Int'l Cycling Federation (UCI) President BRIAN COOKSON, facing an election challenge for his presidency, "launched a strong defence of his stewardship on Friday" and said that he "expects to win another four-year period in office." He is being challenged by UCI VP & European Cycling Union President DAVID LAPPARTIENT from France, who Cookson described as having been "the leader of the opposition for some time" (REUTERS, 7/28). ... Ctrip, China’s biggest online travel company, claimed it had to cancel a supposed meet-and-greet with NEYMAR at a luxury Shanghai hotel this week because the player and his advisers “are busy with transfer issues” and “failed to secure their presence.” But a statement issued by Neymar’s advisers said, “We communicate that the Chinese agency is selling tickets to fans, without the knowledge and approval of those who represent Neymar Jr., who would never do something like this" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 7/29). ... NBA Golden State Warriors player KEVIN DURANT and 3,459 children from the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program in India entered the Guinness Book of World Records on Friday after "holding the world's largest basketball lesson in multiple venues." Durant conducted the "record-breaking feat" at the NBA Academy India (AFP, 7/29). ... Jockey ROBBIE FRADD has "broken ranks with the most successful riding troupe in Queensland to seek opportunities with another manager." Fradd has been with Manager CAMERON PARTINGTON for the past two seasons, along with JIM BYRNE and JEFF LLOYD. Together they rode 277 metropolitan winners this season -- "more than the next eight riders combined." But Fradd sought a new opportunity, changing his allegiance to GLENN COURTNEY (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 7/29).
