Sweden's Simon Ax flies in the air with the skyline of Rotterdam as a backdrop during the Snowboard FIS World Cup 2006 Big-Air Competition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, October 9, 2005. REUTERS/Michael Kooren 

England's Simon Khan tees off at the fifth hole during the second round of the International Golf Open in Munich, August 26, 2005. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler AX/CVI 

Worker Simon Russwurm cleans the bottom of the swimming pool at the open air lido in Germering, about 15 kilometres west of Munich, May 2, 2005. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler AX/AA 

Worker Simon Russwurm cleans the bottom of the swimming pool at the open air lido in Germering, about 15 kilometres west of Munich, May 2, 2005. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler AX/AA 

Germany's Uschi Disl shoots during the women's 4x6 kilometers relay competition at the Biathlon World Cup in the southern Bavarian skiing resort of Ruhpolding January 14, 2004. The German team Simone Denkinger from Gosheim, Uschi Disl from Moosham, Katrin Apel from Frankenhain and Kati Wilhelm from Zella-Mehlis won with the time of 1:18:37, ahead of Russia and Norway. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler REUTERS AX/JOH 

AX FROM SWEDEN PERFORMS A JUMP DURING BIG AIR TRAINING SESSION AT SNOWBOARD
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT KREISCHBERG.

Simon Ax from Sweden performs a jump during a Big Air training session at
the Snowboard World Championships at the Kreischberg mountain near the
Austrian resort of Murau January 17, 2003. The Big Air final will take place
on Saturday. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler Pictures of the Year 2003 

France's Mathieu Bozzetto takes a curve during the Parallel Slalom race
at the Snowboard World Championships at the Kreischberg mountain near
the Austrian resort of Murau on January 14, 2003. Austria's Siegfried
Grabner won the race, Bozzetto came in second and Simon Schoch from
Switzerland finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/AH 

Austria's Siegfried Grabner waves in front of a Austrian fan after he
won the first heat of the Parallel Slalom race at the Snowboard World
Championships at the Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of
Murau on January 14, 2003. Grabner won the race, France's Mathieu
Bozzetto came in second and Simon Schoch from Switzerland finished
third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/AH 

Austria's Siegfried Grabner takes a curve during the Parallel Slalom
race at the Snowboard World Championships at the Kreischberg mountain
near the Austrian resort of Murau January 14, 2003. Grabner won the
race, France's Mathieu Bozzetto came in second and Simon Schoch from
Switzerland finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/WS 

Austria's Siegfried Grabner bites his gold medal after winning the
Parallel Slalom race at the Snowboard World Championships at the
Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau January 14,
2003. Grabner won the race, France's Mathieu Bozzetto came in second
and Simon Schoch from Switzerland finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra
Winkler

AX/ 

Austria's Siegfried Grabner celebrates his victory of the Parallel
Slalom race at the Snowboard World Championships at the Kreischberg
mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau January 14, 2003. Grabner
won the race, France's Mathieu Bozzetto came in second and Simon Schoch
from Switzerland finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/GB 

Simon Schoch from Switzerland takes a curve during his qualification
run of the Parallel Slalom race at the Snowboard World Championships at
the Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau on January
14, 2003. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/AH 

Simon Schoch from Switzerland bites his silver medal in the Parallel
Giant Slalom at the Snowboard World Championships at the Kreischberg
mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau January 12, 2003. Slovenia's
Dejan Kosir won the race, Schoch came in second and France's Nicolas
Huet finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/ 

Nicolas Huet from France celebrates after winning the bronze medal at
the Parallel Giant Slalom finals at the Snowboard World Championships
at the Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau January
12, 2003. Slovenia's Dejan Kosir won the race, Switzerland's Simon
Schoch came in second and Huet finished third. REUTERS/Alexandra
Winkler

AX/ 

Dejan Kosir from Slovenia bites into his gold medal after the victory
ceremony of the Parallel Giant Slalom race at the Snowboard World
Championships, at the Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of
Murau January 12, 2003. Kosir won the race, Switzerland's Simon Schoch
came in second and France's Nicolas Huet finished third.
REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/CRB 

Switzerland's Simon Schoch takes a curve during the qualification run
of the Parallel Giant Slalom race at the Snowboard World Championships
at the Kreischberg mountain near the Austrian resort of Murau January
12, 2003. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/WS 

Cantor Simon Zkorenblut stands behind a German army soldier as he sings
a prayer next to a memorial for Jewish German World War One soldiers
killed in action, during a wreath laying ceremony at the Jewish cemetry
in Berlin November 17, 2002. The wreath laying ceremony is part of a
tribute to the victims of the world wars and Nazi tyranny Germany
remembers this Sunday. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/AA 

Slovenia's alpine rider Dejan Kosir takes a curve during the Parallel
Giant Slalom race of the Snowboard Worldcup in Makomanai March 1, 2002.
France's Mathieu Bozzetto won the race, Italy's Simone Salvati placed
second and Kosir came in third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler REUTERS

AX 

Italy's alpine rider Simone Salvati takes a curve during the Parallel
Giant Slalom race of the Snowboard Worldcup in Makomanai March 1, 2002.
France's Mathieu Bozzetto won the race, Salvati placed second and
Slovenia's Dejan Kosir came in third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/CLH/ 

France's Mathieu Bozzetto takes a curve during the Parallel Giant
Slalom race at the Snowboard Worldcup in Makomanai March 1, 2002.
Bozzetto won the race, Simone Salvati from Italy placed second and
Slovenia's Dejan Kosir came in third. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX/CLH/ 

Italy's Simone Salvati takes a curve during the final Parallel Giant
Slalom race at the Snowboard World Cup in Whistler December 10, 2001.
Salvati placed fourth in today's race. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

AX 

Italy's 125cc Motorcycle rider Simone Sanna celebrates after he won the
German Motorcycling Grand Prix in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, July 22, 2001.

AX/ 

Italy's 125cc Motorcycle rider Simone Sanna speeds in front of Spain's
Toni Elias, Italy's Max Sabbatani and Manuel Poggiali from the Republic
of San Marino (L-R) during the German Motorcycling Grand Prix in
Hohenstein-Ernstthal, July 22, 2001.

AX/ 

Bonjour cycling team rider Francois Simon of France crosses the finish line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Simon retained his yellow jersey as overall leader.] 

Blood runs down the face of Raboband cycling team rider Bram De Groot of the Netherlands as emergency services administer first aid treatment after he fell in the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader. De Groot's condition was not immediately known.] 

Festina cycling team rider Christophe Moreau of France walks away from his bicycle as he withdraws during the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Moreau was placed 6th in the standings. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader.] 

US postal service team leader Lance Armstrong (L) of the USA rides behind Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich (R) of Germany as they climb up the last portion of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader.] 

Raboband cycling team rider Bram De Groot of the Netherlands lies on the ground as he receives first aid treatment after falling in the 188km twelfth stage of theTour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage, while Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader. De Groots condition was not immediately known.] 

Festina cycling team rider Christophe Moreau of France (C) withdraws during the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Moreau was 6th placed in the standings. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader.] 

US Postal Service team leader Lance Armstrong (L) of the USA glances over at Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich (R) of Germany as they climb up the last portion of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. At centre is Mapei-Quick step rider Stefano Garzelli of Italy. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich of Germany crosses the finish line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage and Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader in the race.] 

Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich of Germany crosses the finish line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage as Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader.] 

Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia celebrates his victory on the podium in the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader.] 

Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia raises his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader.] 

Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia stands up on his bike seconds before crossing the finish line to win the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. [Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader.] 

Bonjour cycling team rider Francois Simon of France at the start of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Simon holds the yellow jersey of leader in the overall standing. 

BONJOUR CYCLING TEAM RIDER FRANCOIS SIMON OF FRANCE IN THE TWELFTH
STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Bonjour cycling team rider Francois Simon of France crosses the finish
line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from
Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Kelme-Costa
Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Simon retained
his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

FESTINA CYCLING TEAM RIDER CHRISTOPHE MOREAU OF FRANCE WITHDRAW IN THE
TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Festina cycling team rider Christophe Moreau of France walks away from
his bicycle as he withdraws during the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour
de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees
July 20, 2001. Moreau was placed 6th in the standings. Kelme-Costa
Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider
Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader. 

RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM RIDER BRAM DE GROOT OF THE NETHERLANDS LIES
INJURED IN THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Blood runs down the face of Raboband cycling team rider Bram De Groot
of the Netherlands as emergency services administer first aid treatment
after he fell in the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling
race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001.
Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage.
Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of
overall leader. De Groot's condition was not immediately known. 

RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM RIDER BRAM DE GROOT OF THE NETHERLANDS IS INJURED
IN THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Raboband cycling team rider Bram De Groot of the Netherlands lies on
the ground as he receives first aid treatment after falling in the
188km twelfth stage of theTour de France cycling race from Perpignan to
Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider
Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage, while Bonjour rider Francois
Simon of France retained his yellow jersey of overall leader. De Groots
condition was not immediately known. 

FESTINA CYCLING TEAM RIDER MOREAU OF FRANCE ABANDONS IN THE TWELFTH
STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Festina cycling team rider Christophe Moreau of France (C) withdraws
during the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from
Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Moreau was
6th placed in the standings. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of
Colombia won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained
his yellow jersey of overall leader. 

US POSTAL SERVICE TEAM LEADER ARMSTRONG AND DEUTSCHE TELEKOM RIDER
ULLRICH OF GERMANY IN THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING
RACE.


US Postal Service team leader Lance Armstrong (L) of the USA glances
over at Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich (R) of Germany
as they climb up the last portion of the 188km twelfth stage of the
Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the
Pyrenees July 20, 2001. At centre is Mapei-Quick step rider Stefano
Garzelli of Italy. Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia
won the stage. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his
yellow jersey as overall leader. 

Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich of Germany crosses the
finish line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling
race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001.
Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage and
Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as
overall leader in the race.

CP/CRB 

Deutsche Telekom cycling team leader Jan Ullrich of Germany crosses the
finish line of the 188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling
race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001.
Kelme-Costa Blanca rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia won the stage as
Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as
overall leader.

CP/CRB 

KELME COSTA BLANCA CYCLING TEAM RIDER FELIX GARDENAS OF COLOMBIA ON
PODIUM AFTER WINNING THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING
RACE.


Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia
celebrates his victory on the podium in the 188km twelfth stage of the
Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in the
Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France retained
his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

KELME COSTA BLANCA CYCLING TEAM RIDER FELIX GARDENAS OF COLOMBIA WINS
THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia raises
a clenched fist as he celebrates his victory on the podium in the 188km
twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to
Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Bonjour rider Francois
Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

KELME COSTA BLANCA CYCLING TEAM RIDER GARDENAS OF COLOMBIA WINS THE
TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia stands
up on his bike seconds before crossing the finish line to win the 188km
twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to
Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Bonjour rider Francois
Simon of France retained his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

KELME COSTA BLANCA CYCLING TEAM RIDER FELIX GARDENAS OF COLOMBIA WINS
THE TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Kelme-Costa Blanca cycling team rider Felix Gardenas of Colombia raises
his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the 188km twelfth stage
of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan to Ax-les-Thermes in
the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Bonjour rider Francois Simon of France
retained his yellow jersey as overall leader. 

BONJOUR CYCLING TEAM RIDER FRANCOIS SIMON OF FRANCE AT THE START OF THE
TWELFTH STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE CYCLING RACE.


Bonjour cycling team rider Francois Simon of France at the start of the
188km twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Perpignan
to Ax-les-Thermes in the Pyrenees July 20, 2001. Simon holds the yellow
jersey of leader in the overall standing. 

Goalkeeper Simon Jentsch of Munich 1860 tries to catch the ball right before the third goal from Hertha Berlin SC during a German first league soccer match in Berlin March 31, 2001. Hertha Berlin won the match 3-0.

AX/GB 

Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan holds an axe up to express his hope in winning the presidential campaign in March 2000. [Lien, tipped to be nominated by the ruling Nationalist Party to succeed President Lee Teng-hui, announced his desire to run in the millennium race. Lien faces a strong challenge from presidential hopeful James Soong, former Taiwan governor who had defied the ruling party by running against the party-favoured Lien. Lien also faces challenge from former Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, who had already announced his desire to run. ]
??» 

Taiwan Vice President Lien Chan holds an axe up to express his hope in winning the presidential campaign in March 2000. Lien, tipped to be nominated by the ruling Nationalist Party to succeed President Lee Teng-hui, announced his desire to run in the millennium race. Lien faces a strong challenge from presidential hopeful James Soong, former Taiwan governor who had defied the ruling party by running against the party-favoured Lien. Lien also faces challenge from former Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, who had already announced his desire to run.

PB/SK/CLH/