Fuelling the flames of the games: Golden Olympic 2012 torch unveiled that will be carried by 8,000 runners

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Golden triangle: London 2012 chairman Lord Coe holds the three-cornered torch aloft as he unveils the design today Lord Coe forced to defend ticket allocation processThis is the golden torch that will be carried by the 8,000 runners on the London 2012 relay, it was announced today.The Olympic Flame will burn from a curved triangular aluminium tube which has a lace-like mesh

Ruthless Rafa! The Spanish juggernaut rolls on but Federer goes down fighting in Paris

By MIKE DICKSON King again: Rafael Nadal stormed to a sixth French Open title beating Switzerland's Roger Federer Roger Federer came to Roland Garros and made his point, but he could not make it loud enough to suppress the extraordinary Rafael Nadal. We get the message that Federer is no spent force, and when Wimbledon starts in a fortnight nobody will be underestimating him as they did here and

Awesome Federer ends Djokovic hot streak to set up French Open final against Nadal

By MIKE DICKSON The true No 1: Roger Federer celebrates beating Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finalsNovak Djokovic's brilliant winning streak met a dramatic, murky end when Roger Federer announced he was far from finished. At 9.37pm and with an overnight suspension due, the Swiss brought Roland Garros to its feet by becoming the first man to beat Djokovic this year as he inflicted on him

Li crushes under-par Sharapova in straight sets to reach first French Open final

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Pumped up: Na Li saw off Maria Sharapova in straight setsLi Na reached her second successive grand slam final with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Maria Sharapova at the French Open.The sixth seed, who lost to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open, took advantage of Sharapova's serving struggles to add the Russian to an impressive list of scalps in Paris, including Petra Kvitova and

Don't you know who I am? Corrie's Helen Flanagan refused entry into Scott's Swansea match... despite being a WAG

By DAILY MAIL REPORTERBut I'm a WAG! Helen Flanagan argues with Wembley senior safety supervisors to try and be let back into the Swansea football match Helen Flanagan might be a premiership WAG now, but staff supervisors at Wembley didn’t recognise the Coronation Street star at her boyfriend’s match yesterday.The 20-year-old actress went to watch Scott Sinclair play for Swansea in yesterday’s

Pippa's Paris freebie: VIP treatment at the tennis tournament for Kate's sister

By REBECCA ENGLISH VIP treatment: Pippa Middleton receives a book from Xavier Peugeot during her freebie trip to watch the tennis in Paris Sitting centre stage at the French Open on Monday, she appeared to be having a ball. And no wonder.For Pippa Middleton was enjoying what those in the business like to call a ‘freebie’, courtesy of leading car firm Peugeot, which sponsors the Paris tennis

Coleen Rooney plays supportive wife as husband Wayne scores Man Utd's only goal as they lose to Barca

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Making a day of it: Coleen Rooney and cousin-in-law Claire (far right) look excited in the stands at Wembley Stadium before kick-off She'd travelled all the way from Liverpool to London to watch Barcelona beat Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final.But things weren't so bad for Coleen Rooney as she watched her husband Wayne score the only goal at Wembley

Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1: Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa crown Barca kings of Europe

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTERJoining the greats: Victor Valdes, Xavi and Eric Abidal toast another memorable night for the kings of EuropeFor the second time in three years, brilliant Barcelona denied Manchester United Champions League glory with a sensational performance at Wembley.Although United could take some small consolation from the knowledge they were more effective than that 2009 letdown in

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona kisses the trophy

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona kisses the trophy after victory in UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. Manchester United's Javier Hernandez walks past the trophy as he receives his medal from UEFA President Michel Platini after Barcelona won the Champions League final soccer match

Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1: Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa crown Barca kings of Europe

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Sealing the deal: David Villa curls in Barcelona's third goal Barcelona have won the Champions League for the third time in six years courtesy of a typically scintillating performance against the Barclays Premier League champions at Wembley. Goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa rendered Wayne Rooney's equaliser as a mere token, with the Catalan giants enjoying 63