Fair Proxy Web

Sylvester Stallone admits human growth hormone use

NEW YORK (AP) — Sylvester Stallone says he used human growth hormone to get buff for the new Rambo movie, and defends its use.

HGH (human growth hormone) is nothing, the 61-year-old actor tells Time magazine in its February 4 issue.

Anyone who calls it a steroid is grossly misinformed.

Because it is nearly undetectable, HGH has become a substance of great concern in major league baseball and other sports battling allegations of rampant doping.

Testosterone to me is so important for a sense of well-being when you get older, Stallone says.

Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases the quality of your life. Mark my words. In 10 years it will be over the counter.

Stallone directed and co-wrote the new Rambo movie, which arrived in theaters Friday.
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Pakistan: Nuke security fool-proof

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (CNN) — Pakistani security officials insisted Saturday there was no danger of the country’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.

Lt. Gen. Khalid Kidwai, head of the army’s strategic plans division, told a news conference Saturday that the weapons were protected by a fool-proof security system.

Kidwai said there are 10,000 troops assigned to guard the country’s nuclear facilities. Among their ranks are special agents who report directly to the country’s intelligence services, he said.

Pakistan is believed to have between 30 and 40 nuclear warheads, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commentators and politicians in the West have long harbored concerns that these could be stolen by Islamic militants.

Recent political turmoil in the country, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in late December, and President Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency in November, has stoked those fears.

IAEA chief Mohamed el Baradei told the Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat earlier this month that Pakistan’s many internal problems put the country’s nuclear arms at much greater risk.

In spite of international concerns, the U.S. government has said it believes Pakistan’s assurances that its nuclear material will not get into the wrong hands.

Kidwai told a special briefing of Western journalists held in Rawalpindi — the garrison town where Bhutto was killed last month — he wanted to separate fact from fiction on the matter of Pakistan’s nuclear security.

He said multiple mechanisms existed to prevent the theft or loss of nuclear material.

He said that Pakistani military sites were equipped with security cameras; biometrics and access control; bullet-proof vehicles, high security walls; and quick reaction forces.

Around 2,000 scientists working with sensitive materials and information at the sites had to undergo extensive background checks before being given security clearances, he added.

In Pakistan we have been extremely conscious of our responsibilities and obligations in this regard and we have instituted command and control structures and security measures in a manner so as to make these fool proof, Kidwai said.

He said material from the country’s civilian nuclear facilities was protected by tight export controls, adding that none of the 800 cases of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials reported to the IAEA last year had been traced to Pakistan.

During the briefing, Kidwai outlined three possible scenarios that could bring Islamic extremists to power, but said that all were highly unlikely:

Through democratic elections, Kidwai said the presence of moderate political parties in mainstream politics made this unlikely.

By violent takeover following a breakdown in law and order; the general said none of the recent insurgent activity had been directed at the military or nuclear installations.

A military coup; he said that since most of the military leadership was moderate, middle class and professionally trained, this was not likely.
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Sullivan surges to first World Cup success

CHAMONIX, France — American skier Marco Sullivan surged to his first victory on the World Cup circuit on Saturday, winning the downhill event at Chamonix.

The 27-year-old from Tahoe City, who finished second in the downhill at Canada’s Lake Louise on November 24, headed off Switzerland’s Didier Cuche and Andrej Jerman of Slovenia.

Sullivan set the second-fastest time in training on Friday, but started 11th from the field on the Verte des Houches before posting a winning time of 2 minutes 00.11 seconds.

Cuche, who started later, finished 0.33 seconds behind in second, while Jerman was third 0.46 off the winning pace to claim his first podium place this season.

Cuche, who won last time out in Kitzbuehel, consolidated his overall lead in the downhill standings as he achieved his fifth top-three placing this season.

On Sunday, the men will contest a super-combined race composed of a shorter downhill followed by a slalom.
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Tiger holds lead at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO, California (AP) — Tiger Woods made short work of the easier North course Friday at Torrey Pines, leaving everyone else long odds of catching him at the Buick Invitational.

Woods chipped in for par, escaped from a couple of trees and wound up with a 7-under 65 to match his best start ever at Torrey Pines, building a four-shot lead over alternate Kevin Streelman as he tries to win this event for the fourth straight year.

The hard part might be reminding himself the tournament ends Sunday.

If they handed out the trophy today, then it would be over and no big deal, said Woods, who was at 12-under 132. But since we have so many more holes to play … as you’ve seen on tour, anything can happen.

In this case, anyone might be more appropriate.

Streelman, a 29-year-old rookie who made it through all three stages of Q-school, was third alternate Thursday morning and was not expecting to play until someone tapped him on the shoulder to say he had four minutes to get to the tee when Matthew Goggin withdrew.

Moments earlier, Streelman had his head down hitting a few putts when he looked up and saw Woods for the first time.

Boom! He was right there in front of me, Streelman said. I was kind of awestruck for a second and I said, ‘Wow, I guess I am on the PGA Tour. It was pretty cool.

But he still hasn’t met him.

I was too scared to do that, Streelman said, smiling.

Two days of solid play means introductions will be in order Saturday morning on the first tee. Streelman followed his opening 67 with a 69 on the tougher South Course, which will host the U.S. Open this summer, and will be in the final group with Woods.

The world’s No. 1 player said he had never heard of Streelman, and when told that he was No. 1,354 in the world ranking, Woods replied, I think he might be going up.

Joining them will be Stewart Cink, who shot a 69 on the South and was another shot back at 7-under 137.

Troy Matteson got turned in the wrong direction. After a 65 on the South Course that he said he couldn’t top, he was 10 shots worse on the North Course, shooting a 75 to fall eight shots behind.

For the second time in three weeks, nearly 20 guys left town with last-place money and no tee time.

The cut of top 70 and ties amounted to 85 players, and because that number exceeded 78, only 66 players advanced to the weekend. Among the casualties were Kenny Perry, Chris DiMarco and Jay Williamson, who was one of six players who signed a petition at the Sony Open to get rid of the new cut policy.

Fueling their frustration is that Jose Maria Olazabal won the Buick Invitational in 2002 after making the cut on the number. But that year, Olazabal was only eight shots behind the co-leaders, J.L. Lewis and Kent Jones.

The 19 players who made the cut and can’t play the weekend were 13 shots behind Woods, who is turning this Pacific property into his personal playground.

Under sunny skies and a stiff breeze, Woods got his round going with a par. He drove it well to the right, then bladed his iron so far over the green that he was happy that his third shot stayed atop a ridge in the rough. That left him 25 feet for par, and he chipped that in. He holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the next, then made three straight birdies around the turn to seize control.

Along with chasing Woods, the biggest frustration might be weather.

The forecast was for rain to arrive Saturday afternoon, with heavy rain expected on Sunday. That leaves a dual challenge of trying to catch golf’s best player and cope with potentially miserable conditions.

Chasing Tiger Woods is always the tallest task on the PGA Tour, so I get a chance to try again, Cink said.

For Streelman, it’s a new experience, and one he is relishing for all the right reasons.

Whereas Woods never had to go to any stage of Q-school to earn his card, Streelman has been toiling on the mini-tours since leaving college. When he learned he was in the field, he had enough time to call his fiancee in Phoenix and his sponsors in Southern California, and they rushed to Torrey Pines to watch him play.

It’s going to be, for me, very gratifying, and a tremendous learning experience, he said. To be able to walk next to him, to just kind of see what he does and try and compare … obviously, if I can keep doing what I’m doing, just play the golf course, that’s all it is.

Woods is 30-6 when having at least a share of the 36-hole lead on the PGA Tour, but one reason that Woods closes so well is that he never takes any lead for granted — no matter who is trying to catch him.

And the more he learned about Streelman, the more he liked his story.

People don’t realize the difference between someone making cuts, getting on the tour, and winning a golf tournament, he said. It’s just a couple of good shots here and there, maybe a couple of lucky breaks here and there. It really isn’t as big a gap as people might think. The great thing is watching guys taking advantage of opportunities, whether they’re first alternate or they get an exemption.

Those are fun stories to see transpire. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

found here.

Tiger holds lead at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO, California (AP) — Tiger Woods made short work of the easier North course Friday at Torrey Pines, leaving everyone else long odds of catching him at the Buick Invitational.

Woods chipped in for par, escaped from a couple of trees and wound up with a 7-under 65 to match his best start ever at Torrey Pines, building a four-shot lead over alternate Kevin Streelman as he tries to win this event for the fourth straight year.

The hard part might be reminding himself the tournament ends Sunday.

If they handed out the trophy today, then it would be over and no big deal, said Woods, who was at 12-under 132. But since we have so many more holes to play … as you’ve seen on tour, anything can happen.

In this case, anyone might be more appropriate.

Streelman, a 29-year-old rookie who made it through all three stages of Q-school, was third alternate Thursday morning and was not expecting to play until someone tapped him on the shoulder to say he had four minutes to get to the tee when Matthew Goggin withdrew.

Moments earlier, Streelman had his head down hitting a few putts when he looked up and saw Woods for the first time.

Boom! He was right there in front of me, Streelman said. I was kind of awestruck for a second and I said, ‘Wow, I guess I am on the PGA Tour. It was pretty cool.

But he still hasn’t met him.

I was too scared to do that, Streelman said, smiling.

Two days of solid play means introductions will be in order Saturday morning on the first tee. Streelman followed his opening 67 with a 69 on the tougher South Course, which will host the U.S. Open this summer, and will be in the final group with Woods.

The world’s No. 1 player said he had never heard of Streelman, and when told that he was No. 1,354 in the world ranking, Woods replied, I think he might be going up.

Joining them will be Stewart Cink, who shot a 69 on the South and was another shot back at 7-under 137.

Troy Matteson got turned in the wrong direction. After a 65 on the South Course that he said he couldn’t top, he was 10 shots worse on the North Course, shooting a 75 to fall eight shots behind.

For the second time in three weeks, nearly 20 guys left town with last-place money and no tee time.

The cut of top 70 and ties amounted to 85 players, and because that number exceeded 78, only 66 players advanced to the weekend. Among the casualties were Kenny Perry, Chris DiMarco and Jay Williamson, who was one of six players who signed a petition at the Sony Open to get rid of the new cut policy.

Fueling their frustration is that Jose Maria Olazabal won the Buick Invitational in 2002 after making the cut on the number. But that year, Olazabal was only eight shots behind the co-leaders, J.L. Lewis and Kent Jones.

The 19 players who made the cut and can’t play the weekend were 13 shots behind Woods, who is turning this Pacific property into his personal playground.

Under sunny skies and a stiff breeze, Woods got his round going with a par. He drove it well to the right, then bladed his iron so far over the green that he was happy that his third shot stayed atop a ridge in the rough. That left him 25 feet for par, and he chipped that in. He holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the next, then made three straight birdies around the turn to seize control.

Along with chasing Woods, the biggest frustration might be weather.

The forecast was for rain to arrive Saturday afternoon, with heavy rain expected on Sunday. That leaves a dual challenge of trying to catch golf’s best player and cope with potentially miserable conditions.

Chasing Tiger Woods is always the tallest task on the PGA Tour, so I get a chance to try again, Cink said.

For Streelman, it’s a new experience, and one he is relishing for all the right reasons.

Whereas Woods never had to go to any stage of Q-school to earn his card, Streelman has been toiling on the mini-tours since leaving college. When he learned he was in the field, he had enough time to call his fiancee in Phoenix and his sponsors in Southern California, and they rushed to Torrey Pines to watch him play.

It’s going to be, for me, very gratifying, and a tremendous learning experience, he said. To be able to walk next to him, to just kind of see what he does and try and compare … obviously, if I can keep doing what I’m doing, just play the golf course, that’s all it is.

Woods is 30-6 when having at least a share of the 36-hole lead on the PGA Tour, but one reason that Woods closes so well is that he never takes any lead for granted — no matter who is trying to catch him.

And the more he learned about Streelman, the more he liked his story.

People don’t realize the difference between someone making cuts, getting on the tour, and winning a golf tournament, he said. It’s just a couple of good shots here and there, maybe a couple of lucky breaks here and there. It really isn’t as big a gap as people might think. The great thing is watching guys taking advantage of opportunities, whether they’re first alternate or they get an exemption.

Those are fun stories to see transpire. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

found here.