Tennis world No. 6 TOMAS BERDYCH has pulled out of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier (L'EQUIPE, 2/4). ... Korean Olympic Committee President PARK YONG-SUNG revealed that "he will not seek another term in the office" (KOREA JOONGANG DAILY, 2/5). ... South Korean figure skater KIM YU-NA will perform with American MICHELLE KWAN in the Closing Ceremony of the Special Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Kim and Kwan, who have won six world championships between them, "will put on an ice dance performance." Canadian choreographer DAVID WILSON, who has worked with Kim for several seasons, "handled the choreography" for the ceremony (YONHAP, 2/4). ... The man who threw a plastic beer bottle at competitors at the start of the London Olympic men's 100m final, ASHLEY GILL-WEBB, "has been sentenced to an eight-week community order" (PA, 2/4).
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...: Daily Mail Exec Sports Editor MATT LAWTON has won an award from the FA "for his unrivalled coverage of the England football team over the past year." The Brian Woolnough Award celebrates "journalistic excellence for England coverage" (London DAILY MAIL, 2/3). ... The FA revealed that Liverpool midfielder STEVEN GERRARD "has won his second England player of the year award." Gerrard beat ManU striker DANNY WELBECK and Chelsea defender ASHLEY COLE "to become only the third player to be given the honour twice" (ESPN, 2/3). ... England blind team captain DAVID CLARKE was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by FA Chair DAVID BERNSTEIN. Clarke, who has appeared at three Paralympic Games for Great Britain, retired from playing after the London Games, but as a coach of Harpenden Colts' U7s, he will still be heavily involved in the game (FA).
