Champion Ryu set for China onslaught

HONG KONG: As the Olympics fast approaches, men's defending champion Ryu Seung-min can be forgiven for feeling a little nervous.

Tid bits

Athletics

Harrington supreme at gusty Birkdale

SOUTHPORT, England: Padraig Harrington, playing one of the best rounds of his life, defied strong gusting winds to complete a successful British Open title defense with a commanding four-shot victory on Sunday.

Liang happy with Open debut, looks ahead to future

China's Liang Wenchong was happy after wrapping up his British Open campaign on Sunday, saying it would lay a foundation for him to become a major contender in the near future.

Men's groups finalized for Beijing Olympics

ATHENS: The International Basketball Federation on Sunday finalized the two groups for the Beijing Games men's tournament minutes after Germany won the final qualifying spot with a win over Puerto Rico.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Schleck leads as Tour blown wide open

PRATO NEVOSO, Italy: Luxembourg's Frank Schleck took hold of the Tour de France yellow jersey from Cadel Evans here on Friday after a thrilling 15th stage in the Alps that blew the race wide open.

Points leader Rossi wins US MotoGP crown

LAGUNA SECA, California: Italy's Valentino Rossi stretched his lead atop the MotoGP standings Sunday with a triumph in the US Grand Prix.

Score board

Baseball

Top shot

Champion walker pulls out

Dujkovic sacked 3 weeks before Games

In a shocking move, the China Football Association (CFA) yesterday sacked Ratomir Dujkovic, the once highly regarded men's Olympic soccer coach, just three weeks before the opening match of the Beijing Games.

Largest-ever Paralympic team named

China's disabled athletes are ready to share the limelight with their able-bodied counterparts this summer as the country's 547-member delegation was named yesterday.