Cricket: Australia paceman Ryan Harris and opening batsman Chris Rogers have been re-warded for their performances in the two recent Ashes series by being included as two of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. They were honoured by the annual publication, often referred to as the ‘bible of cricket’, along with England batsman Joe Root, India’s Shikhar Dhawan and Charlotte Edwards (picture), the captain of the England women’s team. South Africa bowler Dale Steyn was named Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for 2013. The five Cricketers of the Year have been selected since 1889 by Wisden’s editor primarily on their performances in the previous English season.
Swimming: Decorated Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice has announced her retirement from the sport. Rice, who won three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, confirmed the news in a video on her official website. The Queenslander, 25, has been plagued by injury since the London Games, having undergone three shoulder operations in the wake of them. “London was really tough,” she said. “There were so many things that went wrong for me in that preparation and it was like I was trying so hard to make everything so perfect and everything went wrong.” Rice won the 200-metre and 400-metre individual medleys in Beijing, as well as the 4x200m freestyle. She retires as one of just seven Australians to win three golds at a single Olympic Games.
Formula One: Dan Fallows has been appointed head of aerodynamics at F1 champions Red Bull with McLaren-bound Peter Prodromou now on ‘gardening leave’, the team said yesterday. Red Bull said Fallows, who left the team last year after working as aerodynamics team leader, had returned and was starting his new job with immediate effect. McLaren announced last October they had signed Prodromou but Red Bull, constructors’ champions for the past four years, were determined to hold the much sought-after Briton to his contract. They did not say when his leave would formally end.
Wrestling: The Ultimate Warrior, one of US professional wrestling’s most celebrated names, has died at the age of 54, days after being inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc Hall of Fame, the company said yesterday. “WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said on its website. The Ultimate Warrior, whose given name was James Hellwig, began his WWE career in 1987 and rose to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history, highlighting an “epic encounter” in which he defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become a WWE champion.
Olympics: The United States Olympic Committee has not decided whether it will bid for the 2024 Summer Games but said it hopes to narrow down a list of cities capable of winning a bid within the next couple months. Interest in bringing the Olympics back to the United States is gaining momentum both at home and among IOC members. “It is a very informal process and our goal is to make a decision (on whether to proceed) by the end of the year and there haven’t been any formal deadlines or submissions,” USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun said on a conference call.