Former National League side Leyton Orient Chair BARRY HEARN was named as honorary president of the club, "three months after resigning from the position." The club's "failure to pay staff in March led to Hearn leaving the role one month later." At the time, Hearn said that his decision to quit was "not a statement that's anti-club, it's a statement that's anti-owner." The owner at the time was Italian millionaire FRANCESCO BECCHETTI, but "he left the club last week when a consortium led by lifelong supporter NIGEL TRAVIS completed a takeover" (NON LEAGUE DAILY, 7/2). ... Five-time Olympic champion cyclist BRADLEY WIGGINS confirmed he is "targeting an incredible" sixth Gold in Tokyo 2020 -- this time as a rower. The 37-year-old, who retired from cycling last December after winning a fifth Gold in the men's team pursuit at last year's Rio Olympics, said that he was now being coached "seven days a week," having "initially just taken up the sport to keep fit." He is "working with friend and former Olympic champion rower JAMES CRACKNELL and will be competing at the British Rowing Indoor Championships in December" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/30). ... ANDY MURRAY will begin his Wimbledon title defense on Monday after "confirming his recovery from a hip injury that has disrupted his preparation for this year's tournament." He said, "It's felt much better the last few days. If I feel like I do today, I'll be fine to play the tournament. I'll be fine to play seven matches" (REUTERS, 7/2). ... All Black SONNY BILL WILLIAMS will "face a judiciary hearing to determine his fate ahead of next week's decisive third Test" against the British & Irish Lions. The midfielder became the first Kiwi player in 50 years "to receive a red card on Saturday." Williams was "sent for an early shower in the 25th minute after a crunching shoulder charge that struck Lions winger ANTHONY WATSON flush in the face" (AAP, 7/2). ... Australian tennis figure ISAAC FROST was "given a world-wide suspension as tennis officials continue to investigate match fixing." Frost, 28, was barred -- with immediate effect -- from "competing in, or attending" any tournament organized or sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis. The ban will remain in place until the conclusion of Tennis Integrity Unit investigations (HERALD SUN, 7/2). ... Man City's signing of teenager BENJAMIN GARRE will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday. The club signed Garre at the age of 16 but the teenager's Argentine club, Velez Sarsfield, claimed the move breached FIFA's rules "over the signing of minors from outside the European Union." The Argentine club claimed FIFA rules "allow players under 18 to move between clubs only in European countries" (PA, 7/2).
