Sports Digest

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Women ski jumpers vow to fight on

OLYMPIC GAMES:A coalition of female ski jumpers vowed not to give up their bid to be included in the Olympics, despite a refusal by Canada's highest court yesterday to hear their case.

The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of lower court rulings that Canada did not have the legal power to force the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to hold both men’s and women’s ski jumping events in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

“Although we are hugely disappointed by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear us this time, we won’t give up. This is about human rights and discrimination,” said Deedee Corradini, president of Women’s Ski Jumping USA. “It’s a wrong that must be righted, she said. Ski jumping has been an Olympic sport since 1924, but is one of the few events in either the winter or summer Games that does not have competitions for both men and women.

Parks 'set to sign' for Cardiff

RUGBY:

Cardiff Blues have reached a deal to sign Scotland outhalf Dan Parks from Glasgow, according to the BBC.

The region have refused to confirm or deny that Australian-born Parks (31) will join at the start of next season.

Parks has made 101 appearances for Glasgow in six years and is five points short of becoming the first player to reach 1,000 Magners League points.

The Blues first-choice outhalf Sam Norton-Knight has struggled to make an impact since arriving in the summer.

India to host European Tour event

GOLF:India will host a new European Tour event in February, the Avantha Masters, in New Delhi worth €1.5 million. It will be the first tournament of a joint venture between the European Tour and the Asian Tour, to be known as EurAsia Golf. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the other partner in the tri-sanctioned event.

“We are delighted to be returning to New Delhi . . . for the first event in our new collaboration with the Asian Tour, under the EurAsia banner, and the PGTI,” European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said yesterday.

O’Grady added that a three-year deal had been agreed for the Avantha Masters. The European Tour paid two visits to New Delhi in February 2008, for the Indian Masters and the Johnnie Walker Classic. Both events were also tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and PGTI. The Avantha Masters will be played at the Arnold Palmer-designed DLF Golf and Country Club from February 11th-14th.

US F1 team reject Ecclestone claim

MOTOR SPORT:US F1 team principal Peter Windsor has dismissed suggestions by Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone the new marque are unlikely to be on the grid next season.

Ecclestone yesterday cast doubt on both US F1 and another newcomer in Campos making the opening race in Bahrain in mid-March. Despite Ecclestone’s concerns, Windsor said: “I’m surprised Bernie said that. We will be there. We’re in good shape. Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year.

“We’ve just finished the chassis and are now in the hands of (engine suppliers) Cosworth.” US F1 are the only team yet to announce the signing of at least one driver.

“We are trying to find the best drivers we can. There’s will be a moment when we announce the drivers at the factory, and that will be some time towards late January,” Windsor said.

Federer and Williams named ITF champions

TENNIS:Roger Federer and Serena Williams were named 2009 ITF World Champions yesterday after capturing four grand slam singles titles between them in 2009.

It is the fifth time Switzerland’s world number one Federer has won the ITF award, based on performances at grand slam events, Tour events, Davis Cup and Fed Cup.

Williams took the award for the second time despite her foul-mouthed outburst at a line judge at this year’s US Open.

Williams was fined €123,000 and put on probation for two years by the Grand Slam committee following the tirade that resulted in her receiving a point penalty and losing her semi-final against Kim Clijsters.

Federer had no such shadow hanging over his season.

“It is an honour for me to be named ITF World Champion for a fifth time,” Federer said in an ITF statement. “It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court.

To win my first Roland Garros title, break the all-time Grand Slam record and regain the number one ranking is amazing. It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top.”

GOAL Mile has  83 locations

ATHLETICS:Just when you thought the GOAL Mile couldn't get any bigger, busier or any more bedlam, the now customary Christmas morning run has expanded to a record 83 locations, writes Ian O'Riordan.

If anyone came up with an excuse not to run before, they can forget about it now.

The idea is as simple as ever: show up at your chosen location on Christmas morning, make a small (or preferably hefty) donation to GOAL, and then run, walk or crawl the mile at your leisure. Often, family or friendly rivalry takes hold and it does indeed turn into something of a race, but otherwise it’s strictly fun.

The first GOAL mile, which was the brainchild of former GOAL chairman and international athlete, Noel Carroll, took place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin in 1982. The following year it transferred to Belfield and that has been the HQ ever since, becoming an integral part of Christmas for the many families. For the full list and details of all GOAL mile locations around the country, see www.goal.ie