Olympics

NFL legend Willie Gault -- one of the fastest men in NFL history -- is getting back on the track to help a suspended world class Para-athlete make a triumphant return to Track & Field.

TMZ Sports has learned Gault is training Blake Leeper ... a Paralympic star who in February was slapped with a 1-year suspension from USADA stemming from a positive cocaine test in 2015.

We talked to Willie during a training session with Blake ... and he told us he took the gig 'cause he thinks Leeper deserves a second chance to chase that gold medal.

"He's a really good kid," Gault said, adding, "He made a mistake, he had a problem."

Gault ... who still competes in track events himself at age 55 ... maintains since Leeper tested positive for cocaine -- not a performance enhancing drug -- the suspension was too harsh.

"It just doesn't make sense."

We also spoke with 26-year-old Leeper ... who told our guy he's determined to live a clean life, and has actually taken a vow of sobriety.

"I'm living a complete clean life ... it's about being the 24 hour athlete on and off the track."

So, baby gymnastics is apparently a thing ... so says U.S. Olympic legend Dominique Dawes who says some parents start training their kids at 6 MONTHS OLD!!

The '96 gold medal winner was out in D.C. with her husband Jeff Thompson and their 2 kids (6 months and 2 years) when we jokingly asked if she had started THEIR Olympic training yet.

That's when Dawes told us some people actually DO get the Olympic ball rolling super early -- but don't worry ... she's not one of those parents.

Terrorists shouldn't even THINK about harming U.S. athletes at the Olympics -- 'cause the mighty U.S. military is locked, loaded and dedicated to keeping our people safe ... so says NBA legend Mitch Richmond.

FYI, Mitch played on the U.S. Olympic basketball team back in '96 -- when a terrorist set off bombs near the team hotel in Atlanta. In the clip, Richmond describes how he reacted when he heard the explosion.

Ridiculous athleticism runs in ex-NFL star Randall Cunningham's family. The proof ... his 18-year-old daughter has her sights set on a gold medal, 'cause she's one of the nation's best high jumpers.

Vashti Cunningham's a HUGE DEAL in track & field circles ... in fact, there's not a woman alive who's recorded a better jump in 2016. VC's career best is only 3 inches shy of the all-time world record.

Her father ... and coach, Randall Cunningham -- one of the most athletic QBs ever -- tells TMZ Sports his daughter has a very clear idea of what she wants ... and it's shiny, heavy and gold.

"She has a real good chance of making it to the Olympics. The goal is to win a gold medal, but that's hard to do when you're 18."

The road to gold starts on July 1st in Oregon ... when Olympic trials kick off.

As for Vashti's life after the games in Rio ... Randall tells us “She will have to choose between college or going pro. She’s had offers from USC, Oregon and Georgia, and she’s had companies contact her about wanting to make endorsement deals."

FYI -- Randall's son, Randall Cunningham Jr., is no slouch either ... he's an All-American high jumper at USC.

With Hope Solo considering skipping the Olympics due to Zika virus scares in Brazil -- the big question ... can Team USA still win the gold without her?

According to soccer legend Julie Foudy -- the answer is definitely "Yes."

Foudy says she completely understands Solo's concern -- but says if she skips the games, Team USA will still be real contenders ... thanks to serious talent on the bench.

The games begin in just 5 months ... and a lot can happen between now and then.

No one wants to see LeBron James get the Zika virus during the Olympics ... especially Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo who says they're doing everything they can to protect the players.

With everyone talking about the Zika scare in Latin America (and specifically in Brazil) ... people are wondering if it's worth sending our athletes to compete if there's a risk they'll get the virus.

"I sure hope no one's going to come back with the virus," Colangelo tells TMZ Sports.

"I think all the precautionary steps are being taken by the World Health Org., by the USOC and USA Basketball to limit that to hopefully nothing."

You heard it here first ... Team USA sprinter Justin Gatlin guaranteeing OLYMPIC VICTORY over Usain Bolt at the 2016 Olympics!!!

Gatlin joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" show on FS1 -- when he told us he's not afraid of the Zika scare in Brazil ... and NOTHING can keep him from competing against his rival at the games.

So, when we asked straight up if he was finally going to crush the Jamaican sensation on the track -- Gatlin laid down the gauntlet ... "I'M GOING TO WIN!"

By the way, Gatlin says he's already got plans for his gold medal when he crosses that line!!!

U.S. track superstar Sanya Richards-Ross says she's definitely concerned about the Zika virus scare in Brazil ... but it won't keep her from competing in the Olympic games in Rio later this year.

It's an issue athletes from all over the world are dealing with -- especially with the Zika virus spreading at a frightening rate in Latin America.

But SRS -- who's won gold before in the 400m and the 4x400 relay -- says she's not ready to cancel her travel plans.

"As of right now ... no, I would not consider not going to the Olympic games because it just means too much to me. This will probably be my last hurrah."

Sanya does however, acknowledge the Zika virus -- which can cause birth defects -- is still a real concern.

Michael Phelps -- male stripper??

The folks at Chippendales hope so ... 'cause they were so impressed with the Olympian's Speedo stunt at the ASU basketball game last week, they want him to shake it onstage!

Here's the Team USA men's gymnastics team showing off their ridiculous, shredded physiques on a beach in Brazil.

It appears the guys are there to get in some training sessions in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics ... which are set to go down in Rio.

Nice speedos.

#GoUSA

The daughter of Olympic legend Jesse Owens says the family had final script approval for the upcoming biopic "Race" -- and actually REJECTED certain scenes to ensure the movie was 100% authentic.

Remember Leryn Franco -- the Paraguayan javelin thrower who finished 51st but was voted hottest athlete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics? Maybe these super hot pics will jog your memory.

Leryn resurfaced Thursday on a beach in Miami.

They should make paddle ball an Olympic sport ... she definitely qualifies.

Caitlyn Jenner and Hope Solo both had a HELLUVA YEAR ... both nabbed hardware at Glamour Magazine's "Women Of The Year" awards in NYC -- but they took way different paths getting there.

While Caitlyn's been hailed as a hero for the way she handled her transition in the public eye -- Hope's grabbed publicity for almost all the wrong reasons: allegedly beating up her nephew and berating cops ... along with winning the Women's World Cup.

Clearly, Hope's solo efforts didn't carry as much weight as her team achievements.

If L.A. gets the Olympics in 2024, the Mayor says he already has one person in mind for the all-important lighting of the Olympic Cauldron ... Olympic legend Caitlyn Jenner!!!

Washington Wizard Jared Dudley just pulled a 180 on Kobe Bryant -- calling him a LOCK for Team USA ... even though he recently said free agent superstars were avoiding Kobe like the plague.

Dudley was leaving Greystone in WeHo when we asked if the Mamba should rep USA in the Olympics next year ... with younger players like Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kenneth Faried. Some critics feel Kobe's getting a little long in the tooth.

Check out the clip, 'cause Jared sounds like the head cheerleader for Kobe -- which is interesting since just 3 months ago he said Kobe's ball-hogging and attitude was killing the Lakers' attempts to recruit new blood. Now he's calling him a "legend."

Hmmm ... maybe someone's looking to score an invite to Kobe's 37th birthday next week.

62-year-old Jeff Goldblum is finally a dad ... because his 32-year-old wife (a former Olympian) just gave birth to their first kid ... on Independence Day!!!

Goldblum and his wife Emilie Livingston announced the good news on social media -- introducing their new son, Charlie Ocean Goldblum.

FYI -- Emilie was a rhythmic gymnast for Team Canada in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney ... and placed 17th in the All Around competition. Since then, she's become a professional aerialist -- performing with huge stars like Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and Trey Songz.

Livingston and Goldblum married in November 2014 ... and she announced the pregnancy the day before the two tied the knot.

Congrats!