Will throw up a tough challenge in London Olympics: Sushil

INDORE: World wrestling champion Sushil Kumar, who skipped the Asian Games due to injuries on his neck and shoulders, has almost recovered and is now all set to throw up a tough challenge in 2012 London Olympics.

"I have almost recovered from my shoulder injury. After a fortnight I will start my training with an eye on the Olympics," Sushil, who came to attend a wrestling competition, told reporters on Tuesday's night.

"I will try to give an excellent performance in the Olympic ring," added the 27-year-old wrestler.

A bronze medallist in 66kg weight category at Beijing Olympics, Sushil said that he was happy that wrestling on mat has been gaining momentum in the country where traditionally the fights used to take place in soil.

He said that the fights on mats will brighten the Indian wrestlers' chances in excelling at international competitions.

"There is no dearth of wrestlers in the county," he said.

To a question, he said that the players should keep off from doping.

Sushil, who got engaged to Savi, daughter of his coach Satpal Singh on November 8, is getting ready for his marriage to be held on February 18.

The wrestler said he was entering into the wedlock as per his family's wishes, adding that his family members were taking care of all his marriage preparations.

"My entire focus was on wrestling," he said, adding, "I will just reach the venue dressed up like a bridegroom."

Sushil, who hails from a middle-class family, gets full support from his family members and it helps him in concentrating on wrestling.

"I am sure I will continue to get this support from my family after marriage too," he added.

Read more: Will throw up a tough challenge in London Olympics: Sushil - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/wrestling/Will-throw-up-a-tough-challenge-in-London-Olympics-Sushil/articleshow/7105513.cms#ixzz18BCXLFA5

China accepts IOC's decision to take back Olympics medal

Beijing, Apr 30 (ANI): The Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) has said it respects the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision of stripping its women's team of a bronze medal won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The decision to strip the women's team of the medal was taken after one of its athletes, Dong Fangxiao, was found to be under age.

"The Chinese Olympic Committee has always been committed to safeguarding the fair-play principle in sports and has always ordered its athletes and officials to comply with all rules and regulations of the relevant international federations," said a COC statement.

"The COC has learnt a lesson and will endeavor to prevent a repeat of such incidents in future," the statement added.

FIFA dress code rules Iran's girls out of Olympics

FIFA dress code rules Iran's girls out of Olympics

ZURICH (AP) — Iran's girls football team has been kicked out of the Youth Olympic Games because FIFA rules prevent players wearing an Islamic head scarf.

Thailand was nominated on Monday to replace the barred Iranians, the Asian Football Confederation said on its Web site.

The Asian governing body said the hijab scarf -- worn to observe Islamic dress code -- was not allowed under FIFA rules relating to on-field equipment.

Iran was scheduled to compete in a six-nation tournament for girls at the games being held Aug. 12-25 in Singapore.

Around 3,600 athletes aged 14-18 will compete in 26 sports at the inaugural Youth Summer Games.

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Debate over Olympic ticket spending continues

Debate over Olympic ticket spending continues

Vision Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal says she has no regrets about the city spending almost $170,000 on tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

But COPE councillor Ellen Wordsworth, who paid for the Olympic ticket she used, says she thinks the money could have been used better. "Wait a minute, didn't we just cut $61 million from the budget -- and we're closing services and increasing fees?" said Woodsworth.

"About $170,000 can do a lot of things in the city," she said.

All the details about the spending and who got the tickets is in a report going to council Tuesday.

Also included is similar information on the additional $18,920 the city spent on tickets for the Paralympics.

Of the 1,555 Olympic tickets and 534 Paralympic tickets, only two went unallocated.

Steel from Mittal for London's Olympic monument

Steel from Mittal for London's Olympic monument

The mayor of London has unveiled the design of a 115-metre tall monument that will mark the 2012 London Olympics.

The structure, which will be built in the Olympic Park, has a strong India connection as it is designed by prize-winning artist of Indian-origin, Anish Kapoor, and is being funded by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

This spiraling structure that incorporates the five Olympic rings will be London's answer to the Eiffel Tower. It will be taller than New York's Statue of Liberty, offering panoramic views of London.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, called the statue, "a legacy of the Olympics to London".

Sweden wins 2nd straight gold medal, beating Canada in women’s curling on Norberg’s last shot

Sweden wins 2nd straight gold in women’s curling

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Sweden went the distance in capturing another gold medal in Olympic women’s curling, beating a Canadian team cheered by a cowbell-clanging crowd.

Anette Norberg played through the din, nailing the last shot to give her team a 7-6 victory in an extra 11th end Friday to spoil the Canadian party.

Olympics: Living it up on the slopes

THE 2010 Winter Olympics have brought very different results for two New England natives: Bode Miller of Franconia, N.H., and Lindsey Jacobellis of Stratton, Vermont. Sunday in Vancouver was Miller time, when a breathtaking slalom run won Miller the gold in the men’s super combined, adding that medal to his super G silver and his downhill bronze.

While redemption is a cliché of sports narratives, Miller’s performance did show an athlete who has matured markedly since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. There, his party-boy attitude and blasé platitudes proved profoundly off-putting. In Vancouver, Miller understood the Olympics matter - and not just to millions of spectators worldwide, but to himself as well. With his performance, Miller, 32, has finally lived up to his Olympic promise.