By David GoldAugust 1 - World champions Japan have escaped FIFA censure after the coach of the women's football team admitted he had wanted to avoid a result which would have meant his team playing their Olympic quarter-final in Glasgow.

Japan's 0-0 draw with South Africa in Cardiff meant that they finished behind Sweden in their group,

Sasaki at the post-match press conference, following the conclusion of their Group F match against South Africa

had been told by their coach, Norio Sasaki, not to win last night's match in Cardiff against South Africa

matches took place simultaneously henceforth.Japanese fans show support during their draw against South Africa

decision, by the same token, should be deplored – after all, were not the spectators at the Japan v South Africa

By David GoldJuly 31 - World champions Japan were held to a goalless draw by South Africa, meaning they

international television and broadcast rights of the Commonwealth Games to key global markets including South Africa

By David GoldJuly 27 - Michaëlle Jean, the witness for the Francophonie of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics, will be in the British capital until the end of this summer's Games to observe the use of the French language.

 Jean will also attend the inauguration of Africa House and dine with French speaking members of

By David GoldJuly 25 - Reigning Olympic champions, the United States, were given an almighty scare by France in their opening match of defending their women's football title, but eventually came through to register a 4-2 win at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Francielle of Brazil World Cup semi-finalists Sweden were rampant in their opening match against South Africa

goals from Nilla Fischer, Lisa Dahlkvist and Lotta Schelin, and also hit the woodwork three times.South Africa

 By Philip BarkerIt has been described as the first gold medal of the Games.For the man who revived the Olympics, the Opening Ceremony was much more than that."It must involve solemnity and a ceremonial that must always be in keeping with the prestige that warrants its noble titles and stay strictly within the limits of good taste and moderation," wrote Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

included traditional German folk dances, the final Torchbearer Gunther Zahn was accompanied by Kip Keino (Africa

By Stuart NewmanJuly 24 - Kari Seitz will enjoy the honour of taking charge of the opening football match of London 2012 when she referees the tussle between hosts Team GB and New Zealand tomorrow, the FIFA Organising Committee for Olympic Football Tournaments has announced.

Palmqvist, Sweden (Cameroon v Brazil – Millennium Stadium), Jessica Di Iorio, Argentina (Sweden v South Africa

the first IOC in Athens in 1896The dozen members watched Middlesex play cricket against South Africa

at the IOC Session held in Birmingham, 1991The IOC Session in Birmingham effectively welcomed South Africa

By David GoldJuly 22 - Australia's men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams have both enjoyed a significant pre-London 2012 boost as both claimed victories at the World Challenge in Sydney.

Australia won gold at Beijing 2008, and will face the United States, Italy, Spain, Turkey and South Africa

Hamburg at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Series when he became the first athlete from Africa

By David GoldJuly 20 - Britain's women's football team put on an encouraging performance in their friendly against Sweden today at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, as the squad gear up for their debut at the Olympics next week.

last four place.Sweden will be optimistic of coming through a group that involves Canada and South Africa

By Tom DegunJuly 18 - Algeria's Abdelhafid Benchabla has been named as his nation's flag-bearer for the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony meaning that he will become the first boxer from the country to receive the honour at the Games.

at the ExCeL in London's Docklands.Benchabla, who also won gold at light heavyweight at the 2011 All-Africa

Let us remember that in 2011, Benchabla won the All-Africa Games, the WSB Individual Championships, and

By Tom Degun at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in LondonJuly 18 - Four-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has claimed he is looking to make the 400 metre semi-final at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Pistorius, however, is less confident of repeating the silver medal at the Olympics he won with the South Africa

Pistorius misses out on 400m individual spot at the OlympicsJune 2012: Pistorius to spearhead South Africa

By Tom Degun at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in LondonJuly 18 - Four-time Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has said he is looking to make the 400 metre semi-final at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

DaeguPistorius, however, is less confident of repeating the silver medal at the Olympics he won with the South Africa