■ Rugby
Coach slams fighting Fijians
Five Fijian rugby players suspended for drinking and fighting after a test against Japan in Osaka on Saturday may face further disciplinary action, coach Wayne Pivac said yesterday. Winger Sekove Leawere, hooker Joeli Lotawa, halfback Emosi Vucago, France-based center Maleli Kunavore and flanker Semisi Naevo have been dropped from the Fiji squad for matches against Australia A at Adelaide on July 14 and Melbourne on July 22. "The players drank too much alcohol and two of them ended up fighting each other, in the process damaging the room they were drinking in," Pivac said. He said the matter had been referred to the Fiji Rugby Union for further action.
■ Soccer
Fake cops kill club boss
The head of a Colombian first division soccer club was killed over the weekend during what authorities believe was a botched kidnapping attempt. Gustavo Upegui Lopez of the Envigado club, who was once arrested for having ties to drug traffickers, was sleeping when attackers disguised as police officers came to his home in northwest Colombia, Jorge Mejia, government secretary of Antioquia Province, said on Monday. Witnesses who were locked into a room by the attackers said they discovered the 53-year-old Lopez dead on the floor after hearing cars pull away from the house. Radio station Caracol reported a witness said Upegui Lopez told attackers they'd have to kill him if they wanted to take him away. Upegui Lopez was arrested during the 1990s for links to drug traffickers and right-wing paramilitary groups.
■ Ice Hockey
Oilers trade Pronger
The winds of change swept through the NHL for a third straight day on Monday with Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman announcing his retirement and the Edmonton Oilers trading leading defenseman Chris Pronger to Anaheim. There were tears in Detroit, however, where Yzerman bid an emotional farewell to fans and the team where he spent his entire 22-year career, leading the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups and Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Games. Pronger's departure from Edmonton was greeted with anger more than sadness. Considered the top prize in this year's free agency market that began on Saturday, Pronger shocked Edmonton fans when he asked to be traded for unspecified personal reasons. The Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza, meanwhile, agreed to a two-year US$9 million deal to remain with the club.
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