2010 shooting World Cup in Delhi cancelled

With no Olympic quota places on offer, the National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) has decided not to host the pistol and rifle World Cup scheduled here in March next year. "The 2010 ISSF World Cup in New Delhi has been cancelled.
The Organising Committee of the New Delhi World Cup Stage withdrew its application in an official communication to the ISSF," the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) said in a statement. "The Indian organisers explained the reason of their renouncement mentioning the decision of the IOC on the Olympic Quota Places distribution matter, stressing the fact that no Quota Places would be distributed at the New Delhi World Cup Stage," it added.
"The IOC restated that International Federations will only be able to distribute Olympic Quota Places starting from two years prior the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. "Therefore, no Quota Places will be assigned during ISSF World Cup Stages, next year.
The first Quota Places will be awarded during the 50th ISSF World Championships in all events that will take place in Munich from July 29 through August 11, 2010," the statement read. .

Indian boxer Vijender enters World Championship quarter-finals

Top seed Indian boxer Vijender Singh has beaten Canadian Steve Rolls to become the second Indian to make the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy.
The Olympic bronze medal-winning middle weight pugilist joined Dinesh Kumar (81kg) in the last-eight stage with a 4-2 win over Rolls late last night.
The 23-year-old world number two was trailing 0-1 in the opening round but drew from his experience and long reach to get the better of his rival.
Vijender will now take on Sergiy Derevyanchenko of Ukraine in the quarter-finals tonight.
Derevyanchenko defeated Adem Killici of Turkey in the other pre-quarterfinal bout.
This is the first time that two Indians have made the quarter-finals of boxing's blue-ribbon event. (ANI)

Record-breaking Bolt lights up world

Usain Bolt delivered one of the most astonishing performances ever seen in athletics when he scorched to world championship 100 metres gold in a mind-blowing 9.58 seconds.
The flying Jamaican took a massive 0.11 seconds off the previous record mark he ran to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing one year ago to the day.
That left defending champion Tyson Gay a distant second even though the American's time of 9.71 was the third-fastest ever. Asafa Powell of Jamaica was third in 9.84.
"I'm not a person who thinks about world records, I think about championships," Bolt said after sending the crowd into hysteria. "That's what I went out to do and I ran a world record."The exploits of Jesse Owens in the same Olympic Stadium 73 years ago have been a hot topic of conversation in Berlin this week and Sunday's show could have a similar shelf-life.
The 100 metres record is usually nibbled at in one or two hundredths of a second slices but Bolt took a huge bite out of it and has now dropped it from 9.74 to 9.58 in a little over a year.
Bolt had given an indication of what was to come when he clocked 9.89 in his semi-final without seeming to hit top gear. That also came after he had false-started for the first time in his career.
By the time of the final, conditions were perfect, with a warm evening and a legal tailwind of 0.9.
Bolt unwound his long frame instantly from the blocks and was up and into his running alongside the fast-starting Gay to take control after 20 metres.
He roared through the line, watching the clock all the while, before setting off on a lap of honour, talking to the media and posing for photos with fans for almost an hour.
Gay had no complaints after a superb performance on the back of a persistent groin injury.
"He ran a great race. I ran my best race but it wasn't enough," he said.
Sideshow Golds
There were also gold medals for Jessica Ennis in the heptathlon, Valerie Vili in the women's shot and Olga Kaniskina in the women's 20km walk but, in truth, everything else was a sideshow.
Earlier, the women sprinters also took advantage of the balmy conditions to clock impressive times in the second round of their 100 metres.
Beijing silver medallist Kerron Stewart led the way with 10.92 and world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown also dipped under 11 seconds while easing up.
American champion Carmelita Jeter, Jamaica's Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, American Lauryn Williams, Trinidadian Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Bahamians Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Chandra Sturrup also advanced well.
Russia's Kaniskina easily retained her walk crown with a dominating display to win in 1:28:10.
Ireland's Olive Loughnane took a surprise silver, ahead of China's Liu Hong

Hottest Sports Stars of the Year 2009

Sania Mirza: She is the first Indian women to be seeded in a Grand Slam event. Her fans across the country pray for her and worship her as a diva. In 2006, Mirza was awarded a Padma Shri, for her achievements as a Tennis player. (Photos: Getty images)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Cristiano, is one of the most expensive player in football history after having been transferred to Real Madrid in a deal worth 80 million pounds. This FIFA player of the year is one of the hottest stars in soccer world and he likes it that way. (Photos: Getty images)Stephanie Rice: She streaked across the waters and into the minds of millions, to set the world record in the 400 m individual medley, and won three gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This Aussie star, Stephanie Rice is a new star in the making. She has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and still has miles to swim. (Photos: Getty images)Kaka: One of the best footballers of his generation, Kaka, was recently awarded with the 'Golden Ball'. He has taken football in Brazil to new heights with his aggressive technique. This footballer is also involved in humanitarian activities in his native Brazil. (Photos: Getty images)Yuvraj Singh: He is an all-rounder. A batsman India relies on during the tough times, someone who can send the ball galloping over the boundary walls. He is a bowler, and he is one of those sure hands when it comes to fielding. If all this does not make him hot, just ask his female fans what makes Yuvi click and you will be surprised at the replies they give. (Photos: Getty images)Sarah Taylor: This wicketkeeper-batsman is known for her free flowing stroke play. She opens the batting in One-dayers for England and is one of the most bankable cricketers in the England line-up. (Photos: Getty images)
Roger Federer: There is no stopping Roger Federer. Hailed by critics and admirers as the greatest tennis player of all times, he has 15 Grand Slam singles titles, the career Grand Slam, 20 career Grand Slam finals, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for four consecutive years to his credit. This sure makes Fedex hot and happening. Fedex endorses Wilson tennis racquets and accessories with a lifetime contract and Nike footwear and apparel. (Photos: Getty images)

Roger Federer: There is no stopping Roger Federer. Hailed by critics and admirers as the greatest tennis player of all times, he has 15 Grand Slam singles titles, the career Grand Slam, 20 career Grand Slam finals, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for four consecutive years to his credit. This sure makes Fedex hot and happening. Fedex endorses Wilson tennis racquets and accessories with a lifetime contract and Nike footwear and apparel. (Photos: Getty images)

Maria Sharapova: A tennis ace, a model, a humanitarian Maria Sharapova is all that rolled into one. She packs the punch. Be it her powerful 'swinging' volley or her on-court 'grunting', this aggressive baseliner is all set for reclaiming her number one position after a long injury lay-off. She is the face of TAG Heuer Formula 1 Glamour Diamonds. (Photos: Getty images)

Roger Federer: There is no stopping Roger Federer. Hailed by critics and admirers as the greatest tennis player of all times, he has 15 Grand Slam singles titles, the career Grand Slam, 20 career Grand Slam finals, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for four consecutive years to his credit. This sure makes Fedex hot and happening. Fedex endorses Wilson tennis racquets and accessories with a lifetime contract and Nike footwear and apparel. (Photos: Getty images)Mahendra Singh Dhoni: He is the Captain cool of Indian cricket. MS Dhoni stands for victory and has always lead the team from the front. Never one to mince words, Dhoni stands out as a player who takes the responsibility. He is one of the best cricketers India has seen for a long time. The man also has a huge female following because of his simple charm and distinct style. Dhoni is big in the endorsement world as well and just falls one short of SRK's 21.(Photos: Getty images)Michael Phelps: The 'Golden Boy', Michael Phelps swam across the unchartered waters to set the Olympic record of 8 individual medals, the highest for an individual in an Olympic game. Since then, he has broken more than 37 records and is all set to go for more. This great swimmer is one handsome hunk to watch out for. (Photos: Getty images)

Dixon rolls to record-breaking 20th IndyCar win

Scott Dixon didn't start racing IndyCars to set records. They keep falling anyway. Dixon became IndyCar's career leader in victories with a commanding performance in the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Sunday. The win was the 20th of Dixon's career, breaking a tie with former series star Sam Hornish Jr.
Not that Dixon was ready to celebrate. He knows his record might not stand for long considering the company he keeps.
"To keep that going I'm definitely going to have to keep racing for a lot more years," Dixon said. "But if I can get it to 25, 30, 35 that would be pretty cool."
Dixon gave much of the credit for his success to the Target Chip Ganassi racing team.
"Obviously it's a fantastic milestone for myself and obviously for the team," he said. "To finally be labeled (among the best) in this series is a big deal to me, a big deal to the team. But it's going to be tough to hang on to that."
Dixon won so easily at Mid-Ohio, he was practically posing for pictures in Victory Lane by the time the rest of the field hit the finish line at the sprawling 2.258-mile course. He took the checkered flag nearly 30 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe, the largest margin of victory in the series in a decade.
"When you get to this place and you get in a rhythm with that car, you can do exactly what you want with it, you do a performance like Scott gave today," said Dixon's teammate Dario Franchitti, who finished third. "It was dominant and very impressive. He's tough to beat."
The win vaulted the defending points champion back atop the standings, the 12th time in 13 events this season that the points lead has changed hands.
The way Dixon ran roughshod over the field, he may have stamped himself as the driver to beat. Dixon heads to Sonoma in two weeks with a three-point lead over Briscoe and a 20-point edge over Franchitti.
If Dixon can keep it going, making up the difference won't be easy, though he is hardly comfortable at the top.
"It's going to go down to the wire," Dixon said. "(Briscoe) definitely isn't going to let up. My teammate Dario isn't going to let up either."
They better not if they want to stop Dixon's bid for a third points title.
Even as temperatures peaked at 115 degrees on the track, Dixon had little trouble keeping his cool despite spending the first portion of the race falling well behind Justin Wilson.
Wilson was in total command early, slipping past Briscoe five laps in and quickly extending his lead to more than seven seconds.
Dixon, however, was able to close the gap thanks to slightly better fuel mileage and a perfect pit stop. He took the lead for good about halfway through the race after Wilson got hung up behind Milka Duno's lapped car.
"I think we were already past him before we ran into Milka," Dixon said. "She made it exciting for a couple of corners."
Wilson's bid to pick up his second win on a road course in five weeks ended when he stalled coming out of the pits with just over 20 laps remaining. He finished 13th.

England pull out of World Badminton C'ship

Despite India’s Home Minister personally assuring all the participating teams viz-a-viz adequate safety measures during the forthcoming World Badminton Championships in Pune, England on Sunday announced their decision to pull out of the tourney, scheduled to begin tomorrow.

England cited a “specific Lashkar-e-Toiba threat” against the elite event as the reason for its pull-out.

Barely 24 hours before the event starts, Badminton England Chief Executive Adrian Christy said the decision to pull out was taken after taking advice from the Foreign Office and British High Commission.

“This was an incredibly tough decision and one we didn’t take lightly. After the Olympic Games, this is the most prestigious Championships in the world but we were not prepared to risk the safety of our players, coaches and staff in what we felt could have been a very volatile environment,” Christy said in a statement.

The England team, which also includes an Olympic silver medallist in Nathan Robertson, will return home immediately.

“We are extremely grateful for the speed in which the BWF and the Organising Committee reacted to the concerns following the threat. We have carefully considered the comments made by the local police authorities and we know that they have the best interest of all competitors in mind,” Christy said.

“We have also listened to the advice from the Foreign Office and British High Commission. We have been in constant dialogue with them over the past couple of days.”

“The conclusion is that safety is of paramount importance and therefore, with great regret, the team will be returning home immediately,” he added.

Ian Moss, England’s Performance Director, said the shuttlers were disappointed as they prepare to leave India without taking part in the tournament.

“It is a disappointing outcome, especially after we had enjoyed a very good preparation at our holding camp in Doha, Qatar, last week.

“Our athletes were extremely well prepared for these Championships but, at the end of the day, personal safety must take priority over performance,” Moss said.

“This was a unanimous squad decision and is not reflective of the efforts made by the Organising Committee to create the safest environment possible for all athletes,” he added.

The England squad included singles players Andrew Smith and Rajiv Ouseph besides Anthony Clark, Nathan Robertson, Chris Adcock, Donna Kellogg, Gabby White and Jenny Wallwork who were scheduled to take part in doubles.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had earlier assured all that the alert issued from his home ministry was a routine one and there was no specific information suggesting imminent threat to the tournament.

“I’m satisfied that the World Badminton Championship will take place in complete security. No one needs to have any apprehensions on this score,” Chidambaram said.

F1 boss facing drive ban after speeding charge

Ross Brawn, the head of Brawn GP, is facing a driving ban after he was charged with speeding.

The 54-year-old Formula One team principal is accused of reaching speeds of 100mph in his Mercedes on the 70mph limit A30 at Sourton, near Okehampton, Devon, on May 30.

Brawn, from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, has not entered a plea, reports The Telegraph.

He was not present at Plymouth Magistrates' Court because he is abroad preparing for the team's next races in Spain and Belgium.

His legal team was granted an adjournment in the case.

Magistrates agreed to put off the case and Brawn will be expected to appear early next month when there is no race weekend

Indian football asks for bailout from cricket board

The country's cash-starved soccer body has held out a begging bowl to the affluent cricket board, seeking funds to support the national side's preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup finals in Qatar.


The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has requested a one-time assistance for its "Goal 2011" project and the cricket board is likely to give 100 million rupees ($ 2.1 million), the Telegraph newspaper reported on Tuesday.


The AIFF plans to keep 25 players exclusively on national duty from nine months before the tournament, seen as vital to lifting the fortunes of the team ranked 147 in the world

World's longest golf course to open in Australia

The world's longest golf course, stretching along 1,365 kilometres (848 miles) of desert highway with holes at 18 towns and service stations, is to open in Australia this year, organisers said Tuesday.
The Nullarbor Links, which will span two time zones and measure more than the entire length of Britain, is expected to be completed next month and will host its inaugural tournament on October 22.
"We're very excited about it. It's been a long time coming and a lot of effort," project chairman Don Harrington told agency.
"This is the longest golf course in the world. It's unique terrain, there's something for everybody."
The course, conceived five years ago "over a couple of beers," is meant to attract tourists to the Eyre Highway which traverses the desolate Nullarbor Plain and hugs part of Australia's southern coastline.
Golfers will stop at one roadhouse, play a hole, then drive on to the next tee -- 100 kilometres down the road in some cases. The par-71 course will take three or four days to complete with each player awarded a certificate.
Each hole will showcase a local attraction, from whale-watching to ancient fossil beds and a working sheep station, and include sights such as the Big Kangaroo statue at Border Village straddling South and Western Australia.
"There's a lot of history and you can see all of that on a golf course," Harrington said.
"Both Australian tourists and golfing enthusiasts around the world have shown support for what we're doing."
The course was the brainchild of Bob Bongiorno, who was managing a roadhouse at remote Balladonia when he came up with the idea.
Bongiorno, now living in Kalgoorlie at the course's western end, said he tried hitting a few balls when he first moved into the Outback but got sick of encountering spiders when trying to retrieve them.
There should be no such hazards on the synthetic greens of the Nullarbor Links, although golfers who hit a stray shot into the desert will face a monster sandtrap