Gene therapy?
Gene therapy offers Olympic athletes a tempting new way to go for the gold, but the technology is far too risky a way to cheat, a top gene therapy expert said Thursday. Gene doping - in which DNA is introduced into the body through an inactivated virus or by other means - can alter a person's genetic make up and improve athletic performance by building muscle and increasing blood flow
Let's sail now
A quality that has made the America's Cup one of the world's most enduring contests has been its ability to reinvent itself, and that will be on show again when two space-age yachts race off Spain next week. The 33rd America's Cup, starting off Valencia on Monday, will be barely recognizable from 159 years ago when the wooden U.S. yacht America beat a fleet of British clippers and schooners in a race around the Isle of Wight.
Tiger still rules
Despite Tiger Woods' problems surrounding his adultery scandal and lost corporate sponsors, the world's No. 1 golfer remains the top athlete brand as ranked by Forbes. The business magazine estimated in its second annual "Fab 40" list that Woods still represents the top sports brand by athlete, with an estimated value of $82M. It said Woods' remaining sponsor deals with Nike Inc, Electronic Arts Inc and Procter & Gamble Co's Gillette brand will allow him to remain the world's highest paid athlete this year.
Oz leadership
Australia are pinning their hopes on Samantha Stosur to lead her team to the brink of a Fed Cup World Group berth with victory over Spain this weekend. The world number 11 has been named along with Casey Dellacqua, Alicia Molik and doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs for the first-round Group II tie in Adelaide.Australia have not played in the top tier since 2003 and have lost their last seven ties against Spain, who were dumped from the World Group last year.
