A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Landis retires from cycling
CYCLING: Floyd Landis has announced his retirement from cycling after failing to find a new team. The 35-year-old American won the Tour de France with Team Phonak in 2006, but was later stripped of the title after testing positive for a banned substance.
Landis confessed last year he had used performance enhancing drugs throughout his career, at the same time alleging doping was rife in his former team, US Postal Services – the team of seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong.
Pathan guides India to victory
CRICKET: A blistering knock of 59 from 50 balls from Yusuf Pathan helped India post a stunning two-wicket triumph over South Africa in the third one-day international in Cape Town.
After sealing an unlikely one-run win at the Wanderers to level the five-match series at 1-1 on Saturday, India chased down their victory target of 221 with 10 balls to spare at Newlands yesterday. Debutant Faf du Plessis had top-scored for the Proteas with 60, with JP Duminy contributing 52, but their score of 220 all out proved insufficient. India must have fancied their chances as they began their pursuit, but Dale Steyn gave South Africa the perfect start by claiming the wicket of Murali Vijay for one in the third over.
Pathan boosted India’s charge in the 30th over by smashing three huge sixes off Botha to leave his team requiring 85 from the final 20 overs.
Beach volleyball for Horse Guards
OLYMPICS: Horse Guards Parade has been granted planning permission to host the beach volleyball events at the London 2012 Olympics.
The event is expected to be one of the most popular at the Games, with the most expensive tickets priced at €536, though the cheapest will be €23. London 2012 announced yesterday that planning permission has been granted by Westminster City Council.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, said: “I am delighted that we have received permission to go ahead with our plans and thank Westminster City Council for their support.
“The London Games will be an amazing experience for athletes, officials and spectators, and I believe that Horse Guards Parade will be one of our most spectacular venues and bring real excitement to the area in 2012.” The sport will be staged in a temporary arena seating up to 15,000 spectators.
King advances to main draw in Sheffield
TENNIS: Barry King yesterday ensured that Ireland will have two representatives in the main draw of the ITF Men’s Futures event in Sheffield.
In the third round of qualifying, number five seed King powered his way to a 6-3 6-4 victory over Britain’s number 13 seed Ahmed El Menshawy to link up with fellow Dubliner Colin O’Brien, who gained direct acceptance into the main draw. Today, King takes on France’s Vincent Stouff, while O’Brien faces a stiff test against the number five seed, Britain’s Richard Bloomfield.
However, the number 12 seed, Limerick’s Sam Barry, experienced a stroke of bad luck, being forced to retire with an arm injury when tied at 3-3 in the opening set against the top seed, Finland’s Harri Heliovaara.
Number 16 seed James Cluskey, from Swords, was beaten by French number six seed Alexandre Penaud.
Meanwhile, Amy Bowtell has two victories to qualify for the main draw of the ITF Women’s Circuit event in Wrexham, Wales.
Saltman banned for three months
GOLF: Elliot Saltman, the professional who was accused of “cheating” in a European Challenge Tour event in Russia last year, has been banned from golf for three months. An official announcement will be made by the chief executive of the European Tour, George O’Grady, today but the 28-year-old Scot was told of the decision, after appearing before a committee of eight officials and players. Saltman is the first professional to be expelled from Europe’s premier events since Johan Tumba was banned for 10 years in 1992, after changing his scorecard at tour school. Saltman has been given 28 days to appeal.
His representatives are believed to have spent most of yesterday meeting with lawyers with a view to challenging the decision.
Saltman was accused of incorrectly marking his ball on the green on at least five occasions in the first round of last September’s M2M Russian Challenge Cup in Moscow.
Guardian Service
