News from the build-up to the Olympics
Evans may ride for Australia
TOUR DE FRANCE runner-up Cadel Evans could yet compete in the time trial after the International Cycling Union (UCI) handed Australia a wild card for the event.
The rider pulled out on Thursday after injuring a knee when he slipped on a wet floor in Paris. Evans had been the sole Australian qualifier for the time trial and was replaced by the three-time world champion Michael Rogers.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates told a news conference, however, that Evans was still hoping to compete in both the time trial and road race now a second place had become available.
"Cadel is responding especially well to treatment," he said. "He's very keen to compete."
Nibble of anxiety for Davies
BRITISH LONG-DISTANCE swimmer David Davies has more than just other swimmers to worry about at the Olympics: he is afraid of fish and his race is in a lake.
While swimsuit manufacturers have poured millions into developing a suit that mimics a fish, Davies likes to stay away from anything with scales and fins.
"If I saw a big fish, I'd be scared," he told WalesOnline (www.walesonline.co.uk) yesterday.
"They're not human. They don't walk around. They're different," said Davies, who will swim in the 10km open-water event at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.
It is unclear what types of fish might be lurking in the man-made lake, but Davies said he was afraid when he took part in a 10-kilometre race in South Africa.
Holyfield backs US boxers
US BOXERS will win at least three gold medals, ending a lean streak of only one at the past two Olympiads, Evander Holyfield said yesterday.
The Americans, whose past Olympic boxers include Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Oscar de la Hoya, have won 48 gold medals in boxing.
"I expect them to win at least three gold medals at these Games. Yes, it is (a bold prediction) but I am sure," said the former world champion Holyfield, an Olympic bronze medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and a torch-bearer in Atlanta 12 years later.
Heavyweight Deontay Wilder and world champions Rau'shee Warren and Demetrius Andrade are potential candidates for medals.
Things get messy over Messi
LIONEL MESSI and Ronaldinho have been given rapturous receptions on their arrival in China for the soccer tournament, but a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) is threatening to take some gloss off the contest.
Argentina forward Messi, who is set to become one of the highest-profile figures ever to have graced the competition, could be forced out of the Games if Cas rule in favour of his club Barcelona, who have appealed against a Fifa decision ordering them to release him.
Fifa, soccer's governing body, last week ruled that clubs must release players aged under 23 who are selected for the Games.
Cas are expected to give their verdict on or before Wednesday.
