It seems peculiar that a mountain-climbing polar explorer should make such a material difference to winning a cricket Test series. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Brazil coach looks to World Cup after shock Olympic defeat
Despite being heavily criticised for the Brazilian national football team's shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico in the men's Olympic final, Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Thursday that the team is on track for success at the World Cup to be held on home turf in 2014. Harrington in control at Bethpage, Woods edges
(Reuters) – Tiger Woods overshadowed playing partner Rory McIlroy while Padraig Harrington stole the limelight by taking overall command in Thursday’s opening round of the Barclays tournament in Farmingdale, New York. Wielding a red-hot putter, Irishman Harrington covered his final nine holes in a blistering six-under-par 29 to card a seven-under 64 in the first of the PGA Tour’s four lucrative FedExCup playoff events. In pursuit of his first victory on the U.S. …
Zito, Sanchez lead Giants past Braves 5-2
Barry Zito took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning, Hector Sanchez's two-run double highlighted a four-run fifth and the San Francisco Giants rolled past the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight win. Baseball standings
Aug 24 (Infostrada Sports) – Standings from the MLB on Thursday AMERICAN LEAGUEEASTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. NY Yankees 72 52 .581 – 2. Tampa Bay 70 55 .560 2 1/2 3. Baltimore 67 57 .540 5 4. Boston 59 66 .472 13 1/2 5. Toronto 56 68 .452 16 CENTRAL DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. Chicago White Sox 68 55 .553 – 2. Detroit 67 57 .540 1 1/2 3. Kansas City 55 68 .447 13 4. Cleveland 54 70 .435 14 1/2 5. Minnesota 51 73 .411 17 1/2 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. Texas 73 51 .589 – 2. Oakland 67 57 .540 6 3. LA Angels 65 60 .520 8 1/2 4. Seattle 61 64 . …
(Reuters) – The Philadelphia Phillies rallied from a three-run deficit to stun the high-flying Cincinnati Reds when John Mayberry's walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning completed an unlikely 4-3 victory on Thursday. The Reds led 3-0 after Cy Young hopeful Johnny Cueto pitched a solid five innings but he left two men on in the sixth, both of whom made it home, before Jimmy Rollins drove in another run for the Phillies to tie the game in the eighth. … 
Last season, Duke broke free from UNC's shadow, won the ACC regular season title and reached the NCAA championship game. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are loaded again and ready to renew their race to the title game. 
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. 
(Reuters) – Australia utility back Kurtley Beale has been named on the bench for the Wallabies' Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday. Beale was dropped from the starting side after having a game to forget in the Wallabies' opening loss to the All Blacks last week, fumbling the ball repeatedly and finishing with blood streaming down his face from a cut to the head. … 
Alex Cobb pitched a four-hitter for his first major league shutout and the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 on Thursday night to pull within 2½ games of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East. 
Hance Smith hit two homers, including a first-inning grand slam, to lead Petaluma, Calif., to an 11-1, five-inning victory over San Antonio on Thursday night and a berth in the U.S. championship game in the Little League World Series. 
Lance Armstrong said Thursday night he is finished fighting a barrage of drug charges from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, putting his unprecedented string of seven Tour de France titles at risk along with his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists in history. 
Afghanistan's cricketer Mohammad Shahzad walks back to the pavilion after being dismissed during the first One Day International (ODI) match against Pakistan in Sharjah in February 2012. The Afghan national team was formed in 2001 after the ICC awarded the country their affiliate membership, opening the doors for more development of the game. (AFP Photo/Lakruwan Wanniarachchi) 
Afghanistan's cricketer Mohammad Shahzad walks back to the pavilion after being dismissed during the first One Day International (ODI) match against Pakistan in Sharjah in February 2012. The Afghan national team was formed in 2001 after the ICC awarded the country their affiliate membership, opening the doors for more development of the game 
World Cup skier Lindsey Vonn, right, presents Jens Voigt, from Germany, with a lifetime ski pass for Vail resorts during the awards ceremony after Voigt won the fourth stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at Beaver Creek, Colo. (AP Photo/Vail Daily, Dominique Taylor) 
Russia has dropped plans to extend its existing high-speed rail links to 2018 World Cup host cities because of budget constraints, a newspaper report said on Thursday. 
(Reuters) – Tiger Woods overshadowed playing partner Rory McIlroy while Padraig Harrington stole the limelight by taking overall command in Thursday's opening round of the Barclays tournament in Farmingdale, New York. Wielding a red-hot putter, Irishman Harrington covered his final nine holes in a blistering six-under-par 29 to card a seven-under 64 in the first of the PGA Tour's four lucrative FedExCup playoff events. In pursuit of his first victory on the U.S. … 
Coffee is one of Africa's great gifts to the world. Brent Meersman rounds up the best local offerings. 
After a thrilling Test series, the two teams have switched gears and it's time for South Africa's new blood to step up and give England a run for their money, writes ANT SIMS. 
The story being told by Penn State president Graham Spanier as he defends himself against accusations that he covered up a sex abuse allegation runs contrary into his own reputation as a detail-oriented manager. 
Alexander Pato and unsettled midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganzo were the major names missing from Brazil coach Mano Menezes's 22-man squad to face South Africa and China next month. 
August has been a good month for Fredy Montero. 
SAO PAULO (AP) — Most of the Brazil players at the London Olympics were included Thursday in the senior squad for friendlies against South Africa and China next month. 
(Reuters) – Tiger Woods has long been renowned for his unwavering, almost robotic, focus on the golf course but fans have seen a much more relaxed side to his personality in tandem with Rory McIlroy at this week's Barclays tournament. Former world number one Woods and the man long regarded as his heir apparent, McIlroy, shared laughs and plenty of light-hearted banter after being grouped together for Thursday's first round in the FedExCup playoff event at Farmingdale, New York. … 
(Reuters) – Padraig Harrington gave European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal plenty to think about as he charged into a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the Barclays tournament in Farmingdale, New York. Spaniard Olazabal will on Monday announce his two wildcard picks to complete his 12-man team to take on the United States, with Britain's Ian Poulter and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts widely viewed as the likely candidates. … 
Tango Dance World Cup 2012 
Usain Bolt clocked 19.58 seconds to win the 200 meters at the Athletissima Diamond League meeting on Thursday, after training partner Yohan Blake matched Tyson Gay as the second-fastest man in the world. 
Tango Dance World Cup 2012 
Tango Dance World Cup 2012 
Tango Dance World Cup 2012 
Tango Dance World Cup 2012 
GLENEAGLES, Scotland, Aug 23 – Two lesser lights of the European Tour made their mark on the first day of the Johnnie Walker Championship when attention had been focused on who would make this year's European Ryder Cup team. Chasing the last of the 10 automatic places, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium shot an early 69 – he must finish first or second on Sunday to guarantee his debut against the United States at Medinah next month. … 
Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy becomes uneasy each time he is called to the bathroom for a random drug test, even though he knows he is completely clean. 
The former Nerazzurri forward is determined to prove that he can still be a success in the Brazilian league and aims for a place in his nation's World Cup 2014 squad 
The Blues finally get their man at the fifth attempt as they finally meet the valuation Dave Whelan had in mind for his winger and Roberto Di Matteo will sit down with him soon 
The Blues finally get their man at the fifth attempt as they finally meet the valuation Dave Whelan had in mind for his winger and Roberto Di Matteo will sit down with him soon 
Though many decried the new network picking up all USA World Cup Qualifier away games, the deal will eventually turn up aces for U.S. soccer fans. 
Padraig Harrington took some of the attention away from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy by opening The Barclays with a 7-under 64 at Bethpage Black. And that surely got the attention of Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal. 
Russia risked being left without one of President Vladimir Putin's most daring campaign promises on Thursday when it emerged that his cabinet had abandoned funding for showcase new bullet trains. 
The Mexican Federation has released a list of foreign-based players that will suit up for El Tri in their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. 
MOSCOW (Reuters) – New Russia coach Fabio Capello on Thursday called up experienced midfielder Sergei Semak in an expanded squad for next month's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Israel. The 36-year-old Semak, who captained Russia at Euro 2008 where they reached semi-finals, last played for the national side in a friendly against Hungary in March 2010. … 
The Mexican-born player specified that while he is not yet an American citizen, he would "analyze" the possibility should it become a reality in the future. 
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong faced a deadline Thursday to formally challenge sweeping doping allegations from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency or accept sanctions that could include a lifetime ban from the sport and potentially strip him of his titles. 
TAMPA, FL – JUNE 08: Forward Clint Dempsey #8 of Team USA advances the ball against Team Antigua and Barbuda during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Match at Raymond James Stadium on June 8, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. J. Meric/Getty Images/AFP (AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Archivo | j. meric)