■ Speedskating
Canadian woman wins
Mellisa Hollingsworth-Richards of Canada won a World Cup women's race in Koeniqsee, Germany on Friday. Hollingsworth-Richards finished with a combined time of 1 minute, 39.96 seconds. Germany's Anja Huber was second, 0.84 seconds slower, followed by compatriots Diana Sartor, who was 0.85 adrift, and Kerstin Juergens, 0.90 back. The top finisher for the US team, which is without its suspended head coach Tim Nardiello, was Noelle Pikus-Pace in fifth. Nardiello is suspended because of sexual harassment accusations made against him in recent weeks. With her second victory of the season, Hollingsworth-Richards took over the lead in the World Cup standings with 460 points. Maya Pedersen of Switzerland is second with 420 points after finishing eighth on Friday. Sartor is third with 310.
■ Olympics
Taiwan looks to 2008
Taiwan's Olympic Committee elected a new president yesterday, given the task of preparing for the 2008 Games, which will be hosted by China. The committee elected Tsai Chen-wei(蔡辰威), the chairman of the Republic of China Sports Federation, to a four-year term. Tsai succeeded Huang Ta-chou(黃大洲), a former mayor of Taipei. Taiwan takes part in the Olympics under the name of "Chinese Taipei" and is barred from using its flag and anthem at many sports events because of continuous interference and bullying from China.
■ Bobsled
German women battle
Susi-Lisa Erdmann ended the five-race win streak of German campatriot Sandra Kiriasis, claiming Friday's two-woman World Cup bobsled race in Koeniqsee, Germany. Erdmann and Anne Dietrich had the best time in both runs with the Germany II sled to finish in one minute, 42.60 seconds. Canadians Helen Upperton and Heather Moyse were second -- 14-hundredths of a second slower, while Kiriasis and Anja Schneiderheinze finished third in Germany I, three-10ths of a second behind Erdmann. Kiriasis, who won last season's final race and the first four of this season, still leads the World Cup standings with 480 points. American Shauna Rohbock -- who finished fourth on Friday 52-hundredths behind Erdmann -- is second with 400 with two races to go. Upperton is third with 372 points.
■ Baseball
Lee wants more money
South Korea's Lee Seung-yeop will not return to Japan Series champion Chiba Lotte Marines next season after failing to secure a pay raise. Lee, whose two-year contract expired at the end of last season, was offered an unchanged salary of US$2.2 million by the Marines but turned it down Friday, Lotte club representative Ryuzo Setoyama said. Lee is reportedly interested in signing with either the Yomiuri Giants or a north American major league team. The 29-year-old infielder led the Marines last season with 30 home runs and had 82 RBIs. He homered three times in the Japan Series, helping the Marines to sweep the Hanshin Tigers for their first title in 31 years.
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