■ Squash
Taiwan to host Asia Cup
Taiwan will host the 13th Asia Cup Squash Championship next month as part of the nation's efforts to gain experience in organizing major international sports events, officials at the National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports said. The council has been encouraging all sports-related organizations across the nation to seek the right to host international sports events to help Taiwan boost sports exchanges with other countries. The knowledge and experience gained would assist the country in hosting the 2009 World Games and the 2009 Deaflympics, the officials said. The 2009 World Games will take place in Kaohsiung, while the Deaflympics will be held in Taipei. The Taiwan International Marathon 2006 is scheduled to start in Yunlin County on Feb. 28, while at the end of March an international junior tennis championship will be held. Council officials said the events are part of more than 50 sports competitions to be held across the country this year.
■ Olympics
Shaq may participate
Jerry Colangelo, putting together the US basketball team for the 2006 world championships and 2008 Olympics, said Shaquille O'Neal has not ruled out participating. Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, spoke to O'Neal on Thursday as part of his meetings with NBA players prior to training camp later this year. "I thought that going in that he had indicated there wasn't much interest and he felt it was time for others to step in," Colangelo said Friday night. "After I spoke with him, he said `Now you've got me rethinking about it.'" "We'll see," Colangelo said. He said that he felt he should speak to O'Neal "out of respect for him." Colangelo also met with O'Neal's Miami teammate Dwyane Wade. "He's one of the up-and-coming young stars of the game," Colangelo said, "and he was very interested." Colangelo is solely responsible for selecting participants in this year's training camp. Players must make a three-year commitment to participate in the camps and exhibition games leading up to the competitions. The shake-up followed the team's bronze medal performance in the Athens Olympics.
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