The world’s most populous country is about to become even more crowded with the Olympics a week away. And it isn’t just people overwhelming China’s capital these days.

After a dozen years of chasing his Olympic dream, after two previous failed attempts to reach the podium, Charlie Ogletree finally felt satisfied when the silver medal was placed around his neck in 2004 in Greece. Well, at least for a couple of months.

Barack Obama collected more than $1.5 million Thursday night in two Houston neighborhoods built by oil and natural gas profits while telling his audiences that America needs to liberate itself from those fuels.

Barack Obama collected more than $1.5 million Thursday night in two Houston neighborhoods built by oil and natural gas profits while telling his audiences that America needs to liberate itself from those fuels.

Maria Sharapova will miss the Beijing Olympics because of a right shoulder injury. The three-time Grand Slam singles champion said on her Web site Thursday that an MRI exam and other medical tests showed she has two small tears in tendons in her shoulder.

Juli Inkster had the sort of opening round Annika Sorenstam was hoping for at the Women’s British Open, recording a bogey-free 7-under 65 that left the 48-year-old American one shot ahead of the field.

Wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended by the NFL on Thursday for four games but may play the final 12 games of the regular season for any team that signs him.

Texans running back Chris Brown missed another day of training camp Thursday and could be sidelined until at least Monday. Brown started suffering back spasms a few days ago.

Since leaving the University of Houston in 1998, Jeff Burns has pretty much been on the unpack-your-bags tour. Burns was on the Asian Tour for three years. He played in Europe and South America off and on as well as on the Nationwide Tour (2005-06) when healthy.

Johnny Holland, who is entering his third season as the Texans’ linebackers coach, has helped transform their linebacker corps into one of the strongest units on the team. In his first season, he helped tutor DeMeco Ryans, who went on to AP Defensive Player of the Year honors. A year later, Ryans was a Pro Bowl starter.