More scandals for Tour as Ricco tests positive

LAVELANET, France: The Tour de France was rocked by a third doping scandal yesterday after Italian Riccardo Ricco tested positive for banned substances.

Score board

Cycling

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Sprinter seeks gold to match tooth

WILLEMSTAD: Anyone closely watching the starting line of the Beijing Olympics 100m sprint may notice the flash of a gold tooth emblazoned with the letter "C".

Brazil's women hope to end soccer final blues

SAO PAULO: Brazil's women's soccer team, runner-up at the 2004 Olympic Games and last year's World Cup, will be better prepared if it gets to the final again in Beijing, captain Marta said in an interview.

Daley set to make splash at Beijing Olympics

LONDON: Diving is rarely headline news in Britain but Tom Daley is changing all that.

Tid bits

Canoe/kayak

Nike a major player in Team China's show

Chinese athletes hope to make history with top performances at their home Olympics next month. Whatever the results, Nike will play a major part.

Official confirms Yao to return to action this week

China's Yao Ming is likely to play his first competitive game since having surgery on his foot in March at this week's Stankovic Cup pre-Beijing Olympic basketball tournament, local media reported on Tuesday.

Li-Ning to clothe four national teams

While Nike will outfit the bulk of China's Olympic athletes, local sporting apparel giant Li-Ning will provide gear for four major Chinese teams, including table tennis, diving, gymnastics and shooting.

Score board

Cycling

Liang aims high at first British Open

Asia's No 1 Liang Wenchong will make a historic appearance at the British Open this week, fully aware that a strong outing will reinforce the growth of golf in the region.