The 2012 Human Rights Medal has been awarded to IAN THORPE for fighting for better services for Indigenous children in remote communities across Australia. For more than a decade, Thorpe has worked with Indigenous people through his Fountain for Youth charity, which works with 21 remote communities in the Northern Territory (Australian Human Rights Commission). ... F1 veteran and 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series rookie RUBENS BARRICHELLO "has accepted an offer to race full time" in the Brazilian Stock Car series in '13 (SPEED, 12/11). ... British and Irish Lions coach WARREN GATLAND "named ROB HOWLEY, GRAHAM ROWNTREE and ANDY FARRELL on Wednesday as his assistants for next year's tour of Australia" (REUTERS, 12/12). ... Colombia honored Olympic Gold Medalist MARIANA PAJON and football player RADAMEL FALCAO GARCIA. Pajon "received Colombia's Best Athlete Award for 2012, while Falcao was named 2012's Person of the Year." The second best athlete of the year went to Olympian CATHERINE IBARGUEN, who won Silver in the triple jump, as well as to Paralympic Silver Medal winners ELKIN SERNA in the marathon and and swimmer MOISES FUENTES in the 100m breast stroke (IANS, 12/12). ... The board of New Zealand Cricket "apologized to ROSS TAYLOR on Wednesday for the way in which he was fired as national captain, but ruled out his reinstatement." NZC Board Chair CHRIS MOLLER "made the apology at a news conference in Wellington" (AP, 12/12). ... EPL Tottenham billionaire Owner JOE LEWIS has "become an influential figure in the racing world" after taking control of holding company Timeweave, which owns 50% of betting shop broadcasters Turf TV. Bahamas-based Lewis has yet to attend a Tottenham game this season, and his investment in Timeweave is "for business reasons rather than any great love of racing" (London DAILY MAIL, 12/11).
