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Winfrey Gives Olympians A Big Chicago Welcome

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

Thousands of spectators cheered Olympic medalists Michael Phelps, Dara Torres and Kobe Bryant on Wednesday as the city of Chicago got a high-profile boost to its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Oprah Winfrey was taping the season premiere for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at a downtown park, and she invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her. The athletes were introduced under a shower of red, white and blue confetti.

Winfrey intends the show to be both a welcome home for athletes who competed in Beijing and also a chance to showcase Chicago as the city bids for the 2016 Games, said Harpo Productions.

Spears On VMA Won't Be A Performance

It's Britney, baby, one more time.

Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms Britney Spears will kick off the show once again.

But it won't be a performance. Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday, it'll be something "fun and unexpected" on Sunday night's show.

So what made Spears and MTV reunite one more time?

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Spears said in a statement.

Phillips Charged With Felony

Former teen star Mackenzie Phillips has been charged with felony possession of drugs after she was allegedly found carrying narcotics at Los Angeles International Airport.

District attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison says Phillips has been charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, heroin and cocaine. She also faces a misdemeanor count of unauthorized possession of a needle or syringe.

The 48-year-old Phillips is out on $20,000 bail.

Akon's Tossing Case Headed To Trial

Akon is headed to trial on criminal charges he tossed a fan offstage at an upstate New York concert last summer.

The 35-year-old singer is accused of tossing a teenager off the stage during a June 2007 concert at a minor league baseball stadium near Poughkeepsie. Another concertgoer said she suffered a concussion when the boy landed on her.

Akon is due back in court for trial Dec. 1 unless a deal is negotiated. He pleaded not guilty in December to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.

Today's Birthdays

ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey is 90. Actress Mitzi Gaynor is 77. Actor-comedian Damon Wayans is 48. Actress Ione Skye is 37. Singer Beyonce Knowles is 27.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

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