Sushil to be India`s flag-bearer at Olympics:
- The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 15th July, announced that wrestler Sushil Kumar, a bronze medallist at the Beijing Games, will be the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent at the upcoming London Olympics. The names of top boxer Vijender Singh, tennis legend Leander Paes and ace shooter Abhinav Bindra were also doing the rounds for the honour. Vijender, Sushil and Bindra had all returned with medals from the last edition of the Games in Beijing in 2008. IOA acting president V.K. Malhotra announced that Sushil will be India`s flag-bearer.mBindra was reportedly the preferred candidate of the IOA but since his 10m air rifle event is scheduled three days after the opening ceremony on July 30, the shooter wanted to focus on his preparations. Similarly, Vijender`s weigh-in is scheduled for July 28 so it was tough for him to do the honours. Paes had led the contingent in 2000 Sydney Games and IOA decided Sushil should do the honours this time.
- Indo-Pak cricket ties breakthrough, BCCI agrees to ODI series: Indo-Pak cricketing ties are set for revival with the BCCI today (16th July) agreeing to a three-match ODI series between the two arch-rivals, who have not played each other in a bilateral series for close to five years. The decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan was taken by the Board`s powerful Working Committee, which met here today, much to the delight of cricket fans on both sides of the border.
- Sharad Pawar`s resign as the president of the International Cricket Council ended on 28 june as New Zealander Alan Isaac took charge from him for a two-year term at the ICC Annual Conference in kaulalampur.The 60-year-old Isaac, a former New Zealand Cricket chief, became the eighth president of the ICC, while former South Africa wicket-keeper David Richardson was confirmed as the new chief executive of the world body, taking over from countryman Haroon Lorgat.
- Spain won European football chapionship 2012 by beating Italy 4-0 in the final, at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on 1 July 2012. Spain which had earlier defeated Germany 1-0 in 2008 Euro Cup not only defended the title but also created a record by becoming the first team to claim two consecutive titles in tournament`s 52-year long history. Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta of Spain was declared the man of the match given his match winning performance, while Fernando Torres was given the Golden Boot as he scored three goals in the Spain`s title winning campaign.
- Swiss tennis player Roger Federer beat British player Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to win the Wimbledon Open Championship 2012 in London on 8 July 2012. Federer, with this victory also reclaimed the world No. 1 rank. The Wimbledon Open marked 17th career Grand Slam for Federer, who had earlier claimed six Wimbeldon titles from 2003 to 2007 and again in 2009. Only William Renshaw`s and Pete Sampras have got the distinction of winning the coveted Wimbledon singles title on seven occasions.Serena Williams of US beat Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland to claim Ladies` singles title. The mixed pair of Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond defeated Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina to win the mixed doubled final. The men`s doubles final was won by Jonathan Marray and Frederick Nielson who defeated Robert Lindstedt. In Ladies` Doubles final the pair of Serena Williams and Venus Williams emerged victorious as they defeated Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.Wimbledon, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting events in the world, has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. Played on a grass court, Wimbledon is one of the four major grand slam tournaments in the world.