Olympics

Brazil readiness for World Cup, Olympics to be tested

Simon Haydon RIO DE JANEIRO: The first test of Brazil's ability to host the World Cup and Olympic Games in the next three years is now under way, as the eight-nation Confederations Cup tournament kicks off.

Fallen stars: shameful games began long before the Olympics

Peter Munro ''INSPIRE a generation'' was the motto of the London Olympic Games. But what might the rising pool of Australian swimmers make of the public shaming of the men's 4 x 100 metre relay team?

BMX

Olympics give bandits a boost

David Polkinghorne She may not have won the Olympic gold medal she desperately wanted, but Caroline Buchanan has inspired a new generation of BMX bandits in the ACT.

I was smoking crystal meth in lead-up to Olympics

WHEN Matthew Mitcham missed out on a place in the Olympic diving finals in August, the whole country witnessed his disappointment.

Cycling

IOC boss says cycling will remain in Olympics

IOC president Jacques Rogge has defended the international cycling union's anti-doping efforts and says it would be wrong to kick the sport out of the Olympics in the wake of the Lance Armstrong...

Rogge argues to keep cycling in Olympics

London IOC president defends international cycling union's anti-doping efforts.

Basketball

Olympics spurs on Mills in NBA mission

Chris Dutton He missed out on Olympic Games bling but Patrick Mills and the San Antonio Spurs are on a mission to ''achieve greatness'' and believe they have the firepower to win an NBA championship ring.

Tennis

Tennis-style payback plan could provide lift for the Olympics

Linda Pearce Tennis Australia's HECS-style payments could work for Olympics, says TA director.

Mills, Jackson named for Olympics

Patty Mills and Lauren Jackson spearhead the Australian men's and women's basketball teams for the London Olympics named today.

Basketball

Clocking off is set to keep Jackson fresh for Olympics

Guy Hand Lauren Jackson's minutes will be strictly monitored ahead of the Olympic Games as she again underlined her importance to the Opals' gold medal cause on her return from injury.

Tennis

Stosur looks to Olympics

Darren Walton Offering no excuses for her latest Wimbledon flop, Samantha Stosur is backing Australia's Olympic spirit to fire up the country's crestfallen tennis aces.

Basketball

Drug tests just a fact of life at Olympics, says Opals' Jackson

Paul Mulvey Nine days before the London Olympics open, every one of Australia's 410 athletes have already been drug tested at least once, more than half have been done twice and 30 per cent have had three tests.

Cycling

Disappointed Evans promises to peak for Olympics

Rupert Guinness Chartres, France: Cadel Evans is at a loss to forecast how he might perform in the London Olympics after his highly anticipated Tour de France title defence continued to disappoint in Saturday's...

Swimming

D'Arcy upbeat about Olympics despite bankruptcy hurdle

Controversial butterfly ace Nick D'Arcy believes his London Olympic selection fate is in his own hands even though officials have yet to announce a decision on the bankrupt swimmer's eligibility.