Athletics

January 16 - James McIlroy (pictured), formerly Britain's top 800 metres runner who caused controversy when he retired suddenly two years ago, is planning to make a comeback next month, it has been announced.

By Duncan Mackay

January 16 - Caster Semenya (pictured) should not be prevented from competing because she has done nothing wrong, her lawyer warned tonight as South Africa's leading sports official claimed that she could not run again until the row over her gender has been resolved.

By Duncan Mackay

January 13 - A major row is developing between Caster Semenya (pictured) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) after the world 800 metres champion announced today that she plans to resume her career in South Africa at the end of this month before heading to Europe to compete in the sport's top meetings.

January 12 - Usain Bolt (pictured) is to feature in a series of new television commercials as part of Jamaica’s "Once You Go, You Know" tourism campaign.

January 11 - Valerie Vili (pictured), the Olympic and world shot put champion, has been selected as one of the three finalists for the prestigious New Zealander of the Year Award.

January 9 - Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele (pictured) could only manage fourth place in the nine kilometre BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross-Country race as he suffered only his second-ever defeat on the surface today.

January 9 - A record entry of nearly 150 countries is expected to compete at the World Indoor Championships in Doha in March, officials have said.