■ NFL
Bengals star sent to jail
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was sent to jail for two days on Thursday after pleading guilty to allowing minors to drink alcohol in his hotel room last spring. He is one of nine players on the NFL team arrested in the past 13 months. Henry has been arrested four times as a Bengals player. Henry was charged in Covington with three counts of unlawful transaction with a minor. Police said he brought alcohol for three females -- ages 18, 16 and 15 -- in a Covington motel room on April 29. One of the three, Monica Beamon, 18, was charged with murder in Cincinnati last September.
■ Cricket
Astle announces retirement
Veteran batsman Nathan Astle announced his retirement on Friday, shocking his New Zealand teammates and further weakening their fragile batting line-up just weeks away from the World Cup. The 35-year-old, New Zealand's second most prolific one-day scorer behind skipper Stephen Fleming, said he was struggling with motivation for the tournament after patchy form in recent seasons. "I have been fighting this day for about eight months," Astle said in a statement. "I so desperately wanted to go to my fourth World Cup, but deep down inside I knew that I was lacking motivation and the enjoyment levels were just not there," he said.
■ Soccer
Ronaldo suing drug firm
Brazilian star Ronaldo is suing a Chinese drug company for using his image in a television commercial without his authorization, reports said yesterday. Ronaldo has complained that his image was used without his permission and plans to sue, the state-run newspaper Beijing Youth Weekend and other reports said. The ads show a grinning Ronaldo holding up a packet of Golden Throat Lozenges. According to the state-run newspaper China Daily, Guangxi Golden Throat has defended its use of Ronaldo's image.
■ Rugby Union
Two charged over fan fracas
Toulouse lock Trevor Brennan was charged with misconduct on Thursday after climbing into the stands to punch a fan during a European Rugby Cup match. Brennan said he was provoked by a group of Ulster supporters during Sunday's Heineken Cup match at Toulouse's Stade Ernest Wallon. The ERC said in a statement that Toulouse teammate Gareth Thomas -- a Wales international expected to play in the Six Nations -- was also charged with misconduct. Thomas "allegedly engaged in aggressive exchanges" with fans, tried to enter seating areas and reportedly made an offensive hand gesture toward the crowd. Brennan, a former Ireland international, apologized on Tuesday for the incident, but said the visiting Northern Irish fans insulted his mother and poured beer on him as he warmed up.
■ Soccer
Hleb out for four weeks
Arsenal's Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb is likely to be out for a month after picking up a hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday. "It will be a good four weeks," manager Arsene Wenger said on the club's Web site. Dutch striker Robin van Persie is already facing a long lay-off after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot during the 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
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