U.K. Athletics confirmed that CHARLES VAN COMMENEE will leave his position as head coach in December after Team GB "failed to reach their medal target during the London Games." The Dutchman insisted that he would quit U.K. Athletics if he could not deliver on his word and, "despite four Golds and the offer of a new five-year contract," he has decided to fall on his sword (London GUARDIAN, 9/11). ... SneakerWatch "received confirmation that DWYANE WADE will no longer be repping Jordan Brand." Instead, Wade has "made his way to Chinese brand Li-Ning in a speculated multi-million dollar deal" (SNEAKERWATCH.com, 9/10).... The Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee will induct three industry veterans: former SGMA Chair and retired Owner and CEO of Worth Sports Inc. JOHN PARISH SR., Sports Distributors of Canada former President RANDY HOOPER and Saunders Consulting Owner RUSTY SAUNDERS (SGMA). ... F1 driver PAUL DI RESTA has signed with agent RICHARD GODDARD after seeing how he has helped fellow Briton JENSON BUTTON over recent years (London INDEPENDENT, 9/10) ... A bus carrying Argentina's national team in Lima was "pelted with stones" ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Peru on Tuesday (OLE.com.ar, 9/10).
STEPPING AWAY: Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng Manager HENK TEN CATE resigned after less than a year. He has been replaced by WU JINGUI who has had "several spells in charge of Shanghai Shenhua and has worked with the Chinese national side" (WILDEASTFOOTBALL.net, 9/10). ... Brasileiro club Vasco is without a coach after CRISTOVAO BORGES stepped down following the club's 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Bahia over the weekend (GAZETAESPORTIVA.net, 9/10). ... Chinese tennis player LI NA "wants to be a sports reporter after she retires" from her tennis career. Li graduated with a degree in journalism from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CHINA DAILY, 9/11).