Lance ready to face probe

Annecy (France): French authorities have opened a preliminary inquiry into doping allegations made against six-time Tour de Fance winner Lance Armstrong in a book published last summer.

Judicial officials confirmed the probe on Thursday but declined to give details, describing the case as confidential. The investigation centres on a magistrate?s interview with Armstrong?s former British assistant, Emma O?Reilly. Shortly before last year?s Tour de France, O?Reilly made allegations in a book, La Confidential, The Secrets of Lance Armstrong. She claimed that Armstrong sent her on long road trips to pick up pills and dispose of used syringes.

?I will make myself available anytime and anywhere to meet with the investigators in this case,? Armstrong later said in a statement. ?I am confident my name will be cleared and I look forward to racing in France for years to come.?

Boost for London

London: United Kingdom?s Asian community wholeheartedly supports London?s bid for 2012 Olympics, according to leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul. ?I have no doubt the dynamic Asian community is fully supportive of the bid and will work wholeheartedly to make it a success,? he said on Thursday night. It was ?once in a lifetime opportunity? to host the mega sporting extravaganza, said Lord Paul, who is a member of the board constituted to campaign for the bid.

Bengal spikers lose

Chennai: Defending champions Railways will take on Andhra Pradesh, while last year?s finalists Kerala will play Tamil Nadu in the women?s semi-finals of the 53rd national volleyball meet on Saturday. Railways defeated Tamil Nadu 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 on Friday. In group B, Kerala disposed of Bengal 25-12, 25-18, 25-13 to top the group with three wins and Andhra with two wins and a loss took the fourth slot for the semi-finals.

Gunners in new shirts

London: Arsenal will play in a dark red home strip next season, ditching the famous white-sleeved red shirts they have worn since 1925.

The new shirts, inspired by the first kit worn at Highbury by the club?s players in 1913, will be worn at home matches for one year to mark Arsenal?s last season at Highbury before they move to a new stadium at nearby Ashburton Grove.

Pandiani in trouble

Madrid: Deportivo Coruna have opened disciplinary proceedings against Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani following his criticism of coach Javier Irureta, the Primera Liga club said on Thursday. Irureta had called for the club to punish Pandiani following the comments the player made in a recent interviews with local newspapers.

Sevilla rope in Correia

Madrid: Sevilla have signed highly-rated Brazil youngster Adriano Correia on a five-and-half-year deal from Coritiba, the Primera Liga club said on Friday.

The 20-year-old, who can play either left back or left midfield, was a member of the team that won the World Youth Championship in 2003 and was also part of the Brazil squad that reached last year?s Copa America final.

• Tennis ? Australian Open Day VI, live from 5.30 am on Star Sports
• Cricket ? 5th Test, South Africa vs England, Day II, on ESPN
• Hockey ? PHL, Sher-e-Jalandhar vs Maratha Warriors live from 7.30pm on ESPN