Italy has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup following the decision by the Mayor of Rome not to support the city's campaign to stage the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it was announced today.

Italy was among four nations along with France, Ireland and South Africa who put themselves forward in

Defending champions Argentina maintained their perfect start to the Women's World Championship of Rink Hockey by thrashing Egypt at the Playa Brava in Iquique in Chile.

event.France are level with the Spanish team in the standings after recording an 8-0 win over South Africa

Joshua Chetty of South Africa has been banned from tennis for life after he was found guilty of attempting

The schedule for next year's Under-20 World Rugby Championships in Georgia has been announced.

Zealand, Scotland and Italy.Hosts Georgia will compete in Group C against Argentina, France and South Africa

 South Africa were the only other victors, winning in 2012."

Mike Schloesser of The Netherlands overcame personal demons as he beat South Africa's Seppie Cilliers 145-141 in the men's individual compound competition at the Hyundai Archery World Cup final at King’s Garden in Odense.

Cilliers' silver medal gave South Africa its first ever podium finish at an Archery World Cup final.Seven-time

Former world record holder Wilson Kipsang claimed he is "focused" on regaining his global mark ahead of the ultra-quick Berlin Marathon tomorrow.

in 2014 to also break Kipsang's record, will be another one to watch tomorrow alongside a third from Africa

Data concerning 41 more athletes has been released by the Fancy Bears hacking group after their cyber-attack on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

four from Australia and two each from Denmark, Germany, Serbia and Switzerland.Croatia, Japan, South Africa

through continental representation, spread across all of the events.Three places were on offer for Africa

A former British fell running champion has pleaded guilty in court to attempted murder and assault after stabbing three members of UK Athletics staff in an "unprovoked" attack.

England at under-23 and sevens level but turned down the chance to go on tour with England to South Africa

Five-time Olympic swimmer Kirsty Coventry is set to be elected unopposed as vice-president of the International Surfing Association (ISA) at the body's Annual General Meeting in the Azores.

Athletes' Commission term last month.She will also become the first ISA Executive Committee member from Africa

diversity and we are delighted that Kirsty is set to become the ISA’s first ever female vice-president from Africa

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Sir Craig Reedie has urged all International Federations (IFs) to “fulfil the obligations of the Code” by not awarding major events to Russia due to the non-compliance of its National Anti-Doping Agency.

Getty ImagesFollowing the death of previous Executive Committee vice-chair Makhenkesi Stofile of South Africa

Niger's Ide Issaka, the first vice president of the Africa Taekwondo Union (AFTU), has said that the

Africa enjoyed a superb time of it at the Carioca Arena 3, winning four medals across the men's and women's

to countries and athletes for their presence which was very noticeable, which honours our continent, Africa

, I renew my congratulations and invite you to redouble their efforts to a worthy representation of Africa

Japan has held a celebration to mark three years to go until the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off in the country, with the event also remembering the one-year anniversary of one of the nation's biggest-ever sporting achievements.

On September 19, 2015, Japan recorded the biggest upset in rugby union history by defeating South Africa

and the supporters' club to be the first to receive updates and information.Japan's win over South Africa

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) have confirmed that Davis Cup finalists Argentina and Croatia will be the top two seeds ahead of the World Group draw for the 2017 competition.

 The draws for groups I and II in both the Asia/Oceania and Europe/Africa zones will also take place

The World Squash Federation (WSF) has announced that a record 951 players will compete in the World Masters Championships in South African city Johannesburg.

spread across ten countries, according to the WSF seedings for the competitions.England and hosts South Africa