Italian newspaper II Sole 24 Ore said that Indonesian businessman and Serie A Inter Milan Owner ERICK THOHIR "is considering selling off his stake" in MLS D.C. United "to cover the debts of his new Italian plaything" (BLACK AND RED UNITED, 2/6). ... Japan men's volleyball coach GARY SATO "will be replaced after a year on the job." Sato, the first foreign coach of a Japanese national volleyball team, was hired last February. However, Japan "lost all five of its FIVB World Grand Champions Cup matches last year" (KYODO 2/5). ... Former EPL Swansea City Manager MICHAEL LAUDRUP said that he is "considering taking legal action" after being sacked as manager on Tuesday. In a statement issued by the League Managers' Association, he claimed that "he is still waiting to hear the reasons why he was dismissed." Laudrup: "I am, of course, taking legal advice" (BBC, 2/6). ... He is the player around whom Australian rugby sevens coach MICHAEL O'CONNOR believes "could construct a 2016 Olympic gold medal-winning team." Now, ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER "is thinking seriously of changing all his plans to give it a shot." When told of O'Connor's high estimation of him as a possible key member of the 12-man Olympic sevens squad, Ashley-Cooper "found himself re-examining all his plans" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/7).
TWO-SPORT STAR? Jamaica Olympic bobsled pilot WINSTON WATTS said that USAIN BOLT "told him he might join the country’s Winter Olympic program one day." Watts: "We are underdogs here. But we [Jamaicans] have the fastest guy in the world -- Usain Bolt. He is with us all the time, he’s standing behind us just like the rest of the world is standing behind us. He could be a very good pusher but there’s one thing about him -- he doesn’t like cold" (FANATIX, 2/6).
