Local stars gear up for 2012 Olympics

FIFA’s big wigs had not been persuaded by England as the country was selected for the 2018 FIFA worldcup.

But in recent London 2012 Olympics preparations are on peak these days.If the British athletes don’t deliver gold medals in their respective sports then there’s no point having the best stadia, volunteers and transport system.

And keeping this thought in mind our top stars are already focussing on 18 months time.For them 2011 will going to be as significant like the Olympic year itself.

To boost confidence 11 of Greater Manchester’s finest will be encountering with the world’s best in the next 12 months.

Here, Trevor Baxter looks at 11 local sportsmen and women for whom 2011 will be a crucial year heading into the London Games.

Taurasi May Face Olympic Ban for Positive Drug Test

Diana Taurasi,American's double basketball gold medallist is facing the prospect of missing London 2012 after testing positive for a banned drug.

Her lawyer Howard Jacobs has confirmed,the star has been suspended after her drug test results in positive for those supplements which are banned.

Like most WNBA players, Taurasi spends her off-season playing overseas and she was appearing for Istanbul's Fenerbahce.

Henin, Clijsters could pair up for Olympics

For the London Olympics 2012 Henin And Clijsters both are keen to compete as a pair despite only playing together once before, when Belgium lost to Russia in the 2006 Fed Cup.

US Open champion Clijsters said, ""Obviously for the Olympics, it would be beautiful,It would be nice to go out in such a way."

Henin won the 2004 singles title in Athens while on the other side Clijsters has never competed at the Olympics.

"There is a real willingness to be there," added Henin, who will be playing for the first time since injuring her elbow at Wimbledon in an exhibition match with her compatriot this week.

"We can already think about it. Everything is open to consider this.

"For sure, I'm still not 100 percent (fit). But if I realize where I came from, I am lucky and happy to be where I am now. I thought at some time, that I would never get back."