Sports

Qinan and Kostevych named as 2011 Shooters of the Year

By David Gold

February 21 - Olympic champions Zhu Qinan (pictured left) and Olena Kostevych have been named the 2011 Shooters of the Year by international press representatives and members of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) athletes and coaches committees.

Chinese win opening London 2012 diving test event

By Tom Degun at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in London

February 20 - The formidable Chinese duo of Qin Kai and Luo Yutong ensured that there were no upsets on day one of the London 2012 diving test event as the reigning world champions claimed an easy victory in the mens 3 metre synchro competition here.

All England seedings dominated by China

By David Gold

February 20 - China dominates the seedings for the Yonex All England Open Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from March 6-11.

FINA President excited about London 2012 Olympics diving test event

By Tom Degun in London

February 20 - Julio Cesar Maglione, President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), has expressed his excitement with 250 of the world's best divers, including Britain's teenage sensation Tom Daley, competing at the London 2012 diving test event at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park.

USA Triathlon hire Jonathan Hall as Performance Leader

By David Gold

February 20 - USA Triathlon has announced that it has hired Jonathan Hall to take up the newly created Performance Leader post.

USA names preliminary women’s basketball squad of 21 for London 2012

By David Gold

February 20 - The United States, coached by Geno Auriemma (pictured), has named 21 potential female basketballers for London 2012 with nine Olympic gold medallists among the candidates as they seek to extend their incredible domination of the sport.

Sir Chris claims second gold medal at London World Cup

By David Gold at the Velodrome at the Olympic Park in London

February 19 - Sir Chris Hoy (pictured) picked up the men's sprint gold to add to his keirin victory last night, sending the home crowd into raptures at the UCI World Cup at the Velodrome on the Olympic Park, whilst Australia claimed a thrilling team pursuit victory over their hosts.

Ireland considering bid for 2023 Rugby World Cup

By Duncan Mackay

By Duncan Mackay

Croke Park_in_rugby_mode

February 19 - Ireland is considering launching a bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and have already started a feasbility study, it was revealed today.

Vonn wins super combined Alpine World Cup title after last race is cancelled

By David Gold

February 19 - The third and final women's Alpine World Cup super combined race was cancelled today at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics test event at Rosa Khutor after heavy snowfall, handing Lindsey Vonn her second title of the weekend.

GB rhythmic gymnasts "hope common sense prevails" in appeal against London 2012 exclusion

By Mike Rowbottom

February 19 - Britain's rhythmic gymnastics group say they are pleased their bid to secure nomination to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games is going to be considered at an independent appeal.

Women boxers will be able to wear skirts or shorts at London 2012

By Duncan Mackay

By Duncan Mackay in Los Angeles

Women boxing_in_skirts

February 18 - Women boxers will given the option of wearing either shorts or skirts when the sport makes its debut in the Olympics at London later this year, it was revealed here today by C K Wu, the President of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Ennis races to top of world rankings to demonstrate London 2012 potential

By Duncan Mackay

By Mike Rowbottom

Jessica Ennis_wins_in_Birmingham_February_18_2012

February 18 - British athletes boosted their London 2012 prospects by winning seven of the 16 events at the Aviva Grand Prix meeting in Birmingham, with former world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis leading the way with victory in the 60 metres hurdles in a personal best of 7.87sec that puts her top of this year's world rankings.

Vonn secures Alpine World Cup downhill title at Sochi 2014 test event

By David Gold

February 18 - America's Lindsey Vonn clinched the Alpine World Cup downhill title after finishing third in the Sochi 2014 test event, behind Germany's Maria Hoefl-Riesch (pictured) and Austria's Elisabeth Goergl.

Sir Chris gives himself massive boost for London 2012

By Duncan Mackay

By Mike Rowbottom

Sir Chris_Hoy_wins_keirin_London_Velodrome_February_18_2012

February 18 - Sir Chris Hoy re-asserted his Olympic ambitions on the second finals night of the UCI World Cup at the Olympic Velodrome in London as he won the keirin event, and Joanna Rowsell gave the home fans further cause to celebrate as she won the individual pursuit.

Warner gets vote to continue as UK Athletics chairman until 2018

By Duncan Mackay

By Mike Rowbottom

February 18 - Ed Warner, UK Athletics Chairman, was today confirmed to continue in that role through to January 2018.

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Fact of the day

When British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold medal in ice dance at Sarajevo 1984 with 12 perfect 6.0s from every judge, for their interpretation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, an important member of their team was singer-actor Michael Crawford. Crawford, who had played Frank Spencer in British sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, had become a mentor to the pair in 1981 and went on to help them create their Olympic routine. Crawford said he “taught them how to act". He was present with their trainer Betty Callaway at the ringside at Sarajevo as they created one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

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