Partying lands Koo in trouble

Arrogance and excessive partying could cost top Malaysian badminton player Koo Kien Keat a place at the Beijing Olympics, according to his coach.

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said former All England doubles champion Koo faces the axe if fails to clean up his act, saying even his partner Tan Boon Heong has had enough of him. Koo and Tan won the All England men's doubles title in 2007 but were knocked out in the in the first round in this year's competition.

“I have spoken to Kien Keat about it several times but he does not want to listen. He is too big-headed and even Boon Heong is fed-up with him,” Rexy said.

Maradona slams altitude ban

Diego Maradona criticised a ban on international matches at high altitude on Monday after playing a charity game in Bolivia's national stadium at 3,600 metres above sea level.

Bolivia president Evo Morales also took part in the match in front of a 30,000 crowd at the Hernando Siles stadium, which can no longer be used for World Cup qualifying games under FIFA rules.

“I, at the age of 47, and president Morales have shown FIFA that you can run on this pitch,” Maradona, captain of Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team, told reporters. 

“You have to play where you are born, not even God can prohibit this and certainly not (FIFA president Sepp) Blatter.”

Beijing organisers to refit toilets

Beijing organisers are refitting the toilets at three main Olympic venues after complaints from foreign athletes about having to squat.

Most toilets in China are still of the squat rather than sit-down variety, as spectators and competitors at recent test events in otherwise state of the art venues like the "Water Cube" aquatics centre discovered.

"Toilet alteration projects at the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), the Water Cube and National Indoor Stadium are ongoing and if technical conditions permit, all the toilets in these stadiums will be changed," an official said.