Rikke Møller Pedersen, who disappointingly missed out on a gold medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 2013 European Championship despite breaking the world record in the semis, could be in line for a reprieve as the Russian winner, Yulia Efimova, tested positive for DHEA back in October. As well as the gold, Pedersen would also see her 100m bronze upgraded to silver should the relevant authorities take action.
Super deal for Olympians
Denmark’s hopes at the 2016 Olympics have received a boost in the shape of a four-year deal with Dansk Supermarked, the owner of Netto, Føtex, Bilka and Salling supermarkets. Over the first year of the deal, 15 million kroner will be made available to the country’s Olympic hopefuls across a range of sports. The Danish Sports Federation (DIF) said its goal at Rio was to win ten medals – one more than at London in 2012.
Mixed success in Malaysia
Mixed doubles badminton pairing Christina Pedersen and Joachim Fischer Nielsen will have been disappointed to lose in the final of the Malaysian Open after knocking out the top seeds, China’s Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, in straight sets in the semis. But they came up short in the final of the Super Series Premier tournament against another Chinese pairing, the fourth seeds Ma Jin and Xu Chen, losing 11-21, 21-17, 13-21.
Benny replaces big bro
Allan Simonsen, the Danish driver who died in an accident at last June’s Le Mans, has been replaced at Team Rosso Verde by his brother. Simonsen’s Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 had sat empty in a garage for several months, but now Hector Lester, the owner of the team, has decided to give his 30-year-old brother, Benny Simonsen, a contract to race a full campaign in this season’s British GT series.
