FIFA president Sepp Blatter today admitted the very future of the Olympic football tournament is under threat.

A shock ruling by a court yesterday handed power to clubs to refuse to release any players for the Games.

That has thrown into turmoil plans for the football tournament at London 2012.

Blatter said: "I gulped when I heard that decision. It's really sad to see such a decision, putting in danger the entire football tournament."

Veteran swimmer Mark Foster will carry the British flag into tomorrow's Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Andy Murray will play Lu Yen-Hsun of Taipei in the first round of the Olympics on Sunday, but faces a tough test to win a medal. The British No.1 is likely to face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, with Novak Djokovic a potential semi-final opponent. Top seed Roger Federer has a tricky opener against Dmitry Tursunov.

Andy and brother Jamie will play Canada's Daniel Nestor and Frederick Niemeyer in the doubles first round.

World No.1 Federer says he cannot stay in the Olympic village because of constant attention from other athletes.

Federer, who will carry the Swiss flag in the opening ceremony on his birthday, has shown his face in the village and been swamped by fellow athletes turning into fans demanding autographs.

"It is impossible, there are so many athletes asking for photos. It is not ideal."

Sir Craig Reedie has failed to win a seat for Britain on the International Olympic Committee's executive board.

The Scot lost to Puerto Rico's Richard Carrion.

Britain's boxing hopes have been hit by a hammer-blow with the news that world lightweight champion and gold medal favourite Frankie Gavin has been forced to withdraw from the competition.