■ Athletics
Chicago marathon too far
Any marathon is a grueling test of physical and mental endurance, but Chicago's Lakeshore Marathon was extra tough this year: The course was inadvertently set a mile (1.6km) too long. More than 500 runners finished last Monday's race, running 27.2 miles (43.7km) instead of the standard 26.2 (42.1km). The long layout of the marathon, as well as problems such as missing mile markers and unstaffed aid stations, led some runners to urge the city to stop issuing permits for the Lakeshore Marathon until it's under new management. Race founder and organizer Mark Cihlar issued an apology on www.marathonguide.com on Thursday. Last-minute changes "caused us to miscalculate and we foolishly added an extra mile -- how terrible!" he wrote in a memo to race participants. Cihlar, who has had sole responsibility for 90 percent of the marathon's planning for the past four years, said he plans to relinquish control over event coordination, and is seeking qualified directors and coordinators to help on the 2006 race.
■ Hockey
Ray of hope for NHL
The NHL and players' association made some progress in nearly 34 hours of negotiations over three days and will continue to talk, league vice president Bill Daly said Friday. The sides met for almost 14 hours on Friday after 10-hour sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, trying to work out a new collective bargaining agreement. The league and union said they will meet again next week. "We continued our discussions on financial and accounting issues, and while we are making progress, we still have a lot of work to do," Daly said.
■ Rugby
Lions roar in Wellington
The British and Irish Lions made an unimpressive start to their 11-match rugby tour of New Zealand in Wellington yesterday, struggling to a 34-20 win over Bay of Plenty at Rotorua and losing veteran No. 8 Lawrence Dallaglio to an injury. After an explosive beginning in which they scored 17 points in 10 minutes, including two tries to fullback Josh Lewsey, Clive Woodward's Lions slumped to leave the match tied 17-17 at halftime. A try to Tom Shanklin at the start of the second half and two more in the last 10 minutes expanded the Lions' margin.
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