Rio de Janeiro - Former FIFA president Joao Havelange on Wednesday asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to choose Rio de Janeiro as the host city of the 2016 Olympics.

"At my age, unfortunately, I no longer have ambitions in sport. But I do have one wish, which is to offer Brazil and South America the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Havelange, one of the most important sports personalities in Brazil.

Havelange, 92, made his speech in French before members of an IOC evaluating commission currently visiting Rio.

IOC inspectors led by Moroccan former athlete Nawal El Moutawakel on Wednesday held closed-door consultations with Brazilian authorities to hear about Rio's plans for the 2016 Games.

Bremen, Germany - Werder Bremen have held talks with Italian Serie A giants Juventus over their Brazilian playmaker, Bremen sports director Klaus Allofs has confirmed.

Allofs told Wednesday's local Kreiszeitung Syke newspaper that there had been discussions by phone with Juventus but "no negotiations."

"When a club has an interest (in a player) it's normal that you telephone each other," he was quoted as saying.

Hamburg - German referee Wolfgang Stark Wednesday defended his performance in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea after coming in for criticism from the Spanish side.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola criticised Stark for some of his decisions, saying the referee should have sent off fellow German Michael Ballack for a foul which he claimed warranted a second yellow card.

London, Apr 29 : Olympic Games champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington has revealed how swimming can help one to stay slim.

Adlington, 20, who swims four miles every morning, is eager to share the benefits of swimming just a few times a week.

"Swimming does everything," the Mirror quoted her as saying.

Few weeks back we had revealed what drove Preity Zinta to own her own IPL team, now we reveal to you from what we have learnt through industry sources about how Shilpa Shetty and her boyfriend Raj Kundra went on to be associated with the Rajasthan Royals.

Barcelona (Spain), Apr. 29 : Chelsea football club coach Guus Hiddink has hailed his team for successfully forcing a draw against Spanish football champions Barcelona at their Nou Camp home ground, saying "My heroes bleed for me."

The Blues became the first side this season to stop Barcelona scoring at home as this Champions League semi-final.