Firm stand
LONDON - The outcome of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial will not affect the future of the Paralympic movement, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Philip Craven insists. Pistorius is arguably the world's most famous Paralympic competitor and the 'Blade Runner' was also the first double amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes in the Olympics. But his career has been put on hold after he was charged with the murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and concerns have been expressed as to what this means for the Paralympic movement as a whole.
Stosur through
DUBAI - Samantha Stosur has progressed through to the second round of the Dubai Open along with the other seeds in action on Tuesday, but an injured Victoria Azarenka has been forced to pull out of the tournament. The seventh-seeded Australian beat Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-1. Top seed Azarenka took her tally of career titles to 16 at the weekend with victory over Serena Williams in the Qatar Open final but she will not be able to add to that in Dubai after withdrawing with a foot problem.
Ropati returns
WELLINGTON - Centre Jerome Ropati will end 10 months of frustration when he plays in the New Zealand Warriors' trial match against the Brisbane Broncos in Dunedin on Saturday. Ropati has been sidelined since his 2012 campaign was ended by a knee injury in the club's 10th-round match against the Sydney Roosters in Auckland last May. The 11-season veteran is on the interchange bench for the club's final trial match ahead of their competition-opener against Parramatta in Sydney on March 9.
Goal-line tech
GENEVA - FIFA has committed to using goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and could have four systems competing for selection. FIFA says it's now seeking tenders from companies that want their system to be used at the Confederations Cup in June and next year's World Cup. "Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April," FIFA said in a statement.