Best athletes KENYA's 800m runner David Rudisha and world indoor high jump champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia have been named IAAF (International Association of Athletics federation) Athletes of the Year. Rudisha, 21, twice broke the world 800m record in 2010, lowering it to one minute 41.01 seconds, in a season of 11 consecutive victories. Rudisha's award ends a run of four consecutive years in which sprinters have been named athletes of the year. Vlasic, 27, won 18 of 20 competitions in what she called her toughest season. United States sprinter Tyson Gay, American hurdler David Oliver, Eritrean distance runner Zersenay Tadese and Norwegian javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen were the other male finalists at the annual World Athletics Gala dinner in Monaco. Vlasic succeeded American Sanya Richards as the top female athlete. Other finalists were Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, U.S. sprinter Allyson Felix, British heptathlete Jessica Ennis and Kenyan steeplechaser Milcah Chemos Cheywa. Rudisha's run of 1:41.09 in Berlin in August ended Wilson Kipketer's 13-year reign as the world record holder. Seven days later the Kenya came close to eclipsing the 1:41 barrier in Rieti. Close to Real ZINEDINE Zidane, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has expressed his happiness about working more closely with the first-team squad at Real Madrid. Zidane, who played for Real Madrid for five years between 2001 and 2006, will start working as an advisor to club president Florentio Perez on first-team affairs. Zidane's re- positioning will bring him into closer contact with Real coach Jose Mourinho and the Portuguese tactician welcomed the move. Poulter No 11 ENGLAND's Ian Poulter clinched his second title of the year with a one-stroke victory in the Hong Kong Open. The overnight leader bogeyed the last hole but still finished ahead of fellow Englishman Simon Dyson, who shared second with Italian Matteo Manassero. Poulter's final round of 67 saw him end the event on 22 under par, holding off 17-year-old Manassero, who carded a 62. Poulter 34-year-old's win was his 10th victory on the European Tour and lifted him three places to 11th in the world. Poulter caused a stir two years ago by insisting he was the only serious challenger to then number one Tiger Woods when at his best. Tribute to Holmes THE FAMILY, friends and Olympic champions have gathered to pay tribute to the double Olympic rowing champion Andy Holmes. The 51-year-old, who rowed twice with Steve Redgrave to Olympic triumph, died suddenly last month. Holmes is believed to have died from the bacterial infection Weil's disease. The memorial at his old school in Hammersmith, west London, heard he returned to rowing after a 17-year break to teach at its grassroots. Refs strike SCOTTISH match officials are upset and concerned that their integrity is constantly being questioned by some clubs and individuals. And there are increasing fears among referees over personal safety as a result of public criticism. The decision to take strike action was reached at a referees' union meeting with unanimous backing. There are six Scottish Premier League games scheduled for next weekend. There is also a full card in the Scottish Football League. The ALBA Challenge Cup final between Queen of the South and Ross County at McDiarmid Park is under threat, as are any Scottish Cup replays. Not going anywhere CARLO Ancelotti has dismissed rumours that he is considering quitting as manager of Chelsea. Speculation over the Italian's future at Stamford Bridge intensified after a third defeat in four games on Saturday. The Blues lost 1-0 at Birmingham, and afterwards Ancelotti admitted he was not in total control at Chelsea. But speaking before Tuesday's Champions League game against MSK Zilina, he said: "These rumours are untrue. I've no idea where they've come from."
