Following are the top 10 world sports news in 2009 selected by Xinhua News Agency.

1. USA Swimming suspended Michael Phelps, the winner of eight Olympic gold medals in 2008, for three months for smoking marijuana.

Michael Phelps of the U.S. swimming team smiles during a news conference at the Manchester Aquatics Centre in northern England December 17, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters File Photo]