"As for the question whether or not we will enter a bid for the 2008 Olympics, at the present moment I could only reply that we are still in the process of studying the possibility and evaluating the situation. It is only a matter of time. The Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese people will continue to actively support the Olympic Movement and hope that Olympic Games will eventually be held in China some day in the future."

Tu Mingde, the secretary general for the Chinese Olympic Committee. So now you know . . . or do you. Lot of words for `I don't know'.

"Most of the cheers were for Liz but I was so comfortable I kept glancing at the crowd looking for a familiar face. I thought to myself `my runs out in Malahide on Sunday mornings are a lot harder than this'."

Catherina McKiernan after her victory in the London Marathon.

"Even when he is playing badly Peter Canavan is such a good leader that he has a huge influence on the game, It is a sad situation and we must remember that two players were affected."

Paul Doris, the chairman of the Tyrone County Board, after the incidents in a club match that left Peter Canavan with a broken jaw in three places and saw Barry Gormley knocked unconscious in the showers afterwards.

"I am innocent of these charges, I am appalled at the manner in which they have been leaked into the public domain and I intend fully defending them, if necessary all the way to the International Sports Court in Switzerland."

Michelle de Bruin dismisses allegations made by FINA.

"For £10 million you want somebody who is going to make the difference at the other end of the pitch - and brings you tea and biscuits every day and does your hoovering."

Chelsea coach Graham Rix explaining why PSV Eindhoven defender Jaap Stam, set to join Manchester United, is not on Chelsea's wanted list.