Serbian Olympic Committee President and former NBA player VLADE DIVAC said that former World No. 1 tennis player NOVAK DJOKOVIC "was so angry about losing two straight matches and finishing without a medal at the Summer Olympics that he cut his racquets from the Bronze Medal match with a saw." Divac told Vesti-Online: "After the match, I came to him. You know what he was doing? He was so miserable, he was cutting up his racquets with a saw" (USA TODAY, 8/22). ... India's Foundation of Sports and Games program Olympic Gold Quest Founders GEET SETHI, PRAKASH PADUKONE, NIRAJ BAJAJ and VIREN RASQUINHA were "present at a function to felicitate the London Olympics Medalists" at the Bombay Gymkhana on Thursday (THE HINDU, 8/23). ... Former ManU goalkeeper PETER SCHMEICHEL will attend the inaugural Airtel Rising Stars African Championships and Soccer Clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Schmeichel's successes include winning five Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League during a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Old Trafford. He was appointed club ambassador last month and joined "an elite group of former players," including BOBBY CHARLTON, DWIGHT YORKE, BRYAN ROBSON, GARY NEVILLE and ANDY COLE "in promoting the club globally" (ManU).
COACHING THE BLUES: Former New Zealand Rugby Coach GRAHAM HENRY is joining the Auckland Blues' "revamped coaching roster." He will join as the technical adviser and defense specialist starting in '13 under Head Coach JOHN KIRWAN (REUTERS, 8/23). ... Kenyan President MWAI KIBAKI directed the Sports Ministry "to investigate the dismal performance of Team Kenya" at the London Games. He said that the poor results "were a concern to Kenyans and needed to be addressed" (THE STAR, 8/22). ... Newly appointed FIFA anti-corruption judge JOACHIM ECKERT "made his first decision in office," to confirm that former presidential candidate MOHAMED BIN HAMMAM "is provisionally suspended while bribery allegations are investigated" (AP, 8/23). ... SIMON COWELL's show X Factor in the U.K. "is reaching out to some of the stars" of the London Games to book them for a live show later this season. A source said the show wants to "celebrate the success of the British Olympians and the Olympics with [the hit show's] first live show." Some of the athletes expected to be approached include runner MO FARAH, sprinter USAIN BOLT, swimmer REBECCA ADLINGTON and heptathlon JESSICA ENNIS (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/22). ... Britain's "most successful Olympian" CHRIS HOY is to be awarded freedom of his home city. Edinburgh city councilors "have voted to give him the honour," which is granted to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their work or efforts. The "only living recipients" are QUEEN ELIZABETH, the DUKE OF EDINBURGH, SEAN CONNERY, NELSON MANDELA and Burmese politician AUNG SAN SUU KYI (DAILY RECORD, 8/23).
