OLYMPICS: Delay to venue openings
London 2012 chiefs have admitted that the completion dates for the two main Olympics venues have been pushed back.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have confirmed the construction periods agreed with the main contractors on both the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre are longer than was predicted.
But ODA chief executive David Higgins said both would be ready by summer 2011 to allow a full year of test events.
Paralympic squad decided
ParalympicsGB have finalised their 205- strong squad for September's Games.
Final changes see Kate Arnold replace injured athlete Katherine Deal, with Lee Fawcett (wheelchair fencing), Paul Shaw (wheelchair rugby) and archers Paul Browne and Kate Murray also added.
GB football squads return after a 16- year absence and rowing makes its debut as Britain seek to build on their second place in the 2004 medal table.
Iraq set to miss games
Iraq look certain to be barred from the Beijing Olympics after the IOC confirmed the suspension of the country's National Olympic Committee.
The ban over concerns of political interference has left competitors in all sports apart from athletics unable to register before their deadlines.
A statement read: "Despite the best efforts of the IOC, it seems unlikely that any Iraqi athlete will compete."
INOC: Black day for sport
The Iraq National Olympic Committee described Thursday as a "black day" as an IOC suspension virtually ruled the country out of the Beijing Games.
The INOC was temporarily suspended on June 4 because of concerns of political interference, and the IOC has now confirmed that position.
INOC general secretary Hussain Al Amidi said: "It's a black day in the history of sports in Iraq."