States, which lasted until 1870. In 1871 Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, and in 1946 that of the Italian Republic.
wn.com/Rome -
Russia
Russiai/ˈrʌʃə/ or /ˈrʊʃə/ (Russian: Россия, tr. Rossiya; IPA: [rɐˈsʲijə] ( listen)), also officially known as the Russian Federation (Russian: Российская Федерация, tr. Rossiyskaya Federatsiya; IPA: [rɐˈsʲijskəjə fʲɪdʲɪˈratsɨjə] ( listen)), is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects. From northwest to southeast, Russia shares borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It also has maritime borders with Japan by the Sea of Okhotsk, and the US state of Alaska by the Bering Strait. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than one eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area. Russia is also the eighth most populous nation with 143 million people. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning nine time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world's largest reserves of mineral and energy resources and is the largest producer of oil and natural gas globally. Russia has the world's largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world's fresh water.
wn.com/Russia -
Saint Lucia
Saint Luciai/seɪnt ˈluːʃə/ (French: Sainte-Lucie) is a sovereign island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 617 km2 (238.23 sq mi) and has a population of 174,000 (2010). Its capital is Castries. Two Nobel laureates, Arthur Lewis, an economist, and Derek Walcott, a poet and playwright, have come from the island. It is the nation with the second most such honorees per capita after the Faroe Islands.
One of the Windward Islands, it was named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse by the French, the first European colonizers. They signed a treaty with the native Carib people in 1660. England took control of the island from 1663 to 1667; in ensuing years, it was at war with France 14 times and rule of the island changed frequently (it was seven times each ruled by the French and British). In 1814, the British took definitive control of the island. Because it switched so often between British and French control, Saint Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies".
wn.com/Saint_Lucia -
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,712,391 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, and was the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World. It lies within the boundaries of the Distrito Nacional (D.N.; "National District"), itself bordered on three sides by Santo Domingo Province.
Santo Domingo was called "Ciudad Trujillo", from 1930 to 1961, after the Dominican Republic's dictator, Rafael Trujillo, named the capital after himself. Following his assassination, the city resumed its original designation. Today, Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's major metropolis, and is the largest city in the Caribbean by population.[citation needed] Santo Domingo is ranked as a Gamma world city by Loughborough University.
wn.com/Santo_Domingo -
Serbia
Serbiai/ˈsɜrbiə/, officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: Република Србија / Republika Srbija, pronounced [rɛpǔblika sř̩bija]), is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans. Serbia borders Hungary to the north; Romania and Bulgaria to the east; the Republic of Macedonia to the south; and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro to the west; additionally, it borders Albania through Kosovo, whose status as part of Serbia is disputed. Serbia covers an area of 88,361 km2 and has a population of just over 7.1 million, while the capital and largest city is Belgrade.
The arrival of the Serbs to the Balkans in the 7th century, established several states, eventually forming the Serbian Empire in the 14th century. By the 16th century, Serbia was conquered and occupied by the Ottoman Empire, at times interrupted by the Habsburgs. In the early 19th century the Serbian revolution re-established the country as the region's first constitutional monarchy, which subsequently expanded its territory and pioneered the abolition of feudalism in the Balkans. The former Habsburg crownland of Vojvodina united with Serbia in 1918. Following World War I, Serbia formed Yugoslavia with other South Slavic peoples which existed in several forms up until 2006, when the National Assembly of Serbia declared independence and the legal succession to the former State Union. In February 2008 the parliament of UNMIK-governed Kosovo, Serbia's southern province, declared independence, with mixed responses from international governments.
wn.com/Serbia -
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic (short form: Slovakiai/sloʊˈvɑːkiə/ or /sləˈvækiə/; Slovak: Slovensko (help·info), long form Slovenská republika (help·info)) is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mi). Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. The largest city is the capital, Bratislava, and the second largest is Košice. Slovakia is a member state of the European Union, NATO, United Nations, OECD and WTO among others. The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family.
The Slavs arrived in the territory of present day Slovakia in the 5th and 6th centuries during the migration period. In the course of history, various parts of today's Slovakia belonged to Samo's Empire (the first known political unit of Slavs), Principality of Nitra (as independent polity, as part of Great Moravia and as part of Hungarian Kingdom), Great Moravia, Kingdom of Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian Empire or Habsburg Empire, and Czechoslovakia. A separate Slovak state briefly existed during World War II, during which Slovakia was a dependency of Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1944. From 1945 Slovakia once again became a part of Czechoslovakia. The present-day Slovakia became an independent state on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
wn.com/Slovakia -
Slovenia
Slovenia (i/sloʊˈviːniə/ sloh-VEE-nee-ə, Slovene: Slovenija), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Republika Slovenija, [reˈpublika sloˈveːnija]) is a Slavic nation state, situated in South-Central Europe, at the crossroad of main European cultural and trade routes. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and southeast, and Hungary to the northeast. It covers 20,273 square kilometres (7,827 sq mi) and has a population of 2.05 million. It is a parliamentary republic, member of the European Union and NATO. Relative to its geography, history, economy, culture, and language, it is a very diverse country distinguished by a transitional character. It is characterised by a high economic and social level. Its capital and largest city is Ljubljana.
The territory of Slovenia is mainly hilly or mountainous and has an exceptionally high landscape and biological diversity and a mosaic structure, which are a result of natural attributes and the long-lasting presence of humans. Four major European geographic units interweave here: the Alps, the Dinaric Alps, the Mediterranean, with a small portion of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, and the Pannonian Plain. The climate is temperate and significantly influenced by the variety of territory, with a strong interaction of the continental climate, the sub-Mediterranean climate and Alpine climate across most of the country. The country is one of the water-richest in Europe, with a dense river network, a rich aquifer system, and significant karstic underground watercourses. Over half of the territory is covered by forest.
wn.com/Slovenia -
Sofia
Sofia (Bulgarian: София, pronounced [ˈsɔfijɐ] ( listen)) is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 15th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.2 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.
Prehistoric settlements were excavated in the centre of the present city, near the royal palace, as well as in outer districts Slatina and Obelya. The well-preserved town walls (especially their substructures) date back before the 7th century BC, when Thracians established their city around a mineral spring, which exists to the present day. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence. Its ancient name, Serdika or Serdica, derives from the local Celtic tribe of the serdi who inhabited the region since the 1st century BC. Serdica was a Roman capital during the tetrarchic system of government. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the major commercial centres of the Bulgarian Empire, along with Tarnovo. Sofia's population remained small until 1879, when it was declared a capital of the Principality of Bulgaria after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.
wn.com/Sofia -
South Africa
Coordinates: 30°S 25°E / 30°S 25°E / -30; 25
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of Africa. It is divided into nine provinces and has 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline. To the north of the country lie the neighbouring territories of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while Lesotho is an enclave surrounded by South African territory.
South Africa is multi-ethnic and has diverse cultures and languages. Eleven official languages are recognised in the constitution. Two of these languages are of European origin: South African English and Afrikaans, a language which originated mainly from Dutch that is spoken by the majority of white and Coloured South Africans. Though English is commonly used in public and commercial life, it is only the fifth most-spoken home language. All ethnic and language groups have political representation in the country's constitutional democracy comprising a parliamentary republic; unlike most parliamentary republics, the positions of head of state and head of government are merged in a parliament-dependent President.
wn.com/South_Africa -
South Korea
South Korea ( listen), officially the Republic of Korea (Hangul: 대한민국; Hanja: 大韓民國; Daehan Minguk listen), is a sovereign state in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages (an initial "G" in Korean is pronounced like an English "K").
Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the Korea Strait to the south. South Korea lies in the north temperate zone with a predominantly mountainous terrain. It covers a total area of 99,392 square kilometers and has a population of almost 50 million. The capital and largest city is Seoul, with a population of 9,794,304.
Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied by the Lower Paleolithic period.Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the legendary Dan-gun. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 AD, Korea went through the Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910, when it was annexed by Japan. After liberation and occupation by Soviet and U.S. forces at the end of World War II, the nation was divided into North and South Korea. The latter was established in 1948 as a democracy, though political turmoil and times of military rule and martial law characterized much of the period until the foundation of the Sixth Republic in 1987.
wn.com/South_Korea -
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union (Russian: Советский Союз, tr. Sovetsky Soyuz), officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR; Russian: Сою́з Сове́тских Социалисти́ческих Респу́блик, tr. Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik; IPA: [sɐˈjus sɐˈvʲetskʲɪx sətsɨəlʲɪˈstʲitɕɪskʲɪx rʲɪsˈpublʲɪk] ( listen); abbreviated СССР, SSSR), was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.
The Soviet Union was a single-party state ruled by the Communist Party from its foundation until 1990. A union of 15 subnational Soviet republics, the Soviet state was structured under a highly centralized government and economy.
The Russian Revolution of 1917 caused the downfall of the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution, there was a struggle for power between the Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, and the anti-communist White movement. In December 1922, the Bolsheviks won the civil war, and the Soviet Union was formed with the merger of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.
wn.com/Soviet_Union -
Spain
Spain (i/ˈspeɪn/ SPAYN; Spanish: España, pronounced: [esˈpaɲa] ( listen)), officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España), is a sovereign state and a member of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north and north east by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal.
Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco. Furthermore, the town of Llívia is a Spanish exclave situated inside French territory. With an area of 504,030 square kilometres (194,610 sq mi), it is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France, and the fourth largest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and France.
wn.com/Spain -
Sweden
Sweden (i/ˈswiːdən/ SWEE-dən; Swedish: Sverige [ˈsværjɛ] ( listen)), officially the Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish: Konungariket Sverige (help·info)), is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland, and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Øresund.
At 450,295 square kilometres (173,860 sq mi), Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union by area, with a total population of about 9.4 million. Sweden has a low population density of 21 inhabitants per square kilometre (54 /sq mi) with the population mostly concentrated to the southern half of the country. About 85% of the population live in urban areas. Sweden's capital city is Stockholm, which is also the largest city.
Sweden emerged as an independent and unified country during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the country expanded its territories to form the Swedish Empire. The empire grew to be one of the great powers of Europe in the 17th and early 18th century. Most of the conquered territories outside the Scandinavian Peninsula were lost during the 18th and 19th centuries. The eastern half of Sweden, present-day Finland, was lost to Russia in 1809. The last war in which Sweden was directly involved was in 1814, when Sweden by military means forced Norway into a personal union. Since then, Sweden has been at peace, practicing "non-participation in military alliances during peacetime and neutrality during wartime". However, Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 1995 and is a member of the OECD.
wn.com/Sweden -
Switzerland
Switzerland (German: die Schweiz[ˈʃvaɪts]; French: Suisse [sɥis(ə)]; Italian: Svizzera [ˈzvit͡sːɛra]; Romansh: Svizra [ˈʒviːtsrɐ] or [ˈʒviːtsʁːɐ]), in its full name the Swiss Confederation (Latin: Confoederatio Helvetica, hence its abbreviation CH), is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in western Europe, where it is bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8 million people is concentrated mostly on the Plateau, where the largest cities are to be found. Among them are the two global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva.
The Swiss Confederation has a long history of armed neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and did not join the United Nations until 2002. It pursues, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross and home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest UN office. On the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Area – although it is notably not a member of the European Union, nor the European Economic Area.
wn.com/Switzerland -
Taiwan
Taiwan (i/ˌtaɪˈwɑːn/ TY-WAHN; Chinese: 臺灣 or 台灣; pinyin: Táiwān; see below), officially the Republic of China (ROC; Chinese: 中華民國; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó), is a state in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China now governs the island of Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa), which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and other minor islands. Neighboring states include the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Taipei is the capital city and economic and cultural centre of the country, and New Taipei is the most populous city.
The earliest evidence of inhabitation of Taiwan dates back to the late Paleolithic era. The island of Taiwan was mainly inhabited by Taiwanese aborigines before being colonized in the 17th century by the Dutch and the Spanish Empire. The first Han Chinese polity on Taiwan began when Koxinga's troops defeated Dutch forces and established the Kingdom of Tungning. The island was subsequently ruled by the Qing Dynasty after the kingdom's defeat in the Battle of Penghu in 1683, a period that lasted for over 200 years. Following Japan's victory over the Qing Dynasty in the first Sino-Japanese war, Taiwan was ceded to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895.
wn.com/Taiwan -
Tajikistan
Tajikistan (i/tɑːˈdʒiːkɨstɑːn/, /təˈdʒiːkɨstæn/, or /tæˈdʒiːkiːstæn/; Тоҷикистон [ˈtɔjikɪsˈtɔn]), officially the Republic of Tajikistan (Tajik: Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Cumhuriyi Tocikiston; Persian: جمهوری تاجیکستان Jomhuri-ye Tajikestan; Russian: Республика Таджикистан, Respublika Tadzhikistan), is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Gilgit Baltistan as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan are separated from Tajikistan by the narrow Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan in the south.
Most of Tajikistan's population belongs to the Persian-speaking Tajik ethnic group, who share language, culture and history with Afghanistan and Iran. Once part of the Samanid Empire, Tajikistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, known as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (Tajik SSR). Mountains cover over 90% of this Central Asian republic.
After independence, Tajikistan suffered from a devastating civil war which lasted from 1992 to 1997. Since the end of the war, newly established political stability and foreign aid have allowed the country's economy to grow. Trade in commodities such as cotton, aluminium and uranium has contributed greatly to this steady improvement.
wn.com/Tajikistan -
Talence
Coordinates: 44°48′00″N 0°35′02″W / 44.8°N 0.584°W / 44.8; -0.584
Talence is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.
It is the third-largest suburb of the city of Bordeaux, and is adjacent to it on the south side. It is a member of the metropolitan Urban Community of Bordeaux.
Talence is the home of Décastar, a prestigious yearly international decathlon event.
Talence is twinned with:
wn.com/Talence -
Tbilisi
Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისი [tʰb̥ilisi] ( listen)) is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi (ტფილისი) and it was officially known as Tpilisi (in Georgian) or Tiflis (in Russian) until 1936. The city covers an area of 726 km2 (280 sq mi) and has 1,480,000 inhabitants.
Founded in the 5th century by Vakhtang Gorgasali, the monarch of Georgia's precursor Kingdom of Iberia, Tbilisi has served, with various intervals, as Georgia's capital for nearly 1500 years and represents a significant industrial, social, and cultural center of the country. Located near the southeastern edge of Europe, Tbilisi's proximity to lucrative east-west trade routes often made the city a point of contention between various rival empires throughout history and the city's location to this day ensures its position as an important transit route for global energy and trade projects. Tbilisi's varied history is reflected in its architecture, which is a mix of medieval, classical, and Soviet structures.
wn.com/Tbilisi -
Tehran
Tehran ( pronunciation (help·info)) (Persian: تهران Tehrān; pronounced [tehˈɾɒːn]), sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, the largest city in Western Asia, one of the largest in Southern Asia, and the 19th-largest city globally.
In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to mass-migration of people from all around Iran. The city is home to many historic mosques, churches, synagogues and Zoroastrian fire temples. Contemporary Tehran is a modern city featuring many structures, of which the Azadi (Freedom) Tower and the Milad Tower have come to be symbols of Tehran itself. In 2008 Tehran was the least expensive capital in the world and the second-least expensive city globally based on the cost-of-living index presenting the best value for money in the world. Globally it stands 19th by city population, 56th by the size of its GDP and 29th by the population of its metropolitan area. Throughout Iran's history, the capital city has been relocated many times, with Tehran being the 32nd national capital of Iran. Persian is the city's native tongue, with roughly 98% of the population able to speak and understand it. The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians. In pre-Islamic and early Islamic times, Tehran was called Ray (which in the Avesta occurs in the form of Ragha)[citation needed].
wn.com/Tehran -
Tokyo
Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō?, "Eastern Capital") [toːkʲoː], English /ˈtoʊki.oʊ/; officially Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tōkyō-to?), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of the world. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family. Tokyo is in the Kantō region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943 from the merger of the former Tokyo Prefecture (東京府, Tōkyō-fu?) and the city of Tokyo (東京市, Tōkyō-shi?).
The Tokyo Metropolitan government administers the 23 special wards of Tokyo (each governed as a city), which cover the area that was the city of Tokyo, as well as 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains. The population of the special wards is over 8 million people, with the total population of the prefecture exceeding 13 million. The prefecture is part of the world's most populous metropolitan area with upwards of 35 million people and the world's largest urban agglomeration economy with a GDP of US$1.479 trillion at purchasing power parity in 2008, ahead of New York City metropolitan area, which ranks second on the list. The city hosts 47 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, the highest amount of any city.
wn.com/Tokyo -
Tunisia
Tunisia (USi/tuːˈniːʒə/ two-NEE-zhə or UK /tjuːˈnɪziə/ tew-NIZ-iə; Arabic: تونس Tūnis pronounced [ˈtuːnɪs]), officially the Republic of Tunisia (Arabic: الجمهورية التونسية al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah), is the northernmost country in Africa. It is an Arab Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area is almost 165,000 square kilometres (64,000 sq mi), with an estimated population of just under 10.7 million. Its name is derived from the capital Tunis located in the northeast.
Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa. The south of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil and 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) of coastline.
Tunisia has relations with both the European Union—with whom it has an association agreement—and the Arab world. Tunisia is also a member of the Arab Maghreb Union, the Arab League, and the African Union. Tunisia has established close relations with France in particular, through economic cooperation, industrial modernization, and privatisation programs.
wn.com/Tunisia -
Turkey
Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (help·info)), is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia (mostly in the Anatolian peninsula) and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhchivan) and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the south; the Aegean Sea is to the west; and the Black Sea is to the north. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles (which together form the Turkish Straits) demarcate the boundary between East Thrace and Anatolia; they also separate Europe and Asia.
Turkey is one of the six independent Turkic states. The vast majority of the population are Muslims. The country's official language is Turkish, whereas Kurdish and Zazaki languages are spoken by Kurds and Zazas, who constitute 18% of the population.
wn.com/Turkey -
Ukraine
Ukraine (i/juːˈkreɪn/ yew-KRAYN; Ukrainian: Україна, transliterated: Ukrayina, [ukrɑˈjinɑ]; Russian: Украина; Crimean Tatar: Ukraina) is a country in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine borders the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after the Russian Federation.
According to a popular and well established theory, the medieval state of Kievan Rus was established by the Varangians in the 9th century as the first historically recorded East Slavic state which emerged as a powerful nation in the Middle Ages until it disintegrated in the 12th century. By the middle of the 14th century, Ukrainian territories were under the rule of three external powers—the Golden Horde, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Kingdom of Poland. After the Great Northern War (1700–1721) Ukraine was divided between a number of regional powers and, by the 19th century, the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into the Russian Empire with the rest under Austro-Hungarian control. A chaotic period of incessant warfare ensued, with several internationally recognized attempts at independence from 1917 to 1921, following World War I and the Russian Civil War. Ukraine emerged from its own civil war, and on December 30, 1922 Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian SSR's territory was enlarged westward during the civil war shortly before, and after World War II, and further south in 1954 with the Crimea transfer. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations.
wn.com/Ukraine -
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain) is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The country includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another sovereign state—the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea.
The United Kingdom is a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system, with its seat of government in the capital city of London. It is a country in its own right and consists of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are three devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff, the capitals of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Associated with the UK, but not constitutionally part of it, are three Crown Dependencies. The United Kingdom has fourteen overseas territories. These are remnants of the British Empire which, at its height in 1922, encompassed almost a quarter of the world's land surface and was the largest empire in history. British influence can still be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former territories.
wn.com/United_Kingdom -
United States
The United States of America (commonly abbreviated to the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west, across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Pacific and Caribbean.
At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) and with over 312 million people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area, and the third largest by both land area and population. It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries. The U.S. economy is the world's largest national economy, with an estimated 2011 GDP of $15.1 trillion (22% of nominal global GDP and over 19% of global GDP at purchasing-power parity). Per capita income is the world's sixth-highest.
wn.com/United_States -
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistani/ʊzˌbɛkɨˈstɑːn/, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi, Ўзбекистон Республикаси) is the only doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of only two such countries worldwide. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. Before 1991, it was part of the Soviet Union.
Uzbekistan is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia.
Once part of the Persian Samanid and later Timurid empires, the region was conquered in the early 16th century by Uzbek nomads, who spoke an Eastern Turkic language. Most of Uzbekistan’s population today belong to the Uzbek ethnic group and speak the Uzbek language, one of the family of Turkic languages.
Uzbekistan was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and in 1924 became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, known as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (Uzbek SSR). It became independent on 31 August 1991 (officially, from the following day).
wn.com/Uzbekistan -
Venezuela
Venezuela (i/ˌvɛnɨˈzweɪlə/ VEN-ə-ZWAY-lə), officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela [repuˈβlika βoliβaˈɾjana ðe βeneˈswela]), is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. Its northern coastline of roughly 2,800 kilometres (1,700 mi) includes numerous islands in the Caribbean Sea, and in the north east borders the northern Atlantic Ocean. Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba and the Leeward Antilles lie near the Venezuelan coast. Venezuela's territory covers around 916,445 square kilometres (353,841 sq mi) with an estimated population of 29,105,632. Venezuela is considered a state with extremely high biodiversity, with habitats ranging from the Andes mountains in the west to the Amazon Basin rainforest in the south, via extensive llanos plains and Caribbean coast in the center and the Orinoco River Delta in the east.
wn.com/Venezuela -
Vietnam
Vietnam ( listen), formally the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam; listen), is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. With an estimated 91.5 million inhabitants as of 2012, it is the world's 13th-most-populous country, and the eighth-most-populous Asian country. The name Vietnam translates as "South Viet", and was officially adopted in 1945. The country is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east.
The Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in 938 AD, following the Battle of Bạch Đằng River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. The First Indochina War eventually led to the expulsion of the French in 1954, leaving Vietnam divided politically into two states, North and South Vietnam. Conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy foreign intervention, during the Vietnam War, which ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.
wn.com/Vietnam -
West Germany
West Germany (German: Westdeutschland) is the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990.
During this period, West Germany and the communist East Germany were divided by the Inner German border. After 1961, West Berlin was physically separated from East Berlin as well as from East Germany by the Berlin Wall. This situation ended when East Germany was dissolved and its five states joined the ten states of the Federal Republic of Germany along with the reunified city-state of Berlin. The enlarged Federal Republic of Germany with sixteen states (known simply as "Germany") is thus the continuation of the pre-1990 Federal Republic of Germany.
The Federal Republic of Germany was established from eleven states formed in the three Allied Zones of occupation held by the United States, the United Kingdom and France (the "Western Zones"). The city of Bonn was its provisional capital city. The fourth Allied occupation zone (the East Zone, or Ostzone) was held by the Soviet Union. The parts of this zone lying east of the Oder-Neisse were in fact annexed by the Soviet Union and communist Poland; the remaining central part around Berlin became the communist German Democratic Republic (abbreviated GDR; in German Deutsche Demokratische Republik or DDR) with its de facto capital in East Berlin. As a result, West Germany had a territory about half the size of the interwar democratic Weimar Republic.
wn.com/West_Germany
-
Ahmad Hassan Moussa
Ahmad Hassan Moussa (Arabic: احمد حسن موسى ; born 17 June 1981) is a Qatari decathlete. He represented his country at the 2004 Summer Olympics and is a two time Asian Champion in the event (2002 and 2007).
Moussa was the bronze medallist at both the 2002 Asian Games and the 2007 Military World Games. He has won three Arab Athletics titles for Qatar and won the gold medal at the 2007 Pan Arab Games. His personal best of 7730 points is the Qatari national record for the decathlon.
Based in Al-Sadd, Doha, Moussa won the Arab junior decathlon title in 1998 and went on to finish twelfth with a personal best of 6872 points at the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He also won at the Gulf Cooperation Council Championships that year – the first of three straight victories from 1998 to 2002. He won the gold medal at the 1999 Asian Junior Athletics Championships, At the age of eighteen he was crowned the Pan Arab champion in Beirut at the 1999 Arab Athletics Championships and improved his best total to 7482 points. He competed at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Athletics, only managing thirteenth place, and missed the 2001 season.
wn.com/Ahmad_Hassan_Moussa -
Alejandro Cárdenas
Alejandro Manuel Cárdenas Robles (born September 4, 1974 in Hermosillo, Sonora) is a retired track & field athlete from Mexico. He is married to high jumper athlete Romary Rifka.
After forming part of the Mexican 4 X 100 metres relay in the 1992 Summer Olympics, he opted for the decathlon.
In 1995 he obtained a bronze medal in the Pan American Games in decathlon and another bronze as the member of the 4 X 100 relay.
During 1996, he specialized in the 400 m dash, in which participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics, and qualified for the semifinals, with a time of 45.33 s.
In 1998 he participated in the Central American and Caribbean Games, in 400 m dash, in which he obtained a bronze medal.
Cárdenas also participated in 1999 on the IAAF World Indoor Championships, in 400 m dash in which he obtained a bronze medal. That same year also participated in the World Championships in Athletics. Alejandro ran along with Michael Johnson, he reached a third place, and a personal record of 44.31 s.
Little time later he participated in which were its last Pan American Games, reaching a third place in the 400 m dash.
wn.com/Alejandro_Cárdenas -
Aleksandr Grebenyuk
Aleksandr Grebenyuk (Russian: Александр Гребенюк; born 22 May 1951 in Zelenokumsk, Stavropol Kray) is a retired decathlete from the Soviet Union. He set the best world's year performance in 1977, collecting 8400 points at a meet in Riga on 3 July 1977. He won the European title in 1978, and collected three Soviet titles (1977, 1978 and 1979).
wn.com/Aleksandr_Grebenyuk -
Atanas Andonov
Atanas Vasilev Andonov (Bulgarian: Атанас Василев Андонов; born July 16, 1955) is a retired male decathlete from Bulgaria. He set his personal best (8199 points) in 1981. Andonov is married to high jumper Lyudmila Andonova.
The above are the olympic results of Atanas Andonov.
wn.com/Atanas_Andonov -
Attila Zsivóczky
Attila Zsivóczky (born 29 April 1977 in Budapest) is a Hungarian track and field athlete, competing in decathlon. He has previously specialized in high jump, where he took a fourth place at the 1994 World Junior Championships in Athletics
His father Gyula Zsivótzky was an Olympic champion in hammer throw.
wn.com/Attila_Zsivóczky -
Austra Skujytė
Austra Skujytė (born 12 August 1979 in Biržai) is a Lithuanian athlete, competing in both the heptathlon and the decathlon. On 15 April 2005 in Columbia, Missouri, she broke the women's decathlon world record, with a score of 8366.
Her personal best in the 7-event heptathlon of 6435 was set on 21 August at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where she won the Olympic silver medal.
Skujytė graduated with a degree in kinesiology from Kansas State University, where she became the first woman at the school to win multiple NCAA championships, capturing titles in the heptathlon in 2001 and 2002. In 2002, she also took second in the NCAA in the shot put competition.
wn.com/Austra_Skujytė -
Austria
Austria (i/ˈɒstriə/ or /ˈɔːstriə/; German: Österreich [ˈøːstɐˌʁaɪç] ( listen)), officially the Republic of Austria (German: Republik Österreich (help·info)), is a landlocked country of roughly 8.47 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The territory of Austria covers 83,855 square kilometres (32,377 sq mi) and has a temperate and alpine climate. Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,798 metres (12,461 ft). The majority of the population speak local Austro-Bavarian dialects of German as their native language, and German in its standard form is the country's official language. Other local official languages are Burgenland Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene.
The origins of modern-day Austria date back to the time of the Habsburg dynasty when the vast majority of the country was a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Austria became one of the great powers of Europe and, in response to the coronation of Napoleon I as the Emperor of the French, the Austrian Empire was officially proclaimed in 1804. In 1867, the Austrian Empire was reformed into Austria-Hungary.
wn.com/Austria -
Beniamino Poserina
Beniamino Poserina (born November 6, 1970 in Monfalcone, Gorizia) is a retired male decathlete from Italy, who competed for his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. A member of Fiamme Azzurre Roma he set his personal best score (8169 points) in the men's decathlon on October 6, 1996 in Formia. That mark still is the national record.
wn.com/Beniamino_Poserina -
Benjamin Jensen
Benjamin Jensen (born 13 April 1975 in Mandal, Vest-Agder) is a Norwegian decathlete. He represented Mandal og Halse IL, IK Tjalve and IL Norna-Salhus during his active career. His personal best in decathlon is 8160 points, achieved in August 1999 in Roskilde. This is the Norwegian record.
wn.com/Benjamin_Jensen -
Bill Toomey
William Anthony Toomey (born January 10, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American track and field competitor and the 1968 Olympic decathlon champion.
A graduate of Worcester Academy and the University of Colorado, Toomey was named ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year in 1968. He received the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States in 1969.
Toomey married Olympic gold-medal winning British athlete Mary Rand in 1969 and they had two daughters, Samantha and Sarah. They divorced after 22 years of marriage.
Toomey was head coach in track and field at the University of California at Irvine in the early 1970s.[citation needed]
wn.com/Bill_Toomey -
Bojidar Spiriev
Dr. Bojidar Spiriev (Bulgarian: Божидар Спириев; 1932–2010) was a hydrogeological engineer and athletics statistician credited with the creation of the official IAAF Scoring Tables in Athletics.
Dr. Spiriev was born in Nevrokop (today Gotse Delchev), a town in southwestern Bulgaria. He married Hungarian long jump champion Irén Kun in 1961 and moved to Hungary. However, it was not until 1992 that he was granted Hungarian citizenship. He is the father of former athlete and athletics manager Attila and chess player Peter.
Dr. Spiriev created the "Hungarian" Scoring Tables of Athletics in 1979, which later turned into the official IAAF Scoring Tables. Together with Attila they created the World Rankings system in athletics. They also founded All-Athletics.com, the most comprehensive worldwide athletics database website.
Dr. Spiriev died on 10 January 2010 at the age of 77.
wn.com/Bojidar_Spiriev -
Bruce Jenner
William Bruce Jenner (born October 28, 1949) is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics.
Following his Olympic victory and the related recognition, his professional career evolved into being a television celebrity. By 1981 he had starred in several made-for-TV movies and was Erik Estrada's replacement on the top rated TV series CHiPs. Since the 2007 debut of Keeping Up with the Kardashians he has appeared as the step-father to the Kardashian sisters.
Bruce Jenner is originally from Mount Kisco, New York. He attended Newtown High School in Newtown, Connecticut, after spending a year at Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Jenner earned a football scholarship and attended Graceland College (now Graceland University) in Iowa, but a knee injury forced him to stop playing football and he switched to the decathlon. He was mentored by Graceland's track coach L. D. Weldon, who was the first to recognize Jenner's potential and encouraged him to pursue the decathlon. Jenner debuted in the decathlon at the Drake Relays in 1970, placing fifth.
wn.com/Bruce_Jenner -
Bryan Clay
Bryan Ezra Tsumoru Clay (born January 3, 1980) is an American decathlete. He is the reigning Olympic champion for the decathlon and was also World champion in 2005.
Clay was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Hawaii. He is Afro-Asian. His mother, Michele Ishimoto, was a Japanese immigrant to America. His father, Greg Clay, was African American. His parents divorced when he was in elementary school and he was raised primarily by his mother.
Clay has a younger brother, Nikolas, who was also a standout athlete on the Azusa Pacific University track team.
He graduated from James B. Castle High School (Kaneohe, Hawaii) in 1998.
Clay is married to Sarah Smith. They have a son, Jacob (b. 2005), and two daughters, Katherine (Kate) (b. 2007) and Elizabeth (Ellie) (b. 2010) . Clay believes that a balance of mental, physical, and emotional health will help him in athletic competition. Clay is a devout Christian.
Clay addressed the 2008 Republican National Convention.
He competed in track and field in high school, during which time he was coached by Dacre Bowen and Martin Hee. He then attended Azusa Pacific University, an Evangelical Christian college near Los Angeles, California, where he competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and was coached by Mike Barnett, who still coaches him. Clay still trains at Azusa Pacific University. Clay decided to compete in the decathlon after persuasion from Olympian Chris Huffins.
wn.com/Bryan_Clay -
Chris Huffins
Chris Huffins (born 15 April 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an athlete from the United States who competed in the field of Decathlon. He was the Director and Head Coach of the Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country programs at the University of California from 2002 to 2007. He married Monique Parker in 1997. He earned a degree from the University of California in French. Huffins is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Chris Huffins first became interested in decathlon while a student at the University of California. Sidelined with a broken toe, he watched other students performing decathlon and decided that that was the sport for him. Before becoming a decathlete, Chris Huffins was also a basketball player, sprinter, and long jumper.
As a decathlete, Huffins acquired a reputation as a fast starter but a slow finisher, prone to surging ahead on the first day of the competition, but fading on the second day. Huffins denied this accusation, saying that it was an accident of ordering because his two weakest events (javelin, 1500m run) happened to be the final two events of the decathlon.
wn.com/Chris_Huffins -
Christian Plaziat
Christian Plaziat (born 28 October 1963 in Lyon) is a retired French decathlete. During his career he won the European Championships, the European Indoor Championships and the World Indoor Championships.
wn.com/Christian_Plaziat -
Christian Schenk
Christian Schenk (born February 9, 1965 in Rostock, East Germany) won the gold medal in the decathlon in the 1988 Summer Olympics, held in Seoul, South Korea.
Schenk also won a bronze medal at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo. He missed the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona because of an injury and came fourth in the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart.
His personal best was 8500 points, achieved in August 1993 in Stuttgart. This ranks him ninth among German decathletes, behind Jürgen Hingsen, Uwe Freimuth, Siegfried Wentz, Frank Busemann, Torsten Voss, Guido Kratschmer, Paul Meier and Siegfried Stark. Schenk shares the decathlon world record in high jump with Rolf Beilschmidt at 2.27 m.
wn.com/Christian_Schenk -
Daley Thompson
Francis Morgan Ayodélé "Daley" Thompson CBE (born 30 July 1958), is a former decathlete from England. He won the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and broke the world record for the event four times.
With four world records, two Olympic gold medals, three Commonwealth titles, and wins in the World and European Championships, Thompson is considered by many to be the greatest decathlete of all time. Robert Chalmers described him as "the greatest all-round athlete this country [Great Britain] has ever produced."
Thompson was born in Notting Hill, London, the second son of a Nigerian father and Scottish mother. His father was a taxi driver who was shot dead in Streatham when Thompson was about twelve. At seven years old Thompson was sent to Farney Close Boarding School, Bolney, Sussex, which he described as "a place for troubled children". Thompson's name is a contraction of Ayodele, a Yoruba word meaning "joy comes home". Thompson's first ambition was to become a professional footballer, but he later switched his interests to athletics.
wn.com/Daley_Thompson -
Dayron Robles
Dayron Robles (born 19 November 1986) is a track and field athlete who specialises in the 110 metre hurdles.
He won his first major medal (a silver) in the 60 metres hurdles at the 2006 World Indoor Championships. He finished the 2006 season having improved his outdoor best to 13 seconds and become the Central American and Caribbean Games champion. Pan American gold came the following year in which also set a meet record of 12.92 seconds at the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Final – making him the joint fourth fastest ever.
He reached the pinnacle of his event in 2008 by setting a world record of 12.87 seconds in June at the Golden Spike Ostrava meet, and winning an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in 12.93 seconds. Injury ruled him out for much of 2009, but he returned strongly with a championship record win at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
He won his first international medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics, taking the silver medal in the 110 m hurdles which was Cuba's only medal of the competition. At the 2006 World Indoor Championships in Moscow he finished second with a new personal best time (indoor) of 7.46 seconds. He improved upon this time with a run of 7.33 s at the 2008 PSD Bank Meeting – this was a Panamerican record and made him the second-fastest ever indoors, behind Colin Jackson.
wn.com/Dayron_Robles -
Dmitriy Karpov
Dmitriy Karpov (born July 23, 1981 in Karaganda) is an athlete from Kazakhstan who competes in decathlon and heptathlon (the latter during the winter season). He won the bronze medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
wn.com/Dmitriy_Karpov -
Dominic Johnson
Dominic Laurence Johnson (born October 31, 1975) is a retired St Lucian athlete competing in the pole vault. He is a former decathlete.
His personal best result is 5.70 metres, achieved in 2000. This is the current St Lucian record. He also holds the St Lucian records in decathlon, polevault, 110 metres hurdles, 4 x 100 metres relay and 4 x 400 metres relay. In 1998, Dominic established his national indoor record of 5.55m in Flagstaff, Arizona. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has been described by then-coach Dave Murray as "the best all around athlete we've ever had at the university." Dominic, a past Sportsman of the Year recipient in St Lucia, won a silver medal for St Lucia at the 2008 CAC Championships in Cali, Colombia. In collaboration with journalist Terry Finisterre, Dominic also set up a College Athletic Scholarship Program which benefitted more than 30 St. Lucian athletes, one of who went on to become a 2004 Olympian.
International Olympic Committee Athletes Commission Representative
wn.com/Dominic_Johnson -
Douglas Fernández
Douglas ("Doug") Fernández (born November 22, 1959) is a retired male decathlete from Venezuela. His major achievement was winning the silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas. He represented his native country at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, finishing in 18th place.
wn.com/Douglas_Fernández -
Eduard Hämäläinen
Eduard Hämäläinen (born 21 January 1969 in Karaganda, Kazakh SSR) is a retired decathlete from Finland and Belarus.
He originally competed for the Soviet Union and then Belarus after the Soviet dissolution, but changed nationality. His great-grandparents were deported from Finland to Turkestan in 1917. During his career he won three silver medals at World Championships.
wn.com/Eduard_Hämäläinen -
Edy Hubacher
Eduard "Edy" Hubacher (born 15 April 1940 in Bern) is a former Swiss sportsman.
In the 1960s he competed as shot putter, discus thrower and decathlete. He still holds the current world best shot put within a decathlon (19.17 meters). In the early 1970s, he switched to bobsledding. At the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, he won a gold in the four-man and a bronze in the two man events.
Template:Portal:Switzerland/Stub
Template:Portal:Switzerland/Stub
Template:Portal:Switzerland/Stub
wn.com/Edy_Hubacher -
Eelco Sintnicolaas
Eelco Sintnicolaas (born 17 April 1987 in Dordrecht) is a Dutch athlete, specialising in the decathlon.
His first result in the decathlon was a score of 8.052 points at the Götzis Meeting in 2009. That same year he earned a gold medal at the U23 European Championships, with 8.112 points, whereas his best result was a silver medal at the 2010 European Championships in Athletics in Barcelona with 8.436 points. At the Götzis Meeting in 2012 he finished second with personal best result 8506 pt.
wn.com/Eelco_Sintnicolaas -
Erki Nool
Erki Nool (born 25 June 1970 in Võru, Estonia) is an Estonian decathlete and politician.
Nool is a winner of the gold medal for decathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Although Nool did not place first in any individual event, his total score was the highest. Nool won the title after the competition referee decided to over-rule a discus judge, who had red-flagged his last and only valid attempt due to alleged step-out. The reinstatement of his 43.66-metre third throw sparked unsuccessful counter-protests from other teams. Nool took gold ahead of the Czech Roman Šebrle and American Chris Huffins.
Nool holds the decathlon world record in long jump with 8.22 m.
On September 1997 he established the first private athletics school in Estonia.
Since 2005, Erki Nool has been the Vice Chairman of the EOC Athletes Commission and since 2007, member of the European Athletics Development Committee.
Nool was elected to the Estonian Parliament, Riigikogu, on 4 March 2007, representing the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica.
wn.com/Erki_Nool -
Frank Busemann
Frank Busemann (born February 26, 1975 in Recklinghausen) is a former German decathlete.
Busemann started his career as a 110 m hurdler and was junior world champion in this discipline in 1994. After his surprising decathlon silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with his personal best of 8706 points he became one of Germany's most popular sportsmen. He also was elected German Sportsmen of the Year. At the World Championships of the following year Busemann became third.
After these successes Busemann confronted severe injuries from which he only recovered partly. He made a comeback at the 2000 Olympics where he finished on place seven. In 2003, at the age of just 28, he retired because of his deteriorating physical condition. His personal best of 8706 points ranks him fourth among German decathletes, behind Jürgen Hingsen, Uwe Freimuth and Siegfried Wentz. [1]
wn.com/Frank_Busemann -
Gernot Kellermayr
Gernot Kellermayr (born April 5, 1966) is a retired decathlete from Austria. He competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
wn.com/Gernot_Kellermayr -
Guido Kratschmer
Guido Kratschmer (born 10 January 1953 in Klotzenhof, Germany) is a retired West German decathlete. His sports club was the USC Mainz.
Kratschmer competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he won the silver medal in the men's decathlon event. He could not participate at the 1980 Summer Olympics because of the boycott.
In 1980, Kratschmer broke the world record held by Daley Thompson, but in 1982, Kratchmer's mark was in turn topped by Thompson.
Kratchmer's personal best total in the decathlon was 8667 points, achieved in June 1980 in Bernhausen, Germany. This total ranks him sixth all-time among German decathletes, behind Jürgen Hingsen, Uwe Freimuth, Siegfried Wentz, Frank Busemann and Torsten Voss.
wn.com/Guido_Kratschmer -
Hadi Sepehrzad
Hadi Sepehrzad (Persian: هادی سپهرزاد , born 19 January 1983 in Tehran) is an Iranian decathlete.
wn.com/Hadi_Sepehrzad -
Hamdi Dhouibi
Hamdi Dhouibi (born 24 January 1982 in Kairouan) is a Tunisian decathlete.
He held the African record with 8023 points, achieved at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. The record was broken by Larbi Bouraada of Algeria at the 2009 World Championships. Dhouibi also holds the African record in heptathlon (indoor) with 5733 points, achieved in March 2003 in Aubière.
wn.com/Hamdi_Dhouibi -
Hans Van Alphen
Hans Van Alphen (born 12 January 1982 in Turnhout) is a Belgian decathlete.
Van Alphen won the silver medal at the 2007 Summer Universiade and finished eleventh at the 2007 World Championships. In 2005, he became Belgian champion in the decathlon. He was the first Belgian decathlete to pass the 8000 points limit.
In 2008, Van Alphen was a competitor in the decathlon of the Beijing Olympics, but did not finish all the events due to injury.
He was just below the 8000-point mark at the 2010 Hypo-Meeting, where he came 13th, then he set a personal best score of 8072 points to finish fifth at the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona. Continuing in that vein, he set a best in the men's heptathlon at the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships, taking ninth place with a total of 5938 points. Turning to the outdoor circuit, he improved a number of event bests at the Hypo-Meeting (including the 100 metres, high jump and long jump) and ended the competition in eleventh place with 8045 points. At the 2011 TNT - Fortuna Meeting in Kladno he put together his best series of results: following a best of 66.21 m in the javelin, he moved up four places in the final 1500 metres to take the runner-up spot behind Leonel Suárez with a decathlon personal best of 8120 points.
wn.com/Hans_Van_Alphen -
Hicham El Guerrouj
Hicham El Guerrouj "King of the Mile" (Moroccan Arabic: هشام الݣروج, born September 14, 1974, Berkane) is a Moroccan former middle distance runner. He is the current holder of the 1500 metres, mile and outdoor 2000 metres world records, as well as a double Olympic gold medalist. From about 1995 until his retirement from serious competition following the 2004 Olympics, he was the dominant middle distance runner of his day.
Hicham El Guerrouj's first international triumph was in 1992 at age 18, when he was 3rd in the 5000 metres of the 1992 Junior World Championships in Seoul, behind Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia.
In 1994, he was a member of the Moroccan team in the 1994 IAAF World Road Relay Championships, which won the race in world record time.
El Guerrouj rose to international prominence in the mid-1990s with near-record times in the 1500 metres and mile. At the age of 20 he finished second in the 1500 metres at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg. In 1996 after setting a new personal best over 1500 metres in 3:29.59 in Stockholm, he was considered one of the favourites for the Olympic gold.
wn.com/Hicham_El_Guerrouj -
Jagan Hames
Jagan Hames (born 31 October 1975 in McLaren Vale) is a retired decathlete from Australia, who won the gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia setting a personal best (8,490 points). He started his career as a high jumper and has an official PB of 2.30m in this event.
wn.com/Jagan_Hames -
Jan Železný
Jan Železný (Czech pronunciation: [ˈjan ˈʒɛlɛzniː] ( listen)) (born 16 June 1966 in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech javelin thrower, world and Olympic champion and world record holder in javelin throw. He holds all five of the top 5 javelin performances of all time.
Železný won the gold at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games and silver in the 1988 Olympics as well as three World Championship titles; in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Because of his achievements he is widely considered to be the greatest javelin thrower ever.
Železný holds the world record, at 98.48 metres (323 ft 1 in) set in 1996, and the World Championships record of 92.80 m, set in 2001. As of 1 August 2005[update], Železný has made 52 throws over 90 meters, more than all other javelin throwers combined (32). He is also the only athlete to throw more than 94 meters with the new type of javelin, something he achieved five times.
During his career he has had many great battles against the like of Steve Backley, Sergey Makarov, Boris Henry, Seppo Räty, Raymond Hecht and Aki Parviainen.
wn.com/Jan_Železný -
Javier Sotomayor
Javier Sotomayor Sanabria (born 1967) is a Cuban former track and field athlete who specialized in the high jump and is the current world record holder. The 1992 Olympic champion, he was the dominant high jumper of the 1990s; he is the only person ever to have cleared 8 feet (2.44 meters). He is widely regarded as the best high jumper of all time. Cuban boycotts of the Olympics in 1984 and 1988 and an injury in 1996 cost him chances at additional Olympic medals, but he returned to win the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Sotomayor retired in 2001, pre-empting a lifetime ban for his second positive doping test (first for cocaine, then for anabolic steroids).
Sotomayor was born October 13, 1967 in Limonar, Matanzas Province. The son of a day-care worker and a sugar factory maintenance man, Sotomayor was first sent to a Cuban sports school as a prospective basketball player because of his height. At age 14, coaches made him a high jumper. By 19, he was ranked No. 5 in the world.
wn.com/Javier_Sotomayor -
Jim Thorpe
James Francis "Jim" Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk): Wa-Tho-Huk, translated to "Bright Path") (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was an American athlete of mixed ancestry (Caucasian and Native American). Considered one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals for the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played American football (collegiate and professional), and also played professional baseball and basketball. He lost his Olympic titles after it was found he was paid for playing two seasons of semi-professional baseball before competing in the Olympics, thus violating the amateurism rules. In 1983, 30 years after his death, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) restored his Olympic medals.
Of Native American and European American ancestry, Thorpe grew up in the Sac and Fox nation in Oklahoma. He played as part of several All-American Indian teams throughout his career, and "barnstormed" as a professional basketball player with a team composed entirely of American Indians.
wn.com/Jim_Thorpe -
Joško Vlašić
Joško Vlašić (Croatian pronunciation: [ˈjɔʃkɔ ˈʋlaʃitɕ]) (born 22 July 1956) is a Croatian athletics coach and a former decathlete who represented Yugoslavia. Vlašić's greatest competitive success was winning the decathlon gold medal at the 1983 Mediterranean Games, but he is best known for coaching his daughter Blanka Vlašić, a world champion high jumper.
Joško Vlašić was born in 1956 in Split. He started with athletics in ASK Split, a local club. His coach Ante Tešija decided Vlašić would do well in decathlon, describing him as "tall and skinny". According to Tešija, Vlašić was initially very skeptical regarding his aptitude for the sport, but he was tenacious, loved to train, and the results came quickly.
In the following years, Vlašić became the leading Yugoslav decathlete, winning five consecutive national championships, from 1979 to 1983. He won two decathlon medals in consecutive Mediterranean Games: bronze in 1979, and gold in 1983. His first child, Blanka Vlašić (born 1983), was named after Casablanca, the host city of the 1983 Games. Vlašić also competed in the 1983 World Championships, placing 16th.
wn.com/Joško_Vlašić -
Jón Arnar Magnússon
Jón Arnar Magnússon (born July 28, 1969 in Selfoss) is a former decathlete from Iceland. He has won silver and bronze medals at world indoor championships, all in heptathlon, as decathlon is unsuitable for indoor contests. Magnússon is the Icelandic record holder at 100 m, 200 m, 110 m hurdles, long jump and decathlon.
wn.com/Jón_Arnar_Magnússon -
Jürgen Hingsen
Jürgen Hingsen (born 25 January 1958 in Duisburg, West Germany) is a former West German decathlete who won several medals at international championships and Olympic Games in the 1980s, and held the decathlon world record in 1982 and again from 1983 to 1984.
The 2 metres (6 ft 6.7 in) tall athlete came second in the Olympic decathlon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles just behind Daley Thompson. In 1984, Hingsen also set his personal best in the decathlon at 8832 points - then a world record, and still the German record. [1]
During the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Hingsen made three false starts in the 100 metre sprint, and he was disqualified from that event – and effectively eliminated from that decathlon competition.
wn.com/Jürgen_Hingsen -
Jürgen Schult
Jürgen Schult (born May 11, 1960 in Amt Neuhaus, Niedersachsen) is a former German track and field athlete and the current world record holder in the discus throw since 1986, currently the longest standing record in men's track and field. Schult represented East Germany in the 1988 Olympic competition in the discus throw on October 1, 1988, where he won the gold medal.
Later in his long sport career Schult joined the reunified German team. He competed in a second Olympic Games in 1992, getting a silver medal, and the 1999 World Championships, again getting second place. He competed in his final Olympics in 2000 at the age of 40, finishing in 8th place.
After he was unable to compete in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles due to his country's boycott of the games, he set a world record in the discus in 1986. As an athlete under the East German program, his throw of 74.08 meters bested the previous record of Soviet athlete, Yuriy Dumchev, by 2.22 meters. This discus world record still stands today and is the longest-standing men's world record ever (having surpassed the length of Jesse Owens's long jump record, which stood for 25 years and 79 days).
wn.com/Jürgen_Schult -
Keisuke Ushiro
Keisuke Ushiro (born 24 July 1986 in Ebetsu) is a Japanese decathlete. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
wn.com/Keisuke_Ushiro -
Larbi Bouraada
Larbi Bouraada (called sometimes Laarbi Bouraâda or Larbi Bourrada, May 10, 1988, Algeria) is an Algerian Decathlon athlete who is a double African champion in Addis Ababa (2008) and Nairobi (2010) during the African Championships in Athletics. He owns the African record in the decathlon by 8171 points since 2009 at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics held in Berlin. He also finished second at the pole vault at the 2010 African Championships in Athletics with a height of 4.60 m behind Hamdi Dhouibi from Tunisia.
On July 17, 2011 he sets a new African record in Decathlon with a total of 8302 points at Ratingen Combined Event meeting in Germany. He sets on his way three personal records in 100m (10.61 s), long jump (7.94m) and discus throw (40.34m).
He finished 10th at the 2011 Athletics World Championships in Daegu (South Korea) with a total of 8158 points, with mainly two personal bests: 13.56s in the 110m hurdles and 4.90m in the pole vault. He was eliminated of the Decathlon in the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo after two false starts at the first event (100m). He claimed that he couldn't participate in two decathlon competitions in less than two weeks, after participating at the world championships in Daegu. On September 14, 2011, he won the pole vault competition with a personal best of 5.00m at the same championships.
wn.com/Larbi_Bouraada -
Lennart Hedmark
Lennart Per-Olav Hedmark (born 18 May 1944 in Skellefteå) is a retired Swedish track and field athlete who competed in the decathlon. He represented his country three times at the Summer Olympics (1968, 1972 and 1976).
He started his career as a javelin throw specialist and claimed three straight titles in the event at the Swedish Championships from 1963 to 1965. He was selected to compete at the 1964 Summer Olympics, but did not start the competition. His first international medal came at the 1965 Summer Universiade, where he was the bronze medallist.
Hedmark changed his focus to combined events in 1967 and he was one of his region's dominant athletes over his career: he had four consecutive victories in the Nordic Combined Events Championships from 1967 to 1970, and in a decade of national competition he won seven Swedish decathlon titles in addition to five titles in the pentathlon. At the 1968 Summer Olympics he came eleventh in the decathlon. International medals came at the 1970 Summer Universiade, where he took the silver behind Mykola Avilov, and at the 1971 European Athletics Championships, finishing as runner-up to the defending champion Joachim Kirst.
wn.com/Lennart_Hedmark -
Leonel Suárez
Leonel Suárez (born September 1, 1987 in Holguín) is a male decathlete from Cuba. He was the bronze medalist in the event at the 2008 Summer Olympics and improved to the silver medal at the 2009 World Championships. He won a third consecutive global medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, taking the bronze.
His personal best for the decathlon is 8654 points (which set in Havana, winning the 2009 Central American and Caribbean Championships).
Suárez was fourth at the 2007 Pan American Games. In 2008, he was also fourth at Hypo-Meeting and finished as runner-up in the IAAF World Combined Events Challenge that year. He scored a gold medal at the 2009 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics.
He competed at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, but only managed seventh place. In the outdoor season, he was runner-up at the 2010 Multistars meeting in Desenzano del Garda, finishing with 8112 points behind American Jake Arnold. He was third at the Hypo-Meeting at the end of May, but he reached the top of the podium at the Décastar competition in Talence with a total of 8328 points.
wn.com/Leonel_Suárez -
Luiggy Llanos
Luiggy Llanos Cruz (born August 22, 1978 in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico) is a male decathlete from Puerto Rico.
He set his personal best (7704 points) at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he claimed the silver medal.
wn.com/Luiggy_Llanos -
Mihail Dudaš
Mihail Dudaš (Serbian: Михаил Дудаш, born November 1, 1989 in Novi Sad, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia) is a Serbian decathlete and heptathlete. He holds national records in both events.
Dudaš improved his personal best in decathlon to 8256 points at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu.
Before that, his PB was 8117 points, 2011 European Athletics U23 Championships in Ostrava.
His personal bests are:
wn.com/Mihail_Dudaš -
Mykola Avilov
Mykola Avilov (Ukrainian: Микола Авілов, Russian: Николай Викторович Авилов, Nikolay Viktorovich Avilov; born 6 August 1948, Odessa) is a former Ukrainian Soviet decathlete.
Avilov trained at Dynamo in Odessa. He won a gold medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics decathlon with a new world record of 8454 points. He returned to win a bronze medal (8369 points) in the 1976 Summer Olympics. A near seven foot high jumper, he was one of the few great Soviet athletes of Jewish heritage.[original research?]
In 1972 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. He is Jewish.
wn.com/Mykola_Avilov -
Mário Aníbal
Mário Aníbal Dias Sampaio Ramos (born 25 March 1972 in Nova Sintra, Angola) is a former Portuguese decathlete.
wn.com/Mário_Aníbal -
Nicklas Wiberg
Nicklas Robert Wiberg (born April 16, 1985 in Stockholm) is a male decathlete from Sweden. He set his personal best score (8406 points) in the men's decathlon on August 20, 2009 in Berlin.
wn.com/Nicklas_Wiberg -
Peter Blank
Peter Blank (born 10 April 1962 in Frankfurt am Main) is a German javelin thrower. In his earlier career he was a decathlete, where he set the world record for longest javelin throw in a decathlon.
His personal best throw is 88.70 metres, achieved in June 2001 in Stuttgart. This ranks him third among German javelin (new implement) throwers, only behind Raymond Hecht and Boris Henry. [1]
wn.com/Peter_Blank -
Qi Haifeng
Qi Haifeng (simplified Chinese: 齐海峰; traditional Chinese: 齊海峰; pinyin: Qí Hǎifēng; born August 7, 1983 in Dalian, Liaoning) is a Chinese decathlete. His personal best in decathlon is 8290 points (achieved in May 2005 in Götzis). He won the decathlon at the national championships in 2009 with a points total of 7729.
wn.com/Qi_Haifeng -
Rainer Pottel
Rainer Pottel (born 29 August 1953 in Berlin) is a retired decathlete, who represented East Germany in the 1970s and 1980s. He set the best world year performance in 1981, collecting 8311 points at a meet in Birmingham, England (30 August 1981). He is a three-time national champion (1974, 1977 and 1981) for East Germany in the men's decathlon.
wn.com/Rainer_Pottel -
Ramil Ganiyev
Ramil Ganiyev (Рамиль Ганиев; born 23 September 1968 in Yangiabad, Surxondaryo Province) is a retired Uzbekistani decathlete of Tatar parents.
wn.com/Ramil_Ganiyev -
Randy Barnes
Eric Randolph ("Randy") Barnes (born June 16, 1966) is a former American shot putter who holds both the current outdoor and indoor World Records for the event. He won silver at the 1988 Olympics and gold at the 1996 Olympics.
Barnes was born in Charleston, West Virginia, grew up in nearby St. Albans, and began putting the shot in high school. In 1985, he threw an impressive 66 ' 9.5" (20.36 m) with the prep shot of 12 lb (5.44 kg). After graduating from St. Albans High School in 1985, he attended Texas A&M University where he broke school records (set by Randy Matson) with a put of 21.88 m (71 ft 9.5 in) with the 7.26 kg (16 lb) full size shot.
He went to the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he threw 22.39 m (73 ft 5.5 in) and earned a silver medal at only 22. He came second to Ulf Timmermann of East Germany, who threw 22.47 m. On January 20, 1989, he set a new indoor world record at the Sunkist Invitational in Los Angeles with a put of 22.66 m (74 ft 4.25 in), which was better than his outdoor personal best at the time.
wn.com/Randy_Barnes -
Robert Změlík
Robert Změlík (Czech pronunciation: [ˈrobɛrt ˈzmɲɛliːk]) (born April 18, 1969 in Prostějov) is a Czech track athlete who won a gold medal in Olympic decathlon in 1992.
His personal best in decathlon was 8627 points (1992), in Heptathlon 6228 points (1997), both former national records. Změlík's Olympic success was influential for other two great Czech decathletes and world record holders, Tomáš Dvořák and Roman Šebrle.
wn.com/Robert_Změlík -
Rolf Beilschmidt
Rolf Beilschmidt (born 8 August 1953 in Jena) is a retired East German high jumper.
Beilschmidt represented the sports club SC Motor Jena, and became East German champion in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981.
Beilschmidt's personal best high jump was 2.31 metres, achieved in August 1977 in Helsinki.
Beilschmidt shares the decathlon world record in high jump with Christian Schenk at 2.27 m.
wn.com/Rolf_Beilschmidt -
Roman Šebrle
Roman Šebrle (Czech pronunciation: [ˈroman ˈʃɛbr̩lɛ]; born 26 November 1974) is an athlete from the Czech Republic. He is considered to be one of the best decathlon athletes of all time. Originally a high jumper, he competes in decathlon and heptathlon for team TJ Dukla Praha and is a world record holder in the decathlon. In 2001 in Götzis he became the first decathlete ever to achieve over 9,000 points, setting the record at 9,026 points, succeeding his compatriot, Tomáš Dvořák, who had scored 8,994 points two years earlier. He was born in Lanškroun, Czechoslovakia.
After placing second in the decathlon during the 2000 Summer Olympics, Šebrle won the gold medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Tradition dictates the winner of the decathlon holds the title of "World's Greatest Athlete". Šebrle has held the title five of the past seven years.
A panel of experts convened by the Wall Street Journal in 2008 also ranked Šebrle as the world's greatest athlete.
Roman Šebrle was born in Lanškroun, Czechoslovakia. He studied at Gymnázium Františka Martina Pelcla (English: Secondary School of František Martin Pelcl) in Rychnov nad Kněžnou and at Gymnázium Pardubice. Then he studied an extension course of Information Science and Computer Technology.
wn.com/Roman_Šebrle -
Ryszard Skowronek
Ryszard Skowronek (born 1 May 1949 in Jelenia Góra, Dolnośląskie) is a retired decathlete from Poland. He set his personal best in the event (8208 points) on 21 June 1973 at a meet in Warsaw.
wn.com/Ryszard_Skowronek -
Sebastian Chmara
Sebastian Chmara (born November 21, 1971 in Bydgoszcz) is a former decathlete from Poland who became world indoor champion in 1999 and European indoor champion in 1998 (both in heptathlon, as decathlon is unsuitable for indoor contests).
wn.com/Sebastian_Chmara -
Sergey Bubka
Serhiy Nazarovych Bubka (Ukrainian: Сергі́й Наза́рович Бу́бка; Russian: Серге́й Наза́рович Бу́бка, Sergey Nazarovich Bubka; born 4 December 1963) is a retired Ukrainian pole vaulter. Repeatedly voted the world's best athlete, he represented the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.
Bubka won 6 consecutive IAAF World Championships, an Olympics gold and broke the world record for men's pole vaulting 35 times (17 outdoor and 18 indoor records). He was the first to clear 6.0 metres and the only (as of February 2012) to clear 6.10 metres (20 ft).
He holds the current outdoor world record of 6.14 metres (20 feet 13⁄4 inches), set on 31 July 1994 in Sestriere, Italy and the current indoor world record of 6.15 meters, set on 21 February 1993 in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Born in Voroshilovgrad (Luhans'k now), Ukraine, Bubka was a good track-and-field athlete in the 100-meter dash and the long jump, but he became a world-class competitor only when he turned to the pole vault. In 1983, virtually unknown in international meets, he won the world championship at Helsinki, Finland, and the following year he set his first world record, clearing 5 m 75 cm (19 ft 2 in). Until the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in late 1991, Bubka competed for Soviet teams. The Soviet sports system rewarded athletes for setting new world records, and he became noted for establishing new records by slim amounts, sometimes as little as a centimeter higher. This allowed him to collect frequent bonus payments and made Bubka an attraction at track-and-field meets.
wn.com/Sergey_Bubka -
Simon Poelman
Simon Poelman (born 27 May 1963) is a former New Zealand decathlete, who has been described as New Zealand's best ever all-round athlete. His personal best of 8359 points (which is adjusted from 8366 points as it was hand timed) is still a New Zealand national record. This was set at the national athletics championships in Christchurch 1987. As well as being the national decathlon champion seven times. He was also the New Zealand senior men's national champion in several individual events including the 100m (once), 110m hurdles (seven times), long jump (twice), pole vault (three times), and shot put (once).
He won the bronze medal at the 1986 Commonwealth games in Edinburgh and at the 1990 Commonwealth games he won both the silver medal for decathlon and bronze in the pole vault. At the time of the Seoul Olympics he was ranked fourth in the world at decathlon, but had a bad start when a series of false starts led to a slow 100m time in his heat, and he finished in 16th place on 8021 points.
wn.com/Simon_Poelman -
Stephan Niklaus
Stephan Niklaus (born April 17, 1958) is a retired male decathlete from Switzerland. A member of the Leichtathletikclub Basel he set his personal best (8337 points) on July 3, 1983 at a meet in Lausanne, which still stands at the Swiss national record. Niklaus won three national titles in the men's decathlon during his career: 1981, 1982 and 1983.
Template:Portal:Switzerland/Stub
wn.com/Stephan_Niklaus -
Tim Lobinger
Tim Lobinger (born 3 September 1972 in Rheinbach, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a German pole vaulter.
His discipline is pole vault and he has been an elite competitor since the 1990s. His best results came in 1997 and 1999 when he jumped over 6.00 meters. His best medals so far have been silver at the 1998 European Athletics Championships and the 2006 European Athletics Championships. He has also won bronze at the 2002 European Championships in Athletics and the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Success has eluded him at the Olympics however. In Atlanta in 1996 he placed 7th. In Sydney in 2000 he achieved 13th, and in Athens in 2004, 11th. At the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki he jumped over only 5.50 meters, well under his abilities.
He currently has a sponsorship with the sportswear manufacturer Puma.
Lobinger is married to triple jumper Petra Lobinger although they are now separated. He is the father of two children Kendra (born 1995) and Lex (born 1998).
wn.com/Tim_Lobinger -
Tito Steiner
Tito Steiner (born March 1, 1952) is a retired decathlete of German descent, who represented Argentina in the 1970s and 1980s. He set the national record in 1981, collecting 8,279 points at a meet in Baton Rouge, United States (1981-06-03). He improved himself with a score of 8,291 points, set on June 23, 1983, which still is the national record. Steiner won the silver medal at the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As student at BYU he participated in the 1975 Pan American Games, where he finished fourth; he also competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he placed 12th. Six months later in 1977, Steiner won his first NCAA title as a Cougar—and All-America honors—with 7,659 points.
wn.com/Tito_Steiner -
Tomáš Dvořák
Tomáš Dvořák (Czech pronunciation: [ˈtomaːʃ ˈdvor̝aːk]) (born 11 May 1972 in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia) is an athlete from the Czech Republic. He competed in decathlon and heptathlon for the team Dukla Prague. He is triple decathlon world champion (1997, 1999, 2001) and a former world record holder (8,994 points scored in Prague, 1999), which is still second performance in all-time list. This world record was broken by Dvořák's compatriot Roman Šebrle in 2001. Dvořák is the only athlete to score over 8,900 points for three times (and also more than one time).
Dvořák announced retirement in July 2008, after he failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. He now works as an athletic coach.
Total: 9296 pts.
wn.com/Tomáš_Dvořák -
Torsten Voss
Torsten Voss (sometimes listed as Thorsten Voss, born 23 May 1963 in Güstrow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) is an East German-German track and field athlete and bobsledder who competed from the late 1980s to the late 1990s.
His biggest success was when he won the world title in the decathlon at the 1987 World Championships in Rome as a representative for East Germany. He achieved a personal best score of 8680 points and was chosen as the East German sportsman of the year. In 1988 in the Seoul Summer Olympic Games he won the silver medal behind fellow East German, Christian Schenk. His personal best of 8680 points ranks him fifth among German decathletes, behind Jürgen Hingsen, Uwe Freimuth, Siegfried Wentz and Frank Busemann.
In 1994 Voss switched to bobsleigh and was a pusher for Harald Czudaj and Wolfgang Hoppe. He won three medals in the four-man event at the FIBT World Championships with one silver (1997 with Dirk Wiese) and two bronzes (1995 with Czudaj, 1996 with Hoppe). Voss also finished eighth in the four-man event at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
wn.com/Torsten_Voss -
Trey Hardee
James Edward ("Trey") Hardee III (born February 7, 1984, in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American track and field athlete who specializes in the decathlon.
In 2003, Hardee was 5th at the NCAA Outdoor Championship (7,468) and 3rd at the SEC Championship (7,544).
In 2004, Hardee was 2nd at the NCAA Championship (8,041pts) and 1st at the SEC Championship (7,480 pts).
In 2005, Hardee was 1st at the NCAA Championships (7,881 pts), 1st at Texas Relays (7,839 pts), 5th in the 4x100 m at the Penn Relays (40.23), 2nd in the heptathlon at the Houston Indoor (5,633 pts), 2nd at the Big 12 Championships in the heptathlon (5,723 pts), and 3rd at the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon (5,859 pts).
In 2006, Hardee was 9th at NCAA Outdoors (7,263) and 1st at Texas Relays (8,465 CR).
In 2008, Hardee was the Olympic Trials runner-up (8,534 PR). At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Hardee was in 4th place prior to dropping out following no mark in pole vault. At the Texas Relays, Hardee was 1st (8,371).
At the 2009 World Athletics Championships, in Berlin, Hardee won gold in the decathlon with a points total of 8790, which is his personal record. He was awarded the Jim Thorpe All-Around Award by the United States Sports Academy for his achievements that year.
wn.com/Trey_Hardee -
Usain Bolt
The Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. ( /ˈjuːseɪn/; born 21 August 1986), is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and (along with his teammates) the 4×100 metres relay. He is the reigning Olympic champion in these three events, and is one of only seven athletes (along with Valerie Adams, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jacques Freitag, Yelena Isinbayeva, Jana Pittman, Dani Samuels) to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event.
Bolt won a 200 m gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships, making him the competition's youngest-ever gold medalist at the time (since surpassed by Jacko Gill). In 2004, at the CARIFTA Games, he became the first junior sprinter to run the 200 m in less than 20 seconds with a time of 19.93 s, breaking the previous world junior record held by Roy Martin by two-tenths of a second. He turned professional in 2004, and although he competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics, he missed most of the next two seasons due to injuries. In 2007, he broke Don Quarrie's 200 m Jamaican record with a run of 19.75 s.
wn.com/Usain_Bolt -
Willem Coertzen
Willem Coertzen (born 30 December 1982) is a South African track and field athlete who competes in the decathlon. He was the silver medallist in the event at the African Championships in Athletics in 2008. He is the current South African national record holder in the event with his score of 8244. While representing his country at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics he set a national mark of 8146 points.
He began taking part in decathlon competitions in 2007 for Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers in the United Kingdom, where he won the South of England Decathlon Championship in Bedford with a total of 7245 points. The following year he returned to his native South Africa to win his first national decathlon title, then recorded a personal best of 7721 points in Réduit. A month later at the 2008 African Championships in Athletics in Addis Ababa, he took the silver medal in the decathlon behind Algeria's Larbi Bouraada and also managed a bronze medal in the pole vault event with a modest clearance of 4.00 m. He underwent a groin operation in November that year, leading him to miss the following year's national championships.
wn.com/Willem_Coertzen
Send this Playlist by SMS
Email this Page
Decathlon (Rémi GAILLARD)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:31
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, pole vault... Rémi is ready for the olympics. www.facebook.com twitter.com
http://wn.com/Decathlon_Rémi_GAILLARD
100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, pole vault... Rémi is ready for the olympics. www.facebook.com twitter.com
Master Decathlete Clay
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:09
- Updated: 09 Dec 2012
Watch a video of WSJ reporter Reed Albergotti going head to head with decathlete Bryan Clay. (June 19)
http://wn.com/Master_Decathlete_Clay
Watch a video of WSJ reporter Reed Albergotti going head to head with decathlete Bryan Clay. (June 19)
- published: 20 Jun 2008
- views: 50756
- author: WSJDigitalNetwork
1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games - Daley Thompson's Decathlon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:15
- Updated: 31 Oct 2012
Daley Thompson vs Jurgen Hingsen for the decathlon gold medal in LA. From highlights of the BBC Olympic Coverage. Copyright BBC 1984.
http://wn.com/1984_Los_Angeles_Olympic_Games_Daley_Thompson's_Decathlon
Daley Thompson vs Jurgen Hingsen for the decathlon gold medal in LA. From highlights of the BBC Olympic Coverage. Copyright BBC 1984.
- published: 28 May 2008
- views: 90765
- author: ynotlleb
David Letterman - Ashton Eaton's Olympic Decathlon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:55
- Updated: 19 Dec 2012
The US decathlete breaks down his gold medal-winning performance at the 2012 Olympics.
http://wn.com/David_Letterman_Ashton_Eaton's_Olympic_Decathlon
The US decathlete breaks down his gold medal-winning performance at the 2012 Olympics.
- published: 14 Aug 2012
- views: 19094
- author: CBS
Trey Hardee World Champion Decathlon - from Universal Sports
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:05
- Updated: 05 Dec 2012
www.UniversalSports.com 2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championship Track and Field, American Trey Hardee wins the Decathlon by 150 points, helped by winning the pole vaulting contest at 5.20 meters. (Universal Sports, UniversalSports.com
http://wn.com/Trey_Hardee_World_Champion_Decathlon_from_Universal_Sports
www.UniversalSports.com 2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championship Track and Field, American Trey Hardee wins the Decathlon by 150 points, helped by winning the pole vaulting contest at 5.20 meters. (Universal Sports, UniversalSports.com
- published: 21 Aug 2009
- views: 25824
- author: sportsnetwork
Athletics Men's Decathlon 1500m Full Replay - London 2012 Olympic Games
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 22:46
- Updated: 16 Nov 2012
Athletics Men's Decathlon 1500m Full Replay from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -9 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
http://wn.com/Athletics_Men's_Decathlon_1500m_Full_Replay_London_2012_Olympic_Games
Athletics Men's Decathlon 1500m Full Replay from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -9 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
- published: 09 Aug 2012
- views: 12360
- author: olympic
Ashton Eaton Sets Decathlon World Record 1500m Performance
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:45
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Ahston Eaton setting the decathlon World Record by running 4:14 in the 1500 and scoring 9039 total points.
http://wn.com/Ashton_Eaton_Sets_Decathlon_World_Record_1500m_Performance
Ahston Eaton setting the decathlon World Record by running 4:14 in the 1500 and scoring 9039 total points.
- published: 24 Jun 2012
- views: 51110
- author: David Namnath
flash mob Decathlon Bailleul France
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:05
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
The first biggest flash mob in a frenchshop ! More than 100 people gathered into Decathlon Bailleul (North of France) ! A big homage to the King of the Pop organized by Steev and Rashead Amenzulu. Soon news adventures ..
http://wn.com/flash_mob_Decathlon_Bailleul_France
The first biggest flash mob in a frenchshop ! More than 100 people gathered into Decathlon Bailleul (North of France) ! A big homage to the King of the Pop organized by Steev and Rashead Amenzulu. Soon news adventures ..
- published: 14 Jul 2010
- views: 1209195
- author: EvenementsFlash
Minecraft TNT Olympics Decathlon feat. CaptainSparklez, AntVenom and Etho (Part 1 of 3)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 23:25
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
Download the map: www.planetminecraft.com CaptainSparklez's point of view: youtu.be AntVenom's point of view: www.youtube.com Etho's point of view: www.youtube.com 400m Hurdles video: www.youtube.com Long Jump video: www.youtube.com Equestrian video: www.youtube.com Music at the end is Cipher by Kevin MacLeod FVDisco's oCd Texture Pack: www.planetminecraft.com
http://wn.com/Minecraft_TNT_Olympics_Decathlon_feat_CaptainSparklez,_AntVenom_and_Etho_Part_1_of_3
Download the map: www.planetminecraft.com CaptainSparklez's point of view: youtu.be AntVenom's point of view: www.youtube.com Etho's point of view: www.youtube.com 400m Hurdles video: www.youtube.com Long Jump video: www.youtube.com Equestrian video: www.youtube.com Music at the end is Cipher by Kevin MacLeod FVDisco's oCd Texture Pack: www.planetminecraft.com
- published: 14 Aug 2012
- views: 386104
- author: sethbling
The 2011 Solar Decathlon launches in Washington DC
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:40
- Updated: 08 Oct 2012
Inhabitat hit the solar streets of Washington DC at the 2011 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon where 20 collegiate teams from around the globe competed to see who could design and construct the best solar-powered modular home. Music by The Shortsleeves - theshortsleeves.bandcamp.com
http://wn.com/The_2011_Solar_Decathlon_launches_in_Washington_DC
Inhabitat hit the solar streets of Washington DC at the 2011 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon where 20 collegiate teams from around the globe competed to see who could design and construct the best solar-powered modular home. Music by The Shortsleeves - theshortsleeves.bandcamp.com
- published: 29 Sep 2011
- views: 20841
- author: inhabitat
Imaginary Decathlon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:52
- Updated: 28 Dec 2012
A breakthrough in the history of the Olympics and of Athletics in particular: the Imaginary Decathlon redefines the barriers of the human kind when it comes to performance. Decathlon National records, World records and Olympic records are under pressure and might become irrelevant under influence of mathematics. Here's a world shocking new view on one of the most demanding sport disciplines. Decathlon will never be the same... www.scienceandsilliness.com
http://wn.com/Imaginary_Decathlon
A breakthrough in the history of the Olympics and of Athletics in particular: the Imaginary Decathlon redefines the barriers of the human kind when it comes to performance. Decathlon National records, World records and Olympic records are under pressure and might become irrelevant under influence of mathematics. Here's a world shocking new view on one of the most demanding sport disciplines. Decathlon will never be the same... www.scienceandsilliness.com
- published: 06 Aug 2012
- views: 51629
- author: bricsys
Billy Madison - Ultimate Insult (Academic Decathlon)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:27
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
Hyper Crush sampled Billy Madison in their song "Chead" www.youtube.com From the final part of the academic decathlon in the movie Billy Madison. The actor is Jim Downey (ty for Clarification) formerly of SNL. I couldn't find a good version to use for a sound board, so I decided to upload my own. What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. [HD] [CC] Available Don't post "_____ was here" or your comment will be deleted. Added quoting the video and posts that troll for vote ups. Don't like it, debate the merits of these posts or move on. Comment Awards BGD (Big Giant Douche) MrTrilliondollarman wins by a landslide for his devotion to his religion called ignorance. Words can't express how sad it is to see a closet homosexual thats so mad at himself for the way he feels about other men. So much so, that he feels the need to bash everyone and everything that doesn't agree with what his Mommy told him growing up. This guy doesn't need facts, he has his religion on his side. Honorable Mention Mastersabersmen wins with the most insane comment. He attacks Squishyy123 calling him a Bigot for laughing at the video tags. I don't think he even knew what suishyy123 was saying. Ignorance really is ...
http://wn.com/Billy_Madison_Ultimate_Insult_Academic_Decathlon
Hyper Crush sampled Billy Madison in their song "Chead" www.youtube.com From the final part of the academic decathlon in the movie Billy Madison. The actor is Jim Downey (ty for Clarification) formerly of SNL. I couldn't find a good version to use for a sound board, so I decided to upload my own. What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. [HD] [CC] Available Don't post "_____ was here" or your comment will be deleted. Added quoting the video and posts that troll for vote ups. Don't like it, debate the merits of these posts or move on. Comment Awards BGD (Big Giant Douche) MrTrilliondollarman wins by a landslide for his devotion to his religion called ignorance. Words can't express how sad it is to see a closet homosexual thats so mad at himself for the way he feels about other men. So much so, that he feels the need to bash everyone and everything that doesn't agree with what his Mommy told him growing up. This guy doesn't need facts, he has his religion on his side. Honorable Mention Mastersabersmen wins with the most insane comment. He attacks Squishyy123 calling him a Bigot for laughing at the video tags. I don't think he even knew what suishyy123 was saying. Ignorance really is ...
- published: 26 Nov 2009
- views: 3350869
- author: Bound4Earth
Billy Madison - Insanely Idiotic (Academic Decathlon)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:27
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
The most classic part of the entire movie. Jim Downey, long time SNL writer, in one of his rare acting moments. An absolute genius.
http://wn.com/Billy_Madison_Insanely_Idiotic_Academic_Decathlon
The most classic part of the entire movie. Jim Downey, long time SNL writer, in one of his rare acting moments. An absolute genius.
- published: 29 Jan 2010
- views: 132463
- author: Danny Foots
Flashmob Decathlon Alleur
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:51
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Ce 18 décembre 2010 à l'occasion des fêtes de fin d'année, l'équipe du magasin Décathlon Alleur a offert une surprise à ses clients en organisant une flashmob. Sur un air de Waka Waka, l'équipe a fait danser les clients et a déferlé une vague de bonne humeur.
http://wn.com/Flashmob_Decathlon_Alleur
Ce 18 décembre 2010 à l'occasion des fêtes de fin d'année, l'équipe du magasin Décathlon Alleur a offert une surprise à ses clients en organisant une flashmob. Sur un air de Waka Waka, l'équipe a fait danser les clients et a déferlé une vague de bonne humeur.
- published: 21 Dec 2010
- views: 120772
- author: DecathlonBelgique
Athletics Men's Decathlon Final - USA get gold & silver - London 2012 Olympic Games Highlights
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:10
- Updated: 31 Dec 2012
Athletics Men's Decathlon Final - Final session of the men's decathlon. Ashton Eaton & Trey Hardee (United States) win gold and silver. Leonel Suarez from Cuba get the bronze. Highlights from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -- 9 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
http://wn.com/Athletics_Men's_Decathlon_Final_USA_get_gold_silver_London_2012_Olympic_Games_Highlights
Athletics Men's Decathlon Final - Final session of the men's decathlon. Ashton Eaton & Trey Hardee (United States) win gold and silver. Leonel Suarez from Cuba get the bronze. Highlights from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -- 9 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
- published: 10 Aug 2012
- views: 19904
- author: olympic
Billy Madison - Ultimate Insult (Academic Decathlon).wmv
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:31
- Updated: 12 Jan 2013
Mr. Madison what you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things i have ever heard. At no point in your rambling incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
http://wn.com/Billy_Madison_Ultimate_Insult_Academic_Decathlonwmv
Mr. Madison what you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things i have ever heard. At no point in your rambling incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
- published: 22 Jan 2012
- views: 41940
- author: Papa Bear
Minecraft TNT Olympics Decathlon feat. CaptainSparklez, AntVenom and Etho (Part 2 of 3)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 38:10
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
Download the map: www.planetminecraft.com CaptainSparklez's point of view: youtu.be AntVenom's point of view: www.youtube.com Etho's point of view: youtu.be Vault video: www.youtube.com Balance Beam video: youtu.be Trap Shooting video: www.youtube.com Music at the end is Cipher by Kevin MacLeod FVDisco's oCd Texture Pack: www.planetminecraft.com
http://wn.com/Minecraft_TNT_Olympics_Decathlon_feat_CaptainSparklez,_AntVenom_and_Etho_Part_2_of_3
Download the map: www.planetminecraft.com CaptainSparklez's point of view: youtu.be AntVenom's point of view: www.youtube.com Etho's point of view: youtu.be Vault video: www.youtube.com Balance Beam video: youtu.be Trap Shooting video: www.youtube.com Music at the end is Cipher by Kevin MacLeod FVDisco's oCd Texture Pack: www.planetminecraft.com
- published: 16 Aug 2012
- views: 205870
- author: sethbling
Solar Decathlon 2013 Teams
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 17:40
- Updated: 12 Jan 2013
Meet the 20 teams selected to participate in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013! Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico (Tempe, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico) Czech Technical University (Prague, Czech Republic) Hampton University and Old Dominion...
http://wn.com/Solar_Decathlon_2013_Teams
Meet the 20 teams selected to participate in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013! Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico (Tempe, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico) Czech Technical University (Prague, Czech Republic) Hampton University and Old Dominion...
- published: 22 Mar 2012
- views: 9445
- author: DOESolarDecathlon
MTV Movie Awards 1998- Acting Decathlon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:28
- Updated: 12 Dec 2012
Segment during the 1998 Movie Awards
http://wn.com/MTV_Movie_Awards_1998_Acting_Decathlon
C64 Longplay - Decathlon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:46
- Updated: 29 Dec 2012
Video from the C64 game "Decathlon" The video is downloadable at www.archive.org
http://wn.com/C64_Longplay_Decathlon
Video from the C64 game "Decathlon" The video is downloadable at www.archive.org
- published: 25 Jun 2008
- views: 18292
- author: Reinhard Klinksiek
Maryland's Solar Decathlon 2011 Video Walkthrough
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:10
- Updated: 06 Jan 2013
USDepartment of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 teams each produced a video walk-through to highlight their house design and provide an accurate look at the interior. This video, produced in August 2011 by University of Maryland, will be judged as part of the Communications Contest for the Solar Decathlon competition, held in Washington, DC, September 23 -- October 2, 2011. View the additional team video walk-thoughs here! www.youtube.com
http://wn.com/Maryland's_Solar_Decathlon_2011_Video_Walkthrough
USDepartment of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 teams each produced a video walk-through to highlight their house design and provide an accurate look at the interior. This video, produced in August 2011 by University of Maryland, will be judged as part of the Communications Contest for the Solar Decathlon competition, held in Washington, DC, September 23 -- October 2, 2011. View the additional team video walk-thoughs here! www.youtube.com
- published: 16 Aug 2011
- views: 19961
- author: DOESolarDecathlon
![Quest Crew - Decathlon [S03E07 performance 1]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130114213919im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iGkrIn1TMTc/default.jpg "Quest Crew - Decathlon [S03E07 performance 1]")
Quest Crew - Decathlon [S03E07 performance 1]
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:51
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Quest Crew's first performance from week 7, the Hip Hop Decathlon challenge. With rehearsal and judges' comments. Songs: Poker Face by Lady Gaga, Love Lockdown by Kanye West, I'm in LA Trick by LMFAO, Closer by Ne-Yo, Get Up by 50 Cent. America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 champions.
http://wn.com/Quest_Crew_Decathlon_S03E07_performance_1_
Quest Crew's first performance from week 7, the Hip Hop Decathlon challenge. With rehearsal and judges' comments. Songs: Poker Face by Lady Gaga, Love Lockdown by Kanye West, I'm in LA Trick by LMFAO, Closer by Ne-Yo, Get Up by 50 Cent. America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 champions.
- published: 06 Dec 2009
- views: 687341
- author: TrickChop
Athletics Men's Decathlon 400m - Full Replay -- London 2012 Olympic Games
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 31:36
- Updated: 16 Nov 2012
Athletics Men's Decathlon 400m. Full Replay from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -- 8 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
http://wn.com/Athletics_Men's_Decathlon_400m_Full_Replay_-_London_2012_Olympic_Games
Athletics Men's Decathlon 400m. Full Replay from the Olympic Stadium at the London 2012 Olympic Games. -- 8 August 2012 Since 1896, athletics has been on the programme of each edition of the Games of the Olympiad. Its presence on the Games programme has allowed its popularity to increase across the world. This popularity was also strengthened by the creation of the IAAF in 1912. Women's events appeared for the first time at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, while the men's programme was standardised as of the 1932 Games in Los Angeles. Although at the beginning women were authorised to participate in only some events, today their programme is almost identical to that of the men. Find more about Athletics at www.olympic.org/athletics
- published: 08 Aug 2012
- views: 14598
- author: olympic
photo: AP / Mohamed Sheikh Nor
12 Jan 2013
Helicopter raid fails to rescue agent 'Denis Allex' from Islamist group al-Shabaab, as French combat pilot killed in Mali. French secret service hostage 'Denis Allex' pictured in Somalia in October 2012. Photograph. SITE Monitoring Service/AFP/Getty Images. A French hostage and two French soldiers have been killed during a failed secret service rescue mission in Somalia ... The group said it had also captured a wounded French commando ... ....(size: 4.7Kb)
photo: AP / Adj Nicolas-Nelson Richard, ECPAD
14 Jan 2013
Bamako/Paris - French fighter jets pounded Islamist rebel strongholds deep in northern Mali on Sunday as Paris poured more troops into the capital, Bamako, awaiting a West African force to dislodge al-Qaeda-linked insurgents from the country’s north ... Defence Minister Jean-Yves le Drian said France’s intervention on Friday prevented the advancing rebels from seizing Bamako and vowed air strikes would continue ... – ... Doubt....(size: 6.6Kb)
photo: US Navy / MCS2 Gretchen Albrecht
13 Jan 2013
The draft version of the US National Climate Assessment, released on Friday, makes remarkable reading – not just for Americans but for all humanity. Put together by a special panel of more than 240 scientists, the federally commissioned report reveals that the US is already reeling under the impact of global warming ... Nor is there any doubt about the cause of these rising temperatures ... A bitter struggle lies ahead ... Sender's name ... ....(size: 6.2Kb)
photo: AP / Kevin Frayer
14 Jan 2013
Allahabad. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river Ganges on Monday at the start of the world's biggest religious festival. The Kumbh Mela in the Indian town of Allahabad will see up to 100 million worshippers gather over the next 55 days to take a ritual bath in the holy waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings ... "I am ecstatic ... Agence France-Presse ....(size: 4.2Kb)
photo: AP / NSW Rural Fire Service, Kerry Lawrence
12 Jan 2013
Australian firefighters are continuing to tackle more than 100 bushfires, which have gutted houses and thousands of hectares of land. Officials say temperatures are lower than feared, but gusty winds are making it hard to contain the blazes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Six people have been treated for heat exposure, but nobody has died ... ....(size: 1.8Kb)
Inhabitat
14 Jan 2013
Department of Energy prepares to host the 2013 Solar Decathlon in Orange County, CA ... For the Solar Decathlon, each team spends about two years on their projects to compete in ten contests ... The Solar Decathlon began in 2002, and has been held every two years since ... + US Department of Energy Decathlon....(size: 2.5Kb)
Sky Sports
14 Jan 2013
Double Olympic champion Daley Thompson told Sporting Heroes athletes should change coach regularly ... "Bob Mortimer brought me to the decathlon - without him the world would be a safer place," he said. "Bruce Longden organised me. He decided rightly or wrongly that the best way to train for a decathlon was to spend twice as long on your bad things than on your good thing ... "Frank took it to another level, he was even more organised ... Hero....(size: 3.2Kb)
my SA
12 Jan 2013
Compiled by ROBBIE MENDELSONADVENTURE RACINGUSARA National Championships. Open — NYARA Men , Jersey City, N.J. Coed — Gear Junkie/WEDALI, Savage, Minn. Coed Masters — Checkpoint Zero/Tech40, N.C. Collegiate — The Citadel. ALPINE SKIINGWorld CupMen. Overall — Marcel Hirscher, Austria. Downhill — Klaus Kroell, Austria. Slalom — Andre Myhrer, Sweden ... Decathlon — Ashton Eaton, Bend, Ore.Women ... Team — LSU ... Decathlon — Kurt Felix, Boise StateWomen....(size: 11.2Kb)
Yahoo Daily News
11 Jan 2013
- Great Park to host Solar Decathlon 2013, October 3-13 ... Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 arrived at the Orange County Great Park today to prepare for the award-winning competition, which will take place October 3-13 at the Great Park ... "The Solar Decathlon is the Great Park's first-ever international event," said Jeffrey Lalloway, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation ... About Solar Decathlon 2013....(size: 4.6Kb)
The Hindu
11 Jan 2013
Mr. K. Someshwar Bhupal’s Decathlon (P.S. Chouhan up) won the Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million, the main event of the races here on Friday. L.V.R. Deshmukh trains the winner. The results.. 1. CH. V. LAKSHMI PRASAD RAO ‘SIRDESAI’ SIRCILLA MEMORIAL CUP (2,200m), (Cat. II), 4-y-o & over (Terms). Front Line (Harinder S) 1, Golden Rule (Kuldeep S) 2, Handsome Hawk (P.S ... 1-3/4, nk & nk ... Rs ... Decathlon (P.S ... Decathlon ... Decathlon ....(size: 4.1Kb)
Deccan Herald
11 Jan 2013
Hyderabad Race Results. Favorite Decathlon, ridden by PS Chouhan and trained by Deshmukh, edged out Cristoffe (P Trevor up) by a short head in the Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million (Grade II) race over 1200 metres, the feature event held here on Friday. 1 ... 1-3/4, Nk, Nk; T. 2.22.00; TB. Laxman S; Fav. Handsome Hawk. 2 ... Decathlon (PS Chouhan) 1; Cristoffe (P Trevor) 2; Santa Monica (Christopher) 3; Dandelion (N Rawal) 4; WB ... Decathlon....(size: 3.6Kb)
The Hindu
10 Jan 2013
Decathlon, who is in great heart, may score in the Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million (1,200m), the chief event of the races to be held here on Friday (Jan. 11). CH. V. LAKSHMI PRASAD RAO ‘SIRDESAI’ SIRCILLA MEMORIAL CUP (2,200m), (Cat. II), 4-y-o & over (Terms), 12-40 p.m.. 1. Nano Storm (1) Ravinder Singh 59.5, 2. Front Line (3) Harinder Singh 59, 3 ... Handsome Hawk (5) P. S ... Rawal 56.5. 1 ... Decathlon (4) P ... Decathlon, 2 ... Decathlon....(size: 4.8Kb)
Sky Sports
10 Jan 2013
Double Olympic champion Daley Thompson told Sporting Heroes athletes should change coach regularly ... "Bob Mortimer brought me to the decathlon - without him the world would be a safer place," he said. "Bruce Longden organised me. He decided rightly or wrongly that the best way to train for a decathlon was to spend twice as long on your bad things than on your good thing ... "Frank took it to another level, he was even more organised ... Hero ... ....(size: 2.7Kb)
Deccan Herald
10 Jan 2013
Hyderabad race card. Cristoffe, to be ridden by Trevor Patel and trained by J S Dhariwal, is fancied to lift the 1200-metre Pratap Stud Darley Arabian Million (Grade III), the feature event of the races to be held here on Friday. 1. Ch V Lakshmi Prasad Rao ‘Sirdesai’ Sircilla Memorial Cup (Cat II, terms) 2200M, 12.40 pm. 1. Nano Storm 59.5 Ravinder S 1; 2 ... 2 ... 1 ... 3 ... 1 ... Decathlon 55 PS Chouhan 4; 4 ... Cristoffe, 1; Decathlon 2. 4 ... ....(size: 4.3Kb)
Business Wire
09 Jan 2013
Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon is an award-winning international competition that challenges elite collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. Team Capitol DC will compete in the decathlon October 3–13, 2013, at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California ... The Solar Decathlon is a biennial event that was launched in 2002....(size: 9.9Kb)
Scoop
09 Jan 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013, 1.45 pm. Press Release. International Track Meet. Media Release. 8 January 2012 – for immediate release. Champion Speedsters to Burn Up the Grass in Christchurch ... Competitors will square off in the 100m, long jump, shot put, and 800m, with points allocated as they are in decathlon or heptathlon events to determine the overall winner ... ENDS. . {parsetags. 'explicit'} . . ....(size: 2.8Kb)
noodls
09 Jan 2013
(Source. Colorado State University System). For Immediate Release. Wednesday, January 09, 2013. Contact for Reporters.. Emily Narvaes Wilmsen. 970.491.2336. Emily.Wilmsen@ColoState.EDU. Send Email. To.. * Your entry is not a valid e-mail address. * You must enter a value for Email ... Note to Reporters ... While a graduate student, he managed the winning 2005 University of Colorado Solar Decathlon Team ... -30-. distributed by ... (noodl. 17148665) ....(size: 3.6Kb)
Stuff
08 Jan 2013
You could say the organisers of next month's Christchurch's International Track Meet are taking a punt in the women's sprint event ... Punt, a Nelsonian now playing in Wellington, is renowned for her pace on the pitch ... Competitors will square off in the 100m, long jump, shot put, and 800m, with points allocated as they are in decathlon or heptathlon events to determine the overall winner. Ad Feedback ... - © Fairfax NZ News. ....(size: 3.2Kb)
This article is about the sporting event itself. For other uses, see Decathlon (disambiguation).
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin, from δέκα (déka, meaning "ten") and ἄθλος (áthlos, or ἄθλον, áthlon, meaning "feat"). Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not by the position achieved.[1] The decathlon is contested mainly by male athletes, while female athletes typically compete in the heptathlon.
Traditionally, the title of "World's Greatest Athlete" has been given to the man who wins the decathlon. This began when King Gustav V of Sweden told Jim Thorpe, "You, sir, are the world's greatest athlete" after Thorpe won the decathlon at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912.[2] The current holder of the title is American Bryan Clay, the gold medal winner of the event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, who took the title from Athens Olympics Czech champion Roman Šebrle.[3]
The event developed from the ancient pentathlon. Pentathlon competitions were held at the ancient Greek Olympics. Pentathlons involved five disciplines – long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, sprint and a wrestling match.[4] Introduced in Olympia during 708 BC, the competition was extremely popular for many centuries. By the 6th century BC, pentathlons had become part of religious games. The Amateur Athletic Union held "all around events" from the 1880s and a decathlon first appeared on the Olympic athletics program at the 1904 Games.[5]
Contents |
Format[link]
Men's decathlon[link]
The vast majority of international and top level men's decathlons are divided in to a two-day competition, with the track and field events held in the order below. Traditionally, all decathletes who finished the event do a round of honour together after the competition, rather than just the winner or medalling athletes.
|
|
Women's decathlon[link]
At major championships, the women's equivalent of the decathlon is the seven-event heptathlon; prior to 1981 it was the five-event pentathlon.[6] However, in 2001 the IAAF approved scoring tables for women's decathlon; the current world record holder is Austra Skujytė of Lithuania.[7] Women's disciplines differ from men's in the same way as for standalone events: the shot, discus and javelin weigh less, and the sprint hurdles uses lower hurdles over 100 m rather than 110 m. The points tables used are the same as for the heptathlon in the shared events. The schedule of events differs from the men's decathlon, with the field events switched between day one and day two; this is to avoid scheduling conflicts when men's and women's decathlon competitions take place simultaneously.[8]
- Day 1
- Day 2
One hour[link]
The one hour decathlon is a special type of decathlon, in which the athletes have to start the last of ten events (1500 m) within sixty minutes after the start of the first event. The world record holder is a Czech decathlete Robert Změlík, who achieved 7897 points at a meeting in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, in 1992.[9]
Points system[link]
| Event | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 m | 25.4347 | 18 | 1.81 |
| Long jump | 0.14354 | 220 | 1.4 |
| Shot put | 51.39 | 1.5 | 1.05 |
| High jump | 0.8465 | 75 | 1.42 |
| 400 m | 1.53775 | 82 | 1.81 |
| 110 m hurdles | 5.74352 | 28.5 | 1.92 |
| Discus throw | 12.91 | 4 | 1.1 |
| Pole vault | 0.2797 | 100 | 1.35 |
| Javelin throw | 10.14 | 7 | 1.08 |
| 1500 m | 0.03768 | 480 | 1.85 |
Main article: Decathlon scoring tables
The 2001 IAAF points tables use the following formulae:[10]
- Points = INT(A*(B-P)C) for track events
- Points = INT(A*(P-B)C) for jumping and throwing events
A, B and C are parameters that vary by discipline, as shown in the table below, while P is the performance by the athlete, measured in seconds (running), metres (throwing), or centimetres (jumping).[10]
The decathlon tables should not be confused with the scoring tables compiled by Bojidar Spiriev, to allow comparison of the relative quality of performances by athletes in different events. On those tables, for example, a decathlon score of 9006 points equates to 1265 "comparison points", the same number as a triple jump of 18.00 m.[11]
Benchmarks[link]
Split evenly between the events, the following table shows the benchmark levels needed to earn 1000, 900, 800 and 700 points in each sport.
| Event | 1000 pts | 900 pts | 800 pts | 700 pts | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100m | 10.395 | 10.827 | 11.278 | 11.756 | Seconds |
| Long jump | 7.76 | 7.36 | 6.941 | 6.51 | Metres |
| Shot put | 18.4 | 16.79 | 15.16 | 13.53 | Metres |
| High jump | 2.20 | 2.10 | 1.99 | 1.88 | Metres |
| 400m | 46.17 | 48.19 | 50.32 | 52.58 | Seconds |
| 110m hurdles | 13.8 | 14.59 | 15.419 | 16.29 | Seconds |
| Discus throw | 56.17 | 51.4 | 46.59 | 41.72 | Metres |
| Pole vault | 5.28 | 4.96 | 4.63 | 4.29 | Metres |
| Javelin throw | 77.19 | 70.67 | 64.09 | 57.45 | Metres |
| 1500m | 233.79 | 247.42 | 261.77 | 276.96 | Seconds |
Records[link]
Further information: Decathlon world record progression
The current world record holder for the decathlon is Roman Šebrle of the Czech Republic, with his score of 9026 points set in 2001.[12]
| Record | Score | Athlete | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World | 9026 |  Roman Šebrle (CZE) |
2001 | |
| World junior | 8397 |  Torsten Voss (GDR) |
1982 | |
| Continental records | ||||
| Africa | 8302 |  Larbi Bouraada (ALG) |
2011 | |
| Asia | 8725 |  Dmitriy Karpov (KAZ) |
2004 | |
| Europe | 9026 | Roman Šebrle (CZE) |
2001 | |
| North, Central America and Caribbean |
8891 |  Dan O'Brien (USA) |
1992 | |
| Oceania | 8490 |  Jagan Hames (AUS) |
1998 | |
| South America | 8291 |  Tito Steiner (ARG) |
1983 | |
- Updated 7 May 2011.
Decathlon bests[link]
The total decathlon score for all world records in the respective events would be 12,544. The total decathlon score for all the best performances achieved during decathlons is 10,485.
| Event | WR–World record/ DB–Decathlon best |
Athlete | Record | Score | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100m | |||||
| WR | Usain Bolt | 9.58 s | 1202 | ||
| DB | Chris Huffins | 10.22 s | 1042 | −161 | |
| Long jump | |||||
| WR | Mike Powell | 8.95 m | 1312 | ||
| DB | Erki Nool | 8.22 m | 1117 | −195 | |
| Shot put | |||||
| WR | Randy Barnes | 23.12 m | 1295 | ||
| DB | Edy Hubacher | 19.17 m | 1048 | −247 | |
| High jump | |||||
| WR | Javier Sotomayor | 2.45 m | 1244 | ||
| DB | Rolf Beilschmidt & Christian Schenk |
2.27 m | 1061 | −183 | |
| 400m | |||||
| WR | Michael Johnson | 43.18 s | 1156 | ||
| DB | Bill Toomey | 45.68 s | 1025 | −131 | |
| 110m hurdles | |||||
| WR | Dayron Robles | 12.87 s | 1126 | ||
| DB | Frank Busemann | 13.47 s | 1044 | −82 | |
| Discus throw | |||||
| WR | Jürgen Schult | 74.08 m | 1383 | ||
| DB | Bryan Clay | 55.87 m | 993 | −390 | |
| Pole vault | |||||
| WR | Sergey Bubka | 6.14 m | 1277 | ||
| DB | Tim Lobinger | 5.76 m | 1152 | −125 | |
| Javelin throw | |||||
| WR | Jan Železný | 98.48 m | 1331 | ||
| DB | Peter Blank | 79.80 m | 1040 | −291 | |
| 1500m | |||||
| WR | Hicham El Guerrouj | 3 m 26.00 s | 1218 | ||
| DB | Robert Baker | 3 m 58.70 s | 963 | −255 | |
| Total | World record | 12544 | |||
| Decathlon | 10485 | ||||
National records[link]
- As of May 2012.
Season's bests[link]
See also[link]
Other multiple event contests[link]
- Biathlon
- Duathlon
- Triathlon
- Quadrathlon
- Modern pentathlon
- Heptathlon
- Octathlon
- Icosathlon or double decathlon
References[link]
- "IAAF Scoring Tables for Combined Events". IAAF. April 2004. http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/ScoringTables_CE_744.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
- ^ "Decathlon". Encarta. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. http://www.webcitation.org/5kwbENGMJ. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ World's Greatest Athlete
- ^ Athletics at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games: Men's Decathlon. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2011-05-07.
- ^ Waldo E. Sweet, Erich Segal (1987). Sport and recreation in ancient Greece. Oxford University Press. (p37). Retrieved on 2011-05-07.
- ^ IAAF Scoring Tables for Combined Events, p. 7.
- ^ IAAF Scoring Tables for Combined Events, p. 9.
- ^ "Decathlon Records". IAAF. http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=5/disc=DEC/detail.html. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
- ^ IAAF Scoring Tables for Combined Events, p. 10.
- ^ Decathlon Records. DECA - The Decathlon Association. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ^ a b IAAF Scoring Tables for Combined Events, p. 24.
- ^ IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics - Outdoor - 2008 Edition p. 154.
- ^ Decathlon records. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-05-07.
- ^ "Hypo-Meeting 2012 Men's Results". IAAF. 27 May 2012. http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WCE12/Results/ResultsByEventWCE.aspx?/Mini/WCE12/Results/ResultsByEventWCE.aspx?/eventcode=4911/sex=M/discCode=DEC/combCode=hash/roundCode=10/summary.html#det. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ "Hypo-Meeting 2012 Men's Results". IAAF. 27 May 2012. http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WCE12/Results/ResultsByEventWCE.aspx?/Mini/WCE12/Results/ResultsByEventWCE.aspx?/eventcode=4911/sex=M/discCode=DEC/combCode=hash/roundCode=10/summary.html#det. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
External links[link]
- Decathlon points calculator for Iphone
- Team Decathlon website
- A downloadable Excel spreadsheet of multi-event scoring and age grading is available from the creator, Stefan Waltermann
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Decathlon |
http://wn.com/Decathlon
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Decathlon
http://cs.wn.com/Desetiboj
http://es.wn.com/Decatlón
http://ru.wn.com/Десятиборье
http://nl.wn.com/Tienkamp
http://pt.wn.com/Decatlo
http://pl.wn.com/Dziesięciobój lekkoatletyczny
http://fr.wn.com/Décathlon
http://de.wn.com/Zehnkampf
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decathlon
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Rémi Gaillard | |
|---|---|
 Gaillard in 2011 |
|
| Born | (1975-02-07) February 7, 1975 (age 37) |
| Occupation | Pranker, Humorist |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Home town | Montpellier, France |
| Internet information | |
| Web alias(es) | Rémi Gaillard |
| Web hosting service(s) | YouTube |
| Website | |
| nimportequi.com. | |
Rémi Gaillard (born 7 February 1975 in Montpellier, France) is a French humorist who uploads videos on YouTube. After losing his job at a shoe store, Rémi then began to use his free time to have fun and run some pranks on the public. He is the seventeenth most subscribed comedian on YouTube.[1]
Gaillard gained attention in the French media after performing a well-documented series of pranks, including an appearance disguised as a Lorient soccer player in the 2002 Coupe de France final match, during which he took part in the winners' celebrations and was greeted by the then president of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac. He is also an extremely talented soccer player and has posted videos of his skills.
Gaillard has appeared in several sport events, TV game shows and political rallies.
Contents |
Concept[link]
Rémi Gaillard became famous for his videos where he displays an "outrageous" style of humour, challenging public norms.[2] Recurring themes include dressing up as and interpreting the behaviour of various animals in public, racing unsuspecting car-drivers whilst dressed up as Mario, and numerous provocative interactions with parking enforcement officers and the police.
Through his various stunts and pranks Rémi is involved in Culture jamming. In his videos, he is often found mocking the law and induces his viewers to think twice about the norms in today's society.
Gaillard's satirical motto is C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui (literally, "It's by doing anything, that one becomes anybody").
Sketches[link]
The majority of Gaillard's sketches are of the hidden camera type, often disguising himself in outlandish costumes for his pranks. In some videos, Gaillard is accompanied by a crowd of friends, giving the action a flashmob-like nature.
Gaillard shot his first sketch in 1999[2] with a friend in Montpellier, and in 2001, he launched his website nimportequi.com.[2]
He gained notoriety in 2002 at the finals of the Coupe de France. Disguised as an FC Lorient player, he celebrated the team's victory with the players, shook the hand of the then French President Jacques Chirac and signed autographs, without anyone realizing that he was not a player on the team.
He achieved further YouTube notoriety through his Rocky Balboa parodies, Pac Man costume prank, Mario Kart prank, and his soccer videos. His recent pranks often entail dressing up in large animal costumes; namely, a pig, dog, cat, turtle, snail, bee, shark, kangaroo, spider, beaver, fly, gorilla, chicken, penguin, giraffe, rabbit, butterfly, bat and a sheep.
He occasionally ran into some trouble while shooting his videos but never of the legal kind. He does not have a police record. [3]
In 2007, he gained the attention of journalists from Le Monde and made occasional television appearances.[citation needed]. Gaillard also appeared in Orangina, Pepsi, Durex and LG commercials.[citation needed]
On his official site, Gaillard claims over 1.35 billion views on his videos on the web.[4]. As each of his videos claim at least 1,000,000 views. His most popular video, "Mario Kart", has over 47 million views alone.[5]
References[link]
- ^ List of most subscribed comedians on YouTube, 13 March 2012
- ^ a b c Rémi Gaillard : Farce de frappe, Sabrina Champenois, écrans.fr, February 11, 2009
- ^ "N' Importe Qui". http://www.nimportequi.com/en/contact-equipe.html. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
- ^ (French) Official site of Rémi Gaillard, 6 May 2011
- ^ YouTube - Mario Kart (Rémi GAILLARD)
External links[link]
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gaillard, Remi |
| Alternative names | King Of Trolls,Dare Devil |
| Short description | French humorist |
| Date of birth | 1975-02-0 |
| Place of birth | Montpellier, France |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Rémi_Gaillard
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://cs.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://es.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://ru.wn.com/Гайяр, Реми
http://nl.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://pt.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://pl.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://fr.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
http://de.wn.com/Rémi Gaillard
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rémi_Gaillard
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009) |
 Daley Thompson at the 2007 Laureus Day |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | British | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1958-07-30) 30 July 1958 (age 53) Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Decathlon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Essex Beagles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | Decathlon 8,847 points | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Francis Morgan Ayodélé "Daley" Thompson CBE (born 30 July 1958),[1] is a former decathlete from England. He won the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, and broke the world record for the event four times.
With four world records, two Olympic gold medals, three Commonwealth titles, and wins in the World and European Championships, Thompson is considered by many to be the greatest decathlete of all time. Robert Chalmers described him as "the greatest all-round athlete this country [Great Britain] has ever produced."[2]
Contents |
Biography[link]
Thompson was born in Notting Hill, London, the second son of a Nigerian father and Scottish mother. His father was a taxi driver who was shot dead in Streatham when Thompson was about twelve. At seven years old Thompson was sent to Farney Close Boarding School, Bolney, Sussex, which he described as "a place for troubled children". Thompson's name is a contraction of Ayodele, a Yoruba word meaning "joy comes home". Thompson's first ambition was to become a professional footballer, but he later switched his interests to athletics.[2]
Career[link]
Early career[link]
Initially, he was a member of Haywards Heath Harriers, but when he returned to London in 1975 he joined the Essex Beagles club, training as a sprinter. He began to be coached by Bob Mortimer, who suggested he try for decathlon. He competed in his first decathlon later that year in Cwmbran, Wales, which he won along with his next competition. In 1976 he won the AAA title and was 18th at the Montréal Olympic Games. The following year, he won the European Junior title and in 1978 came the first of his three Commonwealth titles. In 1979, he failed to finish in his only decathlon of that year, but won the long jump at the UK Championships.
1980-1986-breaking records[link]
Thompson opened the 1980 Olympic season with a world decathlon record of 8,648 points at Götzis, Austria, in May, and followed this with a comfortable win at the Moscow Olympics. After a quiet 1981 season, he was in devastating form in 1982; back at Götzis in May, he raised the world record to 8,730 points and then in September, at the European Championships in Athens, he took the record up to 8,774 points. The following month in Brisbane, Thompson took his second Commonwealth title. In 1983, Daley won the inaugural World Championships and became the first decathlete to hold the European, World and Olympic titles simultaneously. He spent much of the summer of 1984 in California preparing for the defence of his Olympic title, with Jürgen Hingsen, the West German who had succeeded Thompson as the world record holder, expected to be a major threat. Thompson took the lead in the first event and was never headed throughout the competition, although it seemed that, by easing off in the 1,500 metres he had missed tying the world record by just one point. When the photo-finish pictures were examined, however, it was found that Thompson should have been credited with one more point in the 110 metres hurdles so he had in fact, equalled Hingsen’s record. Then when the new scoring tables were introduced, Thompson became the sole record holder once more with a recalculated score of 8,847 points – a world record that stood until 1992, when it was surpassed by the American athlete Dan O'Brien with a score of 8891. His two victories in the decathlon are a feat shared only with the American Bob Mathias. Thompson's 1984 performance is still the UK record.
1987-1990-defeat and injury[link]
After his Olympic success, Thompson won his third Commonwealth title in 1986 but after that he never quite recaptured the superlative form of earlier years. In 1987 he suffered his first decathlon defeat for nine years when he finished ninth in the World Championships, and at his third Olympics in Seoul in 1988 he finished fourth. He made the Commonwealth Games team for the fourth time in 1990, but was forced to withdraw because of injury
After athletics[link]
Thompson was forced to retire from athletics in 1992, due to a persistent hamstring injury. In the 1990s he played professional football for Mansfield Town and Stevenage Borough F.C., and then worked as fitness coach for Wimbledon F.C. and Luton Town football clubs.[3] He also took part in motorsport, entering the Ford Credit Fiesta Challenge Championship in 1994.[4]
Thompson worked as a fitness trainer and motivational speaker, as well as appearing at corporate events. He was also well known for his appearances in commercials for the drink Lucozade in the 1980s. Thompson's name was used for three officially licensed home computer games by Ocean Software in the 1980s: Daley Thompson's Decathlon, Daley Thompson's Supertest, and Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge.
Thompson is an ambassador for the London 2012 Summer Olympics, focusing during the bid stage on highlighting the benefits that hosting the Olympics would bring to education and sport in schools.[5] He also took part in the 2011 TV series Jamie's Dream School.[6]
Rivalry with Jürgen Hingsen[link]
Thompson's rivalry with West German athlete Jürgen Hingsen was legendary in the sport throughout the 1980s. The pair consistently traded world records, but Thompson always had the upper hand in the major events, remaining undefeated in all competitions for nine years between 1979 and 1987.
Public Persona[link]
Thompson was a natural showman who endeared himself to the British public with his irreverent personality, notably when he whistled the British national anthem God Save the Queen with studied insouciance after receiving his gold medal in 1984. Afterwards, he famously sent a message to friends back home via a TV interview, showing his medal and saying "I've got the Big G, boys - the Big G!" Sometimes Thompson's behaviour caused offence, not least when he refused to carry the English flag at the opening ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games, claiming that the effort required participating in the four-and-a-half hour ceremony would reduce his chances of winning his event. He won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award the same year. Making his acceptance speech during the live broadcast of the programme Thompson uttered an obscenity, which caused media comment. Despite this, he was awarded the MBE in 1982, the OBE in 1986, and the CBE in 2000.
Personal life[link]
Thompson has two children with partner Lisa, and three with ex-wife Trish.[3]
References[link]
- ^ "Daley Thompson". 100Great Black Britons, com. http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/daley_thompson.html. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b Chalmers, Robert (27 July 2008). "The champion that time forgot: Why do we find it so hard to love Daley Thompson?". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/the-champion-that-time-forgot-why-do-we-find-it-so-hard-to-love-daley-thompson-876424.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ a b "Daley Thompson - The Bubble Burst - Where is he now?". The Bubble Burst. 1958-07-30. http://www.thebubbleburst.co.uk/bb.php?entry=Daley%20Thompson. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ "Ford Credit Fiesta Championship". Homepage.ntlworld.com. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.essam/FordCredit.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ "Jane Cowmeadow Communications & Management: Daley Thompson". Jccm-uk.com. http://www.jccm-uk.com/talent/daley-thompson. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ "Jamie's Dream School - Expert Profiles - Daley Thompson". Channel 4. 2011-02-14. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/jamies-dream-school/articles/daley-thompson. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
External links[link]
- IAAF profile for Daley Thompson
- Daley Thompson Information Website
- Daley Thompson at sports-reference.com
- 50 Olympic moments - Daley Thompson - can be used to expand article
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bruce Jenner |
Men's decathlon world record holder 15 May 1980 – 14 June 1980 |
Succeeded by Guido Kratschmer |
| Preceded by Guido Kratschmer |
Men's decathlon world record holder 23 May 1982 – 15 August 1982 |
Succeeded by Jürgen Hingsen |
| Preceded by Jürgen Hingsen |
Men's decathlon world record holder 8 September 1982 – 6 June 1983 |
Succeeded by Jürgen Hingsen |
| Preceded by Jürgen Hingsen |
Men's decathlon world record holder 9 August 1984 – 5 September 1992 |
Succeeded by Dan O'Brien |
| Awards and achievements | ||
Preceded by Ian Botham |
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 1982 |
Succeeded by Steve Cram |
Preceded by Sebastian Coe |
United Press International Athlete of the Year 1982 |
Succeeded by Carl Lewis |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Thompson, Daley |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | British decathlete |
| Date of birth | 30 July 1958 |
| Place of birth | Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Daley_Thompson
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://cs.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://es.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://nl.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://pt.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://pl.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://fr.wn.com/Daley Thompson
http://de.wn.com/Daley Thompson
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daley_Thompson
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| David Letterman | |
|---|---|
 Letterman performing on his show in June 2011. |
|
| Pseudonym | Earl Hofert |
| Born | (1947-04-12) April 12, 1947 (age 65) Indianapolis, Indiana, United States[1] |
| Medium | Stand-up, talk show |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy, surreal humor, deadpan |
| Subject(s) | Self-deprecation, everyday life |
| Influences | Steve Allen,[citation needed] Johnny Carson,[2] Jack Paar,[citation needed] Paul Dixon[3] |
| Influenced | Jimmy Kimmel, Jim Gaffigan, Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon |
| Spouse | Michelle Cook (1969–1977) Regina Lasko (2009–present) |
| Domestic partner(s) | Regina Lasko (1986–2009) |
| Notable works and roles | Host of The David Letterman Show (NBC) Host of Late Night with David Letterman (NBC) Host of Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | CBS.com/latenight/lateshow |
| Emmy Awards | |
| Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Variety Series 1981 The David Letterman Show Outstanding Individual Achievement — Writers 1981 The David Letterman Show Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program 1984 Late Night with David Letterman 1985 Late Night with David Letterman 1986 Late Night with David Letterman 1987 Late Night with David Letterman Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series 1994 Late Show with David Letterman |
|
| American Comedy Awards | |
| Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication 1989 Late Night with David Letterman 1995 Late Show with David Letterman: Video Special Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication 1994 Late Show with David Letterman 2001 Late Show with David Letterman |
|
David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host and comedian.[1] He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC. Letterman recently surpassed friend and mentor Johnny Carson for having the longest late-night hosting career in the United States of America.[4]
Letterman is also a television and film producer. His company Worldwide Pants produces his show as well as its network follow-up The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Worldwide Pants has also produced several prime-time comedies, the most successful of which was Everybody Loves Raymond, currently in syndication.
In 1996, David Letterman was ranked #45 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.[5]
Contents |
Early life and career[link]
Letterman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His father, Harry Joseph Letterman (April 1915 – February 1973),[6] was a florist of British descent; his mother Dorothy Letterman (née Hofert, now Dorothy Mengering), a Presbyterian church secretary of German descent, is an occasional figure on the show, usually at holidays and birthdays.
Letterman lived on the north side of Indianapolis (Broad Ripple area), not far from Speedway, IN, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and he enjoyed collecting model cars, including racers.[7] In 2000, he told an interviewer for Esquire that, while growing up, he admired his father's ability to tell jokes and be the life of the party. Harry Joseph Letterman survived a heart attack at age 36, when David was a young boy. The fear of losing his father was constantly with Letterman as he grew up.[8] The elder Letterman died of a second heart attack[9] at age 57.
Letterman attended his hometown's Broad Ripple High School at the same time as Marilyn Tucker (future wife of Dan Quayle) and worked as a stock boy at the local Atlas supermarket.[10] According to the Ball State Daily News, he originally had wanted to attend Indiana University, but his grades weren't good enough, so he decided to attend Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana.[11] He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and he graduated from what was then the Department of Radio and Television, in 1969. A self-described average student, Letterman endowed a scholarship for what he called "C students" at Ball State.[12]
Though he registered for the draft and passed his physical after graduating from college, he was not drafted for service in Vietnam due to receiving a draft lottery number of 352 (out of 365).[13]
Letterman began his broadcasting career as an announcer and newscaster at the college's student-run radio station—WBST—a 10-watt campus station which now is part of Indiana Public Radio.[14] He was fired for treating classical music with irreverence.[14]
Letterman then became involved with the founding of another campus station—WAGO-AM 570 (now WWHI, 91.3).[15]
Letterman credits Paul Dixon—host of the Paul Dixon Show, a Cincinnati-based talk show also shown in Indianapolis while Letterman was growing up—for inspiring his choice of career:[3]
- "I was just out of college [in 1969], and I really didn't know what I wanted to do. And then all of a sudden I saw him doing it [on TV]. And I thought: That's really what I want to do!"
Weatherman[link]
Letterman began his career as a radio talk show host on WNTS (AM), and on Indianapolis television station WLWI (now called WTHR) as an anchor, and weatherman. He received some attention for his unpredictable on-air behavior, which included congratulating a tropical storm for being upgraded to a hurricane and predicting hail stones "the size of canned hams."[16] He would also occasionally report the weather and the day's very high and low temps for fictitious cities ("Eight inches of snow in Bingree and surrounding areas.") while on another occasion saying that a state border had been erased.[17] ("From space you can see the border between Indiana and Ohio has been erased. I'm not in favor of this.") He also starred in a local kiddie show, made wisecracks as host of a late night TV show called "Freeze-Dried Movies" (he once acted out a scene from "Godzilla" using plastic dinosaurs),[18] and hosted a talk show that aired early on Saturday mornings called "Clover Power,"[19] in which he interviewed 4-H members about their projects.[20]
In 1971, Letterman appeared as a pit road reporter for ABC Sports' tape-delayed coverage of the Indianapolis 500.[21] David initially is introduced as Chris Economaki in his job as a corner reporter. Letterman interviews Mario Andretti who has just crashed out of the race and asks him a question about traffic on the course.
Move to Los Angeles[link]
In 1975, encouraged by his then-wife Michelle and several of his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, Letterman moved to Los Angeles, California, with hope of becoming a comedy writer.[22] He started off by writing material for comedian Jimmie Walker.[23] He also began performing stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store, a proving ground for unknown comics.
In the summer of 1977, Letterman was a writer and regular on the six-week summer series The Starland Vocal Band Show, broadcast on CBS.[24] He hosted a 1977 pilot for a game show entitled The Riddlers[25][26] that was never picked up and co-starred in the Barry Levinson-produced comedy special Peeping Times that aired in January 1978. Later that year, Letterman was a cast member on Mary Tyler Moore's variety show, Mary.[27] Letterman made a guest appearance on Mork & Mindy (as a parody of EST leader Werner Erhard[28]) and appearances on game shows such as The $20,000 Pyramid,[29] The Gong Show, Password Plus[30] and Liar's Club, as well as talk shows such as The Mike Douglas Show.[31] He was also screen tested for the lead role in the 1980 film Airplane!, a role that eventually went to Robert Hays.[32]
His dry, sarcastic humor caught the attention of scouts for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Letterman was soon a regular guest on the show. Letterman became a favorite of Carson's and was a regular guest host for the show beginning in 1978. Letterman credits Carson as the person who influenced his career the most.[2]
NBC[link]
Morning show[link]
Main article: The David Letterman Show
On June 23, 1980, Letterman was given his own morning comedy show on NBC, The David Letterman Show. It was originally 90 minutes long, but was shortened to 60 minutes in August 1980.[33] The show was a critical success, winning two Emmy Awards, but was a ratings disappointment and was canceled in October 1980.
[edit] Late Night with David Letterman
Main article: Late Night with David Letterman
NBC kept Letterman under contract to try him in a different time slot. Late Night with David Letterman debuted February 1, 1982; the first guest on the first show was Bill Murray.[34] Murray also guested on January 31, 2012 – 30 years later. The show ran Monday through Thursday at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time, immediately following The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (a Friday night broadcast was added in June 1987). It was seen as being edgy and unpredictable, and soon developed a cult following (particularly among college students). Letterman's reputation as an acerbic interviewer was borne out in verbal sparring matches with Cher[35] (who even called him an asshole on the show), Shirley MacLaine,[36] Charles Grodin, and Madonna. The show also featured comedy segments and running characters, in a style heavily influenced by the 1950s and 1960s programs of Steve Allen.[37] Although Ernie Kovacs is often cited as an influence on the show,[38] Letterman has denied this.[2]
The show often featured quirky, genre-mocking regular features, including "Stupid Pet Tricks[39] ", dropping various objects off the roof of a five-story building,[40] demonstrations of unorthodox clothing (such as suits made of Alka-Seltzer,[41] Velcro[42] and suet), a recurring Top 10 list, the Monkey-Cam[43] (and the Audience Cam), and a facetious letter-answering segment.[44] The Top 10 list, several "Film[s] by My Dog Bob" in which a camera was mounted on Letterman's own dog[45] (often with comic results), Stupid Human Tricks,[46] Small Town News,[47] and Stupid Pet Tricks[48] (which had its origins on Letterman's morning show) all eventually moved with Letterman to CBS.
Other memorable moments included Letterman using a bullhorn to interrupt a live interview on The Today Show, announcing that he was the NBC president while not wearing any pants; interrupting Al Roker on WNBC-TV's broadcast of Live at Five by walking into their studio (which occupied the same floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza as Letterman's studio); and staging "elevator races", complete with commentary by NBC Sports' Bob Costas. In one infamous appearance, in 1982, Andy Kaufman (who was already wearing a neck brace) appeared to be slapped and knocked to the ground by professional wrestler Jerry Lawler (though Lawler and Kaufman's friend Bob Zmuda later revealed that the event was staged.)[49] In another memorable exchange, sex expert Dr. Ruth Westheimer included cucumbers in a list of handy sex objects that women could find at home. The following night, guest Ted Koppel asked Letterman "May I insert something here?" and Dave responded "OK, as long as it's not a cucumber."[citation needed]
[edit] Late Show with David Letterman
Main article: Late Show with David Letterman
In 1992, Johnny Carson retired, and many fans believed that Letterman would become host of The Tonight Show. When NBC instead gave the job to Jay Leno, Letterman departed NBC to host his own late-night show on CBS, opposite The Tonight Show at 11:30 p.m., called the Late Show with David Letterman. The new show debuted on August 30, 1993 and was taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, where Ed Sullivan taped his eponymous variety series from 1948 to 1971. For Letterman's arrival, CBS spent $8 million in renovations.[50] In addition to that cost, CBS also signed Letterman to a lucrative three-year, $14 million/year contract,[51] doubling his Late Night salary. The total cost for everything (renovations, negotiation right paid to NBC, signing Letterman, announcer Bill Wendell, Shaffer, the writers and the band) was over $140 million.
But while the expectation was that Letterman would retain his unique style and sense of humor with the move, Late Show was not an exact replica of his old NBC program. Recognizing the more formal mood (and wider audience) of his new time slot and studio, Letterman eschewed his trademark blazer with khaki pants and white sneakers wardrobe combination in favor of expensive shoes, tailored suits and light-colored socks. The monologue was lengthened and Paul Shaffer and the "World's Most Dangerous Band" followed Letterman to CBS, but they added a brass section and were rebranded the "CBS Orchestra" as a short monologue and a small band were mandated by Carson while Letterman occupied the 12:30 slot. Additionally, because of intellectual property disagreements, Letterman was unable to import many of his Late Night segments verbatim,[52] but he sidestepped this problem by simply renaming them (the "Top Ten List" became the "Late Show Top Ten", "Viewer Mail" became the "CBS Mailbag", etc.)
Popularity[link]
The main competitor of The Late Show is NBC's The Tonight Show, which was hosted by Jay Leno for nearly 16 years, but from June 1, 2009, to January 22, 2010, was hosted by Conan O'Brien. In 1993 and 1994, The Late Show consistently gained higher ratings than The Tonight Show. But in 1995, ratings dipped and Leno's show consistently beat Letterman's in the ratings from the time that Hugh Grant came on Leno's show after Grant's arrest for soliciting a prostitute.;[53] Leno typically attracted about 5 million nightly viewers between 1999 and 2009. The Late Show lost nearly half its audience during its competition with Leno, attracting 7.1 million viewers nightly in its 1993–94 season and about 3.8 million per night as of Leno's departure in 2009.[54] In the final months of his first stint as host of The Tonight Show, Leno beat Letterman in the ratings by a 1.3 million viewer margin (5.2 million to 3.9 million), and Nightline and The Late Show were virtually tied.[55] Once O'Brien took over Tonight, however, Letterman closed the gap in the ratings.[56][57][58] O'Brien initially drove the median age of Tonight Show viewers from 55 to 45, with most older viewers opting to watch The Late Show instead.[59]
Following Leno's return to The Tonight Show, however, Leno has regained his lead.[60]
Letterman's shows have garnered both critical and industry praise, receiving 67 Emmy Award nominations, winning 12 times in his first 20 years in late night television. From 1993–2009, Letterman ranked higher than Leno in the annual Harris Poll of Nation's Favorite TV Personality 12 times.[61] For example, in 2003 and 2004 Letterman ranked second in that poll, behind only Oprah Winfrey, a year that Leno was ranked fifth.[62] Leno was higher than Letterman on that poll three times during the same period, in 1998, 2007, and 2008.[61]
Hosting the Academy Awards[link]
On March 27, 1995, Letterman acted as the host for the 67th Academy Awards ceremony. Critics blasted[63] Letterman for what they deemed a poor hosting of the Oscars, noting that his irreverent style undermined the traditional importance and glamor of the event.[citation needed] In a joke about their unusual names (inspired by a similar joke by Woody Allen), he started off by introducing Uma Thurman to Oprah Winfrey, and then both of them to Keanu Reeves: "Oprah...Uma. Uma...Oprah," "Have you kids met Keanu?"[64] This and many of his other jokes fell flat.[citation needed] Although Letterman attracted the highest ratings to the annual telecast since 1983, many felt that the bad publicity garnered by Letterman's hosting caused a decline in the Late Show's ratings.[65]
Letterman recycled the apparent debacle into a long-running gag. On his first show after the Oscars, he joked, "Looking back, I had no idea that thing was being televised." He lampooned his stint two years later, during Billy Crystal's opening Oscar skit, which also parodied the plane-crashing scenes from that year's chief nominated film, The English Patient.
For years afterward, Letterman recounted his hosting the Oscars, although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued to hold Letterman in high regard and they had invited him to host the Oscars again.[66][67] On September 7, 2010, he made an appearance on the premiere of the 14th season of The View, and confirmed that he had been considered for hosting again.
Heart surgery hiatus[link]
On January 14, 2000, a routine check-up revealed that an artery in Letterman's heart was severely obstructed. He was rushed to emergency surgery for a quintuple bypass.[68]
During the initial weeks of his recovery, reruns of the Late Show were shown and introduced by friends of Letterman including Drew Barrymore,[58] Ray Romano, Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Megan Mullally, Bill Murray, Regis Philbin, Charles Grodin, Nathan Lane, Julia Roberts,[58] Bruce Willis, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Steven Seagal, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Danny DeVito, Steve Martin, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Subsequently, while still recovering from surgery, Letterman revived the late night tradition that had virtually disappeared on network television during the 1990s of 'guest hosts' by allowing Bill Cosby, Kathie Lee Gifford (recommended by Regis Philbin, who was asked first but had no time in his schedule), Dana Carvey, Janeane Garofalo, and others to host new episodes of The Late Show. Cosby—the show's first guest host—refused to sit at Letterman's desk out of respect, using the couch instead; Garofalo followed suit, utilizing a set of grade-school desks instead.
Upon his return to the show on February 21, 2000, Letterman brought all of the doctors and nurses on stage who had participated in his surgery and recovery (with extra teasing of a nurse who had given him bed baths—"This woman has seen me naked!"),[69] including Dr. O. Wayne Isom and physician Louis Aronne, who frequently appears on the show. In a show of emotion, Letterman was nearly in tears as he thanked the health care team with the words "These are the people who saved my life!" The episode earned an Emmy nomination. For a number of episodes, Letterman continued to crack jokes about his bypass, including saying, "Bypass surgery: it's when doctors surgically create new blood flow to your heart. A bypass is what happened to me when I didn't get The Tonight Show! It's a whole different thing." In a later running gag he lobbied his home state of Indiana to rename the freeway circling Indianapolis (I-465) "The David Letterman Bypass." He also featured a montage of faux news coverage of his bypass surgery, which included a clip of Dave's heart for sale on the Home Shopping Network. Letterman became friends with his doctors and nurses. In 2008, a Rolling Stone interview stated "he hosted a doctor and nurse who'd helped perform the emergency quintuple-bypass heart surgery that saved his life in 2000. 'These are people who were complete strangers when they opened my chest,' he says. 'And now, eight years later, they're among my best friends.' "[4]
Additionally, Letterman invited the band Foo Fighters to play "Everlong",[70] introducing them as "my favorite band, playing my favorite song."[71] During a later Foo Fighters appearance, Letterman said that Foo Fighters had been in the middle of a South American tour which they canceled to come play on his comeback episode.
Letterman again handed over the reins of the show to several guest hosts (including Bill Cosby, Brad Garrett, Elvis Costello, John McEnroe, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Bonnie Hunt, Luke Wilson and bandleader Paul Shaffer) in February 2003, when he was diagnosed with a severe case of shingles. Later that year, Letterman made regular use of guest hosts—including Tom Arnold and Kelsey Grammer—for new shows broadcast on Fridays. In March 2007, Adam Sandler—who had been scheduled to be the lead guest—served as a guest host while Letterman was ill with a stomach virus.[72]
Re-signing with CBS[link]
In March 2002, as Letterman's contract with CBS neared expiration, ABC offered him the time slot for long-running news program Nightline with Ted Koppel. Letterman was interested as he believed he could never match Leno's ratings at CBS due to Letterman's complaint of weaker lead-ins from the network's late local news programs, but was reluctant to replace Koppel.[73] Letterman addressed his decision to re-sign on the air, stating that he was content at CBS and that he had great respect for Koppel.
On December 4, 2006, CBS revealed that Letterman signed a new contract to host The Late Show with David Letterman through the fall of 2010. "I'm thrilled to be continuing on at CBS," said Letterman. "At my age you really don't want to have to learn a new commute."[74] Letterman further joked about the subject by pulling up his right pants leg, revealing a tattoo, presumably temporary, of the ABC logo.
"Thirteen years ago, David Letterman put CBS late night on the map and in the process became one of the defining icons of our network," said Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation. "His presence on our air is an ongoing source of pride, and the creativity and imagination that the Late Show puts forth every night is an ongoing display of the highest quality entertainment. We are truly honored that one of the most revered and talented entertainers of our time will continue to call CBS 'home.'"[75]
According to a 2007 article in Forbes magazine, Letterman earned $40 million a year.[76] A 2009 article in The New York Times, however, said his salary was estimated at $32 million per year.[77] In June 2009, Letterman's Worldwide Pants and CBS reached agreement to continue the Late Show until at least August 2012. The previous contract had been set to expire in 2010, and the two-year extension is shorter than the typical three-year contract period negotiated in the past.[77] Worldwide Pants agreed to lower its fee for the show, though it had remained a "solid moneymaker for CBS" under the previous contract.[77]
On the February 3, 2011, edition of the Late Show, during an interview with Howard Stern, Letterman said he would continue to do his talk show for "maybe two years, I think."[78]
2007–2008 writers' strike[link]
The Late Show went off air for eight weeks during the months of November and December because of the Writers Guild of America strike. Letterman's production company—Worldwide Pants—was the first company to make an individual agreement with the WGA,[79] thus allowing his show to come back on air on January 2, 2008. On his first episode since being off air, he surprised the viewing audience with his newly grown beard, which signified solidarity with the strike.[80] His beard was shaved off during the show on January 7, 2008.
Controversy over jokes about daughter of Sarah Palin[link]
On June 8 and June 9, 2009, Letterman told a sexually-themed joke on his show each night about a daughter of Sarah Palin.[81] Palin was in New York City at the time with her fourteen year-old daughter, Willow, and the jokes were said to be aimed at the daughter, never named, who was visiting New York City with her mother.[81] Palin criticized the jokes, saying in a statement posted on the internet that "I doubt he'd ever dare make such comments about anyone else's daughter," and "laughter incited by sexually-perverted comments made by a 62-year-old male celebrity aimed at a 14-year-old girl" is "disgusting."[82] On June 10, Letterman responded to the controversy on his show by stating that the jokes were meant to be about Palin's eighteen year-old daughter, Bristol, whose pregnancy as an unmarried teenager had caused controversy during the 2008 Presidential election, and that "(t)hese are not jokes made about (Palin's) 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl."[82] His remarks didn't put an end to the public criticism, however, with the National Organization for Women, who supported Palin in a statement, noting he had given only "something of an apology."[81] With the controversy not subsiding, Letterman addressed the issue again on his June 15 show, faulting himself for the error and apologizing "especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke."[83]
Letterman and Carson[link]
In spite of Johnny Carson's clear intention to pass his title to Letterman, NBC selected Jay Leno to host The Tonight Show after Carson's departure.[84] Letterman maintained a close relationship with Carson through his break with NBC. Three years after he left for CBS, HBO produced a made-for-television movie called The Late Shift, based on a book by New York Times reporter Bill Carter, chronicling the battle between Letterman and Leno for the coveted Tonight Show hosting spot. Letterman would mock the film for months afterward, specifically on how the actor playing him, John Michael Higgins, did not resemble him in the least.[citation needed]
Carson later made a few cameo appearances as a guest on Letterman's show. Carson's final television appearance came May 13, 1994, on a Late Show episode taped in Los Angeles, when he made a surprise appearance during a 'Top 10 list' segment. The audience went wild as Letterman stood up and proudly invited Carson to sit at his desk. The applause was so protracted that Carson was unable to say anything, and he finally returned backstage as the applause continued (it was later explained that Carson had laryngitis, though Carson can be heard talking to Letterman during his appearance).
In early 2005, it was revealed that Carson still kept up with current events and late-night TV right up to his death that year, and that he occasionally sent jokes to Letterman, who used these jokes in his monologue; according to CBS senior vice president Peter Lassally (a onetime producer for both men), Carson got "a big kick out of it."[85] Letterman would do a characteristic Johnny Carson golf swing after delivering one of Carson's jokes. In a tribute to Carson, all of the opening monologue jokes during the first show following Carson's death were written by Carson.
Lassally also claimed that Carson had always believed Letterman, not Leno, to be his "rightful successor."[86] Letterman also frequently employs some of Carson's trademark bits on his show, including "Carnac the Magnificent" (with Paul Shaffer as Carnac), "Stump the Band" and the "Week in Review."
Letterman and Oprah Winfrey[link]
Letterman and Oprah had a 16 year feud which according to Letterman started when he and his girlfriend decided to skip out on a bill, tricking the waiter into thinking Oprah agreed to pay it.[87]
On September 10, 2007, Letterman made his first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He shared pictures of his son and live-in girlfriend. The so-called feud between Letterman and Winfrey apparently ended in 2005 when Winfrey appeared on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman on December 2, in an event Letterman jokingly referred to as "the Super Bowl of Love".[88] Winfrey had previously appeared on Letterman's show when he was hosting NBC's Late Night on May 2, 1989.
Winfrey and Letterman also appeared together in a Late Show promo that aired during CBS's coverage of Super Bowl XLI in February 2007, with the two sitting next to each other on the couch watching the game. Since the game was played between the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears, the Indianapolis-born Letterman wears a Peyton Manning jersey, while Winfrey—who tapes her show in Chicago—is in a Brian Urlacher jersey.[89] Three years later, during CBS's coverage of Super Bowl XLIV, the two appeared again, this time with Winfrey sitting on a couch between Letterman and Jay Leno. The appearance was Letterman's idea: Leno flew to New York City in an NBC corporate jet, sneaking into the Ed Sullivan Theater during the Late Show's February 4 taping wearing a disguise, meeting Winfrey and Letterman at a living room set created in the theater's balcony where they taped their promo.[90]
Response to Internet death threat[link]
On August 17, 2011, it was reported that a Muslim militant had posted a death threat against Letterman on a website frequented by Al-Qaeda supporters, calling on American Muslims to kill Letterman for making a joke about the death of an Al-Qaeda leader killed in a drone strike in Pakistan in June 2011.[91] In his show on August 22, Letterman joked about the threat, saying "State Department authorities are looking into this. They're not taking this lightly. They're looking into it. They're questioning, they're interrogating, there's an electronic trail—but everybody knows it's Leno."[92]
Appearances in other media[link]
Letterman appeared in issue 239 of the Marvel comic book The Avengers, in which the title characters are guests on Late Night.[93] A parody of Letterman, named "David Endochrine," is gassed to death along with his bandleader named "Paul" and their audience in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.[94]
Letterman appeared in the pilot episode of the short-lived 1986 series "Coach Toast", and he appears with a bag over his head as a guest on Bonnie Hunt's ca. 1993 sitcom The Building. He also appears in The Simpsons, as himself in a couch gag when The Simpsons find themselves (and the couch) in "Late Night with David Letterman." He had a cameo in the feature film Cabin Boy, with Chris Elliott, who worked as a writer on Letterman's show. In this and other appearances, Letterman is listed in the credits as "Earl Hofert", the name of Letterman's maternal grandfather. He also appeared as himself in the Howard Stern biopic Private Parts as well as the 1999 Andy Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon, in a few episodes of Garry Shandling's 1990s TV series The Larry Sanders Show and in "The Abstinence", a 1996 episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. Letterman also made an uncredited appearance in the first episode of the third season of the sitcom The Nanny.
Letterman provided vocals for the Warren Zevon song "Hit Somebody" from My Ride's Here,[95] and provided the voice for Butt-head's father in the 1996 animated film Beavis and Butt-head Do America.
In 2010, a documentary Dying to Do Letterman was released directed by Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina featuring Steve Mazan, a stand up comic, who has cancer and wants to appear on the Letterman Show. The film won Best Documentary and Jury Awards at the Cinequest Film Festival.[96] Steve Mazan published a same-titled book (full title, Dying to Do Letterman: Turning Someday into Today) about his own saga.[97]
Known for rarely giving television interviews, Letterman appeared as an exclusive guest on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight on May 29, 2012. He was interviewed for one full hour by a long-time friend and fellow television host Regis Philbin, who guest hosted the show during Piers Morgan's leave during that week.
Other projects[link]
Worldwide Pants[link]
Letterman started his own production company—Worldwide Pants Incorporated—which produced his show and several others, including Everybody Loves Raymond, The Late Late Show, and several critically acclaimed, but short-lived television series for Bonnie Hunt. Worldwide Pants also produced the dramedy program Ed, which aired on NBC from 2000–2004. It was Letterman's first association with NBC since he left the network in 1993. During Ed's run, the star, Tom Cavanagh, appeared as a guest on The Late Show several times.
In 2005, Worldwide Pants produced its first feature film, Strangers with Candy, which was a prequel to the Comedy Central TV series of the same title. In 2007, Worldwide Pants produced the ABC comedy series, Knights of Prosperity.
Worldwide Pants made significant news in December 2007 when it was announced that Letterman's company had independently negotiated its own contract with the Writers Guild of America, East, thus allowing Letterman, Craig Ferguson, and their writers to return to work, while the union continued its strike against production companies, networks and studios who had not reached an agreement.
Record company[link]
In late April 2010, several music industry websites reported that Letterman started a record label named Clear Entertainment/C.E. Music and signed his first artist, Runner Runner.[98][99] Lucy Walsh announced on her MySpace page that she has been signed by Letterman and Clear Entertainment/C.E. Music and is working on her album.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing[link]
Main article: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) is an auto racing team that currently races in the American Le Mans Series, and part-time in the Indy Racing League. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, businessman Mike Lanigan, and Letterman himself, and is based in Hilliard, Ohio. The team won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with driver Buddy Rice. Letterman was a pit reporter for ABC in the 1971 Indianapolis 500.[21]
American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming[link]
Main article: American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming
American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming is Letterman's private foundation. Through it, Letterman has donated millions of dollars to charities and other non-profits in Indiana and Montana, celebrity-affiliated organizations such as Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, universities such as Ball State, and other organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, and Doctors Without Borders.
Personal life[link]
Marriages and long-term relationships[link]
In 1969, Letterman married Michelle Cook; the marriage ended by divorce in 1977.[100] He also had a long-term relationship with former head writer and producer on Late Night, Merrill Markoe. Markoe was the mind behind several Late Night staples, such as "Stupid Pet/Human Tricks".
 |
Wikinews has related news: TV late night show host David Letterman marries girlfriend of 23 years |
Letterman has a son, Harry Joseph Letterman (born on November 3, 2003), with Regina Lasko. Harry is named after Letterman's father.[101] In 2005, police discovered a plot to kidnap Harry Letterman and ransom him for $5 million. Kelly Frank, a house painter who had worked for Letterman, was charged in the conspiracy.[102]
Letterman and Lasko, who had been together since 1986, wed on March 19, 2009, during a quiet courthouse civil ceremony in Choteau, Montana, where he purchased a ranch in 1999.[103][104][105] Letterman announced the marriage during the taping of his March 23 show, shortly after congratulating Bruce Willis for getting married the previous week. Letterman told the audience he nearly missed the ceremony because his truck became stuck in mud two miles from their house.[106] The family resides in North Salem, New York, on a 108-acre (44 ha) estate.[107]
Stalking incident[link]
Beginning in May 1988, Letterman was stalked by Margaret Mary Ray, a woman suffering from schizophrenia. She once stole his Porsche, repeatedly broke into his house, and camped out on his tennis court. Her exploits drew national attention, and Letterman occasionally joked about her behavior in his show, although never mentioning her name. After she committed suicide in 1998, Letterman told the New York Times that he had had great compassion for her,[108] and publicly expressed sympathy.[109]
[edit] Extortion attempt and revelation of affairs
On his October 1, 2009, show, Letterman announced that he had been the victim of an extortion attempt by someone threatening to reveal that he had had sex with several of his female employees, and at the same time, he confirmed that he had had such relationships.[110] He stated that three weeks earlier (on September 9, 2009) someone had left a package in his car with material he said he would write into a screenplay and a book if Letterman did not pay him $2 million. Letterman said that he contacted the Manhattan District Attorney's office, ultimately cooperating with them to conduct a sting operation involving giving the man a phony check.[111] Subsequently, Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, a producer of the CBS true crime journalism series 48 Hours, was arrested after trying to deposit the check. He was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury and pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted grand larceny on October 2, 2009.[112] Eventually, on March 9, 2010, he pleaded guilty to this same felony and served a 6-month jail sentence, followed by probation and community service.[113]
A central figure in the case and one of the women Letterman had had a sexual relationship with was his longtime personal assistant Stephanie Birkitt, who often appeared with him on his show. She had also worked for 48 Hours.[114] Until a month prior to the revelations, she had shared a residence with Halderman,[115] who allegedly had copied her personal diary and used it, along with private emails, in the blackmail package.[116]
On October 3, 2009, a former CBS employee, Holly Hester, announced that she and Letterman had engaged in a year-long "secret" affair in the early 1990s while she was his intern and a student at New York University.[117]
In the days following the initial announcement of the affairs and the arrest, several prominent women, including Kathie Lee Gifford, co-host of NBC's Today Show, and NBC news anchor Ann Curry questioned whether Letterman's affairs with subordinates created an unfair working environment.[118] A spokesman for Worldwide Pants said that the company's sexual harassment policy did not prohibit sexual relationships between managers and employees.[119] According to business news reporter Eve Tahmincioglu, "CBS suppliers are supposed to follow the company's business conduct policies" and the CBS 2008 Business Conduct Statement states that "If a consenting romantic or sexual relationship between a supervisor and a direct or indirect subordinate should develop, CBS requires the supervisor to disclose this information to his or her Company's Human Resources Department..."[120]
On October 5, 2009, Letterman devoted a segment of his show to a public apology to his wife and staff.[121][122] Three days later, Worldwide Pants announced that Birkitt had been placed on a "paid leave of absence" from the Late Show.[123] On October 15, CBS News announced that the company's Chief Investigative Correspondent, Armen Keteyian, had been assigned to conduct an "in-depth investigation" into Halderman's blackmail of Letterman.[124]
Awards and honors[link]
Awards[link]
Main article: List of David Letterman awards
In his capacities as either a writer, producer, performer, or as part of a writing team, Letterman is among the most nominated people in Emmy Award history with 52 nominations, winning two Daytime Emmys and five Primetime Emmys since 1981. His nomination record is second only to producer Jac Venza, who holds the record for the most Emmy nominations for an individual (57). Letterman has been nominated every year since 1984, when he first appeared on late night television as the host of Late Night with David Letterman. Additionally, he has won four American Comedy Awards. Letterman was the first recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at The Comedy Awards in 2011.
David Letterman Communication and Media Building[link]
On September 7, 2007, Letterman visited his alma mater, Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, for the dedication of a communications facility named in his honor for his dedication to the university throughout his career as a comedian. The $21 million, 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) David Letterman Communication and Media Building opened for the 2007 fall semester. It features state-of-the-art recording equipment and facilities. Thousands of Ball State students, faculty, and local residents welcomed Letterman back to Indiana.[125] Letterman's emotional speech touched on his struggles as a college student and his late father, and also included the "top ten good things about having your name on a building", finishing with, "if reasonable people can put my name on a $21 million building, anything is possible."[126]
At the same time, Letterman also received a Sagamore of the Wabash award given by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, which recognizes distinguished service to the state of Indiana.[125]
References[link]
- ^ a b "David Letterman Biography". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/person/954441/David-Letterman/biography. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ^ a b c An interview with David Letterman (TV-series). Charlie Rose, WNET. 1996-02-26. http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/6364. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ a b Kiesewetter, John (1997-02-24). "Local show inspired young Letterman". The Cincinnati Enquirer. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1997/02/24/loc_letterman.html. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
- ^ a b "Dave at Peace: The Rolling Stone Interview". Archived from the original on 2010-04-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20100407022925/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/22791344/dave_at_peace_the_rolling_stone_interview/print. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ "Special Collectors' Issue: 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time". TV Guide (December 14–20). 1996.
- ^ Record of Harry Letterman, Social Security Death Index
- ^ Gary Graves. "Letterman Gets Moment in Hot Seat." USA Today, May 23, 2005, p. 1C.
- ^ Daveheart, a profile of Letterman by Bill Zehme from the May 2000 issue of Esquire
- ^ Mitchell Fink, Eric Mink, Leo Standora, Richard Huff, Bill Hutchinson (January 14, 2000). "Cholesterol high, has family history". New York Daily News. http://articles.nydailynews.com/2000-01-14/news/18138686_1_angioplasty-family-history-high-cholesterol. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "Atlas Supermarket". Lost Indiana. http://www.lostindiana.net/Lost_Indiana/Lost_Indiana__Atlas_Supermarket.html. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ Gail Koch. "After Two Decades, Letterman Wit Shows No Signs of Stopping." Ball State Daily News, February 23, 2002.
- ^ "Scholarships | Scholarships for Average Students". FinAid. 1999-01-22. http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/average.phtml. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ Revealed on air during January 7, 2011 "Late Show with David Letterman" during interview with Regis Philbin.
- ^ a b Indiana Public Radio - About Us from the Indiana Public Radio website
- ^ "David Letterman, WAGO Muncie Indiana April 1, 1969". reelradio.com. http://www.reelradio.com/tc/index.html#dlwago69. "Dave Letterman is heard in this segment edited from the 11PM–12 Midnight hour on April 1, 1969. WAGO was a carrier-current station at Pennsylvania State University. The voice of Lyla Whip is Letterman's former wife, Michelle, whom he calls at their apartment."
- ^ Playboy Interview Playboy Magazine October 1984. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
- ^ alljohnnyanddave (October 13, 2009). "Diane Sawyer brings a clip of Dave:)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztPB3bKpgY. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman". Nndb.com. http://www.nndb.com/people/395/000022329/. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ "Letterman morning show clips and & Jon Stewart cancellation -Jun1995". Youtube. January 22, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bzbq8X8qZE#t32s. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ Letterman Bio at Indystar.com. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
- ^ a b bricksterr (July 3, 2007). "Letterman's Network Debut". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sMnBmHzAg0. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ Gail Koch. "Letterman Evolved from Struggling Radio Host to Star." Ball State Daily News, February 1, 2002.
- ^ Kliph Nesteroff (March 7, 2010). "The Early David Letterman 1967-1980 Beware the Blog". wfmu.org. http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2010/03/the-late-night-hosts-before-they-were-big.html. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ mickstadium (July 15, 2011). "1977 "Afternoon Delight" clip from The Starland Vocal Band show". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUabP1JDCZA. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "The Riddlers with David Letterman (1977)". classictelevisionshowbiz.blogspot.com. April 8, 2007. http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2007/04/riddlers-1977-with-host-david-letterman.html. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman on "PASSWORD PLUS+ 1979"". YouTube. June 29, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bk6zFrTYMk. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "Mary Open (1978)". YouTube. November 18, 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoAHLaNMWMo. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "Mork & Letterman". YouTube. November 14, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFavsfq3wjo. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "The $20,000 pyramid". YouTube. August 25, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSlWxg-WJQo. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman plays Alphabetics 1979". YouTube. June 30, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTkTdZx1haA. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ^ IMDB, broadcast April 3, 1979.
- ^ Jon Davison, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker. Airplane! audio commentary (DVD). Paramount Pictures. Event occurs at 9:50–10:00. ISBN 0-7921-6688-4.
- ^ Peter Kerr. "David Letterman's Off-Center Humor Finds a Home." The New York Times, February 19, 1984, p. H27
- ^ "Bill Murray @ David Letterman #1, 1982, 1 of 2". YouTube. 1982. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7US7PU6tidM. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ "Cher on Late Night (part 1 of 2)". December 8, 2011. 1986. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBgDHhmSrAo.
- ^ "Shirley MacLaine on Late Night (1988)(1 of 2)". YouTube. October 4, 1988. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh2UVul29CM. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ Michael Ausiello (November 1, 2000). "Steve Allen Remembered". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/news/steve-allen-remembered-36211.aspx. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ John J. O'Connor (1987-03-08). "TV View: Ernie Kovacs: A comic to the medium born". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DA173CF93BA35750C0A961948260. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
- ^ "Late-Night with David Letterman Stupid Pet Tricks". YouTube. 1986. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTPB14ivKUs. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ "Letterman 4th Anniversary Special". YouTube. 2/1/86. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFyRBOx_auM. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman "Alka Seltzer" suit". YouTube. September 6, 1984. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAu0USchCrI. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ "Letterman in a Suit of Velcro". YouTube. 1984. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9uxxqKGmYg. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman monkey cam". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLmiVi9HXK4. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman answers viewer mail in person". YouTube. 1986. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzIea4w1F6E. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "A film by Bob the dog (from David Letterman)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrIiLrNq0oI. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Stupid Human Trick on David Letterman 1-1987". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa4Vfn-pjHI. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Classic Dave = small town news, 1/12/88". YouTube. 1-12-88. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUs5hNVZuCs. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Late Night with David Letterman classic Stupid Pet Tricks, 1984". YouTube. 1984. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBvg0D_8IGQ. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Kaufman Fight Was a Fake". dailyhaggis.com. March 6, 2010. http://dailyhaggis.com/2002/12/27/kaufman-fight-was-a-fake/. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ Mark Albright (March 31, 1995). "Letterman's Neighbor's Discover Spotlight's Chilly Side". St. Petersburg Times. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-03-31/features/9503310282_1_cbs-store-letterman-show-times-square. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Mark Harris (January 29, 1993). "Is Dave Worth It?". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,305416,00.html. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Richard Corliss (August 2, 1993). "Stupid Talk Show Tricks". TIME. http://www.oocities.org/davidletterman82/TimeAugust1993Article.html. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ Breeanna Hare (October 7, 2009). "Viewers still in Letterman's corner". CNN. http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-07/entertainment/letterman.show.ratings_1_local-people-meters-rating-points-viewers?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ Joanna Weiss (May 31, 2009). "11:35pm — Conan O'Brien's time has come. Will the Leno faithful follow?". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/05/31/conan_obriens_time_has_come__will_the_leno_faithful_follow/. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ TV By The Numbers "Jay Leno And Jimmy Fallon Win the Late-Night Week of April 27 - May 1" May 7, 2009
- ^ "David Letterman: Julia Roberts helps him beat Conan O'Brien for first time; Denzel Washington, Jonas Brothers visit Thursday". Orlando Sentinel. 2009-06-10. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/06/david-letterman-julia-roberts-helps-him-beat-conan-obrien-for-first-time-regis-philbin-to-give-top-t.html. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
- ^ Access Hollywood (2009-06-10). "Roberts sides with Letterman". MSNBC.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31210920/. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
- ^ a b c Fisher, Luchina (2009-06-10). "Who's loyal to Leno, O'Brien, and Letterman?". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Television/story?id=7797222&page=1. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
- ^ Bill Carter (July 5, 2009). "'Tonight Show' Audience a Decade Younger". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/business/media/06late.html?_r=1&8dpc. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- ^ Late Night TV Ratings Week (2011-03-03). "'Nightline' Up; 'Conan,' 'Late Show' Down; 'Tonight Show,' 'Daily Show' Even". http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/03/late-night-tv-ratings-week-nightline-up-conan-late-show-down-tonight-show-daily-show-even/84538. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
- ^ a b "America's Favorite Television Personality". a Harris Poll. January 28, 2009. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/pubs/Harris_Poll_2009_01_28.pdf. [dead link]
- ^ "For Third Year in a Row Oprah Retains Her Position as America's Favorite TV Personality". the Harris Poll. December 29, 2004. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=530.
- ^ John O'Connor (March 29, 1995). "The Winner Isn't David Letterman". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/29/movies/critic-s-notebook-the-winner-isn-t-david-letterman.html. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
- ^ "David Letterman Hosts The Academy Awards". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS0-inBTfPc. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ Schruers, Fred (May 30, 1996). "Dave vs. Dave: Forget Leno & Koppel — Letterman May Be His Own Worst Enemy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20071127145433/http://www.geocities.com/davidletterman82/RollingStone1996Interview.html.
- ^ Finke, Nikki (February 25, 2008). "The 411 about David Letterman & Oscar". Deadline Hollywood Daily. http://www.deadline.com/2008/02/the-411-about-david-letterman-oscar/.
- ^ Keller, Joel (23 February 2011). "Interview: Bruce Vilanch". A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/bruce-vilanch,52248/. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ Kelley, Tina (January 15, 2000). "Artery Blocked, Letterman Has Heart Bypass Surgery". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/15/nyregion/artery-blocked-letterman-has-heart-bypass-surgery.html?sec=health. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
- ^ "David Letterman biography". Popstarsplus.com. http://www.popstarsplus.com/celebrities_davidletterman.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ Basham, David (2000-02-16). "Foo Fighters To Welcome Letterman Back To "Late Show"". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429027/20000216/foo_fighters.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ Millman, Joyce (2000-03-20). "The top 10 reasons David Letterman's heart bypass operation was a good thing". Salon. http://www.salon.com/entertainment/col/mill/2000/03/20/letterman. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ Carter, Bill (March 20, 2007). "Letterman is Ill, so Guest Takes Over Late Show". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/arts/television/20cnd-letterman.html?ex=1175313600&en=e887f76d9783d7e7&ei=5070. Retrieved March 29, 2007.
- ^ "The Battle for Late Night" A&E Network, 27 April 2010.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (December 8, 2006). "Dave will outlast Jay". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650213242/Dave-will-outlast-Jay.html.
- ^ "CBS Signs David Letterman As Host Of The "Late Show" Through Fall 2010". CBS. December 4, 2006. http://www.cbscorporation.com/news-article.php?id=13.
- ^ "#17 David Letterman". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/53/07celebrities_David-Letterman_C8CO.html.
- ^ a b c Carter, Bill (June 6, 2009). "Letterman Reaches a Deal With CBS to Extend ‘Late Show’". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/arts/television/10letterman.html. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ Seth Abramovitch (February 4, 2011). "Is David Letterman Ready to be Done with the Late Show?". TV.com. http://www.tv.com/is-david-letterman-ready-to-be-done-with-the-late-show/story/25084.html. Retrieved 2011-06-17. "Dave tried valiantly to change the subject to Stern’s new Sirius deal, rumored to be worth even more than the $500 million contract he signed with them in 2005. But once again, Stern (now 57) turned the tables on Dave (now 63), asking the host, “How much longer are you doing this?” To which Letterman replied: “Maybe two years, I think?”"
- ^ "e-mail 12-28-07". wga.org. http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2692.
- ^ Gary Levin (January 3, 2008). "Late-night shows return fully bearded — with and without writers". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-01-02-late-night-strike_N.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
- ^ a b c Lisa Bennett (June 11, 2009). "Letterman "Jokes" About Palin's Daughter". NOW. http://www.now.org/issues/media/hall-of-shame/index.php/television/letterman-palin-daughter. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ a b Caitlin Taylor (June 11, 2009). "Palin vs. Letterman". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2009/06/palin-vs-letterman/. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ Paul Farhi (June 16, 2009). "One Pregnant-Teen Joke Too Many? Angry Palin Gets Letterman to Apologize". washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/15/AR2009061503131.html?hpid=topnews. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
- ^ "The Independent". Johnny Carson, king of late-night chat, dies at 79 (London). January 24, 2005. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/johnny-carson-king-of-latenight-chat-dies-at-79-488063.html. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (January 24, 2005). "TV critics genuinely fond of Carson". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600106891/TV-critics-genuinely-fond-of-Carson.html. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "New York Post". Carson Feeds Letterman Lines. http://pqarchiver.nypost.com/nypost/access/781543221.html?dids=781543221:781543221&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+20%2C+2005&author=Post+Wire+Services&pub=New+York+Post&edition=&startpage=102&desc=CARSON+FEEDS+LETTERMAN+LINES. Retrieved December 17, 2006.
- ^ Bauderap, David (2010-10-01). "Free lunch behind 16-year Letterman, Oprah feud". News.com.au. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/free-lunch-behind-16-year-letterman-oprah-feud/story-e6frfmyi-1225932672545. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ^ "Letterman to appear on `Oprah'". Yahoo.TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/show/32704/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20070830:people_winfrey_letterman__ER:1759. [dead link]
- ^ "Dave and Oprah's Super Bowl of Love". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_i5we6MB-w.
- ^ Bill Carter (February 7, 2010). "How the Letterman-Oprah-Leno Super Bowl Ad Came Together". Media Decoder (The New York Times). http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/how-the-letterman-oprah-leno-super-bowl-ad-came-together/. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
- ^ "Militant makes death threat against David Letterman". Reuters. August 17, 2011. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-davidletterman-idUSTRE77G6K520110817. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ Carter, Bill (August 22, 2011). "Letterman Responds to Death Threats in Monologue". The New York Times. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/letterman-responds-to-death-threats-in-monologue/. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
- ^ The Avengers meet David Letterman reviewed at misterkitty.org
- ^ Review of The Dark Knight Returns at Batman-on-film.com
- ^ Warren Zevon : Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song) from Artistdirect
- ^ Dying to Do Letterman official website
- ^ The Book Tree: Book Review - Dying to Do Letterman
- ^ Runner Runner sign to EMI
- ^ Vozick, Simon (2010-04-28). "David Letterman starts record label, signs pop-punk band". Music-mix.ew.com. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/04/28/david-letterman-runner-band/. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ Biography for David Letterman at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Letterman: It's A Boy!, 'Late Show' Host, Girlfriend Have 9 Pound, 11 Ounce Son". CBS News. November 4, 2003. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/04/entertainment/main581713.shtml.
- ^ "Montana man charged with Letterman plot". CNN. March 17, 2005. http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/17/letterman.plot/index.html. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ "David Letterman Weds!". People. March 23, 2009. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20267367,00.html. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ Rhein, Jamie (March 25, 2009). "Great American Road Trip: Choteau, Montana, Letterman's Hangout is a Gem of a Town". Gadling. AOL Travel. http://www.gadling.com/2009/03/25/choteau-montana-lettermans-hangout-is-a-gem-of-a-town/. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ "Heartfelt Thanks From Letterman". CBS News. February 11, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/22/entertainment/main682106.shtml. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ Snead, Elizabeth (2009-03-23). "David Letterman (finally) gets hitched to Regina Lasko". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/03/ok-theres-somet.html. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
- ^ Dave's domain from the March 22, 2007 "Gimme Shelter" column in the New York Post
- ^ Bruni, Frank (November 22, 1998). "For Letterman Stalker, Mental Illness Was Family Curse and Scarring Legacy". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9E0CE7DC1130F931A15752C1A96E958260. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ Foster, David; Levinson, Arlene (October 10, 1998). "Suicide on a railroad track ends a celebrity-stalker's inner agony". Associated Press, online Athens. http://www.onlineathens.com/1998/101198/1011.a3letterman.html.
- ^ Gold, Matea (October 2, 2009). "David Letterman on extortion attempt: 'I felt menaced by this'". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/10/david-letterman-on-extortion-attempt-i-felt-menaced-by-this.html.
- ^ Martinez, Edecio (October 2, 2009). "Robert Joe Halderman, 48 Hours Producer, Named in David Letterman Sex Extortion Plot". CBSnews.com. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/02/crimesider/entry5357903.shtml?tag=cbsnewsCrimesiderArea.0.
- ^ Honan, Edith (September 2, 2009). "Suspect in Letterman extortion pleads not guilty". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5910GR20091002. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ Grace, Melissa; Boyle, Christina; McShane, Larry (March 9, 2010). "Ex-CBS producer Robert Halderman pleads guilty to blackmailing David Letterman over intern affairs". NY Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/03/09/2010-03-09_david_letterman_blackmailer_robert_halderman_will_plead_guilty_take_sixmonth_jai.html. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
- ^ Shea, Danny (October 2, 2009). "Stephanie Birkitt". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/02/stephanie-birkitt-letterm_n_307558.html. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ Carter, Bill; Stelter, Brian (October 2, 2009). "Letterman Extortion Raises Questions for CBS". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/business/media/03extort.html.
- ^ "Stephanie Birkitt Secret Diary at Center of Letterman Sex Extortion, Say Cops". CBS News/Associated press. October 5, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/05/crimesider/entry5364879.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ Cahalan, Sussanah; Karni, Annie; Cohen, Stephanie (October 4, 2009). "'Late Show' staff gals got plenty of 'advances'". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/late_show_staff_gals_got_plenty_QzBeMomGK52ixJtyl0Z8kI. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- ^ "Will women viewers turn away from Letterman?". Associated Press. October 4, 2009. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33167148/ns/today-entertainment/t/will-women-viewers-turn-away-letterman/. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- ^ Gold, Matea; Collins, Scott (October 3, 2009). "David Letterman affair is no joke". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-letterman3-2009oct03,0,257832,full.story. Retrieved 2009-10-04. "'We have a written policy in our employee manual that covers harassment,' the spokesman said in a statement. 'It is circulated to every employee every year. Dave is not in violation of our policy and no one has ever raised a complaint against him.'"
- ^ Tahmincioglu, Eve (October 4, 2009). "Sleeping with the boss often leads to trouble: Policies on workplace romances aim to limit legal liabilities". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33146450/ns/business-careers/. Retrieved 2009-10-04. "If a consenting romantic or sexual relationship between a supervisor and a direct or indirect subordinate should develop, CBS requires the supervisor to disclose this information to his or her Company's Human Resources Department to ensure that there are no issues of actual or apparent favoritism, conflict of interest, sexual harassment, or any other negative impact on others in the work environment."
- ^ "Letterman apologizes to wife on Monday's show: Late-night host says Regina Lasko has been 'horribly hurt' by his behavior". Associated Press. MSNBC. October 5, 2009-. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33184320/ns/entertainment-television/. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ Doug Ganley et al (October 5, 2009). "Letterman makes in-studio apology to wife, staffers". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/05/david.letterman.apology/. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ "David Letterman's former mistress Stephanie Birkitt banned from Late Show set". London Telegraph. October 8, 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/6271085/David-Lettermans-former-mistress-Stephanie-Birkitt-banned-from-Late-Show-set.html. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
- ^ Mangan, Dan (October 15, 2009). "Network's correspondent probing Dave's extortion scandal". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/item_d9zwWsNX2hw5DMFJsuh5LO. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ a b Lloyd, Christopher (September 8, 2007). "It's no joke: Ball State dedicates building in Letterman's honor". indystar.com. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200781121039.
- ^ Ball State University (September 7, 2007). David Letterman Communication and Media Building (videos). http://www.bsu.edu/web/news/letterman/.
External links[link]
 |
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (April 2012) |
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: David Letterman |
 |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: David Letterman |
- David Letterman at the Open Directory Project
- David Letterman at the Internet Movie Database
- David Letterman's Feb. 24, 1978 appearance on 90 Minutes Live
- Official Late Show biography
- 1999 article on Letterman from Salon.com
- Tape of Letterman announcing affairs/extortion attempt on Late Show
- Works by or about David Letterman in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| First | Host of Late Night Feb. 1, 1982 – June 25, 1993 |
Succeeded by Conan O'Brien |
| First | Host of The Late Show Aug. 30, 1993 – present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Whoopi Goldberg |
Host of the Academy Awards 1995 |
Succeeded by Whoopi Goldberg |
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Letterman, David |
| Alternative names | Letterman, Dave |
| Short description | American television personality |
| Date of birth | April 12, 1947 |
| Place of birth | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/David_Letterman
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/David Letterman
http://cs.wn.com/David Letterman
http://id.wn.com/David Letterman
http://es.wn.com/David Letterman
http://ru.wn.com/Леттерман, Дэвид
http://nl.wn.com/David Letterman
http://pl.wn.com/David Letterman
http://fr.wn.com/David Letterman
http://de.wn.com/David Letterman
http://pt.wn.com/David Letterman
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1988-01-21) January 21, 1988 (age 24) Bend, Oregon |
||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States |
||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field athletics | ||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Decathlon, heptathlon | ||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | Decathlon: 8,729 Heptathlon: 6645 (WR) |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Ashton James Eaton (born January 21, 1988) is an American decathlete, who competes for the Oregon Track Club Elite team based in Eugene, Oregon. He currently holds the world record in the heptathlon.
Contents |
College career[link]
In 2008, Eaton won the decathlon at the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship.[1]
In 2009, Eaton defended his decathlon title at the NCAA Championships to win with 8,241 points (wind aided).[2] He also won the heptathlon title at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships with 5,988 points. Eaton won the Division I field athlete of the year award in 2009.[3]
At the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, Eaton broke the heptathlon world record with a score of 6,499, eclipsing Dan O'Brien's 17-year-old mark by 23 points.[4] In June 2010, he won his third consecutive NCAA decathlon title by finishing first in the decathlon with a personal best of 8,457 points.[5]
In 2010 Ashton Eaton won The Bowerman, which has been described as the Track and Field version of the Heisman Trophy.
International career[link]
At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Eaton placed fifth overall.[6]
At the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Eaton placed second in the decathlon behind Trey Hardee. This earned him a place at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, in Berlin, where he finished 18th with a points total of 8061.[7][8]
He improved his own world record in the indoor heptathlon at the International Indoor Combined Events Meeting in Tallinn in February 2011. In spite of under-performing in the high jump he managed a score of 6568 points.[9]
In August 2011, at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, Eaton won the silver medal in the decathlon competition with a final points tally of 8505, losing first place to his compatriot Trey Hardee.[10]
In March 2012, at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships, Eaton won the gold medal in the heptathlon competition with a new world record 6645 winning 5 events (60m, 60m hurdles, long jump, pole vault and 1000m) out of 7, finished third for the rest (high jump and shot put) while beating silver medal winner Oleksiy Kasyanov by 574 points (6071).
Personal bests[link]
Outdoor[link]
- As of April 2, 2012.
| Event | Performance | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decathlon | 8729 | Eugene | June 23-24, 2011 |
| 100 metres | 10.26 (+1.5 m/s) | Chula Vista | August 13, 2011 |
| 400 metres | 45.68 | Montecito | April 2, 2012 |
| 1500 metres | 4:18.94 | Daegu | August 28, 2011 |
| 110 metres hurdles | 13.35 (+1.8 m/s) | Eugene | June 03, 2011 |
| High jump | 2.10 | Chula Vista, CA | August 13, 2011 |
| Pole vault | 5.15 | Berkeley | May 9, 2010 |
| Long jump | 8.06 (-0.9 m/s) | Mt. SAC Relays | April 21, 2012 |
| Shot put | 14.74 | San Luis Obispo, CA | April 2, 2011 |
| Discus throw | 47.36 | Chula Vista, CA | August 14, 2011 |
| Javelin throw | 60.26 | Stanford, CA | April 29 , 2012 |
Indoor[link]
- As of March 10, 2012.
| Event | Performance | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heptathlon | 6645 | Istanbul | March 10, 2012 |
| 60 metres | 6.66 | Tallinn | February 5, 2011 |
| 60 metres hurdles | 7.60 | Tallinn | February 6, 2011 |
| 1000 metres | 2:32.67 | Fayetteville | March 13, 2010 |
| Pole vault | 5.20 | Tallinn | February 6, 2011 |
| High jump | 2.11 | Fayetteville | February 5, 2010 |
| Long jump | 8.16 | Istanbul | March 9, 2012 |
| Shot put | 14.56 | İstanbul | March 9, 2012 |
See also[link]
References[link]
- ^ Goe, Ken (May 11, 2008). "Ashton Eaton wins dec". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2008/05/ashton_eaton_wins_dec_brianne.html. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ "Eaton does it again". The Bulletin. June 12, 2009. http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090612/SPORTS05/906120403/1009/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- ^ Goe, Ken (June 18, 2009). "More honors for Ashton Eaton and Galen Rupp". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2009/06/more_honors_for_ashton_eaton_a.html. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ NOAH TRISTER (2010-03-03). "Oregon heptathlete sets world record". The Assosicated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gwduQfHkySR2hRF7rDfWWOhkU8WAD9EE280G0. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
- ^ Ken Goe (June 11, 2010). "NCAA Track & Field Championships: Ashton Eaton and Andrew Wheating come up big for the Ducks". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2010/06/ncaa_track_field_championships_40.html. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
- ^ Men decathlon results
- ^ Goe, Ken (June 26, 2009). "Oregon's Ashton Eaton second to Trey Hardee in decathlon". The Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2009/06/oregons_ashton_eaton_second_to.html. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ^ "World championships: Trey Hardee wins, Ashton Eaton 18th in decathlon". The Associated Press. August 20, 2009. http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2009/08/world_championships_trey_harde.html. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ^ Lindmae, Maris (2011-02-06). Eaton sets new World record in Tallinn with 6568 points. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-02-12.
- ^ Hart, Simon (August 28, 2011). "World Athletics Championships 2011: American Trey Hardee retains decathlon title as Ashton Eaton fades". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/8728864/World-Athletics-Championships-2011-American-Trey-Hardee-retains-decathlon-title-as-Ashton-Eaton-fades.html. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
External links[link]
- IAAF profile for Ashton Eaton
- USATF profile for Ashton Eaton
- University of Oregon bio: Ashton Eaton
- Ashton Eaton on Twitter
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dan O'Brien |
Men's heptathlon world record holder March 13, 2010 – present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by Galen Rupp |
The Bowerman (men's winner) 2010 |
Succeeded by Ngoni Makusha |
|
|||||
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eaton, Ashton |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American decathlete and current world record holder in the heptathlon. |
| Date of birth | January 21, 1988 |
| Place of birth | Bend, Oregon, United States |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Ashton_Eaton
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://nl.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://pt.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://ru.wn.com/Итон, Эштон
http://de.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://it.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://pl.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://cs.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
http://es.wn.com/Ashton Eaton
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashton_Eaton
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
