A track and field stadium in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan, "will be named after pole-vaulter YELENA ISINBAYEVA." Dagestani Sports Minister MAGOMED MAGOMEDOV said, "Yelena Isinbayeva is regularly visiting Dagestan, which is her second homeland" (THE HITAVADA, 3/24). ... Former EPL side Leicester City Manager CLAUDIO RANIERI will "get a special award from the Italian Football Federation" for leading his old club to a "shock Premier League title last season." The 65-year-old Italian "was sacked in February with the club in a relegation battle." He will receive a Panchina d'Oro (Golden Bench) award next week (BBC, 3/23). ... Former Olympic boxer WILLIE DEWIT is "one of four new judges named to sit on the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench." DeWit, a criminal defense lawyer in Calgary, won a Silver Medal at the 1984 L.A. Games and boxed professionally until '88 (CANADIAN PRESS, 3/24). ... Five-time Olympic champion BRADLEY WIGGINS said that he will "shock a few people" when he finally responds to doping allegations. The former Team Sky cyclist and Tour de France winner described claims that he may have broken anti-doping rules -- which he denies -- as “horrible” and “the worst thing to be accused of when you’re a man of my integrity” (SUNDAY TIMES, 3/26). ... NFL Carolina Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON claimed during a visit to Monterrey, Mexico, that he is Mexican. Newton: "I am happy to be here, it is my first time coming here. Everyone asks me about this, but I am Mexican. I am a combination of everything, African, Mexican, American, everything" (LA AFICIÓN, 3/25). ... Barcelona announced it will honor the memory of former player and Manager JOHAN CRUYFF. The future stadium in the Ciutat Esportiva training complex is to be named the "Estadi Johan Cruyff." The club will also oversee the creation of a commemorative sculpture, which will be located in the future Camp Nou (Barcelona).
