■ Soccer
Matthaeus decides to marry
German soccer great Lothar Matthaeus will marry his girlfriend today in his Belgrade apartment, the Web site of Bunte magazine reported. The German magazine, which writes about celebrities, said Wednesday that the ceremony uniting the 42-year-old with Marianna Kostic will take place with 15 close friends attending. Matthaeus, who coaches Partizan Belgrade in Serbia and Montenegro, is a two-time world player of the year and was the hero of Germany's 1990 World Cup championship-winning team. Matthaeus, marrying for the third time, told the magazine the couple will have an official church ceremony next year. Both partners bring three children from former marriages into the relationship.
■ Cricket
Simon Katich set to play
Left-hander Simon Katich has retained his place in the Australian test cricket team to play India in the first test at the Gabba beginning Dec. 4. With Darren Lehmann ruled out for the four-match series, Katich was Thursday selected ahead of Queensland batsman Martin Love following his strong allround performance in the second test against Zimbabwe in October. West Australian fast bowler Brad Williams and New South Wales left-armer Nathan Bracken were also named in the 12-man team to be captained by Steve Waugh in his last series before retirement. Williams, who made his test debut against Zimbabwe at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and Bracken enjoyed success in the recent triangular one-day series in India and have kept their places in the 12 with Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee sidelined by injury.
■ Soccer
Ted Bates dies at age 85
Southampton club president Ted Bates has died after a brief illness. He was 85. The English club said he died early Wednesday after serving for 66 years as a player, coach, manager, chief executive, director and president. "It was a privilege to have known him and worked alongside him," club chairman Rupert Lowe said. "His knowledge of the game was unrivaled and he was still a good judge of a player right up to the most recent games he attended. In many ways he epitomized what this club is all about with his decency and dignity, his loyalty, his ability and his experience." Known as Mr. Southampton, Bates signed with the club on his 19th birthday. "It is very sad news," Southampton captain Jason Dodd said. "I have known Ted Bates for years because he always used to travel on the team coach to games. This season we had not seen much of him so we realized he was not in great health but this is a big blow to everyone."
■ Cricket
Kepler Wessels cleared
A disciplinary committee on Wednesday cleared former South Africa cricket captain Kepler Wessels of accusations he made racist remarks, news reports said. The Eastern Province Cricket Board, for whom Wessels now coaches, said last week they had received a complaint from the predominantly mixed-race Gelvandale Cricket Club that he had referred to two of their players as "animals" at a net practice session in October. Wessels, who led South Africa's return to international cricket after apartheid, angrily denied the accusation. The United Cricket Board instructed Eastern Province to suspend Wessels on full pay pending the outcome of Wednesday's disciplinary hearing. However, the disciplinary committee declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence, the South Africa Press Association reported.
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