‘Dope-smeared’ Tour de France champ claims to be a ‘food contamination’ victim

MADRID – Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, who has been suspended for failing a dope test, has said that he is a victim of “food contamination”.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said that Contador had been provisionally suspended after clenbuterol was detected in a urine sample taken from the Spaniard on July 21.

However, Contador … Read : ‘Dope-smeared’ Tour de France champ claims to be a ‘food contamination’ victim.

‘Have enough games to stake claim for Ashes berth,’ says Haddin

SYDNEY – Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin believes he will have ample opportunity to regain his place in the national squad before the upcoming Ashes series after recovering from an elbow injury.

Haddin, 32, hasn’t played since the World Twenty20 final against England in Barbados last May.

The 32-year-old missed Australia’s matches against Pakistan in England and the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rangers say they can top Man U to reach Champion League last 16

LONDON – Slovak star Vladimir Weiss insists that the Rangers can top Manchester United and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Slovak – yet to feature in Europe – believes they are now joint favourites to progress.

Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Bursaspor catapulted the Ibrox men to the top of Group C, …. Original source  : Rangers say they can top Man U to reach Champion League last 16.

Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton rally organized in Delhi

NEW DELHI – The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) of the XIXth Commonwealth Games was carried out in a rally here today.

Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, held the baton and walked down Rajpath.

Kalmadi said that it was a special moment for the country as it prepares for one of the most …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton rally organized in Delhi.

Countdown starts for Games opening

NEW DELHI – As the countdown began for the opening of the Commonwealth Games here Oct 3, the Games Federation chief Mike Fennell Friday asserted that he had no regrets over awarding the event to Delhi. “We have to take these journeys or you will confine these events to just a few countries,” he said …. Source article  : Countdown starts for Games opening.

No rancour, India and Australia focus on game

MOHALI – The usual mind games between India and Australia are not there as the first Test match got underway at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here Friday.

In the run-up to the match, both sides refrained from any aggressive posturing or running down the other side or even targeting any particular player, giving … Read more »».

Free transport for opening ceremony for spectators

NEW DELHI – If you have a ticket for Sunday’s opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, you can reach the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for free.

The Delhi Transport Corp (DTC) will deploy 300 low-floor buses to transport spectators to the venue, free of cost.
According to a DTC official, these buses will operate from 31 … Read more : Free transport for opening ceremony for spectators.

Man U veteran Giggs asks Rooney to toughen up

LONDON – Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs has told ace striker Wayne Rooney to toughen up quickly.

The Sun quoted Giggs, as saying: “When I was younger – 17, 18 or 19 – everything was going brilliantly. Then you hit a bit of bad form and they want to know who you are going out with, …. Original source  : Man U veteran Giggs asks Rooney to toughen up.

CWG canvas: 20 top Indian contemporary artists pool work

NEW DELHI – An exhibition displaying art by 20 top Indian contemporary artists, Looking Glass: The Existence of Difference, opened at four simultaneous venues here Friday ahead of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games 2010.

The venues of the exhibition are – the Arts.I gallery of the Religare Arts Initiative, the Max Mueller Bhavan, the …. Source  : CWG canvas: 20 top Indian contemporary artists pool work.

Redemption time for Pakistan hockey team

NEW DELHI – When Pakistan take on Scotland in their Commonwealth Games men’s hockey opener Oct 5, they will need to shake off the ghosts of their horrible outing in the World Cup this year.

It was here, also at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, eight months ago that Pakistan succumbed to their worst …. Source  : Redemption time for Pakistan hockey team.

Arjun Atwal, Brett Quigley, Bill Haas among 6 first-round leaders at Viking Classic

Atwal, Quigley, Hass among Viking Classic leaders

MADISON, Miss. – The course was so friendly, six players were tied for the lead, 17 finished at 4 under or better, six had bogey-free rounds and nearly half the field was below par.
“I’ve never played in conditions like this,” said Arjun Atwal, who shot a 6-under 66 Thursday … Read more : Arjun Atwal, Brett Quigley, Bill Haas among 6 first-round leaders at Viking Classic.

Michael Jackson rocks on canvas in Delhi

NEW DELHI – King of Pop Michael Jackson has been brought to life in 12 mixed media paintings here which capture his journey from obscurity to stardom, diseases and tragic death that remains a mystery.

The over a month-long exhibition “Michael Jackson: the Legend” at the American Center deconstructs the mythical persona of MJ, or …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Wale of a Ryder Cup: On rainy Welsh morning, US opens defense of Ryder Cup; Europe leads early

On a rainy morning, Europe takes early Ryder lead

NEWPORT, Wales – Europe has taken an early Ryder Cup lead over the shaky Americans on a windy, rainy morning in Wales.
Graeme McDowell made a two-putt par at the first hole Friday to give Europe a 1-up lead in the second best-ball match. Lee Westwood’s birdie at … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Wale of a Ryder Cup: On rainy Welsh morning, US opens defense of Ryder Cup; Europe leads early.

Martina Navratilova says she’s cancer free

WASHINGTON – Tennis champ Martina Navratilova has revealed that she’s cancer free.

Six months after revealing that she had breast cancer, Navratilova has good news about her health.

“I am cancer-free,” People Magazine quoted her as saying.

“Technically I was cancer free after the lumpectomy in March.

“But then I had radiation to make sure that it killed [..] Read the original article: here.

Man U’s defensive horrors are a thing of the past: Rio Ferdinand

LONDON – Manchester United’s defensive horrors are a thing of the past, believes Rio Ferdinand after the club registered a a famous Champions League win in Valencia.

After shipping nine goals in six league games, Ferdinand believes this result now means the team are ready to be mean again.

“This result is definitely a confidence …. Original source  : Man U’s defensive horrors are a thing of the past: Rio Ferdinand.

‘Married’ Andre Nel exposed as ‘love cheat’ by London girlfriend

LONDON – South African fast bowler Andre Nel has been exposed as a love cheat after his girlfriend in London found that he was married with a child on the way.

According to the Telegraph, Nel was reaching the end of his six-month contract with Surrey when he met Jelena Kultiasova at a nightclub in …. Read the original article  : ‘Married’ Andre Nel exposed as ‘love cheat’ by London girlfriend.

Pondering over facilities as Games excitement builds up

NEW DELHI – Following the storm is the calm, and excitement and expectations are building up as the countdown for the 2010 Commonwealth Games nears its finish.

A majority of contingents from across the globe have given the thumbs-up to the facilities, the environment and of course the security, yet it is a moot point … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pondering over facilities as Games excitement builds up.

Ryder Cup: Poulter can’t wait to get stuck into Woods

LONDON – World number 16 Ian Poulter has said that he cannot wait to get stuck into Tiger Woods after they were drawn against each other in the opening round of Ryder Cup matches.

Poulter and Ross Fisher will take on Woods and Steve Stricker – and the English duo reacted by punching the air …. Source article  : Ryder Cup: Poulter can’t wait to get stuck into Woods.

Reverse swing to be Australia’s most potent bowling weapon on India tour: Watson

MOHALI – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson insists that his team is better equipped in the reverse swing department, which he sees as their most potent bowling weapon during the two-Test series against India.

Midway through the 2008 Test series in India, the Australian bowling attack had said that they had no idea about extracting reverse …. Original source  : Reverse swing to be Australia’s most potent bowling weapon on India tour: Watson.

No. 17 Iowa in unfamiliar role as favorite vs No. 22 Penn St, has home winning streak vs Lions

No. 17 Iowa in unfamiliar role vs. No. 22 Penn St

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two years ago, unranked Iowa dashed Penn State’s national title hopes with a dramatic home win and last season the underdog Hawkeyes did it again with a fourth-quarter comeback at Beaver Stadium.
It’s time to see what Iowa can do when it’s … Read more >>>.