Beijing Olympic champ Liukin out for world meet (AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

Nastia Liukin, the Beijing Olympic all-around gymnastics champion, withdrew from consideration for the US team at this year’s world championships on Monday for personal reasons.

Olympic champion Liukin opts out of worlds (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin has opted out of competing at the world championships in London in October.

Fulham boss Hodgson happy to be linked with Olympic team (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who was named as a possible coach of the British soccer team for the 2012 Olympics last week, said he would be happy to take the job if it was offered to him.

Women’s boxing nod could give China three more golds (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Sport)

China has high hopes of dominating women’s boxing at the 2012 Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided earlier this month to include it on the London programme.

Monday’s gossip column

A three-way battle is on to sign Portsmouth’s David James, plus other rumours.

Hodgson keen on Olympic position

Roy Hodgson says he would be honoured to coach Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic football team.

Prince Philip gives beard advice

A designer with a tiny patch of facial hair has his growth mocked by Prince Philip, who expresses pity for his “poor frustrated beard” .

London 2012 delivers stamp licensing deal

To celebrate three years to go until the Paralympic Games, the London 2012 Organising Committee has announced that a series of London 2012 themed stamps – including Paralympic sports – will be issued over the next three years in a licensing deal with Royal Mail.

Saturday’s gossip column

Everton’s loan bid for Valencia’s Ever Banega hits problems, plus other rumours.

Olympic aim to get Britons online

The UK’s Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox lays out a challenge to those already online to train those not on the internet.