WEIGHTLIFTING: The official who made public a weightlifting scandal has been axed as a coach on the Australian team less than a month before the London Olympics. Mike Keelan, who was chosen to mentor lifters Damon Kelly and Seen Lee in London, was told by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) that his services were no longer required. Keelan levelled allegations earlier this month that lifter Daniel Koum had threatened to sabotage Australia’s Olympic chances unless he was paid $5000.

RUGBY UNION: Andy Farrell has rejoined England’s coaching staff following his departure from Saracens. Farrell had been a key part of Stuart Lancaster’s interim back-room staff during a successful Six Nations campaign which saw England finish second to Wales. Farrell had initially decided to remain with Saracens following his work with England before changing his mind at the end of the season.

CRICKET: Cricket’s world body inaugurated a new chief executive and president yesterday and announced a new post of chairman in a small step towards reform after the sport was urged to modernise. Former South African keeper David Richardson succeeded Haroon Lorgat as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chief executive, after his compatriot’s four-year term ended, and New Zealander Alan Isaac became the body’s new president.

ATHLETICS: Kenyan police yesterday quizzed world 3,000 steeplechase champion and London Olympic hopeful Ezekiel Kemboi after a reported car jacking in which a woman was stabbed. Police said that Kemboi had told them his car was stopped by two men late Wednesday in his hometown of Eldoret, some 315 kilometres (195 miles) west of the Kenyan capital, before they launched a bungled assault.