A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Merritt considering appeal over exclusion from Games
ATHLETICS: Banned Olympic 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt’s exclusion from the 2012 Games stands because it is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which decides who takes part, the IOC said yesterday.
American Merritt was suspended for 21 months by an American Arbitration Association last year for testing positive for banned substances he said were in a male enhancement product.
Under a rule introduced in 2008 by the IOC, any athlete banned for six months or more is ruled out of the next Olympics, although US arbitrators have said this went against the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
“The rule stands,” IOC vice-president Thomas Bach said. “The IOC has the right to put in conditions for participation. This is one of those conditions. It is not a sanction but an issue of eligibility.”
Merritt’s ban, backdated to October 28th, 2009, elapses in July 2011, but the IOC rule prevents him from taking part in London. Merritt is considering an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Tour of Spain to visit Basque country
CYCLING: The Tour of Spain will visit the Basque country for the first time since 1978, 2011 race organisers said at the course presentation yesterday. When the Vuelta last went to the region considered Spain’s cycling heartland, it descended into chaos and two stages were cancelled as separatists blocked the route with barricades, strewed tintacks on the roads and flung sand into riders’ eyes. The announcement came two days after Basque separatist guerrillas ETA made public a ceasefire declaration after more than 40 years of an armed campaign. The route will feature two hilly treks through the Basque country, with a stage finish in the final week looping through Bilbao and another in its capital Vitoria.
“We have to thank the organisers for bringing the race to our home,” Igor Anton, who rides for the Basque team Euskaltel-Euskadi, said. “I’m sure the Basque fans will respond positively en masse.”
Niland's Australian Open hopes over
TENNIS: Ireland’s Conor Niland came unstuck at the first hurdle after narrowly losing to veteran American Kevin Kim in the first qualifying round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, yesterday.
There had been high hopes for Niland, who is ranked 130 in the world compared to Kim at 262nd. However, the 32-year-old used all his experience to come through a nail-biting match 7-6, 7-6.
To lose both sets on a tie-break (5-7, 6-8) was equally difficult for Niland to take, especially when he had a chance to win the opening set.
“It’s unfortunate but I had my chances, especially in the opening set,” said Niland, who has been on a busy schedule to China before making his way to Australia.
“We all play this game to compete in the grand slam events. For me I need to get into the top 100 to guarantee my place in the main draw at these top events.”
Niland has been carrying a niggling hip injury and while on the road in recent weeks he has been receiving medical treatment and physio.
Hendry loses to Robertson
SNOOKER: Six-time champion Stephen Hendry fears he might have played his final match at Wembley after crashing out of the British Masters.
Neil Robertson came from 2-1 behind to beat Hendry 6-3 in the first round yesterday, to set up a quarter-final against Ronnie O’Sullivan’s conqueror Mark Allen.
Robertson suggested Hendry was at a career “crossroads”, as the decline continued of the Scot who has won seven World Championship titles, establishing himself as the greatest player of the modern era.
Hendry is currently 14th, and wary he must stay there to go straight into the World Championship draw, without having to submit to taking part in the qualifying tournament.
Hendry has now lost in the first round of the Masters for four successive years, and said: “This could be my last time here, which would be very sad as I’ve had great success in this tournament.”
