10B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17 2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama wields a light saber as he "attacks" Olympic fencer Tim Morehouse, who won a silver medal in Men's Saber Fencing at the Beijing Olympics during an event supporting Chicago's 2016 host city Olympic bid Wednesday on the South Lawn of the White House. Chicago is competing with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo for the 2016 Summer Games.
Obama making case for 2016 Olympics in Chicago
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama staged a homecoming-style Olympic rally at the White House on Wednesday, saying the whole country is rooting for his hometown of Chicago in its efforts to host the 2016 Summer Games.
"Chicago is ready. The American people are ready. We want these games," he said to applause.
"If you choose Chicago, I promise you this — Chicago will make America proud, and America will make the world proud," Obama added.
The International Olympic Committee will choose a host city during an Oct. 2 meeting in Copenhagen Obama will not attend the meetings, instead send-
first lady Michelle Obama to lead the U.S.delegation.
Chicago is in a tough competition with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.
In recent years, heads of state
have traveled to the IOC meetings to help seal the deal — such as Tony Blair for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and Vladimir Putin for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
"I would make
ing a more compelling superstar to represent the city and country we love, and that is our first lady, Michelle Obama."
The first lady didn't return the kudos, describing the president's
"Chicago is ready. The American people are ready. We want these games."
the case in Copenhagen personally," were it not for his quest for health care reform, Obama said. "But the good news is I'm send-
BARACK OBAMA President
dabbling in some of the Olympic sports before the event.
MLB
"You should have seen the president in there fencing," she said to laughter, as Obama stuck out his arm in a mock fencing move. "It was pathetic. But he passed the baton really well."
Obama said that while he loves Washington. Chicago has been his home for nearly 25 years.
Twins sweep Indians behind Cuddyer's home run, double
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MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer hornered, doubled and drove in three runs Wednesday and the Minnesota Twins defeated the Cleveland Indians 7-3 for a three-game sweep.
Joe Mauer singled twice, raising his major league-leading batting average to .374, and drove in two runs as the Twins won their fourth in a row.
Minnesota began the day 4 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central.
The Tigers were home Wednesday night against Kansas City, then visit the Metrodome for a three-game set beginning Friday.
Matt LaPorta homered and had three RBIs for Cleveland. The team had lost four straight and 13 of 16.
Nick Blackburn (10-11) allowed two earned runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings for his second victory in 12 starts since the All-Star break.
He lowered his second-half ERA from 7.36 to 6.90.
Joe Nathan struck out the final two batters for his 41st save in 46 chances.
Cuddyher homered leading off the fifth and added an RBI double in the seventh.
The home run was the second in three games for Cuddyer, who hit a three-run shot to lead Monday's 6-3 comeback victory.
Blackburn retired the Indians in
Blackburn came up with his third solid start in four outings.
The lone blip was last Friday, when Blackburn allowed six earned runs in three innings against Oakland.
order three times in the first four innings, and got out of a two-on, no-out jam in the fifth when Kelly Shoppach grounded into a double play and Trevor Crowe grounded out.
For the second straight start, Aaron Laffey (7-6) gave up six earned runs and a career-high 12 hits.
His own mistake put him behind.
With two outs in the third, Laffey dropped a soft toss covering first base for an error. Cuddyer followed with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.
Laffey walked No. 9 hitter Nick Punto with two outs in the fourth.
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Denard Span followed with an RBI single, and Mauer had a two-run single two batters later for a 4-0 lead.
The Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauler follows through with a two-RBI single on Wednesday in Minneapolis. Mauer raised his batting average to .374, best in the majors.
NFL
NFL Rams trade for receiver linebacker: release two
ST.LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have signed wide receiver Ruvell Martin and linebacker Paris Lenon.
To make room for the signings announced Wednesday, the Rams waived linebacker Quinton Culberson and tackle Eric Young.
Martin played three seasons for Green Bay before being waived Sept. 5.
He had 52 reception for 749 yards and six touchdowns for the Packers.
Lenon is an eight-year veteran who played four seasons in Green Bay and three in Detroit before signing with New England in the offseason. He also was cut on Sept. 5. He has 523 career tackles, five sacks and two interceptions, along with 58 special teams tackles.
Associated Press