Beijing Olympic Games

HAVING reaching the height of success at the Beijing Olympics last year, pole vaulter Steve Hooker has his eyes on his sport's next biggest prize, this year's world championships.

• 14-times gold medallist wants to enjoy cheering from the stands
• Phelps has resumed training in preparation for London Games

Michael Phelps has confirmed that he will not swim eight events at the London Olympics in 2012. Phelps made history last summer when he won eight gold medals at Beijing, beating his fellow American Mark Spitz's 1972 record by one as the most ever won by an athlete in a single Games.

In the process, the 23-year-old set seven world records, eight American records and eight Olympic records and became the most decorated male Olympian of all time with a total of 16 Olympic medals, including 14 golds, the others having been won in Athens in 2004.

His achievements were recognised yesterday by the United States Olympic Committee, which named Phelps its Sportsman of the Year for 2008, but the swimmer insisted he would not try to repeat his epic achievement in London or anywhere else.

"I'll never swim eight events at a major competition again," said Phelps. "I'm almost positive that my last eight-event meet was Beijing."

Phelps said easing back on his competitive schedule would allow him to enjoy the Olympics in London much more than he had at previous Games.

"I think I will have more time to take in all the experiences," he said, "possibly being in the stands and cheering. You know, I haven't had that experience since, I guess, 2001 at my first world championships. So, really being a part of the team more.

"When you're swimming so many events, all you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat sleep swim. You never get to be in the stands. I was always warming up, warming down, going back and forth to the pool, eating at the Village and then going to sleep.

"So that's something I'm looking forward to and it's something that should be fun."

"I've just recently started getting back into the water and training a little bit with some kind of 'official' days with Bob [Bowman, his coach] and everything that has happened this year has just been something that will be with me forever."

A review of which sports should be shown live on free-to-air TV has begun. Owen Gibson explains how it will shape what we watch, and if we will have to pay for it, in the decade ahead

The year 2012 will be a huge one for British sport, and not only because of the small matter of the London Games. As the Olympic flame is extinguished in Stratford, the lights will also go out on the analogue television system that has been in place since 1936. And with it will go the assumptions that have underpinned sport on television since Wimbledon became the first major event to be screened by the BBC a year later.

It is against that backdrop that the former FA executive director David ­Davies is beginning a pivotal independent review of the government's listed-events legislation that will help frame the sports ­landscape for the next decade. Davies will have to pick his way through a debate in which the combatants include the well-funded lobbyists of pay-TV giants such as Sky, the legions of policy strategists employed by public-service broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV, governing bodies such as Uefa, Fifa and the International Olympic Committee, the administrators who run British sport and, lastly, but he will insist not least, the public.

On the one hand are those armchair fans who remember wistfully long summer days squinting at Test cricket on the BBC, on the other those who believe Sky Sports' revolution has dramatically improved the choice and quality on offer.

It had long been assumed that this review of the so-called "crown jewels" list of events protected for broadcast on free-to-air television would signal the ­beginning of the end for the concept. As everyone had a choice of dozens of ­channels it would become anachronistic to protect the biggest sporting events such as the FA Cup final, the Derby and inter­national football tournaments.

It is this vision that BSkyB, Setanta and other pay-TV giants will be pushing. And it is one that the likes of Uefa and Fifa will also advance. Having launched legal ­challenges to the principle in Europe, they will lobby hard for the list to be relaxed so they can increase their income by selling some matches from the biggest ­tournaments to the highest bidder.

But the culture secretary Andy Burnham, to whom the final decision will fall after Davies delivers his conclusions, does not view things that way. He has been at pains to stress privately that the end result may be to have more sports on the list rather than fewer.

In a fragmented digital era Burnham is convinced that the ­ability of the BBC and other broadcasters to bring the nation together for big sporting events must be protected, a belief strengthened by the BBC's Beijing ­coverage and the way it amplified Team GB's achievements.

"It is because I believe in television's social role – its power to include and involve – that I continue to believe resolutely in the principle of a protected list of sporting events set by the government," said Burnham when he announced the review late last year.

"But it is also important that this list moves with the times and people's tastes, ensuring that TV ­continues to bring the nation together and build community – particularly given our sports policy objectives of driving ­participation in this Olympic era."

While it is outside the scope of the ­Davies review, Burnham is also keen to see more coverage of minority sport and, in particular, women's sport on ­terrestrial TV. "Where is the coverage of women's and girls' sport and smaller sports not ­covered on subscription channels?" Burnham asked yesterday in a speech to the MediaGuardian Oxford Media Convention.

Most controversially, it is understood that Burnham is determined that the review will lead to a return to free-to-air television for live international cricket in some form.

The arguments will once again ­coalesce around cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board's decision in 2004 to hand exclusive live coverage of domestic Tests to Sky was greeted with howls of protest from MPs and the Keep Cricket Free lobby. They felt the ECB had broken the spirit of an earlier "­gentlemen's agreement". But the ECB said the proceeds of the deal would enable it to dramatically increase investment in the sport at all levels.

The argument become even more ­fractious after England won the Ashes in 2005, just before the new deal kicked in. The ECB's decision to renew its contract with Sky and Five, which shows highlights, until 2013 took the rancour to new levels. After last summer accepting a £300m bid from Sky, the ECB chairman Giles Clarke said it had made every effort to divide the rights into multiple packages so broadcasters could bid for a single Test, one-day international or Twenty20, and hit out at the BBC for not bidding.

In return, furious BBC executives argued they had not been offered a meaningful chance to win the rights and Setanta executives, who had been hoping to win the rights to domestic one-day and Twenty20, accused Clarke of not taking them seriously.

For its part, the ECB can point to ­statistics released yesterday showing that domestic cricket attendances have risen. Participation also increased by 27% in 2007, with figures due to be released soon expected to show a similar rise for 2008. The row acquired a new political dimension when Lord ­Marland emerged as a serious challenger to Clarke for the ECB chairmanship. In 2005, he oversaw a report that condemned the loss of cricket from free-to-air TV as "breathtakingly shortsighted" and recently confirmed he would make the issue a central plank of his campaign.

It is understood that Burnham favours a solution that includes the listing of ­international Twenty20 cricket. Supporters point out that Twenty20 cricket is easier to schedule and less ­problematic for free-to-air broadcasters who have to ­operate in a vastly more competitive ­environment than even 10 years ago. They believe it would also bring new fans to the game and appeal to younger audiences.

The idea is understood to have also found favour at the BBC. Davies and his panel will consider various options, including listing just the ICC World Twenty20 – which will be played in England this summer – or all domestically-played international Twenty20 cricket. There are also likely to be talks about whether it is practical to list a single Test in every series, although that could ­seriously hit the value of the rights and would present more practical obstacles.

Sensing which way the political wind is blowing, the corporation is also likely to lobby for the addition of Lions rugby union tours and Ryder Cup golf to the A list. The former, in particular, is likely to win support from MPs. But in both cases, and particularly that of the Ryder Cup, Sky could reasonably argue that it has played a part in increasing rather than ­diminishing its stature.

It will point out that when the BBC held the rights the action would often be interrupted, while they can offer ­continuous coverage and all the technological innovations Sky has led the way in developing over the past 15 years.

Davies, who will bring to bear his ­experience at the FA and the BBC, has already convened a diverse panel of broadcasters, former sports stars and ­academics in an effort to ensure the debate does not become dominated by the cricket ­question but takes account of the broader forces that will shape the future of media and sport over the next 10 years. Among them is the fact that even listed events will potentially be opened up to a wider range of broadcasters. Once the nation has switched to digital TV in 2012, there will be many more broadcasters who meet the 95% threshold required to bid for listed events.

Sky could even decide to use one of its Freeview channels to broadcast a listed event as a promotional tool. Davies will also consider whether the A and B lists should be rethought for the digital age to make it less complicated and more ­flexible. He is expected to hold a series of public hearings, including one in Scotland.

But those who would like to see the list drastically reduced, or at least more events on the B list (which guarantees free-to-air highlights) and fewer on the A list (which guarantees live coverage) will not give up easily. Uefa, in particular, will argue that while matches involving home nations in the European Championship should remain on the list, others should be opened up to competitive bids from pay-TV broadcasters. Fifa is likely to take a similar line about the World Cup, although tournaments up to 2014 are contracted to the BBC and ITV.

Davies has promised to deliver his conclusions by "the second half of 2009" but there could be a decision by the end of September. After recently documenting his tumultuous time at the FA in a new book, Davies may find he has enough material for at least another topsy-turvy chapter by the time the dust settles.

Listed Events

Category A - Live on terrestrial

Olympic Games

Football World Cup

European Football Championship

FA Cup final

Scottish FA Cup final (in Scotland)

Grand National

The Derby

Wimbledon finals

Rugby League Challenge Cup final

Rugby World Cup final

Category B - Highlights on terrestrial

Cricket Tests in England

Wimbledon up to finals

All other Rugby World Cup matches

Six Nations Rugby matches involving home countries

Commonwealth Games

World Athletics Championships

Cricket World Cup final, semi-finals and matches involving home countries

Ryder Cup

The Open

NETBALL Australia has launched an on-line campaign to help lobby for the sport's inclusion in the 2016 Olympics and beyond.

AUSTRALIAN Olympic Committee chief John Coates has ruled out Melbourne or Brisbane bidding for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Melbourne may bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 or 2028.

MELBOURNE may bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 or 2028.

MELBOURNE may bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 or 2028.

Five Team GB athletes talk about what motivates them ahead of and during competition

Michael Phillips tracks the progress made by our dozen young hopefuls as they aim for the London Olympics

Tom Daley, 14, diving

2005 Became youngest ever under-18 platform champion and youngest ever national 3m champion

2006 Second in 10m platform at British senior championships, aged 12

2007 Became youngest national 10m platform champion

Four years before the Olympics in London, Daley grew in stature this summer in spectacular style. By reaching Beijing, he became Britain's second youngest male Olympian ever. In March he became the youngest diver to win the 10m platform event at the European swimming championships when still aged 13. In Beijing, he was eighth in the 10m platform synchronised with his partner Blake Aldridge before finishing seventh in the individual final. "I just need to go back, learn some harder dives and perfect them," he said.

Nathan Stephens, 20, Paralympics

2005 Ranked world No2 in discus, javelin and shot

2006 GB Junior Athlete of the Year

2007 Won shot, discus and javelin at DSE (Disability Sport Events) championships

The Welshman remains a great hope for 2012 after narrowly missing out on a medal in Beijing. Competing in three events at the Paralympics, Stephens, who lost his legs aged nine after he was hit by a train, was fourth in the javelin in the F57/58 category, losing bronze in the final round. The athlete, who was eighth in the shot and 11th in the discus, said: "My main aim has always been London so to come fourth is fantastic. It was daunting for a 20-year-old against the big guys. I am still a baby compared to them."

Francesca Halsall, 18, swimming

2005 European junior gold and silver medallist; 50m freestyle British champion

2006 Double relay silver medallist at Commonwealth Games, Melbourne; won team bronze in 4x50m relay at the short-course European championships

2007 Twice set British 100m freestyle record; set 50m butterfly record

A superb year for Halsall, who gained valuable experience from her first Olympics in Beijing, where she swam 10 times, finishing eighth in the 100m freestyle. She remains very much a contender for 2012 after 12 months that saw her win four medals at the World Short Course Championships in Manchester, securing bronze in the 4 x 100m freestyle on her 18th birthday.

Olly Freeman, 22, triathlon

2005 European junior champion; London Triathlon champion

2006 Won silver at European under-23 championships

2007 Finished 14th at senior European championships after breaking foot in running

Having missed six months of 2007 with a broken foot, Freeman bounced back in style and ended last year sixth in the international rankings after a series of fine performances that included third in the World Cup in Hamburg. It was his first podium finish and one of four top placings for the Eastbourne athlete. He travelled to Beijing as reserve, gaining priceless experience for 2012. Freeman, who was 15th at the triathlon world championships in Vancouver, said: "What I realised most was how the pressures of a major Games can affect people preparing to race."

Gavin Evans, 15, table tennis

2005 Became European under-12 champion; European under-18 team champion

2006 Coached by Carl Prean, former British No1

2007 Won gold at European Youth Olympics

At the European Youth Championships in Italy he won gold in the under-15 category, silver in the doubles and team and bronze in the mixed doubles. In October he secured gold in the doubles and team events at the World Cadet Challenge, the unofficial world championships for under-15s. Steen Hansen, the national performance director, said: "Gavin has improved so much we have every reason to be optimistic. However, if we don't get the funding we need, then perhaps Gavin should start concentrating on his education instead of his Olympic dream."

Rajiv Ouseph, 22, badminton

2005 Became first English player for 20 years to win the European junior title

2006 Rose to No2 in national rankings, world No62 and made England debut

2007 Reached semi-finals at English championships

Ouseph has made good progress, even if he has not made the impact expected since he won the European Junior title in 2005. The latest international rankings will strengthen his place in the top 40 and he recently won the Yonex Irish International and Bank of Scotland International Championships to bolster a 12 months when he triumphed at the English National Badminton Championships in February.

Alex Nelson, 20, athletics

2005 Equalled UK under-18 100m record of 10.31sec; won silver at world youth championships

2006 Won 200m bronze in Beijing junior world championships; injury problems

2007 Won 200m European junior gold; in 4x100m team at Osaka world championships

The Young Male Athlete Of 2007 reached the Olympics in Beijing having set a British League Premiership 200m record of 20.49 in July, a time that broke his personal best by more than three-10ths of a second. But the sprinter then suffered the despair of not being able to compete at the Bird's Nest stadium after injury struck six days before his heats. But, as he said: "Experiencing the holding camps and Olympic Games has been invaluable."

Ellen Whitaker, 22, equestrianism

2005 Finished sixth at Olympia's Links of London GP

2006 Secured second and third-placed finishes at Olympia

2007 Involved in team that finished third at European championships

The niece of British Olympians John and Michael Whitaker is maintaining the family tradition and last month won the Accenture Stakes at the London International Horse Show at Olympia. Last year she was awarded the FEI Silver Badge of Honour for more than 20 appearances on British Nations Cup Teams and won the Puissance at Belfast International Horse Show. Derek Ricketts, British show jumping's team manager, said: "Ellen has added some new horses to her string this year and is starting to cement a good relationship with them. She is an exciting prospect."

Dylan Fletcher, 20, sailing

2005 Finished as leading under-18 sailor in San Francisco world championships in 29er class and third at European championships in Copenhagen

2006 Became youth world champion in 29er class

2007 Moved into 49er class

Fletcher sails in the 49er class and confirmed his potential in the event last year with silver at the National Championships in August. He will look to build on that at the 49er World Championships in July and the European championships in September.

Graeme Dyce, 19, tennis

2005 Planned move to Nick Bollettieri's Florida academy with LTA funding

2006 Continued at Bollettieri's

2007 Won Australian Open boys doubles title; reached third round of Wimbledon boys singles

Dyce combines studying at the University of Kentucky with playing on the university's tennis team. It has not been a year for major achievement on the circuit, though that would have hardly been expected since it was his first year on the senior rankings. The 2007 winner of the boys doubles at the Australian Open with Finland's Harri Heliovaara, it has been a slow 12 months for the Edinburgh-born Dyce who has competed only once on the ITF circuit. He played in the Louisville Challenger in October, losing in the first round, 4-6, 0-6, to the USA's Brett Ross in the first round.

… ones who got away

Thomas Aindow, 19, rowing

2005 Turns down career in Navy to pursue rowing

2006 Wins junior title at National Indoor Rowing Championships

2007 Finishes ninth in an under-23 time trial aged 18

A year that has seen the end of the 2012 dream for the Plymouth teenager. He has left the World Class Start programme by mutual consent and is understood to have left the sport completely, having entered 2008 with the ambition of making the world under-23 championships.

Sandeep Rai, 21, wrestling

Rai was unable to build on the potential he showed in winning the British junior title in 2005 and was forced to end his Olympic ambition last year when he failed to recover from injury.