THE MORNING ACCORDING TO US

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Fortunately, the NFL had the good sense not to ban "Trail of Tears" re-enactments in their fan code of conduct. Barely.

Here at ESPN, we have the Olympics covered. We had our preview issue out last week, and now we're really in the spirit. We even saw a couple editors wearing respiratory masks around the office yesterday, so you know there's a kinship with the athletes. That said, here at MATU, we've always had a worldly view. We pass that on to you with our daily trip around the Earth.

The Existentialist
Tamsyn Lewis is Australia's best hope in the 800 meters. But it's as if she's been reading too much Sartre recently; she doesn't see the point in competing, not with all the runners "to the left and right of me" doping. Australian Olympic officials have told her to snap out of it, keep her opinions to herself, and bring home something shiny from Beijing. But the funny (or absurdist point, as Camus would have it) is that they agree with Lewis.

Useful Cowboys
Fed-up locals hired a team of Wild West rodeo cowboys to round up a 50-strong herd of cattle that had run free for years. The herd of Hungarian grey cows had broken out from a farm and roamed Zala county in western Hungary. Can you imagine how amazing it is to be a real life cowboy and have someone require your skills? You'd think they sit around and wait for Eastwood to call and say he's going to direct High Plains Drifter, Part II: More Driftin'.

The Exhibitionists
Yesterday in this space we told you about Amanda Beard getting naked for PETA. Today comes news that British Olympians got naked for a far more common cause: their bottom lines. A triple jumper, cyclist, and swimmer have all been photographed in the buff for a sports drink's ad campaign. The athletes loved baring it all. But that's gotta be a tough sell for the sports drink. The only time anyone's been naked and drinking anything is at a frat house initiation.

A Cubby Storm
So you know about that storm that had people at Wrigley Field misty because they were forced from their seats the other night. Well, we rounded up some footage from the event. Not exactly a scene from Twister, starring the irrepressible Helent Hunt, but at least there was this, and of course, this.

NFL's New Honor Code
So, if you're an NFL fan, get ready. The new code of conduct looks to ban: behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature, intoxication or other signs of alcohol impairment that results in irresponsible behavior, foul or abusive language or obscene gestures, interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field), failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel, verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans. Wait, that has to be for players, right? Or maybe just Jim Nantz. We kid.

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