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Hamilton shows off his new Mercedes

Mercedes Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton (L) of Britain and teammate Nico Rosberg of Germany pose for a publicity shot at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain February 4, 2013.

JEREZ, Spain - Lewis Hamilton was all smiles as he showed off his new Mercedes Formula One car on Monday, even if the 2008 world champion was clearly still adjusting to life after McLaren and may have to wait a while to win again.

"When I first drove in, I stopped by a McLaren and I thought it was just strange to see it and not be going to it this time," he told reporters after unveiling the F1 W04 car on the Jerez pit straight with team mate Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton said he had been so excited that he could not sleep on Sunday night, although the Briton looked relaxed and refreshed enough as he chatted to reporters in the Jerez sunshine.

"I'd already seen the car in the wind tunnel, so I'm not surprised or anything like that, but it's beautiful. I love the paint job," he said.

"It won't be until after the next couple of days that we can start to get a feel for it and I can see what direction I want to push the guys in," added the winner of 21 races.

"I'm heading into this with an open book, a blank sheet and I really don't know what to expect. I just hope it has lots of downforce."

The 28-year-old, whose ties with Mercedes go back to his teenage years in junior series, had no doubt that he was in the right place with the German manufacturer and that the future was looking bright.

"I have worked with Mercedes-Benz for a very long time now, and I learned one thing most of all: Mercedes-Benz doesn't know how to lose," Hamilton said in prepared comments.

"We are playing a long game here but I know we will have success together and I'm excited to be a big part of making it happen."

Dream Team

Hamilton, winner of four races with McLaren last season, was team mates with Rosberg before both entered Formula One and the Briton said their renewed pairing was a dream come true.

In a press release, he also gave a nod to his illustrious predecessors at the 'Silver Arrows'.

"It is an honour for me to tread in the footsteps of legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Michael Schumacher," said the man who has replaced the seven-times champion.

The new car had already completed its first laps before the formal unveiling, with Rosberg at the wheel to start a 100km shakedown allowed by the regulations before official testing starts on Tuesday.

An evolution of last year's car, the F1 W04 has an aggressively packaged rear end while the front makes use of a 'vanity panel' to smooth out the 'broken nose' characteristic of the 2012 version.

The car also carries prominent new sponsorship from Blackberry.

Team principal Ross Brawn said it marked "the start of a second era" for the works team, whose victory in China last year was their first since the carmaker bought then-champions Brawn GP in 2009.

"The restructuring we undertook at the team over the past 18 months is now growing in maturity and this is reflected in the F1 W04, which is a clear step forward in design and detail sophistication over its predecessor," he added.

"Many thousands of hours of work have been invested by our technical teams in Brackley and Brixworth to ensure that the new car delivers a step change in performance compared to last season."

British F1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and Nico Roserg of Germany pose during the presentation of the new Mercedes W04 Formula One car at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain February 4, 2013.

Mercedes Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain smiles during a news conference at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain February 4, 2013.

(Agencies)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss speaks during Media Day for the NFL's Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, Louisiana January 29, 2013. The 49ers will meet the Baltimore Ravens in the game on February 3.

NEW ORLEANS - San Francisco 49er Randy Moss boldly declared himself on Tuesday as the greatest wide receiver to play the game, a statement that will raise many eyebrows, including among his team's fans.

Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers and the National Football League's all-time leader in receptions, touchdown receptions and yards, is widely viewed as the greatest to play the position.

But Moss, who is hoping for his first Super Bowl triumph in Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, believes the numbers do not tell the whole story.

"I don't really live on numbers, I live on impact, what you are able to do out on the field. I really do think that I am the greatest receiver to ever play this game," he told reporters at Super Bowl media day in the Superdome, site of Sunday's game.

"Now that I am older I do think I am the greatest receiver to ever do it. I don't think numbers stand because this year has been a down year for me statistically."

Moss, who retired for a year after the 2010 season, enjoyed his best campaign with the New England Patriots in 2007, when he caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and a single-season record 23 touchdowns.

The 35-year-old Moss, who had brief and disappointing spells with the Minnesota and Tennessee after leaving New England, came out of retirement this season and played a limited but highly-praised role on the 49ers offense as they secured the NFC title.

"For me, taking a year off and being able to come back and be in the Super Bowl one year later is just a dream, I really didn't expect this," said Moss, who had 28 receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season.

Moss, who has 982 receptions, 156 touchdown receptions and 15,292 yards in his career, signed a one-year deal with San Francisco and coach Jim Harbaugh has expressed a desire to have him back next year.

Asked whether he plans to return for another season Moss said: "I have thought about it, I do want to play another year," but was non-committal about whether it would be with the 49ers.

"I don't know about that. Next question."

Rice finished his 20-season career with 1,549 receptions, 197 touchdown receptions and 22,895 yards.

(Agencies)

Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi poses with his four Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) trophies before their Spanish King's Cup soccer match against Malaga at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona January 16, 2013. Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi poses with his four Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) trophies before their Spanish King's Cup soccer match against Malaga at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona January 16, 2013.

MADRID - Holders Barcelona squandered a chance to all but seal a probable King's Cup semi-final showdown with Real Madrid when they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 at home to 10-man Malaga in their last-eight first leg on Wednesday.

Barca beat Malaga 3-1 in La Liga on Sunday and coach Tito Vilanova and his Malaga counterpart Manuel Pellegrini both fielded weakened sides for the Cup game three days later at the Nou Camp.

After withstanding a barrage of Barca attacks, Malaga drew first blood in the 25th minute when Thiago Alcantara dithered just outside his penalty area. He was dispossessed by Manuel Iturra who slotted past the stranded Jose Manuel Pinto.

Barca's reaction was swift and another defensive lapse gifted them an equaliser three minutes later.

Lionel Messi, who showed off his four FIFA Ballon d'Or awards to the home fans before kickoff, robbed Weligton on the right and sped into the area before curling a low shot beyond Carlos Kameni.

Barca had the lead a minute later when Carles Puyol stooped to meet Alcantara's corner and sent a looping header over Kameni and in off a post.

Malaga looked to be in serious trouble when Ignacio Monreal picked up a straight red card for felling Pedro when he was through on goal with 15 minutes left.

However, Barca failed to make their numerical advantage count and Ignacio Camacho was left unmarked at the far post to clip in a 90th-minute equaliser.

Coming at the end of one of the sloppiest Barca performances of the season, the goal gives Malaga hope for next week's return leg at their Rosaleda stadium on the south coast.

Real are the likely opponents in the last four after Jose Mourinho's side beat Valencia 2-0 at the Bernabeu in their first leg on Tuesday.

New Sevilla coach Unai Emery, appointed this week to replace the sacked Michel, had a disappointing debut when the Andalusian club were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza.

The winners of the quarter-final tie will meet Atletico Madrid or Real Betis, who play their first leg at Atletico's Calderon stadium on Thursday, in the last four.

( Agencies)

Russian ice dancers Tatyana Navka (R) and Ilya Averbukh hold the Olympic torch for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics during a presentation ceremony in Moscow January 14, 2013.

MOSCOW - Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics organisers unveiled a futuristic torch on Monday based on the contrasts of the world's largest country and combining Russian folklore, including a mythical Firebird, with space-age technology.

"The Olympic torch is one of the key symbols of the Games," Sochi 2014 chief Dmitry Chernyshenko told a packed news conference in Moscow's landmark shopping arcade just a few steps from Red Square, with the Kremlin walls in the background. "In our case, it symbolises the beauty and diversity of Russia."

The torch relay, which starts in the ancient Greek town of Olympia on Oct. 7, will be the longest in Winter Olympic history, measuring 65,000 kilometres, more than 1-1/2 times the circumference of the Earth.

The torch will visit Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain, Lake Baikal and the North Pole.

"We hope it might even go out into space," Chernyshenkohe added.

The torch is coloured red and silver. Red is the traditional colour of Russian sport while silver is the most popular in Olympic torch history, the Sochi organisers said.

The torch, weighing nearly 1.8 kgs, will be carried by 14,000 torchbearers through 2,900 towns and villages across all 83 regions of Russia.

"Our torch is really state-of-the-art. It combines such incompatible things like cold metal with fire, which is very symbolic because for the first time in history Winter Games will be held in a subtropical city," Chernyshenko said in reference to the Russian Black Sea resort.

"In Sochi you can enjoy a warm southern sea as well as high, snow-covered mountains."

Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova holds the Olympic torch for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics during a presentation ceremony in Moscow January 14, 2013.

The Olympic torch for the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics is seen during a presentation ceremony in Moscow January 14, 2013.

( Agencies)

World's top 10 sports news in 2012

Following are the world's top sports news stories in 2012 selected by Xinhua News Agency:

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Espanyol during their Spanish First division soccer league match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Jan 6, 2013.

- Lionel Messi won the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award for the world's outstanding footballer, for the third straight time on Jan 9.

He also made history on Dec 9 when he scored his 85th and 86th goals of 2012 to set a new record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year. The Argentine striker's total scores of this year have piled to 91 goals after last week's Primera Liga.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia tears his shirt as he celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in their men's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan 30, 2012.

- Defending champion and world No 1 Novak Djokovic won his third Australian Open title after beating 10-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal of Spain 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in a marathon final which lasted five hours and 53 minutes on Jan 29.

In this still image taken from video, soccer fans invade the pitch during a soccer match between Al Ahli and al-Masry in Port Said, Feb 1, 2012.

- Seventy-four people were killed and hundreds were injured in a riot breaking out following a soccer match in northern Egypt on Feb 2.

Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin shoots defended by New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (R), guard J.R. Smith and forward Ronnie Brewer (L) in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Dec 17, 2012.

- In February, the American-born-Chinese Jeremy Lin burst into the spotlight of NBA as an unlikely benchwarmer turned hero for New York Knicks.

Lin was drafted out of Harvard and was waived by two clubs late last year before he caught on with the Knicks.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates with the trophy after their Champions League final soccer match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Munich, May 19, 2012.

- Chelsea striker Didier Drogba tied the score with a thunder-like header in the last minutes of regular time against Bayern Munich and scored the decider in the penalty shootout, leading Chelsea to their first-ever Champions League title on May 19.

Miami Heat's LeBron James (L) is presented his Most Valuable Player trophy by Kia representative Percy Vaughn during a news conference held by the NBA and Miami Heat in Miami, Florida, May 12, 2012.

- LeBron James finally added an elusive NBA title to his already impressive resume, guiding the Heat to a five-game triumph over Oklahoma Thunder for their second NBA championship on June 21.

Following up on his regular-season Most Valuable Player nod, James averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the finals and was named finals MVP.

Spain's Iker Casillas lifts up the trophy after defeating Italy to win the Euro 2012 final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, July 1, 2012.

- Spain stepped on top of Europe on July 1 by beating the 10-man Italy 4-0 in the final. Italy, who were in the final for the first time in 12 years, again failed to claim a second European crown after their triumph in 1968.
David Silva's header, Jordi Alba's cool finish, as well as Fernando Torres and Juan Mata's goal relay in the last 10 minutes ensured the reigning world and European champions of becoming the first team in football history to clinch three major titles in a row.

The full moon rises through the Olympic Rings hanging beneath Tower Bridge during the London 2012 Olympic Games, on Aug 3, 2012.

- On July 28, the British capital launched its third modern Olympic Games - London 2012, described by the organizer as "an athletes' Games".

It attracted 10,490 athletes from 204 countries and regions. A total of 44 world records and 117 Olympic records have been set at the grand event.

Olympic chief Jacques Rogge hailed the London Olympics as "happy and glorious" games as he closed the 30th Summer Games.

London Paralympic Games opened 17 days later, teams from 164 countries and regions, the largest ever number in the history of the Paralympic Games, brought together about 4,200 athletes to compete in 503 medal events of 20 sports.

Michael Phelps of the US holds up his award recognizing him as the most decorated Olympian, during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Center, on Aug 4, 2012. Phelps ended his incredible Olympic career on the perfect note on Saturday, winning his 18th gold medal for the United States in the men's medley relay, the last time he will swim a competitive race.

- Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt kept his name at London 2012 as the fastest man on earth by repeating the 100 meters and 200 meters golden double.

Whilst, American swimmer Michael Phelps concluded his long career in London. Though he didn't repeat the eight golds peak at the Beijing Games, he still won four golds and two silvers in seven events. As the most decorated Olympian in history, Phelps surpassed gymnast Larissa Latynia with 22 Olympic medals.

Discovery Channel team rider Lance Armstrong of the US stands with hand on heart during the playing of national anthems after he won his seventh straight Tour de France in Paris, in this July 24, 2005 file photo.

- Lance Armstrong, one of cycling's greatest heroes, fell from his throne, being labeled as a dope cheat for the past decade or so.

His fall from grace, surely the biggest anti-doping news of the year, put cycling in crisis. A 1,000-page report released by the US Anti-Doping Agency in October, not only justified the stripping of Armstrong's seven Tour de France titles and a lifetime ban on Aug 25, but also exposed many doping secrets in professional cycling.

( Xinhua)

Olympic king Bolt seals legend status

Another golden hat-trick at the Games in London was a dream come true for Jamaican sprint star, writes AFP.

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt cemented his status as a true legend of track and field by claiming a second Olympic treble gold medal haul at the London Games. Bolt followed up his podium-topping showing in Beijing in 2008 by becoming the first sprinter to defend the 100m and 200m titles.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the men's 200m final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium August 9, 2012.

He then led home the 4x100m relay team in a world record-breaking 36.84 seconds to cap a pulsating nine days of track and field at the Olympic Stadium in east London.

"It's what I came here to do. I'm now a legend, I'm the greatest athlete to ever live," said Bolt.

"For 2013, the objective is to go as fast as possible and win the 100m title at the world championships in Moscow," which run between Aug 10-18.

Rarely can there have been a week's athletics as enthralling and entertaining as that at the London Olympics.

Every session at the 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium was a sell-out, and the knowledgeable public helped make for an electric atmosphere, notably on the first Saturday when Britain won three gold medals in the space of 45 frenetic minutes.

While Bolt stole the headlines for his sprinting prowess, David Rudisha also produced an outstanding performance on the track, although his Kenyan team endured a relatively disappointing Games.

The Masai tribesman obliterated his own world record in the 800m, running 1:40.91 in the highest quality two-lap race ever seen. Last-placed Andrew Osagie's time would have won him gold in the Beijing Games by 0.88 sec.

Britain's gold medal rush was kicked off by poster-girl Jessica Ennis, who dominated the heptathlon.

She was superseded by Mo Farah, a devout Muslim born in Somalia but a London resident since the age of eight, who galvanized a nation in the most multi-cultural of world cities when he became the seventh runner to win the 5000m-10,000m double.

The sheer spectacle on the final night's action when Farah kicked for home with just over a lap of the 5,000m remaining was a spine-tingling experience those in the stadium will never forget.

Track and field also broke new ground when South African Oscar Pistorius became the first double amputee to race at an Olympics.

He failed to qualify for the individual 400m final, but anchored his team in the 4x400m relay final, in which it finished last.

The United States finished atop the athletics' table with a total of 29 medals, comprising nine gold, 13 silver and seven bronze, for its best haul since the 1992 Games in Barcelona.

Russia came in second with 18 (8-4-6) and the Bolt-inspired Jamaica in third on 12 (4-4-4).

There was also a world record for American Aries Merritt in the men's 110m hurdles, the American clocking 12.80 sec at the Diamond League meet in Brussels to smash the previous record of 12.87 set by Cuban Dayron Robles in June 2008.

Bolt and American sprinter Allyson Felix were named the International Amateur Athletics Federation's athletes of the year.

It was the fourth time in the past five years that Bolt has won the award, but the first time for Felix, who also won three gold medals in London, in the 200m and in both the women's relay races.

The highest-profile casualty in the war on doping was Belarus shot putter Nadezhda Ostapchuk, who was stripped of her Olympic gold after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid.

New Zealand's Valerie Adams was handed gold, but Ostapchuk only received a one-year ban because her coach had doctored her food without her knowledge.

Four medalists from the 2004 Olympic Games were officially stripped of their medals by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC took the decision after new analysis of their dope tests taken at the Athens Games revealed traces of steroids.

Ukraine's Yuri Belonog was stripped of his shot put gold, Belarus' Ivan Tikhon of his silver in the hammer, and Irina Yatchenko of Belarus and Russian Svetlana Krivelyova lost their bronze medals in the women's discus and shot put respectively.

It is the second Olympic medal Tikhon has been stripped of, having had his bronze from the 2008 Games taken away also for a doping offense.

Ironically, the disgraced Ostapchuk was promoted to the podium in place of Krivelyova and will receive a bronze.

( China Daily)

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge (L) and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe attend the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games August 12, 2012.

"These were happy and glorious Games," - IOC president Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony.

"I did everything I wanted to. I finished my career the way I wanted to," - American swimmer Michael Phelps after retiring with 18 gold medals.

"I hope that this medal inspires the kids at home to put down guns and knives and pick up a pair of trainers instead," - Erick Barrondo, winner of Guatemala's first-ever Olympic medal with silver in the men's 20-kilometre race walk.

Guatemala's Olympic athlete Erick Barrondo waves from a bus during a welcome parade on the streets of Guatemala City, August 13, 2012. Barrondo, who finished in second place during the men's 20km race walk final at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4, is the first Guatemalan athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games.

"I'm now a legend. I'm also the greatest athlete to live," - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt after retaining his 100 and 200 metre titles.

David Rudisha of Kenya celebrates after winning the men's 800 metres at the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting at the Stade de France Stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris July 6, 2012.

"Bolt was good but Rudisha was magnificent - it was the performance of the Games, not just track and field," - London 2012 head Sebastian Coe about Kenyan David Rudisha's world record win in the 800 metres.

Soccer

"I am more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world. When all this is over, what are you left with?" - Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi gestures during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Real Valladolid at Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid December 22, 2012.

"We're talking about a great generation of footballers. This is a great era for Spanish football," - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after his team won the European championship.

Tennis

"I'm sure he's smiling from up there that someone has finally managed to do it from Britain. I just hope I can see another British player in my lifetime win a Grand Slam," - Andy Murray after becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the US Open.

Britain's Andy Murray poses with his trophy in Central Park after winning the men's singles title at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York September 11, 2012.

"I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall. I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray and I'm able to do better," - Serena Williams after coming back from a life-threatening illness to win the Wimbledon, Olympic and US Open titles.

Golf

"I never got this far in my dreams," - Bubba Watson after winning the Masters in a dramatic playoff with Louis Oosthuizen.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland jokes with girlfriend Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki(not pictured) as he poses with the trophy after the fourth and final round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai November 25, 2012.

"He's got all the talent in the world to do what he's doing. And this is the way that Rory can play," - Tiger Woods about Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman won the PGA Championship by eight shots.

American Football

"This isn't about bragging rights. This is a lot bigger. This is about a team, an organization being named world champions," - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning after winning his second Super Bowl, one more than his older brother Peyton.

"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game and this kind of conduct will not be tolerated," - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after announcing a range of penalties following revelations of the New Orleans Saints cash-for-hits scheme.

Basketball

"It's about damn time," - Miami Heat forward LeBron James after winning his first NBA title.

Miami Heat's LeBron James (L) hugs teammate Dwyane Wade near the end of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Miami, Florida, June 21, 2012.

"We're all so proud of LeBron. When you get to know LeBron, you don't understand why he was such a lightning rod for the criticism," - Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Cycling

"It sounds cheesy, but your whole life is for this and the reason I got into cycling as a kid was today," - Bradley Wiggins after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France.

A Bradley Wiggins mural is seen on the wall of a pub near to his home in Eccleston, northern England November 8, 2012. Tour de France and Olympic time trial champion Wiggins spent the night in hospital with minor rib injuries after a collision with a van near his home in Lancashire, northern England on Wednesday.

"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough.' For me, that time is now," - Lance Armstrong, announcing he would not contest the doping charges against him and his former team.

Residents view an effigy of US cyclist Lance Armstrong ahead of Bonfire Night celebrations in Edenbridge, south east England November 3, 2012. The 30 foot (10 metre) representation of the now disgraced seven times winner of the Tour de France will be burned alongside a traditional representation of British historical figure Guy Fawkes in this year's annual Bonfire Night.

"The evidence shows beyond any doubt that the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen," - statement from US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart.

Motor Racing

"People were not even mentioning us when they were talking about the championship, but I think the most important thing was that we always kept believing," - Sebastian Vettel after winning his third successive Formula One world title at age 25.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the world championship with his team after the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix at Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo November 25, 2012. Vettel became Formula One's youngest triple world champion at the age of 25 at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

"If the sword breaks, attack with the hands. If they cut off your hands, push the enemy with your shoulders, even with your teeth," - Championship runner-up Fernando Alonso about his battles with Vettel.

Major League Baseball

"It's amazing what a group of guys who play like a team can accomplish. I'm numb that we have won two World Series in the last three years," - San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy after the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers 4-0 to win the Fall Classic.

"I'm a little bit flabbergasted to be honest with you. I never would have thought that we would have swept the New York Yankees (to reach the World Series) and I never would have thought that the Giants would have swept us but it happened," - Detroit manager Jim Leyland.

Ice Hockey

"This is something everyone's dreamed of for their whole lives and this city's dreamed of for 45 years," - Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown after the Kings won the Stanley Cup for the first time.

"We are not prepared to open another season until we have a new collective bargaining agreement," - NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman signaling the start of another player lockout.

Cricket

"Where else in the world do you get the opportunity to basically kill someone with two bouncers an over? Or try, legally," - South African fast bowler Dale Steyn.

"Cricket is not like a government job where retirement age is fixed at 60. A cricketer can retire at 30 or 60; it's up to the player," - India's evergreen batsman Virender Sehwag.

Rugby

"It's for other people to judge whether we are the greatest team or not - or if we are a great team," - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen after another dominant season by the All Blacks.

"Today, we witnessed the arrival of a new generation of Welsh rugby heroes - a group of players who have equalled the success of those great Welsh teams of the past," - Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones after Wales won the Grand Slam and the Six Nations.

(Agencies)

Beijing Ducks players celebrate their first-ever CBA title after beating defending Guangdong Hongyuan in the best-of-seven final series in Beijing on March 30, 2012.

In the past 16 seasons, Guangdong and Bayi, or the Chinese Army, won eight and seven titles respectively, with the remaining one going to Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks in 2002.

"I kept my promise," said Marbury. "When I first came to China, I promised that I can take a CBA championship.

"Thank the guys to give me the power to be able to keep playing on the basketball court, and have a wonderful year in China."

Having dumped his "bad boy" image, Marbury enjoys his new life in China.

"I have a different life in China, and I cherish this opportunity," he said.

The New York-born guard has become an iconic figure in Beijing, with his new book published, his basketball clinic opened and his statue set up. He won love from his fans besides tons of glory.

"Play hard with my friends and win the championship, that's the most important thing in the world," said Marbury, who averaged 33.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.8 steals during the finals.

Marbury was voted by Chinese Web users as the Most Valuable Player for the league finals of CBA. In a poll of 240,000 fans, 90.7 percent selected the former NBA star as the MVP of the best-of-seven series, in which Beijing Ducks won 4-1 over the defending champions Guangdong Hongyuan.

Marbury, however, wasn't able to receive the MVP award from the league as the CBA rules that only domestic players are eligible as candidates.

Stephon Marbury poses in front of his life-size bronze statue built by fans in commemoration of his contribution to the Beijing Duck's first-ever CBA title outside the MasterCard Center in Beijing, May 13, 2012.

But a life-size bronze statue of Marbury donated by over a million Chinese fans was finally set up in the Chinese capital. The statue will be a permanent part of the city to memorize the historical moment and contribution Marbury had made.

Chinese sports website hupu.com once initiated a poll in an effort to build a statue for Marbury, and promised to donate the statue if it received a million votes from fans.

The website received more than 1.02 million votes in seven days.

"I could have never imagined that more than one million of my fans would unite just to have a life-size bronze statue built of me. (I'm) the first foreign born person ever to receive this most high honor. Never, in my lifetime did I think something like this would happen. And to be here to see it. This is just amazing," Marbury said during the donation ceremony.

Dennis Rodman, former Chicago Bulls forward, said, "here we see a former New York Knicks player who transmutes his life in China. His achievement here was never be fulfilled by any NBA players, not Michael Jordan, not Kobe (Byrant) or (LeBrone) James."

Along with Marbury's sweetness and happiness, this summer, London fiasco became an unforgettable bitter memory for Chinese basketball.

From the first defeat to Spain to the last beating by Britain, the Chinese team exited the Olympics with five straight losses and a bottom finish out of 12 teams.

It was the worst performance since 1992. All the problems were laid bare after the retirement of Yao Ming, the seven-time NBA All-star and the most famous center in Chinese basketball history: lack of solid basic training, insufficient physical confrontation and over dependence on Yao.

Back home, the Chinese league is flourishing.

No one had ever imagined years before that three-time NBA All-star Gilbert Arenas would come to play in the Chinese league, let alone the seven-time NBA All-star and twice NBA top scorer Tracy Mcgrady.

Good things happened to the women's league, or WCBA, too.

WNBA first pick Maya Moore has raised the underdog Shanxi to the half-way champion with a clean sweep.

With excitement getting higher for Chinese basketball, Chinese sportswear giant Li Ning signed a 321 million US dollars five-year sponsorship agreement with the CBA League.

Meanwhile, tickets soared as a Qingdao Doublestars ticket increased from 200 yuan to 500 due to the arrival of Mcgrady.

If you want to get a closer look at T-mac, a VIP seat on substitute bench is available, but that will cost you 10,000 yuan ($1,604).

Related stories about McGrady's China move:

McGrady tastes first win in CBA

Coach denies reported fight with McGrady in training

McGrady's CBA coach dismissed after first two rounds

T-mac suffers fourth straight loss in CBA

Related stories about Yearender 2012 Series:

Yearender 2012 China sports: Li Na 'playing herself'

Yearender 2012 China sports: Chinese badminton makes history but overshadowed by match-fixing scandal

Yearender 2012 basketball: Lebron shines brightest on every stage

Yearender 2012 tennis: Golden year for Murray, regrets for Nadal

Yearender 2012 golf: Celtic Tiger and emerging China shine in 2012

Yearender 2012 soccer: Glory for Spain and Messi but problems never far away

Yearender 2012 cycling: Armstrong case sends shockwaves

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Fernando Torres (R) of Chelsea celebrates with Frank Lampard after he scored the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0.

Nascimento Ramires of Chelsea celebrates scoring the team's fifth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0. Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start by crashing home a fourth on the hour.

Eden Hazard (L) of Chelsea celebrates with David Luiz after he scored the team's seventh goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0.

Fernando Torres of Chelsea celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0.

Frank Lampard (C) of Chelsea celebrates with teammates as he scores the team's fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0. Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start by crashing home a fourth on the hour.

Branislav Ivanovic(3rd L) of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after he scored the third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0.

Nascimento Ramires (3rd R) of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after he scored the team's fifth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0. Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League start by crashing home a fourth on the hour.

David Luiz of Chelsea celebrates scoring the team's second goal via a free kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on Dec. 23, 2012. Chelsea won 8-0.

(NEWS.CN)

Real Madrid to face Man United in Champions League last 16

Cristiano Ronaldo will return with nine-times winners Real Madrid to Manchester United, where he developed into one of the world's greatest forwards, and Lionel Messi's Barcelona take on AC Milan in the Champions League last 16.

Bayern Munich, last season's beaten finalists, play Arsenal and Juventus take on surprise qualifiers Celtic. Big-spending Paris St Germain face Valencia.

But the fate of the two Spanish giants in Thursday's draw at UEFA headquarters attracted most interest and both were pitted against clubs with decades of European experience.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo smiles during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Espanyol at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Dec 16, 2012.

Real, the Spanish champions, have been disappointing in La Liga this season and they finished second in their Champions League group behind Borussia Dortmund.

But Ronaldo, a United player from 2003 to 2009, will be desperate for Real to rise to the occasion against the club at which he won the European Cup in 2008.

Real manager Jose Mourinho, once of Chelsea, will also come up against his old rival Alex Ferguson.

"I'm sure it's going to be a special game for him (Ronaldo)," said Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid's director of institutional relations. "I think the fans will be very, very happy with this very attractive, thrilling tie.

"It will be a great experience for everybody. I would have liked to have played against United later in the competition but they won't be pleased either."

United, three-times European champions, have played Real eight times and won only twice. Real, who will host United in the first leg on Feb 13, last won the European Cup in 2002.

Barcelona are now 2-1 favorites to win the Champions League although they could hardly have picked a club with more experience of success in Europe in seven-times winners AC Milan when the competition resumes in mid-February.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Atletico de Madrid during their Spanish first division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona December 16, 2012.

World player of the year Messi has scored 90 goals in 2012 and has fired Barcelona to a nine-point lead in La Liga while Milan are 14 points adrift of Juventus in Serie A and finished second behind Malaga in their group.

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Spanish broadcaster Canal Plus: "Milan are one of Europe's greats and a club that commands a huge amount of respect.

"They are not going well in their league right now but they have some excellent players. They are not currently at their best but football changes from one day to the next."

Juventus, who last won the European Cup in 1996, finished top of their group and will not be disappointed to have drawn Celtic who pulled off a major shock by beating Barcelona this season.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Scottish lightning could strike twice.

"Over two games anything is possible," he said. "It's a beauty against one of the traditional European teams.

"In terms of quality it's going to be very, very tough."

Bayern confident

Bayern Munich, beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, have a nine-point lead in the Bundesliga and were content to have drawn Arsenal who have struggled this season for any consistency.

"We can be satisfied with the draw, but we mustn't underestimate them," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"It's important we try to come away from London with a good result, score a goal there and lay down a marker. We can win it, and we start as favourites."

Bayern Munich's players celebrate with Thomas Mueller (2ndL) a goal against FC Augsburg during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Augsburg, Dec 8, 2012.

Chelsea failed to qualify for the last 16 from the group won by Juventus.

Paris Saint-Germain have invested heavily in players over the past 12 months and now lead Ligue 1 on goal difference. Valencia are mid-table in Spain and in some disarray after losing to Rayo Vallecano at home at the weekend.

PSG sports director Leonardo said current form would have little importance in February.

"In the Champions League, it always depends on the moment you play the game, the run of form," he said.

"We are going to have a difficult encounter with Valencia who are an experienced side," he said.

Valencia director Fernando Giner told Canal Plus: "If we have got this far it's because we are among the 16 best teams in Europe but PSG are a tough opponent.

"We have to be satisfied to be here and it's a way of coming together at a difficult moment to achieve the result we all want. During these difficult times the Champions League is tremendously exciting for us."

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (L) celebrates his first goal against Manchester City with Robin Van Persie during their English Premier League soccer match at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Dec 9, 2012.

In the other ties, Galatasaray will play Schalke 04, Shakhtar Donetsk take on Dortmund and Porto face Malaga.

Dortmund, Bundesliga champions and winners of a tough group including Real, Ajax and Manchester City, were wary of their Ukrainian opponents.

"They are not necessarily the team we would have wanted," said Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke. "It's a very difficult tie but we showed in the group stage that we can beat strong opponents."

Schalke were happy to draw Turkey's Galatasaray.

"There are no easy opponents at this stage of the competition but to be frank I think we have a good chance of reaching the quarterfinals if we play to our potential," said team captain Benedikt Hoewedes.

( Agencies)

UEFA Champions League final ambassador, Britain's Steve McManaman, shows the name of Manchester United during the draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Thursday at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. Ties between Barcelona and AC Milan and Manchester United and Real Madrid topped the bill in the draw.

The Gunners drawn against last season's beaten finalist Bayern

Ties between Barcelona and AC Milan and Manchester United and Real Madrid topped the bill in the draw for the Champions League last 16 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Arsenal was drawn against last season's beaten finalist, Bayern Munich, while Celtic's reward for reaching the knockout phase is a rendezvous with Italian champion Juventus.

Big-spending French club Paris Saint-Germain will take on Valencia, with German champion Borussia Dortmund slated to face its Ukrainian counterpart Shakhtar Donetsk.

In the remaining ties, competition debutant Malaga tackles Porto and Turkish outfit Galatasaray meets German side Schalke.

The first-leg matches will be played on dates between Feb 12-13 and Feb 19-20 and the return legs between March 5-6 and March 12-13.

(Agence France-Presse)

Samuel Schwarz of Germany competes during the men's 1000m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Schwarz won the 1st place with 1 minute and 9.69 seconds.

Hein Otterspeer of Netherlands competes during the men's 1000m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Otterspeer won the 3rd place with 1 minute and 9.92 seconds.

Joji Kato of Japan competes during the men's 500m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Joji Kato took the 1st place with 34.94 seconds.

Jan Smeekens of the Netherlands competes during the men's 500m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Smeekens took the 3rd place with 35.27 seconds.

Karolina Erbanova of the Czech Republic competes during the women's 1000m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Erbanova took the 2nd place with 1 minute and 16.718 seconds.

Ronald Mulder of the Netherlands competes during the men's 500m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Mulder took the 2nd place with 35.21 seconds.

Olga Fatkulina of Russia competes during the women's 1000m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Fatkulina won the 3rd place with 1 minute and 17.12 seconds.

Shani Davis of the United States competes during the men's 1000m division A at the ISU World Cup in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 16, 2012. Davis won the 2nd place with 1 minute and 9.87 seconds.

(NEWS.CN)

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