Belarusians Vadim Devyatovskiy and Ivan Tsikhan Investigated for Doping

The silver and bronze medalists in the men's hammer throw at the Beijing Olympics are being investigated for doping offenses by International Olympic Committee.

Belarusians Vadim Devyatovskiy and Ivan Tsikhan tested positive for traces of testosterone after the hammer final on Aug. 17, the Russian news agency Allsport said yesterday.

An IOC disciplinary commission will meet at the end of the month to hear the case, IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau told the Associated Press in an e-mail message.

The Belarus Athletics Federation said it had received no documents or confirmation of any positive tests by its athletes.

"How can we comment on what we do not have?" spokeswoman Anastasiya Marinina told the AP in a telephone interview. "Devyatovskiy and Tsikhan deny all the accusations. Every person can have different level of testosterone in his body."

If the two are found guilty of doping, they would be disqualified and stripped of their medals.

Devyatovskiy's silver would go to Krisztian Pars of Hungary, while Tsikhan's bronze would go to Koji Murofushi of Japan. Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won the gold medal.

News Courtsey: Washingtonpost.com

Shoiab Akhtar Surrey Interest Spoiled At Heathrow Airport

It seems that lady luck is not on the side of Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. The controversial fast bowler, who flew to London on Wednesday to play county cricket, was told by the authorities at the Heathrow Airport that a working visa was needed to play professional cricket in England and his tourist visa was not sufficient. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board had given Akhtar a No Objection Certificate (NOC), clearing the way for him to play in Surrey’s last three County Championship matches, the visa problems mean that the plan has been put on hold. Akhtar, who arrived back home on Thursday, is likely to complete his documents in two days and fly to London on Sunday or Monday.

Surrey look set for relegation from Division One as they are bottom of the County Championship table with 18 points with three matches to go. They recruited Akhtar for their last three matches. Akhtar is very disappointed after the incident. He was scheduled to play his first match for Surrey against Kent in Canterbury. “I was eagerly looking forward to play for Surrey and will now try again to go to London if the required documents are complete,” he told reporters on Thursday.

On Friday 09/05/08...

NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards will be on to talk about the race this weekend. Also, Adam from Three Days Grace and Brent Harris from Comcast SportsNet. Plus, more Metallica tickets!

Brad Meltzer on EITM!

Best-selling author, Brad Meltzer appeared in-studio with Elliot and The Class this morning. He's out to promote his new novel, The Book of Lies, which threads together the biblical story of Cain and Abel with the actual details of Superman creator Jerry Siegel's life.

In a subtle nod to Elliot for always supporting him when no one else would have him on their show, Brad put in a cryptic mention of Elliot In The Morning on page 286 of the book. (Read the rough excerpt below)...

"No one told you we were coming did they? Oh, I bet you spoke to Elliot...in the morning was it? It was definitely early I say...That's Elliot, she says. He's kind of...she forces a laugh, he kind of flounders with the details."

Also, Brad has started a campaign to save the house where Superman was born, for information on the project visit OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com.

Brad's interview with is available here (Part 1) and here (Part 2).

French Mid-Fielder Franck Ribéry Back in Training At Bayern Munich

French midfielder Franck Ribéry took part in full training with Bayern Munich on Thursday for the first time since his Euro 2008 ankle injury and expects to play again by the end of September.

Having torn ankle ligaments in June, Ribery, 25, trained with his team-mates under new Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann in Munich watched by more than a thousand fans.

"He is working day after day with more energy, Franck is getting more and more confidence," said Klinsmann.

The Bayern boss expects Ribery to return for the German giants on September 27 for the Bundesliga match against Hanover.

The Frenchman damaged his ankle playing for his country in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy on Tuesday June 17 during the Euro 2008 group stages and underwent surgery two days later.

Manager Alan Curbishley Quits West Ham United

Alan Curbishley's turbulent spell as West Ham manager came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when he quit, saying the club had sold players against his wishes.

Curbishley saved the east London club from relegation in the 2006-07 season but has had a lean time since. He becomes the first English Premier League manager to leave his job this season after the Hammers sold defender George McCartney to Sunderland.

Before the sacking, West Ham released a statement justifying the sale of McCartney and Anton Ferdinand.

But Curbishley responded with a televised interview in which he said McCartney had been sold to Sunderland despite him telling chief executive Scott Duxbury that he needed the full-back to cover injuries.

"It was the transfer of George McCartney which I was vehemently against," Curbishley said.

"Not just because he is such a good player — I happen to think he's one of the best full-backs in the Premier League — but the situation we found ourselves in with injuries to other players."

A club statement said: "We can confrim that we have accepted Alan Curbishley's resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties. We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager."

West Ham put reserve team coach Kevin Keen in charge but Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is tipped for the permanent job.

News Courtsey: AP

No Fun For Lukas Podolski in Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has admitted it was a mistake to move to the Bundesliga champions two years ago.

The Germany international joined Bayern from Cologne in 2006.

Podolski has not managed to hold down a regular starting berth in the Bayern first team over the past two years and, despite impressing in pre-season, does not seem set to do so this season either.

"Obviously, it is not so much fun at Bayern right now," he said.

"If things go on like this then I will have to consider my options.

"I would be a bad footballer if I were to be happy with a place on the bench. I am not moaning, I am just angry not to be starting games."

Podolski's affection for Cologne remains strong, though, and should they be able to accumulate enough funds to buy him in January, the Germany striker would not think twice.

"Cologne would always be an option for me and everybody knows that," he added.

"If I were to receive offers, it would be negligent of me not to consider them.

Bayern's next game is against Cologne and, should Podolski score, he has promised not to celebrate - like when he scored against Poland, his family's home country, at Euro 2008.

News Courtsey: Sportinglife.com