■ ICE HOCKEY
Roenick plans to retire
Jeremy Roenick, who was just five goals shy of reaching 500 for his career, told the US media on Wednesday that he plans to retire. The nine-time All-Star center amassed 495 goals, 675 assists and 1,413 penalty minutes during his 18 years in the National Hockey League. Roenick, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks eighth overall in 1988 and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992, also played with the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings. Roenick saw his numbers steadily decline in each of the last five seasons, culminating this past season when he registered just 11 goals and 17 assists in 70 games.
■ ATHLETICS
Irungu wins Peachtree Road
Martin Irungu of Kenya won the Peachtree Road Race leading from start to finish in his first time running the 10km course on Wednesday. Wude Ayalew of Ethiopia was the women's winner in a field featuring 55,000 runners, America's largest 10km event. Irungu covered the course in 28 minutes, 1 second, winning in a final sprint. US 10km champion Abdi Abdiraham was second in 28:12. Nicholas Kamakya of Kenya was third in 28:20. "I'm really happy to do this, to win in my first time," Irungu said. Abdiraham added: "He ran a great race; he's a tough guy." Ayalew won in 31:44. She was followed by Alice Timbilili of Kenya in 31:48 and Katie Mcgregor of the US in 32:41.
■ SOCCER
Sheringham v son
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham moved to League Championship side Colchester on Wednesday, and hopes to play against his son next season. The 41-year-old Sheringham signed a one-year deal after being released by Premier League club West Ham. His 19-year-old son, Charlie, plays for Crystal Palace, which faces Colchester on Nov. 24. "It would be nice and hopefully it will happen," Sheringham said. "We'd probably be at different ends of the pitch because Charlie is a striker as well but you do find yourself up against different people at different times of a game. But it would have to be some coincidence for him to get in the team and for me to be playing."
■ CRICKET
Billionaire invests in cricket
Texas billionaire Allen Stanford has given West Indies cricket US$100 million over three years in what he described on Wednesday as a bid to bring the game into the 21st century. Stanford told a news conference that most of the funding would go towards grassroots development to prepare for the second Stanford 20/20 tournament early next year after the launch of his Caribbean regional tournament last year. Cuba will join the Jan. 25 to Feb. 24 tournament along with Turks and Caicos. The 21 teams will compete for a top prize of US$1 million with the losing finalists getting US$500,000.
■ RUGBY UNION
Edinburgh, SRU in dispute
Edinburgh have withdrawn 12 players from Scotland's World Cup training squad until a dispute with the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) over appearance fees is resolved. Leading players such as Chris Paterson, Mike Blair, Allister Hogg and Scott Murray have spent the week training with their club instead of with Frank Hadden's national squad, following a dispute over the distribution of Magners League and European Cup appearance fees. A crisis meeting was held on Wednesday in an effort to resolve the situation but no agreement was reached.
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