Pete Dunham

How Far Could Usain Bolt Jump?

Usain Bolt is currently the fastest sprinter in the world. His two world records in last year’s athletics world championships were astonishing even for his standards, but what next? Bolt has often talked about reverting to competing in his original event of the 400 metres, and has already competed in a 400 metre race this year. If he focuses his training sufficiently, he may be able to top Michael Johnson’s 400 metre world record (43.18 seconds), which has stood for 11 years. Bolt has also told his coach that he would love to try his hand at the long jump and thinks that he would be very good at it... read more

June 26, 2012

Alexandre Pato has signalled his intention to remain at AC Milan until the expiry of his contract in 2014.

Pato, 22, arrived at Milan from Internacional in 2007 and, though he has shown himself to be a player of genuine class, he has struggled with injuries and there has been speculation he could move on.

Paris Saint-Germain have expressed an interest in signing the Brazil international, and a deal was said to have been close to completion in January, but the forward is determined to spend the next two years with the Rossoneri... read more

June 1, 2012

Jose Mourinho feels that Brendan Rodgers' appointment as Liverpool manager is a fitting reward for the "amazing" work he did while in charge of Swansea this season.

Rodgers, who is expected to be confirmed as the new Liverpool boss on Friday, was a part of Mourinho's backroom staff when he was in the Chelsea hotseat.

The Northern Irishman was tipped for an exciting career at an early stage, and now it seems he is set to take a significant leap forward, having impressively led Swansea out of the Championship and secured their Premier League safety - all the while playing attractive, possession-based football... read more

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has stated his ambition to rebuild the squad for a Premier League title challenge after becoming the 18th manager in the club's history.

Rodgers was unveiled at Anfield on Friday, after Liverpool reached agreement with former club Swansea City over compensation, and immediately laid out his intention to uphold the traditions of the club and rebuild the squad to make it capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

"This is a long-term job," Rodgers said. "I want to defend the principles of this football club, which is attacking football with tactical discipline... read more

Italy and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to kill anyone who racially abuses him during next month's Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Balotelli said he had bananas thrown at him in a Rome bar before the European Under-21 Championships in June 2009 and if it happened again, "I will go to jail, because I will kill them," The Guardian reported Wednesday.

The 21-year-old also said he would walk off the field if he received racial abuse during a game... read more

The hire would vault the Northern Irishman from relative obscurity to one of the toughest jobs in soccer, with his current club Swansea claiming a deal was expected to be finalized on Thursday.

Following talks with Liverpool's American owners -- Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox -- Rodgers told Swansea on Wednesday he has been offered the job as Kenny Dalglish's replacement at Anfield and was ready to accept.

"We are trying to finalize within the next 24 hours," Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins... read more

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland -- Fernando Torres scored as Spain eased to a 4-1 victory over South Korea on Wednesday for a second straight friendly victory for the defending champions ahead of the European Championship.

Torres connected on a header in the 11th minute with his back to the goal, the Chelsea striker's first goal for Spain in nearly one year.

Kim Do-heon unleashed a rising shot to tie it before halftime, but Spain went ahead quickly after the restart because of a pair of South Korea handballs. Xabi Alonso converted a 52nd-minute penalty kick before Santi Cazorla stroked home a free kick... read more

May 29, 2012

Former Real Madrid striker Raul believes that the two-horse race at the summit of La Liga is not a reflection on the quality of the league, rather a demonstration Real and Barcelona's abilities.

Whilst many accuse La Liga of being a league which lacks competitiveness, due to the duo's dominance at the top, Raul believes that they would be similarly impressive in any league, including the Premier League.

Real Madrid finished nine points clear of rivals Barcelona, with third placed Valencia a further 30 points behind.

"The problem lies not in the league," Raul told Doha Stadium Plus... read more

May 29, 2012

By ESPN staff

Moussa Dembele is backing Belgian compatriot Eden Hazard to shine in the Premier League after the Lille playmaker confirmed he will be joining Chelsea.

Hazard, 21, had been linked with a number of Europe's top sides after impressing for Lille in recent seasons, helping the club claim a league and cup double in 2011.

After intense speculation over his future, with Manchester United and City reported as potential suitors, Hazard revealed on Monday he will be signing for Chelsea this summer.

Dembele, who plies his trade for Fulham, predicts that his fellow Belgian will prove a success in England's top flight, despite his relatively diminutive size... read more

May 29, 2012

Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can be the "joker in the pack" for England at this summer's Euro 2012 tournament.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, was a surprise selection in Roy Hodgson's squad for next month's competition in Poland and Ukraine. Sagna insists Oxlade-Chamberlain, who signed for the Gunners from Southampton last year, can have a dramatic impact on England's campaign.

"Alex Chamberlain came from a smaller team and I didn't know him that well but he has been amazing," Sagna told The Sun. "He plays the game his way and he can be the joker in the pack for England... read more

May 29, 2012

Joe Cole is keen to restore his reputation at Anfield by making a return to Liverpool next season following a loan spell at Lille.

Cole played himself back into form at the French club during the 2011-12 campaign, making 20 league starts as Lille finished third in the table. That was a welcome boost after his first year with Liverpool did not go to plan: he was nowhere near his best, and marginalised following the appointment of Kenny Dalglish.

Lille are keen to keep him at the club, especially if Eden Hazard makes his expected exit over the coming weeks, but there is a chance Cole could be back in the first-team picture at Liverpool when they appoint a successor to Dalglish... read more

ESPN staff

Midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and defender Mapou Yanga Mbiwa have been dropped by the France coach, Laurent Blanc, who has named his 23-man Euro 2012 squad.

Gourcuff, 25, the Olympique Lyon playmaker, has had an inconsistent domestic season and struggled to convince in the 3-2 friendly win against Iceland - in which France fell 2-0 behind - on Sunday.

read more

Manchester United are closing in on the €15 million signing of Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, according to reports in Germany.

Kagawa, 23, has been linked with United for some time and it appears the deal may be close to coming to fruition, with Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc stating "some details are still to be confirmed".

Kicker suggests that the two sides are close to agreeing an initial €15 million fee, potentially rising to €22 million with add-ons.

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