SPORTS DIGEST:TENNIS: The French Open could move out of Paris in the next few years because of infrastructure problems, the tournament director said yesterday. Organisers have been considering for years how to extend the Roland Garros stadium, located on the leafy western edge of the French capital.
The projects, including the construction of a roof-covered court to avoid rain delays to the springtime claycourt tournament, have stalled, however, because of opposition, notably from the public and environmentalists.
“Roland Garros cannot stay the way it is,” said Gilbert Ysern. “We have two options. One is to make it bigger, the other is to move out.”
While the various extension plans are not shelved yet, organisers are now considering four possible new locations in the Paris suburbs, all over 15 kms away from the capital.
“It would be heartbreaking to leave Paris but we have to consider it,” Ysern said.
Hayman to join Toulon
RUGBY: Former New Zealand prop Carl Hayman will leave the Newcastle Falcons to play for Toulon next season. The towering Hayman, regarded as one of the world's best tighthead props, has agreed to play for Toulon for the 2010-11 season. The 30-year-old, who has won 45 caps for the All Blacks, becomes the French club's latest big-name signing after they inked England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson to a two-year deal last year.
Russian skiing body president quits
WINTER OLYMPICS:Vladimir Loginov quit as president of the Russian cross-country skiing federation (FLGR) yesterday following the country's dismal showing at last months Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Unfortunately, our Olympic performances could not be called satisfying, therefore I have decided to resign as FLGR president, Loginov, who has headed the FLGR since 2004, said. Loginov becomes the third high-ranking sports official to quit in the wake of Russias worst ever showing in Olympic competition, where they won 15 medals but only three gold.
Leonid Tyagachyov resigned as president of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on March 3, two days after President Dmitry Medvedev ordered top sports officials to quit or be fired. Deputy Sports Minister Gennady Alyoshin offered his resignation last week.
Roche finishes excellent ninth in Tour of Catalunya
CYCLING:Irish pro Nicolas Roche finished an excellent ninth in yesterday's prologue time trial of the the Tour of Catalunya's opening stage yesterday in Spain, showing that his strong form from the recent Paris-Nice race has continued, writes Shane Stokes.
German rider Paul Voss (Team Milram) was quickest in the 3.6km test at Lloret de Mar, beating Team RadioShack riders Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden by one and two seconds respectively.
Roche finished six seconds back, and will be greatly encouraged by his showing. He was considerably quicker than his 105th place in the Paris-Nice prologue and having climbed well there, he should perform strongly in the Spanish event.
The ProTour race continues today with a hilly 182.6km stage from Salt to Banyoles.
Meanwhile Siobhán Horgan (formerly Dervan) impressed in the first race with her new team ESGL 93-GSD Gestion on Sunday, placing fifth in the 1.1-ranked Cholet-Pays de Loire. She was also second in the mountains classification.
She sacrificed her chances for two team-mates and crossed the line four seconds behind the French national champion Ferrier Bruneau (Vienne Futuroscope).
At home, Seán Lacey (The Edge) won the opening round of the Subway Classic League in Termon on Sunday, and heads the standings in the contest. He outsprinted Simon Williams (Cycling Ulster) and Thomas Martin (Eurocycles).
