■ Cycling
Chris Horner has a first
Chris Horner won his first stage victory in a European race Thursday, and Michael Rogers took the overall leader's yellow jersey from defending Tour de Suisse champion Jan Ullrich after the sixth stage. The American broke away from co-attacker Vincenzo Nibali of Fassa Bortolo with 9km left to win the tough 156km mountain stage between Buerglen and Arosa in 4 hours, 24 minutes, 42 seconds. Nibali finished second, 1:12 behind, and Rogers was third, a further two seconds back. Today, riders face a 182km stage from Einsiedeln to Lenk.
■ Soccer
Baros stays with Reds
Czech Republic striker Milan Baros rejected a transfer from Liverpool because he wants to help the club defend its Champions League title. Baros, 23, turned down an offer from Lyon, the player's management said Friday. Lyon's manager, Gerard Houllier, signed Baros while he was in charge of Liverpool. "Milan's decision whether to stay or go has been made easier by the fact that Liverpool was allowed to play in the Champions League next year," Dalibor Lacina from ISM management said. "This is not a decision against Lyon -- this is a decision for Liverpool." Although Liverpool beat AC Milan in last month's Champions League final, Liverpool needed European soccer's governing body to grant it special permission to defend the title. It didn't qualify automatically for next season's competition because it finished outside the top four places in England's Premier League.
■ Horse Racing
Westerner wins Gold Cup
Favorite Westerner beat outsider Distinction by a nose Thursday in the Gold Cup on the third day of the Royal Ascot festival.
The French 6-year-old, trained by Elie Lellouche and ridden by Olivier Peslier, stayed with the 17-strong field for most of the 4km race. The last furlong saw a two-horse race between 7-4 Westerner and 33-1 Distinction, ridden by Johnny Murtagh. Ireland's Vinnie Roe came third, a further five lengths behind. It was the first time in 28 years that a French horse had won the Gold Cup after Sagaro completed his hat trick in 1977. "I was very worried when the pace was so slow, but the horse is so maneuverable," Westerner's owner Alec Wildenstein said. "This horse is a friend."
■ Hockey
NHL approves Ducks sale
The sale of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (California) by Disney to Henry and Susan Samueli was approved by the NHL's Board of Governors on Thursday. The board granted unanimous approval pending completion of the sale, which is expected shortly. Mighty Ducks spokesman Alex Gilchrist said the new owners wouldn't comment until the sale becomes final. The sale for a reported US$75 million was announced on Feb. 25 and includes Disney Ice, a Mighty Ducks practice facility. Samueli is co-founder, chairman of the board and chief technical officer of Broadcom Corp. He also owns the company that manages Anaheim Arena, the Mighty Ducks' home ice. When the sale was announced, Samueli said he didn't intend to move the team and wouldn't change its name.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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