The New Nation - Internet Edition

USA set to defend Olympic medal supremacy in Beijing

AFP, Washington

Americans will attempt to lead the overall medal table for the fourth Summer Olympics in a row next month in Beijing, but hosts China and Russia will challenge for supremacy in golds and total medals.

US teams had the greatest medal haul for a record fourth Games in a row at Los Angeles in 1932. While Soviet Union talent topped the table eight times from 1956 to 1992, it never equaled that mark.

US squads have led the medal charts at Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Athens four years ago. But this time, the Chinese are going for the medal crown as hosts and with a formidable squad backed by throngs of cheering supporters.

"Russia, China and the US are vying with the most legitimate shot at the top medal count at the Olympics," said Steve Roush, chief of sport performance for the US Olympic Committee (USOC).

"This is going to be a highly competitive field. It has created an excitement around these Olympics that has been missing for a while."

In 2004, Americans claimed 102 medals, 36 of them gold. Russians took 92 overall, 27 gold, while China had 63 overall but most, 32, were gold.

China's challenge figures to be formidable. Could the US team hit the wall?

"China has an incredibly strong team. Host nations generally have home field advantage. There's a job to be done," Roush said.

"They've infused large numbers of people behind their sports program. We probably pale in comparison in terms of the level we're able to give support to our athletes.

"They've hired the world's best coaches to come in and not only coach their athletes but coach their coaches so they can improve for future generations."

But don't count on the Americans handing over the crown without a fight.

"We have a strong team. We're making no allusions about thinking the Chinese have the stongest team," USOC chief executive Jim Scherr said.

The 2004 US team won 28 medals in swimming and 25 in athletics, more than half the total American medal haul from Athens. But no one wants to toss out a medal goal for Beijing.

"We hope to do much better than the team in Athens," US swim coach Mark Schubert said. "We want to win as many medals as possible," US women's athletics coach Jeanette Bolden said.

After US medal totals of 101, 92 and 102 at the past three Olympics, that is likely to be the range needed this time.

"I've never talked about numbers. It's one of those pressures you don't need," said US men's Olympic track coach Bubba Thornton.

"I don't think it really matters where we are. Who wins the medal count? That's what (reporters) always ask about, put the graphic up there with the medal table.

"That's why we're going - to show our competitiveness, sportsmanship, how we do things."

Americans had 97 medals at Sydney before athletics star Marion Jones admitted being a dope cheat and was stripped of three golds and two bronzes, but USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth has vowed to send a "clean team" to Beijing.

Watch the stars who will give back medals in eight years is not exactly a great marketing slogan for the US-based corporate sponsors who greatly finance the Olympic movement.

"This will be a clean team," Ueberroth said. "We're proud of the progress we've made in doping. We don't have a guarantee but we're pleased. The things you are hearing about are from a previous era. We're in a new era."

Ueberroth thinks the US system of talent development will not be humbled by products of China's intense youth sport development programs.

"I think our system will be competitive and I think it will work," he said.

Swimmer Michael Phelps will be the top US star as he chases Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics.

Phelps took six golds and two bronzes at Athens, where US swimmers led the way with 12 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals and Australia next with seven gold, five silver and three bronze. US men won nine golds overall.

Phelps is the world record-holder in four of his five individual events - the 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly and 200m and 400m individual medleys and is a former world record-holder in the 100 fly, where US teammate Ian Crocker has the world record.

"We have a very strong men's team. We're proud of that. But we have to go to the Olympics and perform," Schubert said. "A lot of our challenge on the men's side will come from the Australians, from the Japanese, from the Europeans."

The US Olympic lineup also features the reigning women's world gymnastics champions and all-around champion Shawn Johnson and a National Basketball Association squad set to reclaim the throne after slumping to a bronze in Athens.

Nadal to rest after Wimbledon win

BBC Online

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of this week's Mercedes Cup event in Stuttgart to rest a knee injury picked up on his way to winning the Wimbledon title.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury in his third-round win over Mikhail Youzhny and flew to Germany in person to apologise to tournament organisers.

He then returned to his home town of Manacor in Majorca.

"My doctors have said I need a couple of days rest. I will now get examined for an exact diagnosis," he said.

"I only want to return to the court once I am 100% fit. I have to recover."

Nadal modest after drama of final

Nadal, who was the defending champion for the clay-court event, has played 47 matches since mid-March, winning six titles including the French Open and Wmbledon, and reaching another final.

His epic five-set win over Roger Federer in Sunday's Wimbledon final saw him become the first Spaniard since 1966 to win the title.

Federer, who was aiming for a record-equalling sixth successive Wimbledon title, recovered from two sets down to go the distance.

And Nadal admitted that Federer's revival made him doubt whether he could hang on.

"I was worried," he told BBC Sport. "I was playing against the best player in the world, I know how well he can play, so it's very difficult to beat him anywhere, even more so at Wimbledon.

"I tried to be positive and play it point by point, and then wait if I had my chance."

Federer was gracious in defeat, but admitted that the fact he had played in what is already being spoken of as possibly the greatest final in Wimbledon history was little consolation for the pain of losing.

"Maybe in 20 years, but not right now," he said.

"It's more disappointing, accepting the fact that I'm not the titleholder any more which I was so proud of for five years - it's great being part of such a match but right now, that doesn't give me anything."

Federer reflects on defeat in final

But the 26-year-old was quick to dispel any suggestions he may not have the stomach for a fight in the future.

"I'm sure I'll find motivation to come back here and win again," he said.

"I'm healthy and motivated and fit and eager, so I hope I can come back many more times and enjoy Centre Court as I did for the last two weeks. I'm already looking forward to next year."

Former three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said Nadal's win confirmed his status as the world's best player.

"Whoever wins the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year for me is the number one in the world," he said.

"The computer just didn't get it yet."

This year's final was the longest in history, beating the record set by John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors in 1982, and McEnroe said it was "the greatest match I have ever seen."

And Wimbledon legend Bjorn Borg was also lavish in his praise.

"I have just witnessed the greatest match I have ever seen. The drama, the quality and the way it ended when it seemed as though no more tennis could possibly be played was remarkable, to put it mildly."

Live coverage of the match on BBC1 was watched by a peak of 12.7m viewers, more than 47% of the British audience.

Millionaire Ronaldo backs Blatter 'slave' outburst

AFP, London

Cristiano Ronaldo believes FIFA president Sepp Blatter was right to controversially describe him as being treated like a "modern-day slave" by current club Manchester United.

Ronaldo was responding to Blatter's comments made earlier in the day, in which the head of world football insisted the player should be allowed to join Spanish giants Real Madrid if he wants to.

"I completely agree with the FIFA president," said the player currently resting in Portugal after undergoing an ankle operation.

He added: "The president is correct, but I do not want to say more."

Real Madrid are believed to be prepared to offer around 85 million euros for the 23-year-old and pay him nine million euros on a five- year deal.

Ronaldo, a boyhood Real fan, has consistently been linked with a move to the Spanish capital since the end of last season after scoring an impressive 42 goals last term as United won both the Premier League and Champions League.

"There is no agreement with Real Madrid and I still don't know where I will be playing next season," Ronaldo said on Thursday, adding that he will be out for "10 to 12 weeks" to recover from his operation.

Wading into the protracted wrangle over the player's future, Blatter said that the current practice of tying players to long contracts amounts to "modern slavery".

And he urged Manchester United and Real Madrid "to sit together" if Ronaldo wants a move to the Spanish club.

"The important thing is we should also protect the player," Blatter told Sky News.

"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.

"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave."

Blatter believes the issue raises questions about the way transfers and contracts are dealt with in the game.

"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," he continued.

"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."

United issued a swift rebuke to Blatter's outburst, insisting that all their players were happy to sign contracts with the club and knew the consequences of entering into such an agreement.

A United spokesperson said: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation.

"Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.

"Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."

UEFA's communications director William Gaillard, who serves as special advisor to European football governing body president Michel Platini, was also unimpressed by Blatter's outburst.

"It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage," said Gaillard.

In contrast, Gaillard fears the Bosman ruling, which allows for free transfers at the end of contracts, has given players the upper hand and contributed to spiralling wages.

"It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free," Gaillard said.

"It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.

"It is obvious that today players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago.

"It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out."

Bangladesh make frustrating start in Junior Asia Cup Hockey

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Under-21 Hockey team made a frustrating start in the 6th Men's Junior Asia Cup Hockey conceding a humiliating 8-0 goals defeat to strong South Korea in the inaugural match at Hyderabad in India today (Friday).

The winners led the 1st half 4-0.

Bangladesh have a dismal record against South Korea. Earlier, in the previous encounters, Bangladesh conceded defeat on all occasions except a draw.

Bangladesh, placed in Group B with South Korea, Pakistan and Oman, will play their 2nd group match against Oman on Sunday at 3 pm and the 3rd match against Pakistan on July 14.

The Group A comprises hosts India, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.

Zonal round of National Women's Kabaddi begins July 22

UNB, Dhaka

The zonal round matches of the National Women's Kabaddi, organised by Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, will begin on July 22 at five venues across the country.

The venues are Dhaka, Jamalpur, Faridpur, Jhenidah and Jessore DSAs.

Some 22 DSAs so far confirmed their participation in the meet, Kabaddi Federation general secretary Nazrul Islam told UNB today (Friday).

The final round of the competition will begin on July 26 in Dhaka with the participation of seven teams -- top two teams from Dhaka Zone, other four zonal champions and defending champions Bangladesh Ansar.

2nd round of Metropolis Pioneer Football League begins July 18

UNB, Dhaka

The 2nd round of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League, organized by Dhaka Metropolis Football Leaguer Committee, will begin July 18 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium at Kamalapur in the city with the participation of 20 teams.

The decision was taken in a league committee meeting on Thursday with committee chairman and BFF vice president Manjoor Hossain Malu in the chair.

Two matches will be held each day. The teams, which qualified for the 2nd round, will receive Tk 10,000 each as grant. Besides, all the 40 teams who participated in the 1st round will get Tk 3,000 each.

The meeting also decided to hold the players' transfer for the 2nd Division Football League on July 25-28.

Bangladesh A score 79 for 2 against Warwickshire on day one

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Bangladesh A team scored 79 runs for two wickets in 20 overs against Warwickshire when the first day's play of the 2nd three-day match was halted due to rain at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday.

Sent in to bat first, openers Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddiqui gave a good start to the visitors contributing 50 runs in the opening stand. Tamim Iqbal scored 27 runs off 34 balls with four fours and a six.

One dawn batsman Nazimudin then joined Junaid Siddiqui, but soon returned to the pavilion scoring eight runs.

Junaid not out 39 and Raquibul Hasan not out 4 were at the crease when rain halted the match.

AS Miller and LM Daggett took one wicket each for 10 and 28 runs respectively.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the rain-affected first three-day match between visiting Bangladesh A team and hosts England Under-19 team ended in a draw at the Hazelgrave Ground in Loughborough.

On completion of the 2nd three-dayer, Bangladesh A team will play the 3rd match against Leicestershire on July 16-18, the 4th against Derbyshire July 21-23 and the 5th three-day match against a South African selection on July 25-27.

After the three-dayers, Bangladesh A will play three one-day matches -- against Lancashire on July 30, Marylebone Cricket Club on August 1 and Durham on August 3.

Cricket great to mentor Aussie athletes in Beijing

AFP, Sydney

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh says he is looking forward to mentoring Australia's under-23 football team and other sports at next month's Beijing Olympics, reports said Friday.

Waugh, who is one of three athlete liaison staff working with the Australian athletes in Beijing, believes he can offer the Olyroos some inside knowledge when it comes to dealing with pressure on the international stage.

Waugh, 43, one of cricket's greats playing 168 Tests, 57 of those as captain over almost five years, will move among the various Australian teams and athletes in China in a mentoring capacity.

Australia face a daunting task at the Olympics, with their football group containing reigning champions Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia.

"My role is to observe, listen and talk to the guys when it needs to be done, and probably in my experience in sport in playing 20 years for Australia I've seen plenty of ups and downs." Waugh told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"I'd like to think I can offer the boys a few shortcuts.

"This is the first time I've met some of the guys and while the support staff are their first point of call, I'll be around to offer something positive and if they need someone to talk to.

"Even though I'm not participating, you could say it's my first Olympics. I went to the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in 1998 and that gave me a fair idea of camaraderie and spirit that exists in these teams."

Athlete liaisons for other Australian sports in Beijing include former Wallabies rugby captain John Eales and swimming champion Susie O'Neill.

Waugh and his twin brother and Test cricket great Mark showed great aptitude for football as juniors, playing for the Australian Schoolboys before cricketing demands took over.

Real welcome Blatter comments on Ronaldo

AFP, Madrid

Real Madrid are quietly satisfied with the comments by FIFA president Sepp Blatter urging Manchester United to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club, Spanish newspapers said Friday.

Two sports newspaper, AS and Marca, had front-page coverage of Blatter's comments, in which he controversially described Ronaldo as being treated like a "modern-day slave" by United.

The head of world football insisted the player should be allowed to join Spanish champions if he wants to.

"Even FIFA supports us on the question of Ronaldo," AS quoted a source at Real as saying.

Ronaldo on Thursday said he agreed with Blatter's comments. "The president is correct, but I do not want to say more," he said.

Real Madrid are believed to be prepared to offer around 85 million euros (134 million dollars) for the 23-year-old and pay him nine million euros on a five-year deal.

Ronaldo, a boyhood Real fan, has consistently been linked with a move to the Spanish capital since the end of last season, after scoring an impressive 42 goals last term as United won both the Premier League and Champions League.

The management at Real believes that Manchester, who want to keep their star striker, who is under contract until 2012, will be eventually forced to reach a deal to let him go if he wants it, Spanish newspapers said.

Real have consistently denied they have reached a deal with Ronaldo, something the player confirmed on Thursday.

"There is no agreement with Real Madrid and I still don't know where I will be playing next season," Ronaldo said on Thursday, adding that he will be out for "10 to 12 weeks" to recover from an ankle operation.