China :: Sports Extra

Watch Video Play Video The penultimate day of action from the World Aquatic Championships. Day 15, providing another opportunity for American swimming star Michael Phelps to be golden. Fourteen-time Olympic Champion Michael Phelps has had a mixed meet by his own very high standards, twice finishing second behind teammate Ryan Lochte. But the American retained his 100 metre butterfly title for his third gold in Shanghai. After turning in third place, Phelps finished strongly to beat Poland's Konrad Czerniak into silver, with his United States teammate Tyler McGill taking bronze. He now has three golds, two silvers and a bronze, with one more event to go, Sunday's 4x100 metre medley relay. Cielo wins men's 50m freestyle There was controversy after the next race, the men's 50-metre freestyle, where Brazil's Cesar Cielo retained the title he won two years ago. Luca Dotto of Italy was second, with France's Alain Bernard third, behind Cielo, who had been cleared...

Watch Video Play Video As the host country of the 2014 soccer World cup, Brazil is busy preparing for the big event. However, there are challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure, especially the Maracana stadium. Despite the hype created by FIFA holding the 2014 preliminary World Cup Draw in the city there are major concerns, even by FIFA's Jerome Valcke, that Brazil is lagging way behind in its preparations, particularly in terms of Infrastructure. However Mayor Eduardo Paes is happy with progress. Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio De Janeiro, said, "We have two challenges for the World Cup in Rio which is Maracana, it's a State responsibility, the governor was just here. Things are going fine, the construction is moving, (this you have to ask who's responsible for it). And concerning mobility we have a big BRT that connects Barra to the airport through the suburbs of the City and its completely on schedule. It's a bit investment in the city and things are...

Watch Video Play Video China looked to make history again in the pool at the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai. The home side faced Greece for the gold medal showdown in women's water polo. The Greeks in the blue caps scored the opening goal only one minute into the match. They grabbed the chance after luring China's goalie out of position, and it was 1-nil for the Europeans. It just took 3 minutes for China to answer. Liu Ping's lob tied the match at 1-all. China looked to make history again in the pool at the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai. The home side faced Greece for the gold medal showdown in women's water polo. Greece scored a flurry of goals to take a 4-2 advantage at halftime, and maintained the two-goal advantage during a high-scoring third period. China's chance to cut the deficit was stopped by the woodwork as the tension increased in Shanghai. The Chinese finally scored to make it a 1-goal game with 90 seconds to go. They...

Watch Video Play Video The USA's road to the World Cup will now no longer be navigated by Bob Bradley. The US soccer federation issuing a statement Thursday saying he has been fired as the head coach of the men's national team. There were high points for the US during his 5 year tenure. That includes an upset over Spain at the confederations Cup and Landon Donovan's heart-stopping goal to secure a place in the round of 16 at last year's World Cup. But with highs there also lows, and to some that point came during a disappointing Gold Cup loss to Mexico. It was a match the US lost 4-2 after leading 2-nil. And with a rematch against Mexico on August 10th, U.S. Soccer likely will move quickly to select a replacement. The federation will have a " further announcement" Friday but did not provide details. Bradley's dismissal comes nearly a year after he was given a contract extension to continue coaching the team through 2014. Related stories U.S. coach Br...

Watch Video Play Video Medals differ in appearance at each Olympic Games. Now, delegates are unveiling medals for the 2012 London Olympics. More than 3 and a half million tickets for the 2012 games have been sold so far. A quarter of a million people have also applied for 70,000 volunteer positions. London won the bid for the games in 2005. It will be the first city to host the Olympics three times, after previously doing so in 1948 and 1908. Over 15,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with some 10,000 team officials and 20,000 accredited media workers also expected. Medals differ in appearance at each Olympic Games. Now, delegates are unveiling medals for the 2012 London Olympics. Related stories London unveils Olympic medals 2011-07-28 "Batman Live" unveiled in London 2011-06-17 2012 Olympic Games torch unveiled in London 2011-06-09 Editor: Zhang Dan | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video A number of future Olympians are competing at the World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai and CCTV reporter caught up with British swimmer Liam Tancock, for his thoughts as the London Olympics draw ever nearer. GB athletes get ready for London 2012 We are now, just one year away form the 2012 London Olympics taking center stage in the sporting world, where British athletes will be under greater pressure than ever to perform. Full story >> Athletes prepares for 2012 Paralympics Along with the Olympic Games, organizers in Londonare busypreparing for the Paralympic Games.As we continue our look at work in London as the one year countdown to London 2012 is upon us, CCTV reporter turns the spotlight today, on the British Paralympians who are ready to shine on their biggest stage. Full story >> Paralympic gold medal winning swimmer Liz Johnson are preparing for the Paralympic Games. Ben Rushmore is preparing for the Paralympic Games. Related stories W...

Watch Video Play Video The 2012 Summer Olympics are now just over 12 months away. London organizers are busy trying to make sure the city benefits from the Games after the flame is extinguished The five rings of Olympic excellence, hanging over the platform at Londons St. Pancras Station. The location is symbolic. This is the gateway to Europe, with passengers arriving here on the rail link to France. A bold declaration that London is the proud host of the 2012 Games. Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Organising Committee Sebastian Coe (pictured) says the challenge has been to make London capable of holding 26 world championships in different sports simultaneously over a two-week period And brisk business at the Olympic merchandising store. Travelers and tourists keen to get their hands on a souvenir twelve months before the big event even begins. But elsewhere signs of the impending Games are hard to find. Here at the center of Piccadilly Circus, there is nothing on the famous...

Watch Video Play Video To cycling now and the 16th stage of the Tour de France began under glorious sunshine. But rain clouds loomed ominously over the foothills of the 162.5-kilometre stage. Following several failed attempts, a group of ten riders - including Thor Hushovd managed to pull clear of the peloton after 100 kilometres. Most of the day's stage was uphill, but there was only one categorised climb - which came towards the end of the course. Mikhail Ignatyev attacked the lead group at the start of the climb and was soon joined by Ryder Hesjedal. Not wanting to miss out on the chance of a stage win, Norwegian Hushovd and his compatriot Edvald Boasson Hagen also made an effort to bridge the gap. But the real drama was unfolding back in the main group -- where Alberto Contador made a surprise attack. Hesjedal eventually dropped Ignatyev before the summit, while Samuel Sanchez joined Contador's group, bringing the top six riders in the overall standing together. Howev...

Watch Video Play Video English diving star Tom Daley is preparing himself for the World Championships. The 17-year-old made his name by winning the 10 meter platform gold in Rome two years ago. He wants to steal the show and put an end to China's recent dominance by defending his title. But the Brit will face a stiff challenge from his Chinese counterparts. Daley's coach says the diver has matured, and adds Daley will display some new routines in Shanghai, which could help him retain his crown. English diving star Tom Daley English diving star Tom Daley Editor: Li Wanran | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Organizers of the 2011 South Korean Grand Prix say this year's race in October will be a much improved one after learning lessons from last year's inaugural event. Issues with the track, accommodation and facilities have all been addressed. With 100 days to go before the 2011 Korean Grand Prix a two day festival showcased the developments completed in the last nine months. Organizers have vowed that when millions of viewers around the world tune into coverage of the 16th Grand Prix of the season they will be overwhelmed with what they see. Park Joon-young, Chairman of F1 S. Korea GP org., said, "Approximately 600 million people from around 180 countries watched this event last year, which was held here. It attracted 45 percent of the viewing audience in Europe." Last year's inaugural Korean Grand Prix suffered from poor preparation which resulted in traffic jams, inadequate accommodation and incomplete construction. Ferrari's Ferna...

Watch Video Play Video Chinese basketball superstar, Yao Ming, will announce his decision on his playing future in Shanghai on July 20th. NBA sources hint the iconic player is on the verge of retirement. Ankle injuries are believed to have led to his impending retirement. The Houston Rockets center declined to comment and the NBA has still not received official retirement paperwork from Yao. An eight-time All-Star veteran, Yao has played nine seasons with an average of 19 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. His injuries limited him to only five games last season. Chinese basketball superstar, Yao Ming, will announce his decision on his playing future in Shanghai on July 20th. Chinese basketball superstar, Yao Ming, will announce his decision on his playing future in Shanghai on July 20th. Ankle injuries are believed to have led toYao's impending retirement. The Houston Rockets center declined to comment and the NBA has still not received official retirement paperwork from him...

Watch Video Play Video The Los Angeles Angels were looking to complete a three-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers in Anaheim on Wednesday while the Detroit Tigers were hoping to break out of an offensive slump. In the top of the seventh inning Los Angeles held a 3-2 lead, but the Tigers drew level thanks to an RBI single from Andy Dirks off Angels relief pitcher Hisanori Takahashi. Michael Kohn replaced Takahashi on the mound, but Miguel Cabrera smashed his third pitch over left-field for a two-run homer and a 5-3 Tigers lead. That was Cabrera's 18th homer of the season. Mark Trumbo pulled back a run for the Angels with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh which proved to be Penny's last pitch of the game. It was only the second hit Penny had conceded since the first inning. With Detroit still 5-4 up going into the ninth, Jose Valverde came in to close out the game despite having allowed three earned runs in his last four innings. The result leaves both teams on 4...

Watch Video Play Video South Korea, which hosted the 1988 Summer Games, has never held a Winter Olympics. Pyeongchang failed twice before to deliver. Pyeongchang's slogan, "New Horizons", made the most of the fact that South Korea has never hosted a Winter Olympics and that the Games had only been to Asia twice before -- both in neighboring Japan. Pyeongchang fell short in successive bids for the 2010 and 2014 competitions. It was narrowly beaten by Vancouver, Canada, for the right to stage the 2010 Games, and by the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi for the 2014 Olympics. Despite Pyeongchang's losses in previous bids, the region has long been preparing itself to become a Winter Olympic site. It opened a 1.4 billion US dollar winter resort, built a range of venues and facilities, and plans to have a high-speed rail link up-and-running in time for the Games, that can whisk visitors from Seoul's airport to the Pyeongchang slopes in 68 minutes. A ski jump tower...

Watch Video Play Video The Milwaukee Brewers played host to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Brew Crew sat just a game back of St. Louis for the lead in the NL Central and hoped its strong play at Miller Park could narrow that gap. From lovely Miller Park in central-city Milwaukee USA. Bottom of the 4th and the Brewers up 2-1, Shaun Marcum goes yard, with the bases loaded. He's the first pitcher in nearly 42 years to hit a grand slam. Brewers with a commanding 6-1 lead. The D-backs would chip away, scoring a run in every inning after the fourth. Juan Miranda tied it with an RBI double, but he got thrown out at third trying to stretch the two-bagger into a triple. Arizona tied the game at 6. Top of the 9th and Arizona keeps coming, Chris Young comes through with an RBI single. The Snakes score 6 unanswered runs to take a 7-6 lead. They were not done, Miguel Montero drives in another run. Arizona went up 8-6 and held on for the comeback victory in Milwaukee. Mariners edge A's ...

The football tournament finally heated up with two opening matches in Group C. Chile took on Mexico, and Uruguay faced Peru. Chile went into its match as hot favourites, but Mexico took a surprise first half lead. Chile equalised midway through the second half. Pablo Contreras saw his shot knocked away, but substitute Esteban Paredes slid in to score on the rebound. And Chile went in front seven minutes later. Arturo Vidal drilled a header which gave Luis Michel no chance in the Mexican goal. Mexico almost leveled late, substitute Edgar Pacheco had a chance, but his first touch didn't connect, and his second was blocked. So Chile holds on to win 2-1 and go to the top of Group C. Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Peru In the other match, Peru was ready to make some noise against 2010 World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay. And the Peruvians made the most of this opportunity, Jose Paolo Guerrero latched onto a long ball. He went on a downfield run that didn't end until he reached the g...

Watch Video Play Video The New York Mets looked for a breakthrough in their interleague series against the cross-town Yankees. But they'd wait through a rain delay before getting a chance to claim a hard fought win versus the Bronx Bombers on Sunday. The Mets had a man on second and Daniel Murphy at the plate, he hit the ball past Alex Rodriguez at third. Brett Gardner tried to make a play to stop Carlos Beltran at the plate. Gardner's throw was not-in-time. Beltran opens the scoring for the home team. Their American League-leading rivals struck back in the fifth. Robinson Cano was on second, and Nick Swisher hit the ball up the middle. Cano came around to score. The Yanks and Mets were tied at one and they'd stay even all the way through the seventh. Now, the Yankees threatening in the eighth with nobody out. Curtis Granderson hit a pitch from Jason Isringhausen to right. Beltran easily made the catch but Gardner tagged up from third to score the go-ahead run. But th...

Watch Video Play Video Now for a little bit of "extreme" history. Frenchman Taig Khris has set a new world record after executing a 29 meters long jump on roller-skates. Three times world champion, 35 year old Taig Khris, jumped in front of Paris' icon monument, the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Thousands of people gathered to see Khris roll down a launch pad and leap the 29 meters, beating the previous world record of 24 meters. Khris, landing on a giant airbag at the bottom of the picturesque Montmartre hill. Khris, pushed by an enthusiast crowd, even performed a front flip later. He previously set a world record in 2010 for highest jump, by leaping off the first floor of the Eiffel tower. Editor: Liu Fang | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Real-estate company Wanda Group signed a cooperation contract with the Chinese Football Association Sunday to invest 500 million yuan to support Chinese football. According to the contract, the investment will be mostly used on training young football talents. Currently, there are about 10-thousand registered youth football players in China. Wanda Group, based in the northern city of Dalian, was founded as a football club in 1994. The club once dominated the league, winning three successive league championships. However Wang Jianlin, CEO of Wanda Football Club, decided to exit from the football world in 1998. His company then developed well in the real-estate industry. He said the investment was to support Chinese football and there wasn't any business interests involved. Editor: Shi Jierui | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Czech tennis star, Petra Kvitova has clinched her first Wimbledon singles title. She defeated Russian Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. The 21-year-old is only the third left hander to win the women's title after Anne Jones and Martina Navra-til-ova. Appearing in her first grand slam final, Kvitova dropped her serve in a nervous opening game. But she stormed back immediately, maintaining a barrage of powerful, attacking groundstrokes to win the set. Sharapova, who won the title as a 17-year-old in 2004, served raggedly but had no answers to her rival. Serb Novak Djokovic will play Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the men's final on Sunday. Related stories Sharapova, Kvitova into Wimbledon final 2011-07-01 Li Na wins Wimbledon 2nd round 2011-06-22 Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: CNTV.CN

Watch Video Play Video Novak Djokovic reached his first Wimbledon final on Friday. The Serbian also claimed the world No. 1 ranking by defeating French man Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a match marked by some unusual acrobatics from both players. Richard Bestic, Wimbledon, said, "And welcome to Wimbledon, where its the age of the great beasts of tennis. Where Rafa Nadal has continued his procession to the finals, overpowering the local hero Andy Murray in four sets. And Where the Serb Novak Djokavic word down some French Resistance over three hours and seven minutes in some tennis of rare excellence. Lets take a look at the action." It was a game punctuated with some wonderful points involving magnicient diving athleticism. The Serb struggled to subdue continual combebacks from the Frenchmen Jo Wilfried Tsonga, the quarter final conqueor of Roger Federer. Related stories Djokovic becomes world No.1 after reaching Wimbledon final 2011-07-02 Nadal sets up final clash with Djoko...