Team GB Gold Medalist JESSICA ENNIS said that she and coach TONI MINICHIELLO are "still a team even if it costs her money." Ennis has said that she will "dip into her own pockets" in order to keep working with Minichiello. Despite the absence of UK Athletics funding, Minichiello has "carried on working with Ennis, who in turn has said she may pay for him to continue their winning partnership this year" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/12). ... DENNIS RODMAN and North Korean leader KIM JONG-UN are "planning a holiday together." Rodman, who announced the vacation plan Monday said, "I don't condone what he does, but he's my friend." Asked if he planned to return to North Korea, Rodman replied: "Yes I will. In August. I'm vacationing with him" (AFP, 3/12). ... Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution AYATOLLAH SEYYED ALI KHAMENEI met the Iranian Olympic and Paralympic medal winners and officials on Monday (TEHRAN TIMES, 3/12). … Police in Punjab, India "may approach court" seeking directions to Olympian VIJENDER SINGH to give his hair and blood samples following the refusal of the boxer whose name has cropped up during investigation of the drug haul case (PTI, 3/12). … Turkish sports club Fenerbahçe Chair AZIZ YILDIRIM is "likely to get a three to six-month deprivation of rights accorded to the head of a football club due to threatening remarks he made to the referees of Sunday's Fenerbahçe-Bursaspor league match in the stadium corridors leading to the locker rooms" (TODAY’S ZAMAN, 3/12). ... Retired French cyclist LAURENT JALABERT was hit by a car as he was cycling on a city road in Montauban, France. Jalabert suffered numerous fractures and will need surgery (L'EXPRESS, 3/11). ... ... Taiwanese pitcher WANG CHIEN-MING said that "he hoped to return" to the U.S. to play Major League Baseball, "denying reports he is mulling a deal to play in Japan." Wang is a free agent after an injury-filled season with the Washington Nationals (SHANGHAI DAILY, 3/12).
