Olympic news

Weighed in gold, Michael Phelps is worth about $3 million (1.6 million pounds). In reality the face of the Beijing Olympics is probably worth 10 times that amount each year.

Marketing experts said the 23-year-old American, who is now the most successful Olympian with 11 gold medals, will become the richest professional swimmer ever, far surpassing the money earned by the former most decorated US swimmer, Mark Spitz.

"He's the greatest Olympian in the world and he'll be able to earn money everywhere as he's an international brand," Australia-based celebrity agent Max Markson told Reuters.

"He's a billion dollar man."

Olympic sports have meant big business since the Olympic movement allowed professional athletes to compete 20 years ago.

But none has banked the sums earned by charismatic megastars like Tiger Woods, David Beckham or Michael Jordan whose names are globally known and set cash registers ringing everywhere.

Phelps reportedly earns about $5 million a year from endorsements although his agency Octagon declined to comment.

Amateurs forced to quit beach volley

The ultimate lifestyle sport of beach volleyball is becoming too pressurised, too busy - and too tall - for amateurs to stay in the game, according to Argentine veteran Martin Conde.

The 2001 world champion bowed out of the international beach volleyball scene quietly this week after he and his partner Mariano Baracetti lost their pool at the Beijing Olympics.

"I've had a great time but the circuit is getting harder and harder," said Conde, who has played at each Olympics since beach volleyball joined the Games in 1996.

"There are more tournaments, more travelling. It gets very tiring and expensive to keep up if you are an amateur."

Prize money on the international tour has doubled in the past decade but it is still only $8 million a year.

Players accept coach's criticism

Nigeria's players have accepted the criticism of coach Samson Siasia, who publicly berated them for inconsistency despite reaching the last eight of the Olympic soccer tournament.

Nigeria, who face Ivory Coast tomorrow, displayed moments of skill and flair with astonishing carelessness in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the United States.

"We're still a young team and sometimes we don't show maturity at the right times, like when we were 2-0 ahead," said Victor Anichebe.

Goalscorer Victor Obinna added: "Maybe he noticed a few things among some of the players, maybe he saw one or two of them quarrelling among themselves.

"He knows what he wants, he knows his players and really tries to bring the best out of them."

Village gets gold for going green

The United States awarded the Beijing Olympic Village with its own gold medal, lauding its environmentally friendly design and holding it up as a model for energy efficiency in China.

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson presented the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Award to Chen Zhili, Mayor of the Olympic Village and Vice-Chairwoman of China's National People's Congress.

"China's leaders know that the development of green buildings is a critical need, and the Olympic Village can serve as a model for this development," Paulson said.

Playboy covergirl focuses on hockey

German hockey player Katharina Scholz fears news of her being a Playboy covergirl might overshadow her Olympic campaign.

Scholz and three other German Olympic sportswomen will appear on the cover of the German edition, adding their names to the list of athletes baring all for cash or a cause.

"I think now I have to play hockey and later talk about things like that. I think it is a good opportunity but now it's not important for me for ," Scholz said.

"The most important thing for me is playing hockey. And because I am playing hockey, I got the opportunity to go on Playboy and I did it. Otherwise I wouldn't. I have no plans on a career in modelling."

Macau to compete at 2012 Games

The tiny former Portuguese colony of Macau, which did not send any athletes to compete at the Beijing Olympics, hopes to be able to get a team together for the London Games in 2012, a government official said.

Macau, which returned to Chinese rule in 1999, is not even a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Nearby Hong Kong, returned to China by the British in 1997, has by contrast sent athletes to compete at four events at the Games - rowing, sailing, table tennis and equestrian.