Nov 20 Laguna Phuket Triathlon will take place

A day after announcing its cancellation in view of Thailand's mourning period after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, organisers of the Laguna Phuket Triathlon have reinstated the Nov 20 event yesterday.

The organisers said that the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has advised that all sporting activities in Phuket, an important tourism city, should continue albeit with some adjustments to avoid parties or cheering activities.

Wallabies bench Cooper for Bledisloe Cup Test

WELLINGTON • Australia have dropped flyhalf Quade Cooper for today's Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks will be going for a record 18th successive Test victory.

New Zealand-born Cooper, who has struggled at Eden Park in the past, drops to the bench and will be replaced in the No. 10 shirt by Bernard Foley, who played at inside centre for most of the Rugby Championship.

Foley will be reunited in a halfback partnership with his New South Wales Waratahs team-mate Nick Phipps, who comes into the starting line-up for Will Genia.

REUTERS

British cycling chief to leave post next April

LONDON • Ian Drake is to step down as chief executive of British Cycling after seven years at the helm in April next year, he announced yesterday.

His decision comes in the wake of a tumultuous year which saw success on the track - the British team dominating at the Olympics - but also allegations of bullying. And recently there was controversy over Bradley Wiggins' use of therapeutic use exemption (TUE) permitted by cycling authorities for the powerful corticosteroid triamcinolone prior to three major races.

Drake did not mention either affair and said he believed the time was right to hand over to a fresh face.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE