South Africa has won the right to host the 2010 soccer World Cup -- the first to be held on the African continent.
FIFA's executive committee chose South Africa, the slight favourites, on the first round of voting. The other candidates to host the 32-team finals were Morocco and Egypt.
Libya's bid was stood down by FIFA on Saturday because it did not meet the criteria and Tunisia pulled out on Friday after being refused the option of co-hosting the event with Libya.
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event outside the Summer Olympics and soccer the world's most popular sport.
Almost four years ago Germany controversially won the race to host the 2006 finals by a single vote after Oceania delegate Charles Dempsey defied orders to vote for South Africa.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter made it clear then that he wanted Africa to get the World Cup at the next opportunity as world soccer's governing body decided to rotate the finals around the continents.
South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2003 Cricket World Cup successfully but the soccer World Cup, which began in 1930, has never been held on the continent.
Former president Nelson Mandela said last week that hosting the 2010 World Cup finals would be a perfect gift for the country as it celebrates 10 years of democracy.
He said it would add 3 billion rand (US$423 million) to the economy and create more than 150,000 jobs in a country where unemployment is over 30 percent and poverty is rife.
South Africa sent a high-profile mission to Switzerland, led by Mandela, President Thabo Mbeki and Nobel Peace prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and was the slight favourite.
The country's hopes of success were boosted at the start of the month after FIFA inspectors rated its facilities as the best of five competing countries.
South Africa's bid was described as "excellent," while those of north African rivals Egypt and Morocco were "very good."
Morocco suffered a major blow by having questions raised about the country's lack of infrastructure.
Libya, whose hopes of co-hosting the finals with Tunisia had been repeatedly slapped down by Blatter, were taken out of the running by FIFA yesterday before voting even began.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely