The Sports Thread #1 For 2/10/14 (Multiple Versions): Ireen Wust, The First Openly Gay Athlete To Medal, Gets Hugged By Putin

Top Story 

Legendary Dutch speed skater Ireen Wust revealed some intriguing news after winning her 3rd Olympic title with her top performance in the the 3,000 meters and becoming the first open gay athlete to medal in Sochi.

In an interview with Holland's NOS, Wust has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated her latest gold medal triumph in the women's 3,000 meters. What makes it even more interesting besides Putin congratulating a non-Russian athlete is the fact that she is gay.

Wust mentioned that she "got a cuddle" from the under the radar president.

Second Top Story 

Another prominent gay athlete to make news today is England women's soccer captain Casey Stoney, who announced her coming out today. She becomes the second European soccer player this come out this year and first active one to do so after Thomas Hitzlsperger did so last month. MLS American winger Robbie Rogers came out last year with the Los Angeles Galaxy in his return to the sport.

Stoney was comfortable with her decision after she saw the love given to Olympic diver Tom Daley last year.

"I was living a lie," Stoney said. "I've never hidden it within football circles because it is accepted. "But to the outside world, I've never spoken about my sexuality."

Stoney has been an instrumental part in raising women's soccer throughout, particularly in England. Her 116 caps for England participation and captaining the transient Great Britain side at the London Olympics has made her, along with Kelly Smith, as one of the greatest English players ever.

Other Stuff

3) The latest fool to now give George Zimmerman a fighting platform has introduced himself, as clown Alki David thanks it is a good idea to do after Damon Feldman thankfully had some sense in him to not do it.

Nutcase.

4) Sloane Stephens is in a lot of hot water for skipping Fed Cup (the US lost 3-0 to Italy's B team in Cleveland). Mary Joe Fernandez, the Fed CUP US captain, was shocked to learn yesterday that Stephens had flown into Doha to play today against Petra Cetkovska.



Stephens might as well have not went to Doha, as she was thrashed 7-5, 6-1 today by Petra Cetkovska. Whether her wrist factored in or she felt the pressure, Stephens went away in the match and got handled in the second set. Cetkovska is a talented hard hitting baseliner who already had two epic Wimbledon matches with Stephens the last two years, as both had similar scorelines.

The Czech lost both encounters, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3 in 2012 and 7-6 (3), 0-6, 6-4 last year, so Stephens knew what to expect. But again, she showed mental fragility in the tournaments outside of the Grand Slams.

That is the sports thread for this segment. Thank you for reading and more to come at The Whole Delivery.