Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015

By David Montero, LA Daily News

This week they will come­ — from Argentina to Zambia, Bangladesh to Belarus. They will compete for hundreds of medals, inspire thousands of fans and win over countless hearts.

It will be the single largest international sporting event Los Angeles has seen since it hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.

The Special Olympics World Games begin Saturday. It is a nine-day affair that will scatter about 6,500 athletes from 165 countries — all striving for gold, silver, bronze and award ribbons in a broad range of largely Olympic-style competitions. The 1984 Summer Olympics, by comparison, hosted 140 nations.

But organizers hope the nearly 500,000 spectators that are expected to attend the 25 different competitions to come away with more than just an appreciation of the competition at the venues.

Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, said this will be the biggest World Games since the first one debuted 47 years ago at Soldier Field in Chicago. With the explosion of social media since that last World Games in Athens in 2011 and a massive television deal with ESPN to televise all of the events here, the message of inclusion will be everywhere.

The Special Olympics World Games feature only athletes with intellectual disabilities — the result of genetics, an injury or disease that may have developed at birth or later in life. Common intellectual disabilities include Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

The games are meant to showcase the athletes and individuals and not to have them be defined by their intellectual disability. With an estimated 6.5 million people in the United States and as many as 200 million people worldwide having an intellectual disability, McClanhan said the World Games provide the public with a chance to see each as a person and athlete.

“We believe it will be an integral part of the campaign to get people from all cultures and all walks of life to encourage the athletes and to elevate an awareness of their value to the community,” McClenhan said.

This year’s summer World Games is the first one to take place on American soil in 16 years. In that time, it’s gone more global than ever. South Korea hosted the Winter World Games in 2013 and Greece hosted the Summer World Games in 2011.

The scale is unlike any of the previous games, with more athletes from more countries than ever before. The United States will have the largest delegation with 480 athletes while Kosovo will be the smallest contingent with four.

Most of the country delegations are arriving Tuesday and Wednesday — landing at LAX and having a red carpet welcome at Loyola Marymount University. Two nations have already arrived — New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS

The LA2015 organizing committee also has more than 9,000 working volunteers working at the nine sporting venues that include UCLA, USC, Griffith Park and Long Beach. Metrolink, an official partner of these games, will be running extra trains over the nine days and has included a map and schedule link on its website to encourage users to stay off the roads and reduce traffic.

Officials announced last week more that 20,000 people have registered since the beginning of July to be a part of the “Fans in the Stands” program. That effort seeks to ensure seats are filled and there are plenty of people to cheer the athletes. So far, more than 121,000 have registered to be a part of that program and at least six sports — beach volleyball, gymnastics, judo, kayaking and sailing — aren’t taking any more preregistered fans.

While all of the sporting events are free and preregistering isn’t required, tickets must be purchased for the opening ceremony.

Those tickets were still available for the opening ceremonies late last week; they range in price was from $47 to $120. The ceremony is expected to hold 50,000..

The ceremony, which will include the lighting of the Olympic Flame at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, will be a star-studded affair with Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne and a range of Olympic athletes that includes Michael Phelps and Rafer Johnson participating. First lady Michelle Obama will officially open the games and the torch will be lit by a surprise guest — always a Special Olympics athlete.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the World Games was a perfect fit for the city.

“These athletes ... embody the bold spirt of our city,” he said. “Because L.A. is where you come to make your dreams a reality.”

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made the pitch to bring the Special Olympics to the city and the budget for hosting the games is approximately $60 million — funded through private donors, corporate sponsorships and partners.

Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, announced the city had won the bid in 2011. Shriver is the son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics nearly 50 years ago.

WORLD GAMES DIFFER

There is a difference between the Special Olympics movement and the Special Olympics World Games. The Special Olympics movement is the organization that has 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries participating in more than 70,000 competitions annually.

The World Games are the organization’s international event that takes place every four years — just like the Olympics.

Also, like the Olympics, the Winter Games and Summer Games are on staggered four-year cycles so there is only a two-year gap between any World Games. The 2017 Winter World Games will be held in Austria.

But there are some key structural differences between the Olympics and Special Olympics.

While billed as an international competition with athletes arriving from their home countries, the World Games downplays the nationalism seen at the Olympics. During the opening and closing ceremonies, the athletes do not come in carrying their nations’ flags. At the awards ceremonies, national anthems aren’t played. Instead, a universal piece of music derived for the Special Olympics is played.

And while gold, silver and bronze medals are presented, ribbons are handed out for fourth- through eighth-place finishers as well.

Jan Palchikoff, senior vice president for competition and athletic experience for the World Games, said much care has been taken to make sure all of the athletes competing in events are similarly skilled as well.

Palchikoff, a former two-time Olympian, said by keeping the athletes with similar skill levels in varying competitions, it provides drama for the fans and the feeling among the athletes that any of them could win on any given day.

“No matter what the level, it should be a competitive event,” she said. “Once in awhile you’ll see someone who just toasts the field, but usually they’re all within reach of each other.”

Some of the events are modified from standard international rules to accommodate the competitors, Palchikoff said.

But she said the differences also can’t suppress one key similarity.

“People want to do their best and competition brings that out in a person,” she said. “And the athletes that will be out there? They are competitive.”

WHO IS COMING TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES OPENING CEREMONY

Directed by Debbie Allen

• First lady Michelle Obama

• Stevie Wonder

• Avril Lavigne

• Nicole Sherzinger

• O.A.R

• Cody Simpson

• Siedah Garrett

• J Balvin and Becky G.

• Eva Longoria

• Lauren Potter

• Yao Ming

• Jimmy Kimmel

• Michael Phelps

• Greg Louganis

• Stephanie McMahon

TICKETS

To buy tickets, which range in price from $47 to $120, go to this link.

WHAT YOU CAN’T BRING

• Drugs or alcohol

• Pop-up tents in venues

• Animals (assistive animals OK)

• Fireworks

• Firearms and weapons, including knives

• No smoking

• Horns, noisemakers, musical instruments or large music players

• Professional cameras with lenses longer than 3-inches.

• Video or audio recording equipment

• Frisbees, balls

• Hard or soft-sided coolers

• Skateboards, roller skates or Rollerblades

• Outside food or drink

• Signs, posters, placards or banners larger than 30x36 inches. Supports no longer than 18 inches in length and can’t exceed 3/4-inch in width and 1/4-inch thickness

More spectator information can be found here.

Article Source: http://www.dailynews.com/events/20150718/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2015-special-olympics-world-games

British Open 2015 Live Stream And TV Info

Jordan Spieth, coming off victories at the Masters and the U.S. Open, continues his quest for a Grand Slam when the British Open begins at St. Andrews on Thursday.

Spieth arrives in Scotland with some momentum: He won the John Deere Classic in a playoff on Sunday.

Tiger Woods, on the other hand, will try to jump start his faltering career after a disastrous showing in the U.S. Open (see slideshow below).

ESPN will televise all four rounds of the British Open.



The broadcast times (EASTERN):

Thursday: 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday: 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Live stream will be carried on Watch ESPN.

Article Source: http://www.nj.com/golf/index.ssf/2015/07/british_open_2015_live_stream.html

USA vs. Panama in 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup

The United States men's national team finishes group play at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday with a match against Panama at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Missouri.

After claiming victories over Honduras and Haiti in its first two group games, the U.S. has already clinched first place in Group A and qualified for the quarterfinals. Panama, on the other hand, drew against the same two opponents and will need a result to reach the knockout stage.

Keep reading for our preview of the match. 

Clint Dempsey has scored all three of his team's goals so far at the Gold Cup.

Date: Monday, July 13

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

TV: Fox Sports 1, UniMas (US)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (US)

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made seven changes to his team for the second group match against Haiti, selecting an all-new back line following the hard-fought victory over Honduras. With just three days between matches and with the U.S. already confirmed as Group A winners, Klinsmann could be set to rotate his squad heavily again for Panama.

Speaking to reporters after the Haiti game, Klinsmann said, per USSoccer.com:

We had the privilege to make a lot of changes and give almost everybody the experience. Now we also have a privilege to handle the third match the way we want to from a coach’s perspective because we already won the group. It’s very nice and a compliment to the team, but it was a lot of work as you saw.

That should serve as a strong hint that Klinsmann intends to make changes. After introducing four new starters in the back line against Haiti, he could bring back the four from the opening game, which would mean another chance for Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks to play together.

In addition, Klinsmann might rethink his formation. For the Haiti game, the former German international switched from a 4-4-2 diamond to a 4-3-1-2, a change that failed to produce the intended results against Haiti's fast attackers.

Whatever the case, Klinsmann's own words strongly suggest he intends to tinker with his team in the final group game.

After watching the U.S. struggle through the first half against Haiti, Klinsmann made two important changes at halftime, introducing Gyasi Zardes as a substitute and switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Both moves paid off richly. Zardes set up the game's only goal in the 47th minute with an excellent pullback to Clint Dempsey, who finished for his third strike of the tournament. And in the altered formation, the U.S. was much more comfortable in possession and better equipped to deal with Haiti's rapid counters.

Klinsmann praised the 23-year-old Zardes after the game, telling the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com): "Gyasi has the special talent to take people on. He has a lot of talent and a lot of potential. We just want to tell him every day, 'One step at a time.' It's a real joy to work with him."

Zardes, a forward, entered the match as a wide midfielder but finished in an advanced role after Klinsmann withdrew Aron Johannsson. With Jozy Altidore struggling for form and full fitness, Zardes could represent a better option in the attack, as Joe Tansey has written for Bleacher Report:

Since he has a game to experiment with his lineup before the knockout round, Klinsmann should sit Altidore and start Zardes to see what the young player can do in one of the two forward positions in whatever formation the USMNT boss uses. Despite changing formations constantly during his reign, Klinsmann has usually preferred to start two forwards.

While some may argue Zardes should bring his speed to the left side of midfield, it was apparent in the win over Honduras that he doesn't have the defensive tracking ability someone in that role should have. And that is perfectly fine. Zardes is a forward and he should be able to highlight his talents in a role he prefers. 

The U.S. defeated Panama 1-0 in the 2013 Gold Cup final.

Monday's game will be a rematch of the 2013 Gold Cup final, in which the U.S. defeated Panama 1-0. It will also stir up memories of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle, which saw the Americans eliminate Panama from contention in dramatic style. 

Brek Shea, far right, scored the winner in the 2013 final.

It was October 2013, and the U.S. had already clinched qualification for the World Cup. Panama was looking to do the same by beating the Americans on home soil, which would have clinched a fourth-place finish in the CONCACAF Hexagonal and sent the Canaleros to an intercontinental playoff against New Zealand with a World Cup berth on the line.

Panama led 2-1 when the match reached 90 minutes, but the U.S. scored twice in stoppage time through Graham Zusi and Aron Johannsson. The 3-2 win for the U.S. ended Panama's hopes of qualification and instead sent Mexico to the playoff, which El Tri won.

Monday will represent a chance for Panama to take some form of revenge. Beating the Americans wouldn't bring back the lost World Cup berth, but it would send the Canaleros into the next round and perhaps ease some of the pain from that incredible night nearly two years ago.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2521168-usa-vs-panama-date-time-live-stream-and-2015-concacaf-gold-cup-preview

LA Galaxy vs. CF America Live Stream & TV Info

By Daniel Tiluk

If any competition signals the beginning of a new season, the International Champions Cup (ICC) has surely taken that particular mantle.

Hailing from the World Football Challenge (2009-2012), the past two pre-seasons have witnessed true European giants take their campaign's first steps on North American soil. Real Madrid were the inaugural winners of the ICC in 2013, followed by Manchester United last summer.

This year, the tournament has expanded further; more heavyweights are planning to indulge spectators in four continents and seven countries over the next 25 days. It begins with the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy hosting Liga MX's Club America on July 11.

Date: Saturday, July 11 (United States) / Sunday, July 12 (United Kingdom)

Time: 11:30 p.m. EST/4:30 a.m. BST

Venue: StubHub Center, Carson, California

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (USA only) / Sky Go (UK only)

Steven Gerrard is scheduled to make his debut for LA Galaxy in the International Champions Cup, according to the Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle, and more than a few around the planet will be tuning in just to see the Liverpool legend.

He is set to appear in a sizable cameo, reported to be around one half. The 35-year-old Englishman has only been seen in a Liverpool shirt at club level; getting used to Gerrard in a colour other than Anfield's red should take longer than 45 minutes—if the feat is even possible.

Figuring out new team-mates, finding fitness and acclimating to southern Californian weather, Gerrard's first LA Galaxy outing should be one to remember.

In Gerrard's first match for the Galaxy, the rekindled partnership with former Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic forward Robbie Keane pitted against Club America's back four is the primary matchup to watch.

The Mexican outfit have not played a competitive match since May 17, whereas Los Angeles are in the midst of the 2015 MLS season. To make matters worse, some of America's key footballers—primarily centre-forward Oribe Peralta and right-back Paul Aguilar—are with Mexico at the 2015 Gold Cup.

As CF America are without a key individual up top, but more importantly in their defence, the British Isle connection between Gerrard and Keane (which had less than one season at Anfield) could receive a timely jump-start.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2514358-la-galaxy-vs-club-america-team-news-predicted-lineups-live-stream-tv-info

Toronto Pan Am Games 2015 Opening Ceremony

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games will host a free, live broadcast of the Pan Am Opening Ceremony on multiple jumbo video screens at Nathan Phillips Square on Friday, July 10. The evening will kick off at 5 p.m. with live entertainment in the Square, and at 8 p.m., the Opening Ceremony live feed from Host Broadcaster CBC will begin. The hosts for the evening will be Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila and actor/comedian Rick Miller.

Canada’s globally celebrated cultural icon, Cirque du Soleil, creator and producer of this one-night-only original production, will infuse the ceremony with its revolutionary stagecraft, acrobatics and pageantry to welcome the 40 countries and territories of the Americas to Canada at the Pan Am Ceremonies Venue at 1 Blue Jays Way. The theatrical and cultural elements of the Opening Ceremony will frame iconic moments such as the Parade of Nations and the lighting of the Pan Am cauldron to officially open the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.

The following day, PANAMANIA Live @ Nathan Phillips Square (July 11 to 26 during the Pan Am Games and August 7 to 12 during the Parapan Am Games) kicks off with headliners Serena Ryder and Wyclef Jean. Each day’s free festivities will include live music and entertainment, Victory Celebrations presented by CIBC and nightly fireworks, co-produced with the City of Toronto. Additionally, the Parapan Am Closing Ceremony will be held in Nathan Phillips Square on August 15.

Nathan Phillips Square is also home of the 10,000-square-foot TORONTO 2015 Superstore, opening July 1. This will be THE place for Games apparel, made-in-Toronto leather goods, collectible coins, pins, PACHI plush and more.

Great tickets are available to many sport competitions including beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, rugby, gymnastics and football (soccer). Tickets can be purchased at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.

PANAMANIA has been financially assisted by the Community Celebrations Fund, a program of the Government of Canada, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation and the City of Toronto.

For the PANAMANIA schedule and more information, please visit TORONTO2015.org/PANAMANIA.

Article Source: http://www.toronto2015.org/news-details/pan-am-games-opening-ceremony-to-be-broadcast-live-at-nathan-phillips-square/1550

USA vs Honduras Live Stream and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Info

The United States men's national team kicks off its 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday night against Honduras. 

The game will be the second match of a Group A doubleheader at the home of Major League Soccer side FC Dallas. Panama will face Haiti in the first contest of the competition. 

Jurgen Klinsmann's Yanks will be looking to start the tournament off with three points in the difficult group as they look to repeat as Gold Cup champion. 

Below is a look at all the key information you need to know heading into Tuesday's Gold Cup match. 

Date: Tuesday, July 7

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

TV: Fox Sports 1, Unimas and Univision Deportes (US)

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (US)

The major storyline surrounding the USMNT at the start of the tournament is its quest to repeat its championship run from two years ago, which ended in Chicago with a win over Panama. 

Victories in June over Germany and the Netherlands in Europe boosted the stock of the team, but those were only friendly contests. The Yanks now have to continue that form into their continental championship against plenty of stingy sides. 

The USMNT tuned up for the Gold Cup on Friday with a 4-0 win over Guatemala at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. However, Klinsmann was not totally pleased with the team's outing, per Fox Sports' Kyle McCarthy: 

Stars like Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Omar Gonzalez are expected to find their way into the starting 11 for the Gold Cup opener, but there are a few spots still up for grabs.

Timothy Chandler and DeAndre Yedlin played all 90 minutes on the right wing, but both displayed weaknesses at times throughout the victory. Greg Garza, who entered the squad last week after Brad Davis pulled out with an injury, should slot into the left-back position for the Honduras match, which means Fabian Johnson is likely to take Chandler or Yedlin's spot on the right. 

Johnson could also move forward to the left wing if Alejandro Bedoya is not fully fit. Klinsmann noted after the Guatemala match that Bedoya had a lot of work to do to be physically ready for the Gold Cup, per McCarthy: 

Regardless of who the Yanks start on the wings, the players must be ready for a fight in what most see as the most difficult group at the Gold Cup. 

Who Will Score for Honduras? 

As you glance over the Honduras roster, one number sticks out at you right away. The combined number of goals netted by the forwards in the squad is six. Anthony Lozano, who plays for Olimpia in Honduras, currently has five strikes to his name in 15 international matches. Roman Castillo, Erick Hernandez and Erick Andino have combined for one goal in 14 career appearances. 

The lack of production on the big stage may hurt Honduras in the highly competitive group, but the good news for Los Catrachos is the top two third-place sides from the group stage qualify for the knockout round. 

As for where the goals will come from, look no further than Anderlecht midfielder Andy Najar, who started his career at D.C. United in MLS. The dynamic playmaker will be handed the reins to the attack, and he could cause the shaky U.S. defense problems during Tuesday's clash. 

Another familiar name to watch out for is Oscar Boniek Garcia, who is one of three players on the Honduras roster with more than 100 caps. The Houston Dynamo player will not only be relied on to influence the attack, he will also need to provide cover on the flanks when the Yanks surge forward. 

Gritty Battle in Midfield 

Like it or not, one of the trademarks of CONCACAF is the physical style of play. On Tuesday night, two of the best midfield enforcers in MLS will go head-to-head on the international level. 

The USMNT's Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake is set to face off against Honduras' Luis Garrido, who plies his trade for the Dynamo. The defensive-minded midfielders play a similar style, and whoever comes out on top of this gritty showdown could be leaving with three points.

Beckerman has already proved his worth on the international stage thanks to his impressive showing in Brazil last summer, while Garrido is still making a name for himself at 24. Garrido has averaged 2.4 tackles and 2.3 fouls per game this season in Houston, while Beckerman has three tackles and 1.4 fouls per contest to his name through 16 matches, per WhoScored. 

Prediction: United States 3-1

The United States should come away from this match with three points, but CONCACAF is a strange beast where the unexpected is expected. Honduras has an outside chance of earning at least a point, but it will need a tremendous effort out of every player to do so.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2515518-usa-vs-honduras-date-time-live-stream-and-2015-concacaf-gold-cup-preview

USA vs. Japan Live Stream for 2015 Women's Soccer World Cup

The time has arrived to crown the new world champions in Canada, as the mighty United States take on holders Japan in the World Cup final on Sunday night. 

The Japanese shocked the watching millions in 2011—as they broke American hearts with a penalty shootout victory to win the competition in Germany. 

USWNT recently beat the world No. 1 Germans in the semi-final in great style, and they will be hoping to replicate their game to topple their skilful opponents.

Here are the vital details on how to watch this important match, with kick-off times and streaming information: 

Date: Sunday, July 5

Time: 7 p.m. (ET), 12 a.m. Monday (BST)

Live Stream: Fox Sports 2Go (U.S. only), BBC iPlayer (UK only)

TV Info: Fox Sports (U.S. only); BBC Two and HD, Eurosport and HD (UK only)

The United States have been blessed with their fair share of female superstar footballers—whether it be the mercurial talents of Abby Wambach, or the dashing play of predatory forward Alex Morgan. 

But one piece of history sits like a stain on the badge of USWNT like no other—the loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final. 

Both Wambach and Morgan featured four years ago, with American dreams crushed at the hands of a brilliantly technical Japan team. 

Japan shocked the watching German public in 2011, defeating the traditional superpowers of both the hosts and Sweden, and then beating the invincible United States on penalties. 

Against the odds, the Japanese are once again back in the final, despite playing second fiddle to an England side that ran them ragged in the semi-final. 

Japan stole the win in injury time with a freak own goal—and they will have to perform to a higher level to beat the USA this time round. 

The Americans will be on the hunt for revenge, with a number of their squad featuring in their last finals for their country before they make way for a new breed. 

Morgan was the youngest member of the USWNT squad in 2011, and her influence has been curbed due to injury preceding the competition. But the dynamic scorer has shown her worth in the latter rounds, with the ageing Wambach consigned to the bench. 

Morgan is set to feature on Sunday, with the player hoping for a belated birthday gift in the final, per FOX Soccer:

However, a new United States superstar has been born at this World Cup, with Julie Johnston shining in defence. 

The 23-year-old made her national debut in 2013, and after significant success at youth level—captaining the team to tournament honours—the Chicago Red Stars player has shone in Canada. 

Sam Vecenie of CBS believes Johnston is the breakout star of 2015 and has enjoyed every second of her rise to prominence:

Japan were huge underdogs four years ago, and nothing is different this time around. The vastly talented Aya Miyama—the 30-year-old captain of the reigning champions—will provide USWNT with their toughest tactical test, as she bosses the midfield in here usual busy style. Miyama is a double Asian Confederation Player of the Year, and she holds the key that could unlock the American door. 

However, Bleacher Report's Michael Cummings feels the Americans are prepared for the Japanese this time around, and has tipped them to lift the trophy on Sunday:

The Americans are an ageing unit, and they do not have the dynamism of previous incarnations. But their defence is arguably stronger than ever, and Japan look goal shy when in the final third.

A win is not guaranteed for USWNT, but with a huge partisan crowd travelling across the border to Vancouver to give their support, it is written in the stars for the trophy to return to North America.

Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2514165-united-states-vs-japan-time-live-stream-for-2015-womens-soccer-world-cup

Tour de France 2015 Live Stream and TV Info

By Telegraph Sport

Key information around the 2015 Tour de France including dates, schedule, teams, riders, latest odds and how to watch it live.

What are the dates of the Tour in 2015?

The 102nd edition of the Tour de France begins in Utretcht, Holland on July 4. The race features 21 stages, plus two rest days, before ending in Paris on July 26.

• In pics: Main contenders for yellow, green, polka dot & white jerseys

What is the route?

The Tour begins in Holland - the sixth time the grand départ has been staged in the country - before moving into Belgium and then northern France. The route winds into Brittany before moving to the south-west of France and then across the country to Alpe d'Huez, before the traditional finale on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

There are nine flat stages, three hilly stages, seven mountain stages including five summit finishes, one individual time trial and one team time trial. Total distance of the route is 3,360km.

What are the hardest stages?

Everyone will have their personal favourite, but the cobbles between Seraing and Cambrai will turn stage four into a mini Paris-Roubaix. For climbing fans, the 13.8km ascent up the 21 bends of Alpe d'Huez (below) on the penultimate day of the race should be spectacular.

What are the teams?

Teams in the Tour de France 2015

Search: 

TEAM NATIONALITY

TEAM NATIONALITY

Ag2r-La Mondiale France

Astana Kazakhstan

BMC Racing USA

Bora-Argon 18 Germany

Bretagne-Séché Environnement France

Cannondale-Garmin USA

Cofidis, solutions crédits France

Etixx-Quick Step Belgium

Europcar France

FDJ France

Giant-Alpecin Holland

IAM Cycling Switzerland

Katusha Russia

Lampre-Merida Italy

Lotto NL-Jumbo Holland

Lotto-Soudal Belgium

Movistar Spain

MTN-Qhubeka P/B Samsung South Africa

Orica-GreenEdge Australia

Team Sky Great Britain

Tinkoff-Saxo Russia

Trek Factory Racing USA

Showing 22 entries

What do the different shirts mean?

The yellow jersey is worn by the leader of the general individual time classification.

The green jersey is given to the leader of the points classification (won on the intermediate sprints and at the stage).

The red polka dot jersey is worn by the best climber. Points are allocated at the top of any classified slope.

The white jersey is given to the best young rider aged 25 or under in the general individual time classification.

Where does each stage take place and how long are they?

Saturday July 4

Stage one: Utrecht; individual time trial, 13.8km

Sunday July 5

Stage two: Utrecht – Zeeland, 166km

Monday July 6

Stage three: Anvers – Huy, 159.5km

Tuesday July 7

Stage four: Seraing – Cambrai, 223.5km

Wednesday July 8

Stage five: Arras – Amiens, 189.5km

Thursday July 9

Stage six: Abbeville – Le Havre, 191.5km

Friday July 10

Stage seven: Livarot – Fougères, 190.5km

Saturday July 11

Stage eight: Rennes – Mûr-de-Bretagne, 181.5km

Sunday July 12

Stage nine: Vannes – Plumelec, team time trial, 28km

Monday July 13

Rest day: Pau

Tuesday July 14

Stage 10: Tarbes – La Pierre Saint-Martin, 167km

Wednesday July 15

Stage 11: Pau – Cauterets-Vallée de Saint-Savin, 188km

Thursday July 16

Stage 12: Lannemazen – Plateau de Beille, 195km

Friday July 17

Stage 13: Muret – Rodez, 198.5km

Saturday July 18

Stage 14: Rodez – Mende-Montée, 178.5km

Sunday July 19

Stage 15: Mende – Valence, 183km

Monday July 20

Stage 16: Bourg-de-Péage – Gap, 201km

Tuesday July 21

Reast day: Gap

Wednesday July 22

Stage 17: Digne-les-Bains – Pra-Loup, 161km

Thursday July 23

Stage 18: Gap – Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, 186.5km

Friday July 24

Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – La Toussuire - Les Sybelles, 138km

Saturday July 25

Stage 20: Modane Valfréjus – Alpe d’Huez, 110.5km

Sunday July 26

Stage 21: Sèvres - Grand Paris Seine Ouest – Paris Champs-Élysées, 109.5km

Where can I watch the race?

The race will be shown live on ITV4, S4C and British Eurosport.

Latest odds

Chris Froome 7/4

Nairo Quintana 5/2

Alberto Contador 15/4

Vincenzo Nibali 9/2

Thibaut Pinot 25/1

Joaquim Rodriguez 28/1

Article Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/tour-de-france/11692946/Tour-de-France-2015-dates.html

Universiade 2015 Live Stream Multi-sports and TV Info

By Felix Lowe

With less than three months until the opening ceremony of the 28th Summer Universiade, host city Gwangju passed an inspection by the FISU Universiade Supervision Committee (CSU) with flying colours.

The three-day CSU inspection was to assess the final preparations of the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, which welcomes 12,200 university athletes from 170 nations to take part in 21 sports and 272 events from 3rd to 14th July.

Nineteen functional areas - including immigration support, accreditation, transportation, competition venues and the Athletes' Village - were looked at by the CSU, whose delegates were impressed with the newly built venues, in particular the Nambu University Aquatics Centre and Kwangju Women's University Universiade Gymnasium.

"After several meetings and venue inspections, I am confident that Gwangju will host a successful Universiade,” CSU chairman Kemal Tamer said. He called for more general tests and simulations to be conducted with all functional areas at least one week prior to the opening ceremony.

After a detailed visit of the facilities, Mr Tamer said he was "satisfied" with the state of the Athletes' Village. "Preparations for the Universiade Village are satisfactory," he said. "The facilities and rooms are clean and well put together for over 12,000 athletes and officials around the world who plan to participate in the Gwangju Universiade."

The FISU delegation also underlined the importance of safety and security, while highlighting the need for strong communication from the host nation. "Security for drop off points in the Universiade Village should be strengthened," the FISU spokesman said in a statement.

"In addition, the language services that are provided during the accreditation process should be superb: athletes and officials do not want to waste time on their first day in Gwangju due to language barriers."

GUOC secretary general Kim Yoon-suk was pleased with the findings of the CSU and promised to deliver a successful games. "I would like to thank the CSU and FISU secretariat for their support and constructive feedback. Next month we will be better prepared. In July, we will be perfectly prepared," he said.

Representatives from the 2017 Taipei Universiade Organizing Committee were also present at the inspection as part of their own preparations for the 29th Universiade Games in two years.

Following an unsuccessful bid to win the 2013 Games, Gwangju will become the third South Korean host of the Universiade after Muju and Jeonju, in the North Joella Province, co-hosted the winter edition in 1997, and Daegu held the summer event in 2003.

Located 330 kilometres south of the South Korean capital of Soeul, Gwangju beat the cities of Edmonton (Canada) and Taipei (Taiwan) to host the 2015 Summer Games.

The Gwangju Universiade organising committee has labelled the Games an "ecoversiade" because of the lack of new constructions needed to host the events. Of the 70 facilities to be used during the Games, only three have been built from scratch according to the organising committee.

"The aim of the Gwangju Universiade is to be a low-cost, high-efficiency event that is economically and environmentally friendly," the organizing committee said in a statement.

Before the Games get under way on Friday 3rd July a number of test events will be held to ensure that the new and updated facilities are able to function fully in a competition environment.

Between 27th April and 30th June an estimated 13 competitions in 16 different sports will be held at various facilities in preparation for the Gwangju Universiade.

North Korea also plans to take part in this year's event with a 108-member delegation. As well as 12,200 athletes, a global staff force of 20,000 is expected to be on call during the Games.

To ease transportation concerns, there will be an increase in high-speed trains between Incheon International Airport and Gwangju, with a journey time of two hours and 10 minutes.

Over 150 government officials, sports figures, and citizens attended this week's CSU briefing at Gwangju, including the President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kim Jongdeok, Minister of Unification, Hong Yong-pyo, Vice Minister of National Defence, Baek Seung-joo, GUOC Co-Presidents Kim Hwang sik and Yoon Janghyun.

Article Source: https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/summer-universiade-gwangju-given-green-light-ahead-2015-154439589--spt.html