Equestrian: World equestrian chiefs have confirmed that Saudi Arabian showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas will not compete at London 2012. Saudi Arabia announced last week that female athletes would be allowed to represent the country for the first time at an Olympics. By doing so, it ended speculation that the entire Saudi team could have been disqualified from London due to discrimination. Malhas, 20, is thought to be the only Saudi female athlete of potential Olympic standard, but she has not been able to secure necessary qualification levels.
London 2012: London courts will work extended sessions during this summer’s Olympics to deal instantly with anyone committing offences linked to the Games. Courts will sit from 8.00 a.m. and will not wrap up until 7.30 p.m. to ensure they deal with defendants within 24 hours of arrest. It is hoped the move will deter protesters such as Trenton Oldfield, who is still awaiting trial after disrupting the Oxford-Cambridge boat race in a protest against elitism.
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Basketball: American basketball star Jeremy Lin (picture) is to visit Taiwan in August, his first trip to the island since a hot streak earned him a global following known as “Linsanity”. The New York Knicks point guard, whose parents are from Taiwan and whose grandmother is from China, will host a summer basketball camp in northern New Taipei City from August 27-30 attended by a group of talented teenagers. Lin is the first US-born NBA player of Taiwanese descent.
Rugby League: Super League club Bradford Bulls were given just “10 working days” to save themselves from extinction after it was announced they had entered administration. Brendan Guilfoyle and Chris White were yesterday appointed joint administrators of the Yorkshire Rugby League club after it failed to secure fresh funding to pay off crippling debts. Four-times champions Bradford, in existence for more than a hundred years, have failed in their bid to secure the £1.2 million they needed to see out the end of the season.
Cricket: India’s powerful cricket board has maintained its opposition to mandatory video technology despite backing for the system from the sport’s world chiefs meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Indian officials said their stance on the Decision Review System (DRS) was “unchanged” despite a recommendation for the technology to be compulsory in all Test matches and one-day internationals, costs allowing.