Only world-leading Apple pips £31bn Olympics for brand value July 18, 2012 THE OLYMPICS is worth £30.8bn and is the second most valuable brand in the world, second only to electronics giant Apple, according to a new study. Its value has soared since the last Games in Beijing, owing to a growth in revenue of 38 per cent, which has been driven by huge increases in income [...]
Strauss targets series victory over adaptable South Africa July 18, 2012 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss insists his side can be confident of a series success over South Africa, even if the tourists can be relied upon to successfully adapt to the unwanted weather conditions. South Africa have completed just two matches since the start of their tour but their captain, Graeme Smith, is adamant that their [...]
Wiggins: It’s a case of one day at a time July 18, 2012 BRITAIN’S Bradley Wiggins insists he is not yet contemplating victory in the Tour de France despite edging a day closer to an historical triumph. The Team Sky rider retains both the yellow jersey and a two minute, five second lead over second-placed team-mate Chris Froome after Europcar’s Thomas Voeckler won the Tour’s sixteenth stage in [...]
Chelsea fail in bid for Willian July 18, 2012 SHAKHTAR Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed the club have rejected a bid of £26m from Chelsea for Brazilian playmaker Willian. “I told Willian he can leave, but only if the right offer is made,” said Lucescu of the one-time Arsenal target. “He’s a great player. Willian was the biggest investment Shakhtar have made in [...]
Hamilton stay predicted July 18, 2012 FORMULA ONE: McLaren remain confident that Lewis Hamilton will sign a new long-term contract with them this summer. “I’m expecting we will [agree terms],” said team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
Lawes suffers fresh injury July 18, 2012 RUGBY UNION: England and Northampton forward Courtney Lawes is a doubt for the start of the season after undergoing surgery on an elbow injury. “Courtney is rehabbing well,” said a club spokesman.
Maiga close to West Ham move as strengthening plans continue July 17, 2012 WEST Ham are close to securing the signing of Mali striker Modibo Maiga from French club Sochaux for a fee of around £4.5m. Should the proposed move be finalised, it could conclude manager Sam Allardyce’s lengthy search for a striker during which Liverpool’s Andy Carroll and Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku were linked with the club, and would [...]
GEMILI TARGETS SUB-10 SECOND RUN AT LONDON 2012 July 17, 2012 TEAM GB sprint sensation Adam Gemili believes he is close to breaking the 10-second barrier and aims to do so at London 2012. The 18-year-old, who secured 100m gold at the World Junior Championships in a time of 10.05 seconds, said: “I will go [to the Olympics] and execute my race plan and, if I [...]
Woods targets end to Major drought and world No1 spot July 17, 2012 RESURGENT former world No1 Tiger Woods is convinced he will add to his haul of 14 Majors as he aims to end his four-year drought tomorrow at the Open. Victory at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s would cap a return to form this year following his spectacular fall from grace and could restore him to [...]
I’ll keep outlook sunny even if it rains at Open, insists McIlroy July 17, 2012 NORTHERN Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has vowed to “knuckle down” and avoid a repeat of last year’s strop if inclement weather hampers his Open challenge again. McIlroy insists he will be more positive regardless of conditions when play starts tomorrow at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s. “Those comments were just pure frustration,” said the 2011 US [...]