■ CYCLING
Freire takes lead in Spain
Victory in stage two of the Tour of Spain on Sunday gave Spaniard Oscar Freire the lead in a major stage race for the first time in his career. The three-times world champion outsprinted Paolo Bettini of Italy and Colombian Leonardo Duque in a tough uphill finish to clinch both the stage and the lead. After Sunday's 143km trek from Allariz, the Rabobank rider leads overall ahead of German Erik Zabel, with Duque in third. "I had a tough day on stage one with an upset stomach," Freire told reporters. "But today I felt stronger and stronger as the stage went on. That kind of uphill dash for the line suits me down to the ground."
■ SOCCER
Clarke `fortunate' to survive
After surviving while others who suffered similar problems died, Leicester City defender Clive Clarke has been reflecting on his good fortune. The on-loan Sunderland player suffered a double heart failure during a League Cup match against Nottingham Forest last week, collapsing at half-time before being taken to hospital. But while he is now recovering from his ordeal, others such as Sevilla fullback Antonio Puerta, were not so lucky. "I know I am extremely fortunate to be here," Clarke said. "In the light of recent events involving footballers who have suffered heart attacks, I am the real lucky one, because I have survived," he said.
■ ROWING
Britain win two golds
Britain took two Olympic class gold medals to end the world championships in Munich, Germany, on a high note on Sunday. The British women's quadruple sculls led from start to finish to take a comfortable victory over Germany and China and make it a third successive world title for Britain. The other British win came in the men's lightweight four, with Richard Chambers, James Lindsay-Fynn, Paul Mattick and James Clarke coming from behind to beat France and pacesetters Italy. Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist of Denmark successfully defended their lightweight men's double sculls title, while Poland won the men's quadruple sculls.
■ BASKETBALL
Garbajosa cleared for Euros
Toronto Raptors power forward Jorge Garbajosa has been cleared by the NBA club to play for Spain at the European championship, the Spanish Basketball Federation said on Sunday. The 29-year-old's participation had been in doubt after he fractured his left fibula and damaged ankle ligaments during an NBA game in March. Just a week ago, the Raptors said it was too risky for Garbajosa to return to action, but an insurance agreement in case of further injury was agreed upon by the federation and the Canadian NBA side. "After negotiations with the Raptors, which went on all through the night, the Federation have been able to include Jorge in the list for the tournament," federation president Jose Luis Saez said.
■ BOXING
Torres defends WBO title
Colombia's Ricardo "Mochuelo" Torres successfully defended his WBO junior welterweight title, stopping US fighter Kendal Holt in the 11th round. US referee Yino Rodriguez stopped the fight after Torres, who was down in the judge's cards, was hitting Holt almost at will in the Saturday night fight. Torres was beating Holt with solid punches from both hands to the challenger's face, plus a left hook to the chin that sent Holt to the canvas. The US fighter got up and leaned on the ropes, but Torres came back with a new flurry of punches and Rodriguez intervened.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and