■Athletics
Edwards to retire
Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards will retire after the world championships opening today. Edwards, 37, who injured his right ankle at the London grand prix this month, told reporters on Friday he would compete in Paris but then retire. "It's a miracle that I'm fit enough to compete after my ankle injury," the Briton said. "That miracle has told me it's time to call it a day and retire."
■ Basketball
US takes control
Tracy McGrady scored 17 points, Vince Carter had 15, Jermaine O'Neal 14 and Kenyon Martin 13 on Thursday as the Americans used an early 18-0 run to take control in a 111-73 victory in the FIBA-Americans Olympic qualifying tournament. In earlier games, Argentina defeated Uruguay 91-60, Brazil beat the US Virgin Islands 100-74 and Canada downed Puerto Rico 89-79. It was the first time since the 2001 Goodwill Games that a team of American professionals surpassed 110 points.
■ Basketball
Slain player's dad to sue
The father of a slain Baylor basketball player plans to sue the university, saying officials conspired to cover up information about his son's death and concealed illegal activities in the athletic department, his lawyers said. Patrick Dennehy was found dead in a field July 25. He had been shot twice in the head. Former teammate and roommate Carlton Dotson is charged in his murder. The lawsuit, expected to be filed Friday in Harris County District Court, seeks at least US$50,000 in damages. It also accuses officials of creating an "unsafe atmosphere" in the department, The Dallas Morning News reported in its online edition Thursday night, citing a draft of the lawsuit being filed by Patrick Dennehy Sr.
■ Soccer
Makelele rejoins training
France midfielder Claude Makelele ended his training boycott at Real Madrid on Thursday when he joined his team mates for an evening session at the club's Ciudad Deportiva. The 30-year-old international began training together with defenders Roberto Carlos and Francisco Pavon in a separate session directed by coach Carlos Queiroz and then teamed up with the rest of the squad for a small-sided game. It was the first time Makelele had attended training since returning from the club's Asian tour at the start of last week. The midfielder's agent Marc Roger said last week that the player was in no condition to train with the Spanish champions because he was being affected by a contractual dispute.
■ Cricket
Warne bows out of training
Disgraced Australian Test cricketer Shane Warne said yesterday he will take no further part in any official training until the end of his 12-month drug ban in February. The controversial 33-year-old leg-spinner told a press conference here that the arguments about what he can do in cricket during his ban had gone on for too long. Cricket Australia (CA) has been told by the government-funded Australian Sports Commission (ASC) that it was unacceptable for Warne to train while serving his 12-month ban for taking a banned diuretic, detected in a doping test prior to the World Cup in South Africa. "I think it's ridiculous that six months after the event to now to say I can't train [it] just seems there are too many agendas with too many people," Warne said reading from a statement.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and