‘Battle of the Exes’ as AOL Launches Olympic News Site

Sharron Davies and Derek Redmond Predict the UK’s Olympic Future

LONDON. – AOL has today launched a new website providing news coverage of all aspects of the 2008 Olympics, with ex-couple Sharron Davies, MBE, and Derek Redmond giving commentary and predictions in competing blogs.

The site ( www.aol.co.uk/olympics ) will provide daily analysis of the Games, with ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron on location in Beijing. To fuel the spirit of competition, AOL has set her ex-husband and former Olympic athlete Derek, as her blogging opponent, based in London.

Both have been tasked with spotting the next great hopes for British Olympic glory, in addition to delivering their daily updates on the Olympic news and gossip from China and the British sporting community. Their sporting tales will be bolstered by contributions from Jessica Ennis, Britain’s top-ranked heptathlete and former Olympic relay champion, John Regis.

“Our Olympics news site has been specially developed for British audiences and builds on the success of our previous sports-focused blogging platforms,” said Nina Vanneck, AOL Europe, Director of Sport. “The launch of this new site underscores AOL’s commitment to provide consumers with the richest media experience.”

With the Olympics in London only four years away, the pressure is on for Britain to prove its prowess at home, and Sharron and Derek are determined to be the first to identify those who possess the outstanding drive and ability to deliver gold in London.

”This year’s Olympics is a great stepping stone on the path to glory in 2012. The swimming team is better placed this Olympics than it has been for several Olympics,” said Sharron. “I said publicly at the Olympics in Athens ‘the swim team have tried hard and have many lessons to learn.’ We will see if they have.”

Derek added: “Great Britain has sent a team of medal chances. 2012 is the next key target but we need to step forward from the 30 medals we won in Athens. We will win more on the track than any other discipline but we need to find heroes that will replace Daley Thompson, Steve Cram, Kelly Holmes and Linford Christie.”

“Let the Games begin and yes, our athletes will beat the swimming team in Beijing and London,” said the former British 400 metre record holder and Commonwealth champion.

In addition to the site’s extensive sports features content, there is breaking news, results and country medal tables. User interaction is encouraged, with the site running forums around key topics.

Daily audience polls also run on the site, allowing users to express their views on key Olympic points of view along with quizzes and audio commentary.