Team GB told: Prove you’re worth £500m August 6, 2008 Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has challenged Team GB to justify an unprecedented £500m cash injection by hitting their target of 41 medals at the Beijing Olympics. The increased investment in elite sport is part of plans to ensure home success when London hosts the Games in 2012. But it has also benefited the current crop [...]
Europeans can break the PGA duck August 6, 2008 One of golf’s biggest home jinxes will be put to a serious test at Oakland Hills this weekend – and I wouldn’t mind betting that a piece of history will indeed be made. Unbelievably, no European has claimed the US PGA Championship title since Scottish-born Tommy Armour lifted the trophy 78 years ago, but they [...]
It’s relief all round as Ramps finally joins the cricket elite August 6, 2008 While Surrey star Mark Ramprakash celebrates his 100th 100, David Jesudason tells how it wasn’t all plain sailing When Mark Ramprakash finally held his bat aloft in celebration of earning his place among the cricketing elite, it was a feeling of relief rather than elation which met with the crowd’s appreciation. The 38-year-old’s unbeaten 112 [...]
Radcliffe vows to run in Beijing but admits her leg could ‘break down’ August 5, 2008 Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe yesterday delivered the clearest message yet that she will realise her dream of competing at the Beijing Olympic Games. Radcliffe’s bid to win the only major honour to have eluded her has been in serious doubt since May when she discovered a stress fracture in her left thigh. But [...]
Captain Kevin leads England into new era August 5, 2008 Kevin Pietersen insists the responsibility of captaining England won’t change him Kevin Pietersen believes the added responsibility of captaining his country will not affect his attacking playing style, as he prepares to lead England into an exciting new era. The 28-year-old was officially unveiled at Lord’s yesterday following the shock resignations of Michael Vaughan and [...]
Van Persie: Ade and I can fire Gunners August 5, 2008 A striker with barely a dozen league starts last season and another who flirted with a move all summer may not seem the safest bet to spearhead a title challenge. But Robin van Persie believes he and forward partner Emmanuel Adebayor are primed to end Arsenal’s three-year trophy drought. Van Persie made just 13 Premier [...]
Rest assured, Pietersen won’t change his style August 5, 2008 Much of the concern surrounding Kevin Pietersen’s installation as England captain seems to focus on whether the added responsibility will alter his attacking playing style. But while it’s a valid point, I don’t think there’s any need for concern as KP has the confidence and belief in his own ability to carry both off to [...]
Bopara gets second chance for England August 5, 2008 Ravi Bopara could be given the chance to revive his Test career at The Oval on Thursday after being drafted into the squad to replace the absent Michael Vaughan. Bopara has a disastrous record in his three Tests for England, but has won his way back into the hearts of the selectors after enjoying a [...]
Fairytale over for Vaughan as England captain quits August 4, 2008 Batsman Kevin Pietersen is red-hot favourite to be named England captain today after an emotional Michael Vaughan resigned yesterday. Vaughan stepped down less than 24 hours after defeat to South Africa in the third Test condemned England to a third defeat in five series. Struggling to hold back the tears, Vaughan announced he would be [...]
Anelka stakes claim with four-goal haul August 4, 2008 Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has promised Nicolas Anelka a central striking role after the Frenchman thumped four goals in a 5-0 thrashing of AC Milan. Anelka has failed to shine in a variety of attacking roles since joining the Blues in January, but rediscovered his form as Chelsea ended their preseason trip to Russia [...]