Tamarine, Calleri get Olympic invites from ITF
www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-29 12:54:55   Print

Special report:   2008 Olympic Games    

    BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Argentine Agustin Calleri has replaced injured compatriot Juan Ignacio Chela in the men's singles of the Olympic tennis event, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on its official website on Monday.

    In women's singles, Thailand's player Tamarine Tanasugarn was also given the special invite after Liechtenstein's Stephanie Vogt withdrew injured.

    The 31-year-old Thai, having played at three Games, did not make the draw with her plummeting rankings but has said she would like to represent her country at Beijing.

    She hit top form recently by making the last eight at Wimbledon, contributing to the Asian success alongside with China's Zheng Jie, who eventually reached the semifinals.

    The grueling tennis season cost many the chance of playing at the Olympics, with Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and former French Open winner Mary Pierce sidelined after being selected.

    Countries are allowed a maximum of six players in the Olympic tournament with no more than four in the singles. They are allowed two doubles pairs.

    Tennis was a part of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 but was withdrawn after the 1924 Paris Games. It returned as a demonstration event in the 1984 Los Angeles Games and became a full medal sport again in 1988.

Editor: An
Related Stories
Home Beijing 2008 Olympics
Email Us Back to Top
Top Photos
Premier promises clean, scenic Beijing during and after Olympics
Aerial photos of Beijing Olympic venues
Top Videos
AIPS president confident of successful Olympics
Bush to attend Olympics opening ceremony
Blue sky over Beijing with Olympics 5 days away
Chinese premier promises clean, scenic Beijing during and after Olympics
Beijing Olympic organizers confident of worry-free Games
Olympic torch brings inspiration, hope to quake-battered Sichuan
Senior official: Brilliant opening important for success of Olympics