Van Dyken accused of DOPING?

Olympic swimmer and Colorado native fervently denies accusations made earlier this week by her former teammate, Gary Hall Jr., in which he implies that Van Dyken used performance-enhancing drugs.

Could this be true?!?! Van Dyken, who has never tested positive for any illegal substance, is suddenly forced to defend her good name.

She wrote in an email to the Associated Press, “It is ridiculous that Gary would say something like that.” She also said that Hall’s words are “… slanderous, outrageous, and unfounded!!!

Hall’s harsh words for Denver’s swim champ came at a recent news conference where he expressed his anger for athletes who use drugs.

He said, "She's [Van Dyken] inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and Marion Jones goes to jail. The only difference was that Marion Jones admitted it, but they were both on the same list.

Could it be that Hall is just a teensy bit jealous that his six gold medals didn’t get him a spot in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame while teammate Van Dyken is basking in the glory? DCE has to side with the hometown girl on this one – come on, don’t be a green-headed monster. Prove it before you speak it, Gary!

Read more about this story in the Denver Post. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this one...

Famous Denver Athletes Go Commercial

It seems like a who’s who of famous local athletes making commercials these days. In fact, if you’re a news junky like CE, you’ve seen numerous commercials featuring local – and many beloved – athletes pushing products and services during the local news broadcasts on all network stations.

One of CE’s favorite set of local commercials is the 1st Bank commercials featuring former-Bronco wide-receiver and beloved KOA front-man, Dave Logan. Logan is a “handsome fellow,” according to CE, and has “one of the best voices on radio,” according to CE’s husband.

CE spoke with Logan this week to find out how he got involved with 1st Bank.

“The first year I did radio spots for 1st Bank was in 1991, and then I became spokesperson shortly after, I think in 1992,” said Logan.

Admitting that some people (aka, younger people) recognize him as the “1st Bank Guy,” he says, “Most people know I played pro football for many years, and those that have lived here awhile know me as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Broncos.”

And just so we can all feel good that Logan drinks his own Kool-Aid, he told CE, “Yes, I bank at 1st Bank and so does my family too.”

Other Denver athletes who are using their “celebrity” to push local products and companies these days include:

Colorado Rockies Shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki, is seen pumping up Hyundai of Greeley. Check out the cheesy commercial by clicking here.

Former Denver Broncos Wide Receivers, Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, are pushing Blackjack Pizza and Good Feet stores, respectively.

Olympic swimmer and Cherry Creek High School graduate, Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, is a spokesperson for the Rheem Team, a group of heating and cooling contractors. In an unfortunate twist of events, CE may have inadvertently offended Van Dyken-Rouen when she asked her about the “cheesy” commercials. Van Dyken-Rouen wrote CE, in an email, “I will tell you that I make my living on, as you say ‘cheesy’ commercials.” Just to set the record straight, the commercials are cheesy – not Van Dyken-Rouen or the company.

Colorado Rockies left-field hunky heartthrob, Matt Holliday, has perhaps one of the most coveted endorsement deals of all – he’s part of the national Nike SPARQS campaign (SPARQ stands for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness). Click here to see the ad (Note: Holliday is more prominently featured in the 30 second ad listed at the top).

Note to local companies – CE is available for endorsement deals. Bring on the “cheese-y.”