Usain Bolt fears ‘belly’ after retirement, but rules out U-turn

Usain Bolt said that he does not want to continue running as he hates losing. (Source: Reuters)

Usain Bolt’s coaches __have joked that he will develop “a belly” within two years of retirement, but he says he has no doubts about hanging up his running spikes.

Bolt, 30, will retire after the World Championships in London in August after a sensational career in which he has amassed eight Olympic gold medals, 11 world titles and three world records.

“Everybody wants me to continue, but it’s not as simple as it is. I’ve done what I wanted to do. I’ve done great in the sport,” Bolt told the BBC in a television interview to be broadcast on Saturday.

“People just want to see more and more, but you as a person __have to decide that this is it. I don’t want to continue and then start losing, because I hate losing.”

Though famously fond of the high life, Bolt says he does not intend to lose control of his waistline once he stops competing.

“I have a bet with my managers. They’ve given me two years before I get a belly,” he said with a chuckle.

“I can’t let that happen.”

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Lionel Messi appeals four-match World Cup ban at FIFA

Lionel Messi Messi already served one match of the ban imposed when the FIFA disciplinary committee gave its ruling hours before Argentina’s 2-0 loss in Bolivia in March. (Source: Reuters)

Lionel Messi’s appeal against a four-match ban in World Cup qualifying for insulting a referee’s assistant is being heard by FIFA.

Messi, who is testifying by video, is not expected to get an immediate verdict.

The FIFA appeals panel typically gives a detailed verdict within weeks in non-urgent cases. Argentina’s next World Cup qualifier is at Uruguay on Aug. 31.

Messi already served one match of the ban imposed when the FIFA disciplinary committee gave its ruling hours before Argentina’s 2-0 loss in Bolivia in March.

FIFA was able to ban Messi after match officials did not report the Argentina captain for verbally abusing a linesman late in a 1-0 win over Chile on March 23.

FIFA rules require “at least four matches for unsporting conduct toward a match official.”

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Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid want India’s participation in Champions Trophy

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid voiced their support for India’s participation in Champions Trophy.

Former Indian players Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid __have expressed their views that India should play the upcoming Champions Trophy in England.

As per cricinfo almost a dozen former cricketers including Tendulkar and Dravid __have voiced their support for team India to participate in the Champions Trophy. This was after cricinfo ran a poll asking whether India should play in the tournament or not. While Sachin and Dravid ticked yes for the poll, other cricketers who stated the same opinion (by clicking yes) are Zaheer Khan, Gundappa Viswanath, Sandeep Patil, Sanjay Manjrekar, Aakash Chopra, Ajit Agarkar, Venkatesh Prasad, Saba Karim, Murali Kartik, and Deep Dasgupta.

However, the issue of India’s participation is still looming in doubt as the BCCI is divided over the issue. One faction is strongly in favour of revoking the Members Participation Agreement with the ICC, which would rule India out of hosting and participating in all ICC tournaments until 2023.

Meanwhile, as per latest reports the Committee of Administrators (COA) has directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to announce Indian team for Champion Trophy immediately. This warning comes ahead of the Special General Meeting (SGM) on May 7 of the BCCI as the COA has reportedly issued this warning to not take any decision that may be “against interests of Indian cricket”.

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Classy Katie Taylor stops Nina Meinke in Wembley to win first pro title

Katie Taylor has won her first title of her pro career (Picture: Getty)

Katie Taylor won her first title in front of a Wembley crowd by stopping Nina Meinke in the seventh round.

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The Olympic gold medalist can now add the WBA Intercontinental lightweight title to her amateur trophy collections.

It was a classy performance from the unbeaten Taylor, who never relinquished her grip on proceedings.

Taylor began throwing off some quick combinations in round one and two as she circled Meinke.

Taylor was in control against Nina Meinke (Picture: Getty)

The third began with some punishing body shots before a left hook to the temple of Meinke, but the German escaped the initial flurry.

Taylor continued to wear the German down in the fifth and Meinke’s defensive work just dropped a level or two as a result.

The Irishwoman worked the body and moved up the head quickly before a clash of heads in the fifth seemed to open up a cut above Meinke’s eye.

Meinke’s face was swollen after a clash of heads (Picture: Getty)

Taylor was now landing left hooks and body shots almost at will and when she unleashed a lengthy hook combination on Meinke’s face in the seventh, the referee stepped in.

Meinke’s vision was impaired if only slightly and Taylor peeled off in celebration with the seventh round stoppage.

Taylor’s promoter Eddie Hearn said after the fight that America was the next stop for the rising star.

‘I’m always a bit critical and I thought it was a bit scrappy at times,’ said Taylor.

Taylor celebrates winning the WBA title (Picture: Getty)

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‘I was expecting a tough fight, but I’m absolutely delighted. These are the moments I dream of.

‘This weight is perfect for me, I feel very strong and good at this weight.

‘I think I’m ready right now to box for a world title, but we leave that to the likes of Eddie and I’ll just keep focusing on my job. The best is yet to come – I didn’t perform to my best tonight but the most important thing is I won.’

Arsenal and Manchester City lead race for Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk has been out of action since January with a foot injury (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are at the head of the queue along with Manchester City to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the Star on Sunday.

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The Netherlands international has been a revelation on the south coast since his move from Celtic in August 2015.

Despite having been out of action since January with a foot injury, the 25-year-old is one of the most coveted players in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola is searching for a long-term Vincent Kompany successor (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger has recently switched to a three-man defence (Picture: Getty)

Van Dijk signed a five-year contract when he moved to Southampton for £13 million, and the Saints are hoping to make nearly three times that amount should they end up selling one of their prize assets in the summer.

The Gunners, who recently switched formations and are utilising a three-man defence, are said to be leading therace but Manchester City are also strong contenders.

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Pep Guardiola is eyeing up a long-term replacement for skipper Vincent Kompany and views Van Dijk as the perfect man to partner John Stones.