Super shorts: Yes, prime minister

Such is the financial might of the soccer world these days it's only natural the sport should attract the rich and the powerful.

But the sycophancy which can follow reached new heights in Bulgaria, where Prime Minister Boiko Borisov was nominated the country's best player.

Borisov does have some affinity for the beautiful game - he occasionally turns out for third-division side Vitosha Bistritsa.

But he was never a Hristo Stoichkov and admitted his nomination ahead of the likes of Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov was a bit over the top.

Borisov said: "This vote does not show Borisov is the best footballer but that Bulgarian football needs reforming and to be run differently."

Yes, Prime Minister

Baby waits her turn

Amber Miller took a modest 6hr 23min to finish the Chicago Marathon - then gave birth the same evening to a daughter.

The 27-year-old had her doctor's permission to compete in her eighth marathon, despite being 39 weeks pregnant.

'It was the longest day of my life," said Miller, adding that the race had been easier than the labour.

You're never too young

An 8-year-old Malaysian girl became the youngest athlete to win Southeast Asian Games gold in the water skiing tricks event.

Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah boasted afterwards: "I was confident all the way," even though she almost lost her balance in the opening round.

... or too old?

Ask 76-year-old Singaporean grandmother, Lai Chun Ng, who bagged two silver medals in bridge - the oldest person to make the podium.

Fading memories

Memories fade but if you win a medal nothing can take the shine off your moment in history. Unless maybe you won a medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico.

Several athletes complained their medals started to fade almost immediately.

"The day they gave me my medal, it was shiny and perfect, but several days later it started losing its shine and now it looks oxidised, like old metal," Mexican pole vaulter Giovanni Lanaro said.

"It's an embarrassment for us as organisers, for all Mexicans, that this has happened," committee president Felipe Munoz said of the medals produced by the Casa de Moneda for nine million pesos ($660,000).