U.S. Surges in Daegu; Blatter Pushes Beach Soccer; Squash President Honored

Russia, U.S. Tied Atop Daegu Medal Tally

Usual suspectst the United States and Russia are at last atop the medal tally after Kenya’s early domination in Daegu.

Both countries now sport 12 total medals, with U.S. athletes winning three of the six titles on offer Thursday at the ongoing athletics world championships.

Kenyans swept the women’s marathon and 10,000m on Saturday, putting the African powerhouse out in front – at least for a few days. The country now sits third with 10 total medals, including golds won by Ezekiel Kemboi in men’s steeplechase and recent world-record breaker David Rudisha in the 800m.

A pair of women led Thursday’s charge for Team USA with Jenny Simpson outrunning the 1,500m field and Lashinda Demus winning the 400m hurdles. Jesse Williams pitched in later with the country’s first men’s high-jump gold in 20 years.

Double-amputee Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius also made history Thursday by helping South Africa’s 4x400m squad advance to Friday’s final, setting a new national record in the process.

Other events still up for grabs in Daegu include the men’s 1,500m; 5,000m; marathon; 4x100m; 50km walk; triple jump and javelin as well as the women’s 100m hurdles; 4x100m; 4x400m; high jump and hammer throw.

Usain Bolt will seek redemption in Saturday’s 200m final after last weekend’s false-start heard ‘round the world. And Caster Semenya will look to repeat as 800m champion on the final day of competition in Daegu.

Blatter Talks Olympic Beach Soccer

On the eve of the Beach Soccer World Cup, Sepp Blatter says the discipline would be a good fit for the Olympics.

Speaking at a press conference, the FIFA president said the Rio de Janeiro Olympics would be the right venue for beach soccer's Olympic debut.

"It would be a great thing for the Olympics to include Beach Soccer,especially at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro" he said.

"There's a long way togo, however. First it requires the initiative of the organizers of theOlympic Games. We'd have to see what is possible and what isn't. IfBeach Soccer does become an Olympic sport, it should be for both men andwomen."

Should beach soccer be included in the Games, it would be a new discipline--not a new sport. That means only the IOC Executive Board would need to approve its inclusion in the Olympic Program.

Brazil organized the first Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005.

"Fifteen years ago I visited an international beach soccer tournament onthe Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro" Blatter said. "We realised back then howimportant it was for the organisation and development of the sport forit to be integrated into FIFA."

This year's edition is in Ravenna, Italy. Blatter offered his "compliments to the organizers".

Squash President Receives Award from Indian Government

India honors the president of the World SquashFederation for his contributions to the sport.

N. Ramachandran received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar award Thursday from India's President Pratibha Patil.

Ten years ago, Ramachandran established the Indian Squash Academy in his home city of Chennai. The academy has nurtured many top players, including Saurav Ghosal, the country's highest world-ranked player ever, and hosted many international events.

"Players, coaches and referees from all over India have benefited from the programs of the Indian Squash Academy and this award will onlyrededicate the academy to further propagate the growth of squash in India," said Ramachandran.

"This unparalleled government recognition augurs well not only for Indian squash but also for WSF and our dream of becoming an Olympic sport."

Squash is one of eight sports included on an IOC shortlist for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics.

British Riders Neck-and-Neck Atop FEI Rankings

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain jumps teammate Mary King for the top spot in equestrian’s latest world rankings.

Both were part of the squad that secured bronze at the European eventing championships in Luhmühlen, Germany last weekend. King, however, failed to finish after a cross-country fall, leaving her just seven points behind Fox-Pitt and more than 100 ahead of the next closest rider.

FEI sponsor HSBC has a $50,000 bonus in store for whoever finishes atop the rankings at the end of the 2011 eventing season.

Written by Matthew Grayson.