F1 team Lotus driver KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN's manager STEVE ROBERTSON said that Räikkönen "will not race for Red Bull next season." Robertson said, "Talks broke down. We haven't spoken for a little while and it's clear Kimi won't be driving for Red Bull in 2014" (BBC, 8/19). ... Jamaican sprinter USAIN BOLT, who recently won three Gold Medals at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, has increased his appearance fee to ($300,000) per race, "and could charge more in some cases, according to circumstances." After last year's Olympics, Bolt fixed his fee at ($250,000), "according to information from various representatives of int'l athletes" (EFE, 8/19). ...India's Sports Ministry is "expected to take a decision" on Tuesday on ace discus thrower KRISHNA POONIA's plea "to include her name for the prestigious Khel Ratna award besides also deciding on the final list of Arjuna awardees" (PTI, 8/19). ... Indonesian swimmers INDRA GUNAWAN and GUNTUR PRATAMA, who tested positive for a banned substance at July’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Korea, "have been given a three-month ban from local and international competition and been told they may be stripped of their medals" (JAKARTA GLOBE, 8/19). ... NBA L.A. Lakers player KOBE BRYANT and his "Team Black Mamba" squad "will play a charity game" against Real Madrid at Knights Arena in Dubai on Sept. 27 (JAKARTA GLOBE, 8/19). ... Former Hungary Olympic water polo player DEZSO GYARMATI has died at age 85. Gyarmati was "the most successful water polo player in Olympic history and perhaps the greatest water polo player ever." He won Gold at the 1952 Helsinki Games, the 1956 Melbourne Games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Silver at the 1948 London Games and Bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics (XINHUA, 8/18). ... Paralympian OSCAR PISTORIUS "was indicted Monday on charges of murder and illegal possession of ammunition for the shooting death of the double-amputee Olympian's girlfriend on Valentine's Day." A March 3 trial date has been set. Pistorius said that "he shot" REEVA STEENKAMP "by mistake, believing she was an intruder in his home." Prosecutors, "who allege he killed her after an argument, submitted a list of more than 100 witnesses for a trial that will be followed around the world" (AP, 8/19). ... World badminton No. 1 LEE CONG WEI "has decided to play" in the $1M Indian Badminton League. The Malaysian "will open play for Mumbai Masters Tuesday." Chong Wei "is the highest paid player in the league" at $135,000 (THE STAR, 8/19).
