The BBC has unveiled tennis world No. 3 ANDY MURRAY as its "star attraction for another reboot of the TV classic Superstars." BBC bosses, however, "are not stopping at Murray." Producers are reportedly "targeting footballers who may be allowed to take part by their managers, including potentially an audacious bid for DAVID BECKHAM" (London DAILY MAIL, 1/3). ... Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO has been named as nonprofit Save the Children’s global artist ambassador. In his new role, Ronaldo will fight child hunger and obesity, and promote physical activity and healthy eating (Save the Children). ... RUDI VAN HOUTS and LAURA TURPIJN were awarded the titles of 2012 Dutch Male and Female Mountain Bikers of the Year (CYCLING NEWS, 1/2). ... Int'l Yacht Racing Union (now the Int'l Sailing Federation) Racing Rules Committee former Chair LYNN WATTERS died on Dec. 25 at the age of 96. He created the int'l judging system, which is now universally used for all major regattas (ISAF).
GAME NO NO'S: The disciplinary committee of the Swiss Football League "has suspended FC Basel player RAUL BOBADILLA for seven games." Bobadilla "viciously insulted an official and displayed violent behavior" in the game of his former team BSC Young Boys against FC Lausanne-Sport on Nov. 25 (NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG, 1/3). ... Briton ASHLEY GILL-WEBB, 34, went on trial on Thursday after being "accused of screaming abuse at USAIN BOLT and hurling a beer bottle onto the tracks" as the London Olympics men's 100m final was starting (REUTERS, 1/3).
