■ Soccer
WC 2006 tickets go on sale
Ticket sales for the 2006 World Cup will begin at midnight on Feb. 1, with 812,000 available during the first phase. Demand is expected to dwarf supply and organizers are seeking to forestall internet chaos on Feb. 1 by dealing with ticket applications in a lottery at the end of the first sales period, rather than on a first come, first served basis. The first sales window will be open until March 31, organizers announced on Monday. The total number of tickets on sale for the tournament will be 2.93 million. "People should take their time, study the match schedule and then apply within the given time frame," organizing committee vice-president Horst Schmidt said. The World Cup finals kick off on June 9 next year.
Ticket prices were settled some time ago. They start at 35 euros for the cheapest seats at the group matches and go up to 600 euros (US$784) for the most expensive seats at the final.
■ Betting
Hong Kong sms-gang caught
A betting syndicate in Hong Kong placed spies at English and Spanish soccer matches to fleece bookmakers by text-messaging scorelines from overseas, police said on Monday. The spies used mobile phones to send news of goalscorers back to Hong Kong faster than scores were updated on the Internet, allowing syndicate members time to place bets on who would score next. The syndicate targetted betting Web sites that accept bets on which player or team will score the next goal while a match is in progress, a police spokesman said. Spies were sent to matches in England, Spain, Portugal and Holland and bets of US$1,300 were placed at a time, detectives believe. Twenty people aged 18 to 35 were arrested over the weekend in connection with the syndicate's activities.
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