BRUSSELS (AP):

The planned showdown between Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay at the Van Damme Memorial on Friday has been cancelled.

In the wake of his 100-200 world-record performance at the World Championships in Berlin, Bolt has decided to run the 200 metres in Brussels. Gay said yesterday he will not switch from the 100 at the last Golden League meet of the season.

Gay said a lingering groin injury will prevent him from running an effective curve, forcing him to concentrate on the 100 instead. Over the 100, he will face former world-record holder Asafa Powell.

Fallon to return

LONDON (AP):

Six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon will return to racing on Friday after being granted a licence to ride for the first time in three years, following a ban for cocaine use and a race-fixing trial.

Although the 44-year-old Fallon was cleared in the race-fixing trial in late 2007, he was unable to compete because of an 18-month doping suspension imposed in January 2008 by the governing body of racing in France.

Lightning strikes off leg

COPENHAGEN (AP):

The family of FC Nordsjaelland defender Jonathan Richter says the player has had the lower part of his left leg amputated, six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve game.

Richter's condition is improving and he will "very soon" be moved from the intensive care unit at a Copenhagen hospital, his family said in a statement posted yesterday on the club's web page.