Olympics

Cedric Ceballos wants Budweiser to BE STRONGER in its stand against the situation in Sochi ... saying pulling out isn't enough -- he wants the company to declare an all out P.R. war on Russia.

We broke the story ... Budweiser decided NOT to throw its traditional Club Bud party at the Winter Olympics this year -- and according to internal documents obtained by TMZ Sports, it's all because Bud fears the terror threat in Sochi is looming too large.

Bud has not issued a public statement explaining the decision -- but the former NBA star tells TMZ Sports, he thinks the company has a duty to back up their actions with strong words.

There's no Bud for you, Sochi ... TMZ Sports has learned Budweiser has decided to NOT throw its traditional Winter Olympics party this year and it's all because the company is not comfortable with the situation in Russia.

In the past, Budweiser was known for hosting huge parties -- like the Club Bud bashes during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and at the 2006 Olympics in Turin.

But we've learned ... the King of Beers has decided it won't be throwing a similar party at the '14 Games ... at least, that's the plan for now.

In fact, we've seen an email from a Budweiser rep which says the company does not want its U.S.-based representatives in Sochi ... and the message is clear -- the terrorist threat is simply looming too large.

A rep for Anheuser-Busch confirms to TMZ Sports ... there will be no Club Bud in Sochi -- but the rep didn't give a reason for why the company is not throwing the party.

Sex is rampant in Olympic Village ... everyone knows this ... and officials have taken steps to make sure the athletes stay safe in the bedroom by passing out 100,000 condoms, TMZ Sports has learned.

A rep for the International Olympic Committee tells us ... "The distribution of condoms in the village is part of the IOC’s involvement in the HIV and AIDS prevention."

The 100,000 condoms will cover roughly 7,650 athletes who are competing (and banging each other) over a 16-day span.

Just a few years ago, former Olympic competitor Ronda Rousey told us the village is pure "debauchery" ... with hot people fueled on adrenaline and free booze having the time of their lives.

Makes ya wanna book a trip to Sochi, right?

Here's Team USA downhill skier Julia Mancuso trying to get America hooked on crack ... and it's working.

The 29-year-old Olympian -- who chalked up a gold medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin -- threw on one of the lowest plunging catsuits ever for a sexy photo shoot for February edition of GQ.

Mancuso is considered America's best hope for Olympic gold in the speed events -- and she doesn't lack confidence. In fact, she brags on her Twitter page, "I ski better than you."

Hope she's right ...

No one abuses Mark Spitz's trademark mustache and gets away with it ... so says Mark Spitz, who claims a pill company had the balls to jack his follically-enhanced image to hawk energy pills without permission.

The U.S. Olympic legend has filed a lawsuit against New Vitality -- an online vitamin and supplement company that allegedly used an old-school photo of Mark in an ad for one of their products called PowerQ10.

In the ad, Spitz gives a testimonial about how much he loves to use the product to support his energy levels and heart health.

Problem is, Mark says he never agreed to allow the company to use his name, his image or his mustache to endorse any New Vitality product and now he's looking for big fat check to make things right. He also wants punitive damages.

We reached out to New Vitality -- so far, no word back.

U.S. Olympic badass Nastia Liukin is off to Mother Russia to cover the Winter Games in Sochi ... but despite reports of violent threats and suicide bombers, the 5'3" gymnast tells TMZ Sports she's NOT AFRAID.

Liukin -- who was actually born in Moscow before moving to the U.S. at 2-years-old -- is covering the games for NBC ... and will be spending more than a month in Putin country.

Before she took off Wednesday morning, the 2008 gold medalist told us, "Although there are no guarantees given the world we live in, I'm confident that the Russian government and NBC Olympics are doing everything they can to make the Games as safe as possible."

She adds, "NBC has nearly 1,000 people in Russia already and I'm told they are overwhelmed and comfortable with the unprecedented security that has been deployed."

The biggest threat to morale for Team USA at Sochi this year is ... a SWEATER -- this according to several American athletes who tell TMZ Sports their Olympics outfits are straight up ugly.

Ralph Lauren just revealed the U.S. opening ceremony outfits the other day ... and the jocks we spoke to tell us there's a buzz in the Olympic community about how unattractive they are.

"Initially, the reaction was 'Are we REALLY wearing that?" ... one Team USA athlete told us.

Another reaction -- "HAHAHAHAHA, oh man ..."

Another Olympian was more optimistic -- saying, "Maybe people will see us wearing the sweaters and they'll become a trend. Or maybe they'll be worn at ugly sweater parties."

One thing's for sure -- the design isn't turning off fans. The online team store is SOLD OUT of the sweaters … which cost a cool $595-a-pop.

Lolo Jones DESERVED her spot on the U.S. Olympic Bobsled team ... despite the rantings of some bitter bobsledders who didn't make the squad ... so says the bobsled PILOT for Team USA.

TMZ Sports spoke with Jazmine Fenlator who tells us ... the team considers itself a "wolf pack" ... and Jones is an INTEGRAL part.

"The Olympic team has developed a bond," Fenlator says ... "We have each other’s backs."

Jones has been under fire from several bobsledders who didn't make the team -- who claim Lolo was only selected due to her celebrity status.

But Fenlator thinks those people are just haters ... and haters gonna hate.

Elton John is HUGE in Russia ... so gay people should feel totally welcome at the Olympics -- this according to President Vladimir Putin, who's trying like Hell to prove his country doesn't hate homosexuals.

Putin reiterated Russia would not discriminate against gay and lesbian athletes or visitors during the upcoming Sochi Olympics while speaking with the foreign press Sunday morning.

Putin used Elton as an example, calling him an "outstanding person (and) musician" -- and adding, "Millions of our people sincerely love him despite his orientation."

For what it's worth ... Elton spoke out against the country's "gay propaganda law" last month during a concert in Moscow saying, "In my opinion, it is inhumane and isolating."

Can you feel the love tonight?

Lionel Richie says his performance at the 1984 Olympics was awesome ... but these days Sochi is no match for the Super Bowl

Richie was strutting out of LAX Friday night when he told us his '84 closing ceremony number was huge at the time ... but now the Super Bowl has more eyes than the world games.

His logic is pretty compelling. Check it out.

Olympic hurdler Lashinda Demus -- who won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics -- says her husband tried to strangle her and threatened to kill her ... and she's now desperate for protection ... TMZ has learned.

Demus just got a temporary restraining order against her husband, Jamel Mayrant -- who was arrested and jailed a couple of weeks ago for domestic violence. She claims the attack left her with bruises and a lump on her head.

The restraining order also protects their twin 6-year-old boys and her parents -- because she claims he threatened all of them as well.

Demus also claims her husband is trashing her and damaging her career, saying in court docs, "I'm a professional athlete ... so I need no derogatory emails, pictures, texts, phone calls released about me on the web or to other people."

The International Olympic Committee just announced wrestling WON'T be axed from the 2020 Tokyo Games after all ... and one of the biggest stars in the sport couldn't be more thrilled.

TMZ spoke with Rulon Gardner -- former "Biggest Loser" contestant and gold medal winner at the 2000 Sydney Games -- who tells us the IOC's ruling made his day.

Rulon says he still can't believe the sport was ever on the chopping block to begin with ... but he's pumped "wrestling will showcase it's greatness to the world once again."

As for the other sports nixed from the 2020 Games, like squash, they're still out ... because no one cares about squash.

With rumors of a Michael Phelps comeback, there's one American who thinks MP should STAY OUT of the pool when the 2016 Olympics roll around -- Bruce Jenner.

Phelps announced he "retired" from swimming after dominating at the 2012 games ... but lately, there have been rumblings that he's considering re-shaving his body hair for a dramatic Olympic comeback.

But not everyone's fired up about the idea ... especially Jenner, who knows a little something about what it takes to compete at the Olympic level -- 'cause before he played second fiddle to the Kardashians, he won gold in the decathlon in 1976.

"He's done," Jenner told us in Calabasas yesterday ... "Quit while you're ahead."

For the record, Phelps is only 28 ... and still in incredible shape.

Call her Kanye West ... 'cause Gabby Douglas is continuing to SMASH racial stereotypes like they were TMZ cameras.

The 17-year-old Olympic sweetheart -- the FIRST black woman to win gold in the individual all-around -- was at LAX this weekend when we asked ... is there ANOTHER sport she would dominate if she didn't become a world class gymnast.

Her answer -- snowboarding ... a sport that's almost as white as the mountains they shred.

Michael Phelps is a pool pee-er ... but don't worry, the world's greatest athlete insists there's NOTHING wrong with draining your bladder during a swim.

The Olympic legend was leaving Mastros in Beverly Hills last night when we asked if nature ever called during one of his races ... and the guy couldn't have been more honest.

But when we asked about rumors that he's coming out of retirement to swim at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Mr. Phelps was much less forthcoming.

It's official, Shaun White dominates everything he touches -- snowboards, skateboards, surfboards, and now electric guitars ... and we got video proof last night.

If you haven't heard ... Shaun plays lead guitar in a band called Bad Things -- and last night their summer tour stopped at DC9 in Washington, DC.

The Olympic gold medalist had a Gibson Les Paul sunburst ax slung over his shoulder during the gig ... and while he's not Slash or Stevie Ray Vaughan just yet ... dude ripped off a decent solo.

Next up for Shaun -- the World Cup of Pottery!