■Tennis
Sampras hints at retirement
Fourteen-time grand slam winner Pete Sampras may have played his last singles match after he withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon, according to a Los Angeles Times report on Thursday. The former world number one has not played since beating Andre Agassi to lift the US Open last September and despite entering several tournaments this season he has pulled out of each one. "I'm not 100 percent going to close the door," Sampras told the Los Angeles Times. "But I know what it takes to be competitive -- the training and preparation and the seven-day-a-week dedication -- and I'm just not there right now." It had been rumored that the 31-year-old American would make a final appearance at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won seven times, before retiring. Sampras has won 64 ATP titles, has a 762-222 record and earned more than US$43.2 million in his career.
■ Baseball
Worldwide draft discussed
Baseball players and owners have started their talks on a worldwide draft, eight and a half months after establishing a committee to draw up rules. Baseball's new labor contract called for the committee to meet by last Oct. 15, but it finally had its first session last Friday in Chicago. Management lawyer Frank Coonelly and union lawyer Michael Weiner said they were trying to schedule another meeting for later this month. "We had a very productive discussion," Coonelly said Thursday. "We've done considerable work in terms of what we need to effect a worldwide draft if we reach agreement on one." Currently, only players residing in the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada are eligible for the annual amateur draft each June.
■ Asian Games
ASEAN to attend in full
Despite concerns over SARS, all 10 ASEAN countries have committed teams to the 22nd Southeast Asian Games to be held in Vietnam in December. The 10 countries that make up ASEAN have submitted the sports events they expect to enter and the number of athletes and officials they plan to send, an organizing committee spokesman said yesterday. However, some members expressed concern that SARS may affect the event. On April 28, the World Health Organization declared that Vietnam had contained the virus after the country reported no new cases in 20 days, or twice the disease's incubation period. Five medical workers died in Vietnam out of the 63 infected. "We believe that the SEA Games will be held in Vietnam as planned," the official said.
Agencies
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely