Agassi admits taking drugs and lying to ATP

DOHA: Eight times grand slam winner Andre Agassi has admitted using the recreational drug crystal meth and lying to men's governing body the ATP Agassi to escape a ban.

In his forthcoming book, which is being serialised in The Times, the American candidly describes being introduced to the drug in 1997 by his assistant and the moment later that year when he was informed he had failed a drugs test.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti said he was "surprised and disappointed" by Agassi's revelations that have stunned tennis.

In the extracts in The Times, Agassi, now 39, spoke of the moment he took crystal meths, a highly-addictive amphetamine, for the first time when his career was in free-fall. He was helped by his drug-user assistant, known as Slim.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed," said Agassi.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful -- and I've never felt such energy."

REBELLIOUS STREAK

Agassi, a great rival to compatriot Pete Sampras, shook up tennis when he burst on to the scene in the late 1980s, with his rebellious streak, long hair and wacky dress sense appealing to a new generation of fans.

He won Wimbledon in 1992 before claiming the US Open in 1994 and the Australian Open in 1995.

However, wrist injuries and a loss of form sent his career on to the rocks in 1997 and after playing just a handful of matches that year his world ranking tumbled to 122.

A year later he began a new training regime that sparked an incredible turnaround in his form. After a spell on the second-tier Challenger circuit he shot back up the rankings and in 1999 completed a career grand slam at the French Open.

He ended 1999 as world number one after winning the US Open for a second time and went on to win three more Australian Open titles before a tearful retirement in 2006.

Had Agassi's drug taking been made public his career could have been ruined -- a scenario he recalls that led him to make up a story to explain his failed drugs test.

In the newspaper serialisation of his book, Agassi recounts the moment in 1997 when he received a phone call from a doctor working for the ATP who informed him that he had failed a drugs test for a Class 2 recreational drug.

"My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for, might soon mean nothing. Days later I sit in a hard-backed chair, a legal pad in my lap, and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth," Agassi said.

AGASSI ASHAMED

He described how he concocted a story that he had accidentally drunk a soda spiked with crystal meth belonging to his drug-user assistant Slim.

"I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it," Agassi recalled saying.

No action was taken by the ATP against Agassi at the time but his admission that he took drugs will cast a shadow over a player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.

Agassi said he was not worried about the impact of his confessions on his fans.

"I was worried for a moment, but not for long," he was quoted as saying. "I wore my heart on my sleeve and my emotions were always written on my face. I was actually excited about telling the world the whole story."

The ATP declined to comment on Agassi's admissions directly, issuing a bland statement on their doping policy but the ITF's Ricci Bitti launched a strong defence of the governing body's tough stand against drugs.

"The ITF is surprised and disappointed by the remarks made by Andre Agassi in his biography admitting substance abuse in 1997," he said in a statement.

"Such comments in no way reflect the fact that the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is currently regarded as one of the most rigorous and comprehensive anti-doping programmes in sport.

"The events in question occurred before the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded in 1999 and during the formative years of anti-doping in tennis when the programme was managed by individual governing bodies."

'I hate tennis': Agassi's book adds to his tale

WASHINGTON: So much of Andre Agassi's life has been spent in the public eye - the various highs and lows, on and off the court, during his Agassi transformation from tennis brat to elder statesman - that it was possible to wonder how much more there was to be said about it all.

Plenty, it turns out. Excerpts of Agassi's upcoming autobiography published on Wednesday by Sports Illustrated and the Times of London contain graphic depictions of his use of crystal meth, an account of how he wriggled his way out of a suspension by lying to the ATP Tour after failing a 1997 drug test, and the jarring contention that he always hated tennis "with a dark and secret passion" because of his overbearing father.

If image is indeed everything, as Agassi used to say to sell a sponsor's cameras, he has provided new, indelible, behind-the-scenes images - along with raising questions about why he chose to reveal his crystal meth habit.

"Is it cathartic? I don't know. I think it's strictly from the heart. That's the way he has operated in my view, going back to the latter portion of his playing career," said Arlen Kantarian, who ran the U.S. Open from 2000-08. "I'm sure he feels good about getting it out on the table."

Agassi, who won eight Grand Slam singles titles before retiring in 2006, is not explaining himself at the moment. His representative referred interview requests to his publishing company, which has set up a "60 Minutes" appearance on November 8, the day before the book's scheduled release.

After an exhibition match on Sunday in China against longtime rival Pete Sampras, Agassi was asked if the book contains major revelations.

"I think I had to learn a lot about myself through the process," Agassi said. "There was a lot that even surprised me. So to think that one won't be surprised by it, it would be an understatement.

"Whatever revelations exist, you'll get to see in full glory," he added. "But the truth is, my hope is that somebody doesn't just learn more about me, what it is I've been through, but somehow through those lessons, they can learn a lot about themselves. And I think it's fair to say that they will."

SI and the Times of London are among four publications that paid for the rights to print parts of "Open: An Autobiography." Among the material excerpted:

- Agassi calls his father "violent by nature," and recalls being in the car when his father pointed a handgun at another driver.

- He writes about making money by hustling people on tennis courts and remembers when, at 9 years old, he beat NFL great Jim Brown in a match to win a $500 bet for his father.

- He poignantly recalls a telephone conversation with his father after winning Grand Slam title No. 1 at Wimbledon in 1992. Dad's initial reaction? "You had no business losing that fourth set," Agassi writes.

- Agassi writes about using crystal meth "a lot" and in sometimes-positive terms, including reference to "a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful - and I've never felt such energy."

"Apart from the buzz of getting high," he says, "I get an undeniable satisfaction from harming myself and shortening my career," he writes. "But the physical aftermath is hideous. After two days of being high, of not sleeping, I'm an alien. I have the audacity to wonder why I feel so rotten. I'm an athlete, my body should be able to handle this."

- Agassi says he wrote to the ATP Tour to explain the 1997 positive test and that "the central lie of the letter" was that he claimed he accidentally drank from a soda spiked with meth by his assistant "Slim."

U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez, a former player who was a contemporary of Agassi's, described the drug revelations as disappointing and "a bit of a shock."

"It takes a lot of guts and courage to come out and say something that nobody would have really known about," Fernandez said. "I've always admired Andre. He was a huge part of inspiring my generation, and he did a lot of great things and continues to do a lot of great things. He's opening up now, and that's his choice. Maybe people can learn from it and not make the same mistakes."

Agassi turned pro in 1986, reached his first major final at the French Open in 1990, quickly drew plenty of attention and kept drawing it - for his service returns, considered by many to be the best in the game; for his quick-as-could-be reflexes at the baseline; for his denim shorts, neon shirts, flowing hair and dangling earrings; for his two-year marriage to Brooke Shields and friendship with Barbra Streisand that provided fodder for the tabloids.

He won Wimbledon in 1992, was ranked No. 1 in 1995, won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 - and then it all unraveled. He dropped to 141st in the rankings and resorted to playing in tennis' minor circuit in 1997, the year he says he first tried crystal meth.

After he escaped punishment for the drug test, he writes, his thought was: "New life."

In addition to returning to No. 1 in the world, and completing a career Grand Slam, Agassi became an influential voice on the tennis tour. He also raised tens of millions of dollars for at-risk youths in his hometown of Las Vegas and opened a preparatory academy there.

He also got remarried, to tennis great Steffi Graf - he calls her "Stefanie" in the book - and they have two children.

Always evolving. "It fits in with the story arc of his redemption," said Gene Grabowski, who guides high-profile figures through public relations crises.

"It's going to make Andre Agassi even richer. This is going to help him sell his book, which is why he wrote it," Grabowski said.

Agassi reportedly received at least $5 million for the book; the first printing is a half-million copies, a relatively high number in publishing.

"His book will probably sell. It seems very interesting, to say the least," seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams said on Wednesday at the WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Calling Agassi "an icon of his sport," IOC president Jacques Rogge said, "If his admission would go together with the message to young athletes that it should not be repeated, then that would be useful."

The International Tennis Federation said the reference to the 1997 drug test was surprising but noted that it did not oversee anti-doping efforts on the men's tour back then. The ATP, which did, issued a statement yesterday about its rules, in general, noting an independent panel makes the final decision on a doping violation.

Jim Fahey, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, called on the ATP to "shed light on this allegation."

The tour declined repeated requests from The Associated Press to address the specifics of Agassi's account.

MSD plays the anchor & the destroyer

NAGPUR: He was much like Amitabh Bachchan coming to town with vengeance on his mind. And, as he wielded his bat like a machine gun, Mahendra Dhoni .

Singh Dhoni led by example, compiling a beautifully crafted hundred that was as thrilling as it was responsible. Having set the packed stands on fire all afternoon, the Indian captain ensured that his team sat atop a run-mountain from where they could deservedly look down upon their opponents and bounce back in the series in style.

With some of his more illustrious colleagues flattering only to deceive, Dhoni took it upon himself to drive home the point that a lot of cricket is played between the ears. Indeed, his bat might as well have been a magic wand as Dhoni founds the gaps with ridiculous ease, placing the ball delectably all over the park to keep the fielders busy. He played the anchor and adventurer in equal measure during the two vital phases of his innings.

The first part involved the century stand (119 off 113 balls) with Gautam Gambhir. The pair gained strength from each other, rotated the strike regularly and ran brilliantly between the wickets. Without taking any undue risks the fourth-wicket partnership cruised at 7-8 runs an over in the middle overs, rescuing the side from a precarious situation.

The second half of his innings was his dazzling partnership (136 off 96 balls) with the extremely talented Suresh Raina, as he ripped apart the Australian bowling with his trademark big shots. Here Dhoni wisely delayed taking the Batting Powerplay by a couple of overs so that his junior partner could get his feet moving. And once he eventually took the Powerplay, and declared war on the bowling, he produced flashes of his old brilliance that made him one of the most-dreaded batsmen in the game.

In a trice, Dhoni changed gears, picking the length and depositing every other delivery to the boundary. Those towering sixes that were seemingly under wraps for a while now were on display again and it brought the crowd to its feet. Fittingly enough, he first singled out Ben Hilfenhaus for some special treatment since he was the one who pricked his pride by striking him on the helmet to the very first ball he faced. A flat six to over wide long-on made the bowler look to the heavens.

In the next over, another towering six off Shane Watson brought up his hundred and Dhoni lost little time in celebrating it by slamming the very next ball for another six over long-off. Indeed, as Dhoni flexed his muscles, his bat having a prolonged argument with the Australian bowling, you could almost hear him say: 'This six was for the ball that hit me on my helmet, this one for Mitchel Johnson bringing me down while taking a sharp run'.

Maria will be worldwide superstar within 2 years: Maradona

London, Oct 28: Argentinean Football legend Diego Maradona has predicted that winger and Chelsea’s first transfer target, Angel Di Maria, will emerge as a worldwide superstar within the next two years. “Angel has the quality to be a worldwide superstar within the next two years. I have always followed his career closely and his level has increased enormously since he’s been in Europe,” The Mirror quoted Argentina boss Maradona, as saying. Despite their transfer ban, Chelsea sent scouts to watch Di Maria, the Benfica forward destroy Everton and then help the Portuguese club beat Nacional Madeira. Benfica have put a 40 million pounds buy-out clause on Di Maria and there is a complicated sell-on clause as the Portuguese giants own 70 per cent of the player, his agent Jorge Mendes owns 10 per cent and an Argentinian bank owns the rest. If Chelsea wins an appeal against the transfer ban, Di Maria will be one of their first targets. However, Di Maria’s value could shoot up if he has a good World Cup for Argentina. (Agencies)

Chirag hold Mahindra, lead I-League table

Mumbai, Oct 27: Frontliner Mohammed Rafi scored two goals but Kolkata’s Chirag United came from behind on both the occasion to earn a 2-2 draw in their I-League fifth round clash against Mahindra United at the Cooperage ground here today. Rafi struck in both the halves — first ten minutes before the opening period, and then in the 60th minute after Josimar Da Silva Martins had equalised for the Kolkata outfit four minutes earlier. But Bralizian striker Martins found the target again in the 78th to help his team earn a draw and go to the top of the league table with eleven points. Rafi gave Mahindra the lead in the 35th minute by heading in a cross from Paresh Shivalkar on the left wing. Martins produced the first equaliser when his shot went in past a fumbling Mahindra custodian Subashish Roy Choudhary, eleven minutes into the second half. Rafi put Mahindra again in front by volleying home in brilliant style a pass from India medio Steven Dias. But Martins, taking advantage of a sloppy Mahindra defence, got the second equaliser after Malswamtulunga beat two defenders and chipped into the goalmouth for the Brazilian to head home past Roy. Rafi was declared man of the match. (PTI)

India beat Canada 3-2 Win seven-match Test series

SURREY (Canada), Oct 25: India rounded off their impressive tour of Canada with a 3-2 victory over the home side in their final game to win the seven-match hockey Test series 6-0, at Tamanawis Park.

India, who led 2-1 at half time, scored through Prabhjot Singh (21st minute), Gurwinder Chandi (31st) and Tushar Khandker (49th).

Wayne Fernandes flicked home twice for Canada in the 26th and 46th minutes.

One match of the series was drawn. The Indians made their intentions clear from the very beginning when Sarwanjit Singh tested Canadian goalkeeper David Carter in the opening minute followed by captain Rajpal Singh's attempt which narrowly missed the mark. Canada took some time to settle down but soon produced a couple of fine moves which tested the Indian goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza. First Philip Wright missed a deflection from Rob Short and then Gabbar Singh’s effort went in vain as D’Souza brought off a one of his splendid saves. India broke the ice in the 21st minute after midfielder Sardar Singh picked up the pace. Sardar sent a well-measured pass to Shivendra Singh who in turn pushed to the waiting Prabhjot atop the striking circle. The first timer from Prabhjot went past Carter to give India the lead.

Canada nearly pulled one back shortly after but Connor Meakin’s deflection was saved by D’Souza. A faulty stick tackle by Bharat Chhikara in the circle led to Canada's two successive penalty corners which Fernandes sank for the equaliser in the 26th minute. Canada nearly took the lead but D'Souza again saved a Wright shot as the home team striker got past Indian defenders Dhananjay Mahadik and Sandeep Singh.

But it was India who forged ahead in the 31st minute as Chandi excelled with individual play and tapped the ball into goal after drawing out Carter.

Canada missed a chance to equalise close to half time with David Jameson failing to beat D'Souza with two rebounds.

India earned their first of two penalty corners after the change of ends but Sandeep shot wide. Chandi had another goal scoring opportunity but Carter made a glove save.

Canada put pressure on the shaky Indian defence but found the alert D'Souza rising to the occasion as he blocked another onslaught from a Jameson and Wright combination.

The hosts restored parity in the 46th minute when Fernandes struck again with his flick from Canada's third penalty corner.

Three minutes later India rejoiced again as Khandker found the mark from a Gurbaj Singh set up.

Later, efforts by Shivendra and Sardar - who was adjudged Player of the Series - did not bear results as Canadian custodian Carter successfully blocked their attempts. (PTI)

Chidi shines in Mohun Bagan’s historic win

Kolkata, Oct 25: Nigerian Edeh Chidi scored four goals including a hat-trick as Mohun Bagan defeated arch-rivals East Bengal 5-3 in a round four I-League match here today. The match was expected to be Bhaichung Bhutia’s revenge match against his former team, but Chidi completely stole the show from the India football captain. The first half of the match yielded six goals as fortune swung in favour of both the teams, but Chidi settled the issue with a record scoreline. Mohun Bagan scored through Chidi in (17th, 33rd, 46th and 66th minutes) and newcomer Manish Mathani (22nd). For East Bengal, Yusif Yakubu scored a brace (35th and 44th) while Nirmal Chhetri scored in the eighth minute. With four goals to his credit, Chidi was adjudged the man of the match. Mohun Bagan thus avenged their 0-5 loss to East Bengal in the historic 1975 IFA Shield final. At that time, national goalkeeper Bhaskar Ganguly had conceded four goals. But 34 years later, East Bengal custodian Abhra Mondal conceded a record five goals. Having made it bigger on the big occasion, Bagan supporters and players celebrated the win as Diwali had returned to Salt Lake stadium here. (PTI)

Gill sanctions Rs 20 lakh for Subroto Cup

New Delhi, Oct 25: In view of the golden jubilee year of the Subroto Cup football tournament, Sports Minister MS Gill has sanctioned an additional amount of Rs 20 lakh to the organisers of the event. The amount was granted with an aim to encourage sports at the school and college levels and the money is in addition to the annual Rs 5 lakh that the Ministry traditionally gives to the organisers. Conducted by the Indian Air force in memory of first Indian Air Chief Subroto Mukherjee, the tournament celebrating its golden jubilee this year. The Sports Minister will also attend the Subroto Cup final tomorrow. (PTI)

Batsmen need to perform: Dhoni

Vadodra, Oct 25: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed his batsmen for their four-run loss to Australia in the opening One-Day International cricket match, but said they will bounce back in the seven-match series.

Chasing 293, India were struggling at 201 for seven, before an inspiring batting effort from Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar brought them within inches of victory. The two added 84 runs for the eighth wicket.

"It was a target which we should have achieved. But we were four wickets down by the powerplay. But thanks to Harbhajan and Praveen, they made the match interesting," Dhoni said.

Bolt hits Gayle for a six

DISCOVERY BAY, Oct 19: Triple Olympic and world champion sprinter Usain Bolt returned to his first love, cricket, on Sunday and showed that he certainly knows how to handle both bat and ball.

In a charity match, just down the coast from his home town of Trelawny, Bolt bowled West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle after earlier delighting a packed crowd by smashing his Jamaican compatriot for a straight six.

Gayle, the host of a mini tournament to raise funds for school sports equipment and who was shown the way to the pavilion after his dismissal by a beaming Bolt, was full of praise for the 100 and 200 metre world record holder.

"It has been tremendous for the fans to see him out here playing cricket, it has been a great day and we hope to have him back again next year," said Gayle.

Bolt, taking a long run up and bowling at a respectable pace, had given Gayle a traditional West Indian welcome with his first ball — a rising bouncer that brought the crowd to their feet.

"I told Chris to watch out I was going to give him one but he didn’t really believe it," Bolt said after the game.

Gayle’s team included former West Indian pace bowlers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose and the latter said he was impressed by Bolt’s technique.

"I liked his first delivery to Chris Gayle, short and very surprising - he’s an athlete and he loves cricket and football and obviously he can’t fit it all in but he looks good.

"He’s good with the bat too - after his six I asked him ‘where did that come from?’ and he said ‘it’s all coming back now’. He’s a good decent cricketer," said Ambrose.

The Kaiser Sports Ground, a works field down a side road by a bauxite plant, was packed with fans enjoying a holiday weekend; plenty of jerk chicken and beer and the chance to see Bolt play what is traditionally the Caribbean’s top sport.

Bolt, who batted with his brother Sadeeki, made 13 with the bat — including his superbly struck six off Gayle’s off-spin — but looked more rusty batting than when running in to bowl.

"I was pretty good as a kid and my cricket coach said I should concentrate on bowling because I was pretty quick running in," Bolt, who only switched to athletics during high school, told Reuters.

"I also used to open the batting for the school team but I haven’t batted for a long time," he said.

"The six was a brilliant feeling though. I shouldn’t have got out so early but that six was a brilliant shot." (Agencies)

Stosur captures first WTA title

OSAKA (Japan), Oct 18: Samantha Stosur captured her first career WTA title when she defeated Francesca Schiavone of Italy to win the Japan Open women’s tennis tournament on Sunday.

The Australian third seed, who dashed Caroline Wozniacki’s defence of the title in the semi-finals on Saturday, chalked up a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the fourth seed in just 68 minutes. It was her sixth appearance in a final, following Cincinnati this year, Seoul in 2008, Prague in 2006, Gold Coast and Sydney in 2005.

Stosur, 25, has previously won four ITF titles, three of them in Japan including one in Osaka. Stosur, the 2008 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, put an end to Japanese Akiko Morigami’s last appearance on the tour, and eliminated 2002 champion Jill Craybas of the United States on her way to the final. (Agencies)

CWG Organizing Committee gets its CEO

NEW DELHI, Oct 15: The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Thursday appointed former Indian government secretary Jarnail Singh as its Chief Executive Officer.

The decision to get a CEO was taken by the Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, a statement said.

The statement also added that Badminton Federation of India President V K Verma will continue as the Director-General of the Organising Committee.

In another important decision, the Organising Committee also accepted the resignation of Sport Manager (shooting) Graeme Hudson with immediate effect.

"We express strong resentment at the manner in which the shooting expert Graeme Hudson has been behaving. It believed that it cannot tolerate such misdemeanour whereas the Shooting federation, National Rifle Association of India, has organised a number of international events, including World Cup events, to the satisfaction of the International Shooting Federation," the release said.

In a day of dramatic developments, the Oraganising Committee had also written to the Commonwealth Games Federation to replace the Games’ Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper with immediate effect, saying the Kiwi was of "no use".

The organisers also rejected the CGF’s proposal to form a high-level independent technical review panel to oversee the Games preparations. (PTI)

OC claims most CGF delegates happy with preparation

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Tuesday claimed receiving a thumbs-up from majority of the visiting CGF delegates with Kenyan track legend Kip Keino hoping Delhi to host the best ever Games.

“The Games is going to be successful. I am giving you the assurance. The arrangements are being done very smoothly. A child born today cannot walk tomorrow. It has to be taken care of until it can walk and run,” Keino, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in middle and long distance running, was quoted as saying by the Organising Committee in a statement.

“The Games is going to be successful. After seeing and listening to them all, I am confident that the Indian Government, the Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation are all working as one team and we will have the best Games,” Keino said.

Apart from Keino, the organisers of the event also claimed support from the Pakistan Olympic Committee (POC). “In our country, the sports fraternity sees itself as co-host of the Commonwealth Games with India. I had to do my moral duty to speak up for the Organising Committee when some went on nitpicking non-issues,” POC Secretary-General Abdul Khaliq Khan was quoted as saying in the statement.

“I believe that Delhi will be ready well in time for the Games and we will see a very successful Games,” he added.

Olympic Council of Malaysia Vice President Beng Choo Low said she understood the position Delhi is in now, with a year left for the Games to be held.

“We organised the 1998 Games and we understand the position you are in. We have the benefit on being on both sides,” she said.

“We had to support Delhi. The Organising Committee has already said that they take on board and appreciate the wake-up call and has made tremendous progress in the last two months. The CGF President and the delegates acknowledge that. The Games are not tomorrow. The Games are next year. We have seen a difference in two months,” she said.

“Besides, it is important for everyone to not forget that the Organising Committee has the full support of your Government and we have confidence in the Organising Committee,” she added. (PTI)

3rd lifter fails dope test, IWF faces ban

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: Indian weightlifters’ participation in next year’s Commonwealth Games is in jeopardy as the national federation is facing the prospect of a one-year ban after a third positive dope test.

Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) secretary B R Gulati confirmed that after already-tainted Shailja Pujari and Vicky Batta were caught for the second time, woman lifter Priyadarshini too has flunked a dope test.

“Priyadarshini was tested in Pune on August 7 and 8 during trials and was found positive. The National Anti-Doping Agency report says she was using a masking agent to save herself from getting caught for taking banned substances,” Gulati said.

Although Gulati refused to comment on the possibility of a ban, sources in the IWF said the penalty seems unavoidable.

“Piyadarshini has been caught for the first time and she might face a two-year ban for it,” the source said.

According to the rules of International Weightlifting Federation, a national federation can be banned for a year if three of its lifters test positive for a banned substance.

“The rules are clear, the national federation can be banned for a year if there are three positive dope tests in a year. IWF can escape the ban if it can pay Rs one lakh fine,” the source said.

Earlier, Shailja had tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in a NADA test while Vicky had been caught by the World Anti-Doping Agency. If IWF is banned, the Indian lifters would not be able to participate in the October 3 to 14 Games.

The Federation would also have to shell out USD 5,000 for every failed dope test.

IWF has been banned twice previously, the last time being in 2006 when Shailja, B Pramilavalli, Edwin Raju and Tejinder Singh tested positive. The ban was lifted after six months after the IWF gave a USD 50,000 fine. Meanwhile, sources said Shailja has not yet sought a test of her B sample. If she doesn't seeks one in the next couple of days, it would be taken as admission of guilt and she would be banned immediately. (PTI)

Harmison was dumped for retirement

London, Oct 9: Steve Harmison’s dumping from England’s South African tour has renewed the row over his announcement last month that he would retire from international cricket if he was not selected for the tour.Last month, the fast bowler had warned that he did not want to wind down his England career as a “bit-part player” and spend 10 weeks on the Cape as a senior water carrier. Following that statement, the selectors refused to guarantee him a place in the side, claiming he had talked himself out of the squad. “Although that didn’t go completely against him, it was part of our discussion,” The Mirror quoted national selector Geoff Miller, as saying.

“I understand what Steve is saying, that there’s no point in an experienced player just walking around carrying the drinks. But we can’t give guarantees to anyone. He has to fight for his place like anyone else, perform and get into the side on quality and ability,” he added. Although Harmison is the last man to have claimed 10 wickets in an innings, he is maintaining a diplomatic silence about his future. (Agencies)

Tendulkar returns home with more than a minor health scare

Mumbai, Oct 2(ANI): Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who returned to Mumbai on Friday after India's elimination from Champions Trophy, revealed much more than a minor health scare that was reported in South Africa on the eve of their must win game against West Indies.

Tendulkar had been ruled out of India's match against West Indies on Wednesday after coming down with a bout of food poisoning, but when he came back to Mumbai a cut near his nose and another one below his left eye gave a different story altogether.

According to reports, on the night before the much important game, Tendulkar went to an Indian restaurant in Johannesburg along with his captain MS Dhoni, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh, and after returning to his hotel room, he felt dizzy and lost consciousness.

He subsequently fell flat on his face, which left him with the cut marks and a black spot on his nose.

Tendulkar returned home along with all-rounders Yusuf Pathan and Abhishek Nayar, team manager Anurag Thakur, physio Nitin Patel and masseur Ramesh Mane. (ANI)

Olympics - Rio to host 2016 Games after landslide win

Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics after the Brazilian city won a landslide victory over Madrid in the final round of voting on Friday.

International Olympic Committee members shocked everyone at the Bella Convention Centre by eliminating favourites Chicago in the first voting round, despite the unprecedented personal support President Barack Obama gave the bid.

Tokyo were the next city to fall before the IOC backed Rio to become the first South American city to host the Games by a final-round margin of 66 votes to Madrid's 32.

A few seconds after the announcement, an almost speechless Carlos Osorio, general secretary of the Brazilian bid, told Reuters: "Overwhelming, spectacular, unbelievable."

Brazil is already preparing to host the soccer World Cup in 2014 and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left in tears of joy by the announcement, said the country would have to work harder than ever to stage a Games they could be proud of.

"We are going to have to sleep less, think more and work more," Lula said at a news conference.

"Now our term of reference is going to be work, work, work -- work for Brazil to do better than any other time in its history."

CHICAGO STUNNED

Chicago went out after polling just 18 votes in the first round, despite the eloquent speeches on their behalf made by Obama, the first sitting U.S. president to address an IOC session, and first lady Michelle Obama.

Madrid led the race at that stage with 28 votes, followed by Rio on 26 and Tokyo on 22.

Rio came close to polling an absolute majority in the second round with 46 votes, followed by Madrid on 29 with Tokyo going out on 20.

The final round was not even close.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told Reuters: "Rio was a great candidate.

"It was well worth the effort. Olympic sport goes this way sometimes. We had a very good result and there will be other opportunities."

NERVOUS MOMENTS

The announcement was delayed by several nervous seconds as IOC president Jacques Rogge struggled to open the envelope.

"Like in every competition there can only be one winner," Rogge said. "Tonight I have the honour to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro," Rogge said.

Carlos Nuzman, Rio bid leader, hugged President Lula, both in tears and said: "We did it, we did it," and the Brazilian delegation broke into their "Marvellous City" song, waving flags and hugging each other.

Both finalists had staged impressive presentations, featuring heartfelt contributions from Lula for Rio and former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch for Madrid.

Lula persuaded members it was time to address the fact that South America had never hosted the Games.

The 89-year-old Samaranch, who ran the IOC for more than two decades, asked voters to take his age into account.

"I know I am very near the end of my days," he said. "May I ask you to consider granting my country the honour and also the duty to organise the games in 2016?"

That tug on the heart-strings helped take Madrid into the final but could not prevent the Games going to Brazil.

(Additional reporting by Karolos Grohmann, John Acher and Owen Wyatt)

tate schools bracing up for Subroto Mukherjee Cup

GUWAHATI, Sept 30 – The players of Padma Ram Sarma HS School, Titabor and Dhupdhora High School are toiling hard at the SAI ground here under the direct supervision of Sports Director Sanjib Gohainbaruah in the preparatory camp for the all India Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament to be held in New Delhi from October 5.

Titabor HS School, champions of the Deokon Trophy, will play in the U-17 group of the championship while the Dhupdhora boys, champions of the Pilik Choudhury Trophy, will contest in the U-14 category. Titabor school has been clubbed with schools from Bihar, Bangladesh, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, NCC team from NE, Madhya Pradesh and Manipur. After the preliminary league phase, four teams will qualify for the pre-quarterfinal stage. Titabor will play their first match against Bihar on October 7.

On the other hand, Dhupdhora School will play against Nepal in the opening match on October 7. Other teams in that group are – Jharkhand, Delhi, IPSC, Nepal, Chandigarh, West Bengal and Team 32.

Teams: Titabor – Arun Daimary, Biswajit Phukan, Subungsa Daimary, Kusha Rabha, Debashis Kalita, Arjun Basumatary, Debicharan Chetia, Sanjay Rabha, Rituraj Gogoi, Chanakya Basumatary, Nabin Rabha, Sarat Gogoi, Zeherul Islam, Jonah Koki, Sahajyoti Kalita, Hiranya Das. Coach – Bidhan Ch Das.

Dhupdhora HS – Binit Ray, Bhaskar Barman, Balen Moran, Hirakjyoti Moran, Atanu Rabha, Sib Sankar Patgiri, Bhabesh Daimary, Michael Hajuary, Sanjay Rabha, Bikash Khaklary, Anshuman Khaklary, Pankaj Hajowary, Sengchang Sangma, Harakumar Daimary, Rajib Boro, Nelson Horo. Coach – Sanjeeb Mishra.

All India school chess from today

GUWAHATI, Sept 30 – The stage is all set for the maiden edition of the All India Open School Chess Championship which gets under way at the Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium in the RG Baruah Sports Complex here tomorrow.

Till this evening, 140 players have confirmed their participation. Apart from all the north-eastern States, players from West Bengal and Bihar have also sent their entries. State Transport Minister Chandan Brahma will inaugurate the championship at 12 noon. The tournament has been organised by the All Assam Chess Association.

Jayanta fourth in World Cup final

KOLKATA, Sept 30 (PTI): The lone Indian entry in the Archery World Cup Final, Jayanta Talukdar, has returned empty-handed after a below-par performance in the men’s recurve section.

In the Champions of Champions leg held in Copenhagen on September 26, top-seeded Talukdar was upset by fourth seeded Marco Galiazzo of Italy 103-111 in the semifinal.

The Italian went on to clinch the gold medal beating Britain’s Simon Terry 112-108 in the final.

Second seeded Terry had beaten third seed Romain Girouille of France 112-108 in the other last-four tie. The top Indian archer had some hope in the bronze medal play-off but lost to Girouille by a slender margin of three arrows (113-110) to finish fourth for a second time.

The Guwahati-born archer, who represents Tata, also finished fourth in the World Cup finals 2006.

Dola Banerjee is the only Indian to clinch a gold medal in the World finals when she had won in Dubai, two years ago.