Municipality reaches its own finish line

QINGDAO: Qingdao, the host city of 2008 Olympics sailing competition, has reached its own finish line set when Beijing sealed the bid for the Games seven years ago - to make the city an environmental showcase in China.

Garden city grows to welcome racers in the 2008 Games

QINGDAO: "We will welcome the athletes in the coming Olympics sailing regatta from around the world to an ecological city," said Wu Yong, the director of Qingdao Bureau of Parks and Woods, noting that several years of large-scale reforestation have increased the charm and vitality of the city.

Sports

Soboleva's new record steals the show

VALENCIA, Spain: Russian middle-distance runner Yelena Soboleva stole the show on the final day of the World Indoor Championships when she smashed her own indoor world record to take gold in the 1,500m.

Billups helps Pistons tame Bulls to clinch playoff spot

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan: The Detroit Pistons clinched a seventh straight playoff berth with a 116-109 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Chauncey Billups matching a season-high 34 points to lead the home team to victory.

Rasmussen prevents Asian clean sweep

BIRMINGHAM, England: Denmark's Tine Rasmussen prevented an Asian clean sweep of the All England titles with a deciding game victory over China's Lu Lan in the women's singles final Sunday in Birmingham.

Cardiff, West Brom reach FA Cup semis

LONDON: The FA Cup will boast one Premier League side in the last four after Cardiff City continued a weekend of shocks by beating Middlesbrough 2-0 on Sunday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Sports

James' 50 pts lifts Cavs past Knicks

NEW YORK: LeBron James had 50 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Grant and Slomka breathe easier after wins

PARIS: Chelsea manager Avram Grant and his Schalke 04 counterpart Mirko Slomka can sleep a little easier on Wednesday after both their sides reached the Champions League quarterfinals.

Lin survives but his girlfriend exits

LONDON: China's Lin Dan stuttered in the defense of his All England badminton title in Birmingham on Wednesday with a 16-21, 21-8, 21-11 first-round victory over Anup Sridhar of India.