Banned jumper bitter

The Greek triple jumper expelled from the Olympics for sending a racist tweet about African immigrants and the West Nile virus is speaking out against the decision to ban her from competition in London.
Voula Papachristou was left in Athens by the Hellenic Olympic Committee after sending a tweet that read, "with so many Africans in Greece at least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat homemade food." Her comment generated a minor uproar in Greece, then became an international story when Greek officials decided to kick her off the Olympic team.
The triple jumper issued a wide-ranging apology after the ruling was announced.
"I am thankful to my coach and family and so many other people who have stuck by me.... After so many years of hurt and sacrifices to try and get to my first Olympics I am very bitter and upset. But what has upset me the most is the excessive reaction and speed of the disciplinary decision."

Cisse sorry to miss out

Senegal striker Papiss Cisse expressed his disappointment on Friday at having to give up on his dream of winning an Olympic medal.
The 27-year-old was wanted by his country as one of their overage players for the football tournament, which they kicked off with a 1-1 draw against hosts Great Britain at Old Trafford last night.
But Newcastle, who already lost the striker to the African Nations Cup in January, persuaded him not to go.
Cisse told the Evening Chronicle: "It was difficult. I wanted to play, but I had a discussion with the manager as soon as I got back.
"I wanted to play for my country, as representing Senegal is very important to me, but the manager said it was best that I rested.
"He said it was better for me, and I understood his decision.
"God willing, I will score a lot more goals this season. I scored 30 goals last season, but I don't set targets for the next season.
"Maybe I will score 30 again - I don't know."

No underwear checks

Danish footballer Nicklas Bendtner's ambush marketing stunt will not lead to a series of checks on athletes' underwear during London 2012, a senior International Olympic Committee member insisted.
In June Bendtner was fined £80,000 by European football governing body UEFA after revealing underpants bearing the name of Irish bookmaker Paddy Power during the European Championships.
Ambush marketing, where companies who haven't paid for the privilege of a sponsoring an event still try to gain free publicity on the back of a major sports tournament or match, is a problem senior IOC member Denis Oswald said Olympic officials were determined to combat.
"It won't be practical to make checks before the players take the field," Oswald said Friday ahead of the opening ceremony.
"However, the soccer player who revealed his underwear in the European Championship was penalised afterwards. That will be the same in the Olympics."