Summer Sports

Ban on women footballers wearing hijab to be lifted

By Duncan Mackay

By Andrew Warshaw in Bagshot

Iran womens_team_in_hijab_Amman_June_3_2011

March 3 - The ultra-conservative International Football Association Board (IFAB), comprising FIFA and the four British Home Associations, rarely if ever reverses its decisions but made an exception here today by unanimously agreeing to lift the ban on the Islamic headscarf being worn by female footballers, pending health and safety checks.

Miley shines as she wins gold and secures Olympic qualification at swimming test event

By Tom Degun at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park in London

March 3 - Hannah Miley (pictured) proved the star of the show on day one of the British Gas Swimming Championships as she posted the fastest time in the world this year in the 400 metres individual medley, booking her place at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the same pool that will be the focus of the world's attention later this year.

Badminton England to use programme management tool to improve performance

By Emily Goddard

By David Gold

March 3 - Into Sport Group has announced that Badminton England has agreed to use the programme management tool Performance.

Britain's injured taekwondo champion Stevenson recovering fast for London 2012

By Mike Rowbottom

March 3 - Sarah Stevenson, Britain's world taekwondo champion, is defying expectations with her progress back to fitness after a freak knee injury sustained at the start of February undermined her London 2012 preparations.

Rival Britons Pavey and Hallissey step towards London 2012 via NYC Half Marathon

By Mike Rowbottom

March 3 - Rival British Olympic contenders Jo Pavey (pictured) and Claire Hallissey have been announced as competitors in the New York City Half Marathon on March 18.

"We won't issue Olympic tourist visas for London 2012" warns British performance director

By Duncan Mackay

By Tom Degun at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park in London

London 2012_Aquatics_Centre_March_2_2012

March 2 - Britain's top swimmers, including double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, are under huge pressure to qualify for London 2012 when the British Gas Swimming Championships get underway here tomorrow, according to the national performance director Michael Scott.

FIFA's hijab ban is prejudice, insists Prince Ali

By Emily Goddard

By Andrew Warshaw in London

March 2 - Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured), the Jordanian FIFA powerbroker driving the global campaign to lift the ban on women footballers wearing the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, during matches says it would be a backward step if the game's lawmakers ignore his demands.

Olympic capital hit by triathlon cash crisis

By David Gold

March 2 - The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that Stockholm will replace Lausanne on the World Series calendar this year.

UN urge FIFA to scrap hijab ban to "challenge gender stereotypes"

By Emily Goddard

By Andrew Warshaw

March 1 - FIFA is being urged by the United Nations (UN) to overturn the ban on women footballers wearing the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, during matches.

Australians secure Olympic spots at Oceania Canoe Slalom Championships

By Emily Goddard

By David Gold

February 29 - Australia's Warwick Draper (pictured) secured his place at this summer's London Olympics after a dramatic three days of action at the 2012 Oceania Canoe Slalom Championships in Sydney.

Aggar, Grainger and Rolland to help train future rowing stars

By David Gold

February 29 - With support from Tom Aggar, Katherine Grainger (pictured left) and Jean-Christophe Rolland, potential rowing stars of the future are to compete in the EDF Community Rowing Challenge at Eton Dorney, where the Olympic rowing will take place this summer.

USA Triathlon names Bannink and Weber as 2011 coaches of the year

By Emily Goddard

By David Gold

February 29 - Cindi Bannink (pictured right) has been named the USA Triathlon National Coach of the Year for 2011, while Jenny Weber was given the Developmental Coach of the Year award.

AIBA Road to London programme gets underway in Cardiff

By Emily Goddard

By Tom Degun

February 28 - A total of 64 boxers and 14 boxing coaches have begun their journey to 2012 Olympic Games by taking part in the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Road to London first training camp in Cardiff in Wales.

GB taekwondo hopefuls launch tickets for European Championships

By David Gold

February 28 - British taekwondo hopefuls Bianca Walkden and Michael Harvey (pictured) have backed the ticket launch for the European Championships which take place in Manchester this May.

New Balance launches new campaign celebrating British milers

By Emily Goddard

By Mike Rowbottom

February 28 - New Balance has launched a film and campaign entitled The British Miler which celebrates the mile event in Britain and highlights seven of its athletes who are seeking a 1,500 metres place at the London 2012 Olympics Games.

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Fact of the day

When British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold medal in ice dance at Sarajevo 1984 with 12 perfect 6.0s from every judge, for their interpretation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, an important member of their team was singer-actor Michael Crawford. Crawford, who had played Frank Spencer in British sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, had become a mentor to the pair in 1981 and went on to help them create their Olympic routine. Crawford said he “taught them how to act". He was present with their trainer Betty Callaway at the ringside at Sarajevo as they created one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

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