Goal.com Asia Serie A expert has a look into the Italians' obsession with controversy in football. Hansen frustrated, disappointed at Kahui's departure
(Reuters) – New Zealand rugby coach Steve Hansen was left frustrated and disappointed at Richard Kahui's decision to switch to the Japanese league, and his mood will not improve amid reports prized asset Dan Carter could join the All Black exodus. Kahui has suffered a series of shoulder problems and the 27-year-old centre and wing said last week's decision to sign a lucrative two-year contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus in the less intense Japanese Top League was made with his injury record in mind. … Rugby-Hansen frustrated, disappointed at Kahui's departure
Feb 19 (Reuters) – New Zealand rugby coach Steve Hansen was left frustrated and disappointed at Richard Kahui’s decision to switch to the Japanese league, and his mood will not improve amid reports prized asset Dan Carter could join the All Black exodus. Kahui has suffered a series of shoulder problems and the 27-year-old centre and wing said last week’s decision to sign a lucrative two-year contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus in the less intense Japanese Top League was made with his injury record in mind. …
Avi Creditor: USA U-20s far from encouraging but take care of business in qualifying opener
Tab Ramos' U.S. U-20 side did not overwhelm but managed to take three points from its World Cup qualifying bout with Haiti , which is ultimately what matters most. 
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Brittney Griner scored 25 points, including the 3,000th of her career, to help No. 1 Baylor rally past third-ranked Connecticut 76-70 on Monday night, extending the Lady Bears' winning streak to 23 games. 
Canada's Under-20 national team took a very early stumble that could prove fatal on their march toward the U-20 World Cup in Turkey, coughing up a pair of second half goals en route to a shock 2-1 loss to Cuba on Monday in their opening match of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Puebla, Mexico. 
PUEBLA, Mexico - It was edge of your seat stuff at times and despite Monday's 2-1 victory over Haiti in the Group A opener of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, US U-20 coach Tab Ramos is adamant his team has to improve. 
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Galatasaray will be fired up by the arrival of Didier Drogba, last year's Champions League hero, and Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder when they host struggling Schalke 04 on Wednesday. Drogba, who took the winning penalty for Chelsea in last season's final, scored with a header five minutes int o his Galatasaray debut on Friday, whetting the appetite of the 2000 UEFA Cup champions ahead of the last 16 first-leg match. … 
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Galatasaray will be fired up by the arrival of Didier Drogba, last year's Champion s League hero, and Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder when they host struggling Schalke 04 on Wednesday. Drogba, who took the winning penalty for Chelsea in last season's final, scored with a header five minutes into his Galatasaray debut on Friday, whetting the appetite of the 2000 UEFA Cup champions ahead of the last 16 first-leg match. … 
FIFA t? lâu ?ã ???c g?i là… MAFIFA b?i cách làm vi?c ??y m? ám c?a h?. Vi?c t? France Football th?i bùng lên nghi án "Qatar dùng 75 t? euro mua quy?n ??ng cai World Cup 2022" th?c ra ch? là s? ki?n m?i nh?t liên quan ??n MAFIFA. V?n ?? là nhi?u ng??i lo ng?i scandal này bùng lên r?i… thôi, c?ng nh? bi?t bao l?n tr??c ?ó. 
FIFA t? lâu ?ã ???c g?i là… MAFIFA b?i cách làm vi?c ??y m? ám c?a h?. Vi?c t? France Football th?i bùng lên nghi án " Qatar dùng 75 t? euro mua quy?n ??ng cai World Cup 2022" th?c ra ch? là s? ki?n m?i nh?t liên quan ??n MAFIFA. V?n ?? là nhi?u ng??i lo ng?i scandal này bùng lên r?i… thôi, c?ng nh? bi?t bao l?n tr??c ?ó 
CARSON, Calif. - Landon Donovan's decision not to return to the LA Galaxy until the end of March, nearly a month into the 2013 season, is hardly ideal, but his teammates are happy to oblige. 
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- California coach Mike Montgomery was reprimanded by the Pac-12 on Monday for shoving one of his own players in the chest during a game. 
HOUSTON (AP) -- Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers turned their attention Monday from bad basketball and trade talk to more somber matters. 
View of the Maracana stadium under renovation works, during a workers' 24-hour warning strike on February 18, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. The workers -who demand better salaries– will hold a meeting with the constructors on February 21. The Maracana stadium will host some of the FIFA 2014 World Cup matches in Brazil. AFP PHOTO ANTONIO SCORZAANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images 
View of the Maracana stadium under renovation works, during a workers' 24-hour warning strike on February 18, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. The workers -who demand better salaries– will hold a meeting with the constructors on February 21. The Maracana stadium will host some of the FIFA 2014 World Cup matches in Brazil, including. AFP PHOTO ANTONIO SCORZAANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images 
The roof installation at the Maracana Stadium, which is undergoing renovation for the 2014 World Cup, is pictured in Rio de Janeiro February 18, 2013. The stadium will also host games of the 2013 Confederations Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL – Tags: SPORT SOCCER) 
The roof installation at the Maracana Stadium, which is undergoing renovation for the 2014 World Cup, is pictured in Rio de Janeiro February 18, 2013. The stadium will also host games of the 2013 Confederations Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL – Tags: SPORT SOCCER OLYMPICS) 
The roof installation at the Maracana Stadium, which is undergoing renovation for the 2014 World Cup, is pictured in Rio de Janeiro February 18, 2013. The stadium will also host games of the 2013 Confederations Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes (BRAZIL – Tags: SPORT SOCCER OLYMPICS) 
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Clint Hurdle is going to get a chance to finis h a turnaround he's started with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers' playboy owner who shepherded the NBA team to 10 championships from the Showtime dynasty of the 1980s to the Kobe Bryant era, died Monday. He was 80. 
The Brazilian attacker has long been linked with a move to Camp Nou, and his compatriot has been attempting to convince him to make the switch. 
DUBAI (Reuters) – Ana Ivanovic beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 7-6 in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Champi onships on Monday, but Sloane Stephens was eliminated in three sets to cap a miserable debut trip to the Gulf for the U.S. teenager. Ivanovic's career has dipped since she won the French Open in 2008, sinking from number one in the world rankings to 13, and she was far from flawless on the floodlit Dubai court. The Serb slipped from 4-0 up in the second set to 6-6 before winning the subsequent tiebreak 7-5. … 
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Jerry Buss, who parlayed a $1,000 real estate investment into ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers and won 10 National Basketball Association championships, has died at 79, the NBA said on its offi cial website on Monday. Buss had been hospitalized and treated for cancer but the immediate cause of death was kidney failure, according to his assistant, Bob Steiner, who was cited in the NBA post. Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 and under his ownership the team became one of the most valuable and popular franchises in professional sports. … 
FILE – In this Dec. 16, 2012 file photo, Corinthians captain Alessandro, center, holds up the trophy as he celebrates with teammates during an award ceremony after beating Chelsea FC 1-0 in their final match to win the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo. The Corinthians of Brazil, now reinforced with Paolo Guerrero and Alexandre Pato, will debut against the San Jose de Bolivia, standing out among the 12 matches to be played this week fo r the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2013. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File) 
FILE – In this Dec. 16, 2012 file photo, Corinthians' Paolo Guerrero, right, celebrates after scoring a goal against Chelsea FC during their final match at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo. The Corinthians of Brazil, now reinforced with Paolo Guerrero and Alexandre Pato, will debut against the San Jose de Bolivia, standing out among the 12 matches to be played this week for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2013. (AP Phot o/Shuji Kajiyama, File) 
Picture of the famed Maracana football stadium in Rio de Janeiro taken on February 18, 2013 as renovation works for the 2014 World Cup — including the construction of a roof — gets underway. The Maracana is classified as an historic monument so the facade will be maintained but a roof will be added to the five-storey oval stadium. AFP PHOTO /ANTONIO SCORZAANTONIO SCORZA/AFP/Getty Images 
The Germany boss has praised his experienced playmaker, after Nationalelf legend Gunter Netzer suggested his days as a first-teamer were numbered 
OK, it wasn't the first resignation by a sitting Pope in six centuries, or the astonishing appearance, in the skies over industrial Siberia, of a 10-ton meteor that exploded with the force of an atomic bomb, but Major League Soccer had some eye-catching news of its own this week. 
Major League Soccer is the goal in Central Florida, and Phil Rawlins and Orlando City SC continue making progress in their bid to become the league's latest expansion franchise. 
The Germany boss has praised his experienced playmaker, after Nationalelf legend Gunter Netzer suggested his days as a first-teamer were numbered 
Authorities throw the book at the Chinese outfit following three-year investigation into corruption scandal which also sees 33 people banned for life 
Shenhua and Tianjin Teda will both start the 2013 season down six points in the standings, while Dalian Aerbin's newly-signed manager received a five-year ban from the sport 
The ramifications of his choices over the past few months will only rise to the fore after he returns to LA Galaxy and reaches a conclusion about his future with the USA. 
Danica Patrick pulled off the biggest coup of her four-year NASCAR career, becoming the first woman to ever take the pole at the Daytona 500 and the first to clinch a pole in any race in NASCAR's premier series, the Sprint Cup. Clocking 196 miles… 
Falta menos de um mês para o fim das obras no estádio do Mineirão.A reforma, estimada em mais de 654 milhões de reais, está prevista para acabar no dia 21 de dezembro.A arena, em Belo Horizonte, vai ser a primeira a ficar pronta para a Copa das Confederações no Brasil, em 2013.O estádio, que será palco de uma semifinal no Mundial de 2014, terá 64 mil lugares. –BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL, 22 NOVEMBER 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV (ACCESS ALL) / Eric Frosio-VAR of stadium exterior-VAR of workers of cranes-VAR of stadium interior-VAR of roof-VAR of construction workers-VAR of work on a new express bus system being built for the World Cup-VAR of construction workers working on bus system 
Nearly 140 million Brazilians head to the polls on 7 and 21 October in the country's municipal elections, and in Rio de Janeiro the stakes are higher than ever. Whoever is voted in as mayor, will play a key role in the organisation of the 2014 World Cup, and the 2016 Olympic games. Duration: 02:07 
Ainda não é 2014 e nem estamos na Copa do Mundo, mas o troféu mais cobiçado do futebol está no Rio de Janeiro - sede da final do próximo mundial. A taça original já esteve em São Paulo e fica na Cidade Maravilhosa até esta quinta-feira, quando retorna para Zurique na Suíça. A presença do troféu em um shopping na Barra da Tijuca mexeu com a confiança do brasileiro… POVO FALA:"É muito bom ver a taça aqui (…) Essa Copa do Mundo já é nossa".P OVO FALA 2:"Tivemos a oportunidade de tirar foto com ela. Isso representa um gol… O Brasil já sai com um a zero no placar". SONORA 2 HOMENSO campeão do Mundial recebe uma réplica em ouro da peça desenhada em 1970 pelo italiano Silvio Gazzaniga.Já a original permanece na sede da Fifa na Suíça com os nomes dos campões a partir de 1974 gravados em sua base. É… tomara que o troféu traga sorte e seja nossa seleção a levantar a Copa daqui a dois anos!///SHOTLISTRio de Janeiro, 25/09/2012 (Source: AFPTV Madeleine Pradel ACCESS ALL)+1,17 of images shot in Barra de Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro (AFPTV Madeleine Pradel ACCESS ALL)- The World Cup (designed by Silvio Gazzaniga)- Base cup stands on saying : 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil- CU- VAR fans and supporters with the World Cup 
The Maracana stadium is one of football's most legendary grounds – and it's having a makeover ahead of the 2014 World Cup. On Thursday FIFA officials came to see if the works are on track – they're due to be finished by February 2013. Images and soundbites. 
SHOTLIST: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 30 2012, Source: AFPTV (Access all)1 min 7s of images:– Bebeto, José Maria Marin, Luis Fernandes and Ronaldo signing a replica shirt, a copy of that worn by the 1958 Brazilian World Cup team, and give it to Jerome Valcke/// AFP Text Story:-WC-2014-BRA,lead Football: FIFA says Brazil advancing on World Cup projects =(PICTURE)= ATTENTION – ADDS quotes, details /// RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 30, 2012 (AFP) – Work on all the 2014 World Cup stadiums and infrastructure is progressing well and Brazil has reached "cruise speed", a top FIFA official said here Thursday after visiting two host cities. "No stadium is behind schedule. All the projects are proceeding well and we have reached cruise speed," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told a press conference here. His comments, made on his fourth visit to Brazil to assess the progress, marked a sharp departure from his comments in March when he suggested World Cup organizers needed a "kick up the backside" to hasten lagging preparations. He subsequently apologized for his comments, as did FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Valcke inspected stadiums and infrastructure projects in the northern city of Manaus as well as in Cuiaba in the central-western state of Mato Grosso earlier this week. T he two cities are among 12 that will host World Cup matches. "Things are working better. More is being accomplished. Things are speeding up," he said with former Brazilian football great Ronaldo, a member of the World Cup Organizing Committee (COL) at his side. But experts believe the country still has major challenges to overcome, notably with respect to transport and housing. "We are working in perfect harmony, with the joint objective to show that Brazil has the know-how and competence to stage a great World Cup," said Jose Maria Marin, president of the Brazilian Football Federation and COL president. FIFA earlier this year had voiced varying degrees of concern over the extent to which preparations — renovation or construction of stadiums, as well as infrastructure projects — are on track for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950. Luis Fernandes, executive secretary of the sports ministry, stressed that Brazil, COL and football world governing body FIFA were now co nducting joint inspections and were speaking "with one voice" on progress in the projects. Cuiaba's Arena Pantanal is expected to be completed by year's end, with less than half of the work done now. "It's amazing, the number of projects which will transform the city after the World Cup. That's what the World Cup is about, organize an event and change the face of a city. Cuiaba will impress the world in 2014," Valcke said Wednesday. The Manaus stadium, which is 42 percent built, is to be completed next June. But the northern cities of Salvador and Recife have yet to prove that they can host the Confederations Cup — a kind of dress rehearsal for the World Cup — next June. "A decision will be made in the first week of November," said Valcke, who is due to return to Brazil October 18 to inspect the Belo Horizonte arena as well as Rio's iconic Maracana stadium where the World Cup final will be played in July 2014. "The World Cup is not only an event that will turn the world spotlight on Brazil. It is also an opportunity to create sustainable development in our country," said Fernandes, referring to urban transit, ports and airports. Meanwhile the country unveiled its World Cup security plan, outlining strategic areas to be protected and main threats such as terrorist acts and hooliganism. "The 2014 World Cup requires one of the biggest security operations at the international level," stated the plan published Thursday in the Official Gazette. Main threats were listed as organized crime, civil disturbances, domestic and foreign soccer hooligans, sexual exploitation and abuse of minors. Other potential threats include border crimes such as drug trafficking, natural disasters and terrorism. lbc/ga/sst 
SHOTLIST:RIO DE JANEIRO, AUGUST 20, SOURCE: AFPTVSOUNDBITE 1 Jerome Valcke (man), FIFA Secretary General (English, 14 sec):"Whatever was said, there's not a single stad ium in red for the World Cup. We have no issue and we don't have any stadium which is in the critical zone for the world cup as of today."SOUNDBITE 2 Jerome Valcke (man), FIFA Secretary General (English, 12 sec):"You know that we're still have to monitor Recife for the Confederations Cup but again this stadium will be monitored until the end of October and the decision will be made on the first week of November.'" SOUNDBITE 3 Jerome Valcke (man), FIFA Secretary General (English, 13 sec):"We have reached a level of cooperation, understanding and work which is definitely what all three parties are expected and I have to admit that we are very happy on FIFA's side for such partnership." SOUNDBITE 4 Jerome Valcke (man), FIFA Secretary General (English, 12 sec): "There's a time where you have a feeling that time is running and again as we said in the stadium, I mean, stadiums need X months construction and you cannot just speed up a process so that's why at a time you can be very anxious that we'll not have enough time to deliver on time the stadium. It works better. There's more work done, the process speeds up and things are doing better. It's happening."SOUNDBITE 5 Jose Maria Marin (man), President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (Portuguese, 12 sec):"I am absolutely certain that deadlines will be met. All stadiums, all compounds will be delivered on time."SOUNDBITE 6 Jose Maria Marin (man), President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (Portuguese, 25 sec):"I can assure you that violence is a major concern. Violence not just amongst football fans, but violence in general. I can assure you of this, we the LOC [local organising committee], will deal with this issue very seriously and concern. "SOUNDBITE 7 Ronaldo (man), local organising committee member (Portuguese, 20 sec):"People are going to love it. At the end of the day, it will be interesting. Pure and mixed with fruit, what we call the 'caipirinha'. But there's lots of work to do first."- Various of the press conference- Close-up of Valcke at the press conference – Various cutaways of journalists- Mid of Luis Fernandes (Ministry of Sports) and Brazilian football player Bebeto – Various of Valcke and Ronaldo- Various of the press conference/// ————————————————————–AFP TEXT STORY:WC-2014-BRA,lead Football: FIFA says Brazil advancing on World Cup projects RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 30, 2012 (AFP) – Work on all the 2014 World Cup stadiums and infrastructure is progressing well and Brazil has reached "cruise speed", a top FIFA official said here Thursday after visiting two host cities. "No stadium is behind schedule. All the projects are proceeding well and we have reached cruise speed," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told a press conference here. His comments, made on his fourth visit to Bra zil to assess the progress, marked a sharp departure from his comments in March when he suggested World Cup organizers needed a "kick up the backside" to hasten lagging preparations. He subsequently apologized for his comments, as did FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Valcke inspected stadiums and infrastructure projects in the northern city of Manaus as well as in Cuiaba in the central-western state of Mato Grosso earlier this week. The two cities are among 12 that will host World Cup matches. "Things are working better. More is being accomplished. Things are speeding up," he said with former Brazilian football great Ronaldo, a member of the World Cup Organizing Committee (COL) at his side. But experts believe the country still has major challenges to overcome, notably with respect to transport and housing. "We are working in perfect harmony, with the joint objective to show that Brazil has the know-how and competence to stage a great World Cup," said Jose Maria Marin, president of the Brazilian Football Federation and COL president. FIFA earlier this year had voiced varying degrees of concern over the extent to which preparations — renovation or construction of stadiums, as well as infrastructure projects — are on track for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950. Luis Fernandes, executive secretary of the sports ministry, stressed that Brazil, COL and football world governing body FIFA were now conducting joint inspections and were speaking "with one voice" on progress in the projects. Cuiaba's Arena Pantanal is expected to be completed by year's end, with less than half of the work done now. "It's amazing, the number of projects which will transform the city after the World Cup. That's what the World Cup is about, organize an event and change the face of a city. Cuiaba will impress the world in 2014," Valcke said Wednesday. The Manaus stadium, which is 42 percent built, is to be completed next June. But the northern cities of Sa lvador and Recife have yet to prove that they can host the Confederations Cup — a kind of dress rehearsal for the World Cup — next June. "A decision will be made in the first week of November," said Valcke, who is due to return to Brazil October 18 to inspect the Belo Horizonte arena as well as Rio's iconic Maracana stadium where the World Cup final will be played in July 2014. "The World Cup is not only an event that will turn the world spotlight on Brazil. It is also an opportunity to create sustainable development in our country," said Fernandes, referring to urban transit, ports and airports. Meanwhile the country unveiled its World Cup security plan, outlining strategic areas to be protected and main threats such as terrorist acts and hooliganism. "The 2014 World Cup requires one of the biggest security operations at the international level," stated the plan published Thursday in the Official Gazette. Main threats were listed as organized crime, civil disturban ces, domestic and foreign soccer hooligans, sexual exploitation and abuse of minors. Other potential threats include border crimes such as drug trafficking, natural disasters and terrorism.END 
SHOTLIST – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 30th 2012, Source: AFPTV (Access all)SOUNDBITE 1 : Jérôme Valcke, FIFA secretary general (25 seconds, man, in English)- " A number of issues happened at the beginning and these issues are now over and it means that we can be in a full speed to be ready on time. And that's why I'm saying today that the speed we have reached is the speed we need to have the delivery on the stadium at the end of 2013, very early 2014 in some cases but most of the time we'll have the stadium on time to run test events and to be ready for both the Confederations cup and the world cup." SHOTLIST = 36 seconds of images shot August 30th 2012 in Rio de Janeiro (AFPTV Madeleine Pradel ACCESS ALL) – Jérôme Valcke's arrival joining Ronaldo (member of Brazil's local organising committee) – Various shots of the joined press conference with Luis Fernandes, Bebeto (Management Board of the Local Organising Committee for the WC), José Maria Marin (president of the Brazilian Football Confederation – CBF), Luis Fernandes (Executive secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Sport)/// = AFPTV STORY= W C-2014-BRA 30/08/2012 – 19:35? Brazil making headway on World Cup projects: FIFA official?? RIO DE JANEIRO, BRA, Aug 30, 2012 (AFP) – Work on all the 2014 World Cup stadiums and infrastructure is progressing well and Brazil has reached "cruise speed", a top FIFA official said here Thursday after visiting two host cities. "No stadium is behind schedule. All the projects are proceeding well and we have reached cruise speed," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told a press conference here. Valcke, who last February caused an uproar by suggesting that the Brazilian organizers of the 2014 World Cup needed a "kick up the backside" to hasten lagging preparations for the event, spoke on his fourth visit to Brazil to assess progress in infrastructure projects. He inspected stadiums and infrastructure projects in the northern city of Manaus as well as in Cuiaba in the central-western state of Mato Grosso earlier this week. The two cities are among 12 which will host games of the World Cup. FIFA earlier this year had voiced varying degrees of concern over the extent to which preparations — renovation or construction of stadiums, as well as infrastructure projects — are on track for the first World Cup in Brazil since 1950. lbc/ga 
SCRIPT:The brainwave of a German-Jewish neurologist the Paralympic movement was born in 1948 when 16 wheelchair-bound war veterans took part in the Stoke Mandeville games.12 years later the first official Paralympic Games took pl ace in Rome and since then the event has grown enormously.It is now – in terms of athlete participation – the second-biggest sporting event on the planet after the summer Olympics and organisers hope that London can build upon the success of Beijing Games four years ago.SOUNDBITE 1: Craig Spence, director of communications and media at International Paralympic Committee [IPC] [man, English, 22 sec]:"This is going to be a record-breaking Paralympic Games — we have 4,200 athletes from 166 countries — that's an increase of 250 athletes and 20 countries from Beijing four years ago. We have 16 countries who are making their debut here in London which shows that the Paralympic movement is growing all the time and we're convinced that this is going to be a truly sensational Games."Sprinter Oscar Pistorius is the poster-boy for the Paralympic movement.The South African flag bearer has already competed in the Olympics and will go in the 100m, 200m and his pr eferred event the 400m.SOUNDBITE 2 Oscar Pistorius, South African athlete(man, English, 18 secs):"I'm as proud to be a Paralympian as I am to be an Olympian. I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of, I'm so excited for this Paralympic Games. Every Paralympic athlete here has done their bit to qualify – it makes me proud to be a part of the Paralympic movement, more than ever."As Pistorius looks to defend the three golds he won in Beijing – he is just one of thousands of athletes bidding for glory in London.Britain has a team of 300 gunning for gold while France are bringing 200 athletes across the channel.Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum Cambodia, which has the highest rate of amputees in the world, is represented by a single athlete Thin Seng Hon – and the sporting hopes of the Palestinian territories lie with just two athletes, both residents of the Israel-blockaded Gaza strip.The "para" in Paralympic is an abbreviation of par rallel as the Games were never conceived to compete with the Olympics themselves. And as organisers say, the next two weeks of competition are the second chapter of what they have trumpeted as a great British summer of sport.SHOTLISTVARIOUS DATES & LOCATIONS(SOURCES: AFPTV)STOKE MANDEVILLE, UK – 28/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV- VAR Ext. Stoke Mandeville stadium- CU statue of Ludwig Guttmann-VAR start of 24-hour torch relay from Stoke Mandeville to LondonLONDON, 22/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV- Set up shot Craig SpenceSOUNDBITE 1STILL PHOTOSDAEGU, SOUTH KOREA-29/08/ 2011 – SOURCE AFP / Olivier Morin – Oscar Pistorius during 400 m at IAAF World ChampionshipsMANCHESTER, UK- 22 /05/2012 - SOURCE AFP / Paul Ellis- Oscar Pistorius winning Paralympic World Cup 200mMANCHESTER, UK 22 /05/2012 – SOURCE AFP / Paul Ellis – Pistorius waving after winning Paralympic World Cup 200mLONDON, 22/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTVSOUNDBITE 2LONDON, 24/08/ 2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV-VAR Claire Lomas lighting the Paralympic flame in a cauldron with David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Sebastien Coe watchingPARIS, 24/08/2012- Members of French Paralympic teamPHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 14/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV-Wide of Cambodian Paralympian runner Thin Seng Hon at track starting line during practice, coach in foreground.- CU of Thin Seng Hon setting into starting blocks.- MS of Thin Seng Hon and an able-bodied runner in starting blocks then runningGAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, 10/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV – VAR of Khamis Zaqout and Mohammed Fannouna at the Al Jazeera clubLONDON, 24/08/ 2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV-VAR of the Paralympic mascot-VAR of the spectators 
SUGGESTED SCRIPT:The brainwave of a German-Jewish neurologist, the Paralympic movement was born in 1948 when 16 wheelchair-bound war veterans took part in the Stoke Mandeville games.12 years later the first official Paralympic Ga mes took place in Rome and since then the event has grown enormously.It is now – in terms of athlete participation – the second-biggest sporting event on the planet after the summer Olympics and organisers hope that London can build upon the success of Beijing Games four years ago.SOUNDBITE 1: Craig Spence, director of communications and media at International Paralympic Committee [IPC] [man, English, 22 sec]:"This is going to be a record-breaking Paralympic Games — we have 4,200 athletes from 166 countries — that's an increase of 250 athletes and 20 countries from Beijing four years ago. We have 16 countries who are making their debut here in London which shows that the Paralympic movement is growing all the time and we're convinced that this is going to be a truly sensational Games."Sprinter Oscar Pistorius is the poster-boy for the Paralympic movement.The South African flag bearer has already competed in the Olympics and will go in the 100m, 200m and his preferred event the 400m.SOUNDBITE 2 Oscar Pistorius, South African athlete(man, English, 18 secs):"I'm as proud to be a Paralympian as I am to be an Olympian. I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of, I'm so excited for this Paralympic Games. Every Paralympic athlete here has done their bit to qualify – it makes me proud to be a part of the Paralympic movement, more than ever."As Pistorius looks to defend the three golds he won in Beijing – he is just one of thousands of athletes bidding for glory in London.Britain has a team of 300 gunning for gold while France are bringing 200 athletes across the channel.Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum Cambodia, which has the highest rate of amputees in the world, is represented by a single athlete Thin Seng Hon – and the sporting hopes of the Palestinian territories lie with just two athletes, both residents of the Israel-blockaded Gaza strip.The "para" in Paralympic is an abbrevia tion of parrallel as the Games were never conceived to compete with the Olympics themselves. And as organisers say, the next two weeks of competition are the second chapter of what they have trumpeted as a great British summer of sport.SHOTLISTVARIOUS DATES & LOCATIONS(SOURCES: AFPTV)STOKE MANDEVILLE, UK – 28/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV- VAR Ext. Stoke Mandeville stadium- CU statue of Ludwig Guttmann-VAR start of 24-hour torch relay from Stoke Mandeville to LondonLONDON, 22/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV- Set up shot Craig SpenceSOUNDBITE 1STILL PHOTOSDAEGU, SOUTH KOREA-29/08/ 2011 – SOURCE AFP / Olivier Morin – Oscar Pistorius during 400 m at IAAF World ChampionshipsMANCHESTER, UK- 22 /05/2012 - SOURCE AFP / Paul Ellis- Oscar Pistorius winning Paralympic World Cup 200mMANCHESTER, UK 22 /05/2012 – SOURCE AFP / Paul Ellis – Pistorius waving after winning Paralympic World Cup 200mLONDON, 22/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTVSOUNDBITE 2LONDON, 24/08/ 2012 R 11; SOURCE: AFPTV-VAR Claire Lomas lighting the Paralympic flame in a cauldron with David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Sebastien Coe watchingPARIS, 24/08/2012- Members of French Paralympic teamPHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 14/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV-Wide of Cambodian Paralympian runner Thin Seng Hon at track starting line during practice, coach in foreground.- CU of Thin Seng Hon setting into starting blocks.- MS of Thin Seng Hon and an able-bodied runner in starting blocks then runningGAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, 10/08/2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV – VAR of Khamis Zaqout and Mohammed Fannouna at the Al Jazeera clubLONDON, 24/08/ 2012 – SOURCE: AFPTV-VAR of the Paralympic mascot-VAR of the spectators