■ Cricket
Typhoid strikes spinner
Scotland cricket officials have withdrawn left-arm spinner Glenn Rogers from the World Cricket League Division one tournament in Kenya after the player contracted typhoid, officials said. Rogers is said to have contracted the illness in Mombasa during a pre-tournament one day international tri-series.
■ Motor Racing
Andretti dynasty drives on
US teenager Marco Andretti, grandson of former Formula One champion Mario, will have a second test with Honda next week, the team said on Friday. The 19-year-old had his first taste of Formula One at Jerez in Spain in December. Honda said Andretti would drive last year's RA106 car in Jerez on Wednesday and Thursday. "We were impressed with Marco during his first test with our team and he performed well in the short time he had in the car," said sporting director Gil de Ferran in a statement. Andretti is the son of former CART champion Michael Andretti.
■ Horse Racing
Equine star to retire
Hong Kong's greatest-ever racehorse, Silent Witness, is set for his final race today after a stellar career in which he has smashed numerous records, according to reports. "Silent Witness has come to the end of the road and he will be retired after this race -- and that's win, lose or draw," managing owner Archie da Silva was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. "He has been such a great horse that [my wife] Betty and I do not want to see him like this, being beaten and losing face." The seven-year-old horse, who has a degenerative condition in his hind joints, won 17 straight races from his debut in 2002.
■ Soccer
Montenegro names coach
Former Red Star Belgrade and Benfica striker Zoran Filipovic was named on Friday as the first coach of Montenegro's national squad, a statement from Montenegro's Football Association said. Last month, Montenegro became the 53rd member of Europe's governing football body, UEFA, after the country split from its former partner Serbia. The national squad will play its first international on Feb. 24, in a friendly against Hungary in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica. Filipovic was a member of the coaching staff of the Yugoslav team at the World Cup in France 1998 and Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
■ Cricket
Caption stokes tensions
A photograph caption in a brochure for this year's Cricket World Cup has opened up longstanding ethnic tensions between Guyana's East Indians and its African-descendant population, an official said on Friday. The International Cricket Council ticket brochure captions a photograph of the India-financed Providence stadium being built for coming games, saying that "with Guyana's distinct Indian heritage you are sure to experience the fusion of West Indian and East Indian culture." Following outcries by the main opposition Peoples National Congress Reform-One Guyana, which is mainly supported by the black population, the government has written to the ICC seeking an explanation. "The words on the brochure are unfortunate. It was never the intention of the LOC [Local Organizing Committee] or anybody in Guyana to have any sort of division," said Sports and Culture Minister, Frank Anthony.
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