DAVID BECKHAM "is set to quit" Major League Soccer team L.A. Galaxy "and may move to N.Y. so his wife can pursue her fashion career." The 37-year-old, "who has become arguably more famous off the pitch than on it, is not expected to renew his one-year rolling contract with the club," which runs out on Dec. 31. However, sources said that "he has no plans to retire from football" (London DAILY MAIL, 10/3). ... Lotus F1 driver KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN "has won the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi." It was Räikkönen's first victory since his F1 comeback and the 19th in his career. Sunday's victory of the former F1 world champion has been the first F1 victory for Lotus since the late AYRTON SENNA won in Detroit in '87 (MOTORSPORT MAGAZIN, 11/4). ... Barcelona striker LIONEL MESSI and his wife ANTONELLA ROCCUZZO gave birth to their first child. THIAGO MESSI was born on Friday at the Hospital USP Dexeus de Barcelona (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 11/4). ... Tennis world No. 5 DAVID FERRER won his first ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris on Sunday (EFE, 11/4).
SCHOOLBOY WINNER: China's GUAN TIANLANG "will create golfing history" in April as the first 14-year-old to compete in The Masters held in Augusta, Georgia. The "schoolboy earned a place" by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand on Sunday (London DAILY MAIL, 11/4). ... Scottish Second Division club East Fife Manager GORDON DURIE has resigned "due to health problems." Durie has been in the role since March when he took over for JOHN ROBERTSON. However, his illness resulted in him needing "a break from his duties," and GORDON CHISHOLM has been in charge of the first team in recent weeks (BBC.com, 11/4). ... Double Olympic cycling medalist TOMMY GODWIN "has died at the age of 91." Godwin, "who was heavily involved in the sport throughout his life," died at the Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull, England on Saturday. He won two Bronze Medals at the 1948 Olympics in London, in the team pursuit and kilometer time trial (SKYSPORTS.com, 11/4).
ONE-ON-ONE: Former LOCOG Chair SEBASTIAN COE talked in an interview with Financial Times reporter Gideon Rachman about sport, politics and why FIFA President SEPP BLATTER is "actually quite thoughtful." Legacy is the buzzword – and Coe "has been put in charge of making sure London builds on the success of the Games." Coe said, "I think we’ve done things that can be taken forward because I think when it comes to service London has, in places, fallen behind." Coe added: "We have an awful ability in this country to doubt our ability, often in the face of all credible and sensible evidence ... We should know that, as a nation, we’re absolutely at the top when it comes to event management" (FT, 11/2).
IN THE EPL...: Liverpool captain STEVEN GERRARD "was presented with a statue of the city's liver bird symbol to mark his 600th appearance for the club" before the team's game against Newcastle United at Anfield on Sunday (REUTERS, 11/4). ... Manchester City striker MARIO BALOTELLI is on the cover of Time magazine for the month of November in the Asia, South America and Europe regions (SPORTUNE.fr, 11/4).
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...: Overseeing an Olympic program "that bagged three Gold Medals has helped" New Zealand rowing coach DICK TONKS secure world rowing's Coach of the Year award for a third time (AAP, 11/3). ... JOSE MOURINHO registered his 100th win as Real Madrid coach Saturday (PA, 11/4). ... F1 CEO BERNIE ECCLESTONE presented the F1 in Schools Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy to Cold Fusion, the Australian team which won the 2012 F1 in Schools World Finals earlier this week at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (PADDOCKTALK.com, 11/3).
