The Netherlands have given veteran goalkeeper Guus Vogels a retirement present by winning the bronze medal in the men's field hockey World Cup with a 4-3 win over England.

Spectators cheered as the cauldron flared to light in the Canadian city of Vancouver, marking the start of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games which get underway on Sunday (AEDT).

Toby Kane, one of Australia's brightest Paralympic medal chances, will not ski the course he is racing on until the day of competition.

Fabrice Lapierre set a new Australian and Oceanian record in qualifying for the long jump final at the world indoor athletics championships in Doha.

Tasmania's top athletes have been announced at a glittering awards night in Hobart.

World and Olympic champion Steve Hooker needed only one jump to cruise into the pole vault final at the world indoor athletic championships in Qatar.

Australia coach Ric Charlesworth has told the Kookaburras to throw caution to the wind if they are to avenge history and beat Germany in the final of the men's hockey World Cup.

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis is urging all Australians to get behind our athletes ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics.

Alpine skier Toby Kane has been chosen to carry the Australian flag into the BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games.

The V8 Supercars bosses have upped the stakes by introducing a grand slam incentive.