RONAlDO SCORES BRACE AS MADRID WIN 3-0
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference in his return, scoring twice as Real Madrid began its quest for a third straight Champions league title by beating Cypriot club APOEl 3-0 on Wednesday. Ronaldo scored in each half in his first match since being suspended for shoving a referee in the Spanish Super Cup final last month. He's still suspended for one more match of his five-game suspension, but is cleared to play in European competitions. "He always scores and I hope it continues this way," Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. Sergio Ramos scored the third goal at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where Madrid hasn't lost a group-stage game in almost eight years.
PARIS AWARDED 2024 OlYMPICS, lA GETS 2028 SUMMER GAMES
lIMA: The International Olympic Committee named Paris and los Angeles as hosts for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics on Wednesday, crowning two cities at the same time in a historic first for the embattled sports body. loud applause rang out at the lima Convention Centre shortly after the IOC membership voted to approve a deal hashed out in July which arranged for Paris to be given 2024 and los Angeles 2028.
ClASH OF YOUNGSTERS IN INDIA-CANADA DAVIS CUP TIE
Edmonton: India will expect Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan to repeat their recent giant-killing acts against a completely transformed Denis Shapovalov when the team takes on Canada in its fourth straight attempt to qualify for the Davis Cup World Group, here from Friday. Shapovalov made the world take note of him with his shock win over Rafael Nadal. India have their hopes hung on the shoulders of Yuki and Ramkumar, who too created a splash by knocking down Gael Monfils and tennis' latest hot property Dominic Thiem, recently.
INDIA'S WOMEN BOXERS COACH RESIGNS
New Delhi: India's first ever foreign coach for women boxers -- Stephane Cottalorda -- has resigned within a month of taking over, complaining of delay in salary payment and lack of professionalism in the national federation. The 41-year-old Frenchman, who took over in August, e-mailed his resignation to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), saying that he could no longer wait for the fulfillment of promises made to him. "I think I have been patient enough, it's been a week since I returned to France. None of you would take the risk of crossing the earth with his family by not having any guarantee on his future. None of you would agree to work without wage guarantee and/or with delays," Cottalorda wrote.
SANGRAM FACES RADFORD IN JADHAV MEMORIAl
New Delhi: World Pro champion Sangram Singh hits the mat after a year-long gap in the first KD Jadhav Memorial International Kushti Championship. Sangram will take on America's star wrestler Kevin Radford in the feature bout of the night that will also see four other exciting bouts, featuring some of India's rising stars. Sangram was brimming with confidence on the eve of his fight. "I have been eagerly waiting for this day and I am sure Kevin, despite his stamina and speed, will stand no chance in front of my capabilities," Sangram said.