■ BADMINTON
Lin Dan knocked out
China's world badminton champion Lin Dan lost to Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals of the Japan Open Super Series yesterday. He went down 21-19, 21-15 to the Malyasian, who also beat Lin the last time they met in the Sudirman Cup in Glasgow in June. Lin recovered from that setback to retain his world title in Kuala Lumpur last month when Lee failed to fulfil the huge expectations of his home support and lost in the third round. His opponent in the final will be Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat who defeated Indonesian compatriot Simon Santoso 21-14, 21-16.
■ SOCCER
Petrovic gets China job
China has appointed former Yugoslav international Vladimir Petrovic as its new coach on a one-year contract, state media reported. The 52-year-old, who coached Chinese Super League club Dalian Shide to the league title in 2005, will be in charge until Sept. 30 next year when China completes its third round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Petrovic replaces Zhu Guanghu, who was sacked last month following the national team's humiliating first-round exit from the Asian Cup in July. Petrovic will be under the "guidance" of Ratomir Dujkovic, who is coach of the Olympic team and who recommended his former Belgrade Red Star teammate to the China Football Association, Xinhua news agency said.
■ SOCCER
Petric brace lifts Dortmund
Mladen Petric's two goals lifted Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Friday and moved them within a point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Injury-plagued Bremen, who face Real Madrid next week in their European Champions League opener, fell apart after Petric scored unmarked in 22nd minute. Diego Klimowicz added another in the 29th minute and Petric followed with another three minutes later for Dortmund, who climbed to second in the standings.
■ FORMULA ONE
Raikkonen takes pole
Kimi Raikkonen took pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix yesterday, edging Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa and the two McLaren drivers. Behind the red Ferrari cars, world champion Fernando Alonso just got third place ahead of overall leader Lewis Hamilton, setting up a close race today. After the Formula One spying scandal involving McLaren took center stage for two days, racing took over again yesterday.
■ MOTOR RACING
Racer files for protection
The Australian-born drag racer whose car plowed into a parade crowd in Tennessee, killing six and injuring dozens more, has filed for bankruptcy protection, records show. Troy Critchley filed for "Chapter 7" bankruptcy protection last Friday and claimed as creditors a dozen pending lawsuits totaling around US$100 million. More than 30 lawsuits are related to the June 16 accident, when Critchley's race car crashed into a crowd at a "Cars for Kids" charity event. Attorneys for the families say the bankruptcy filing could make it harder to pursue their civil claims against Critchley, some of which are seeking as much as US$20 million. "The accident has devastated him emotionally and ruined him financially," said attorney William Reid, who represents Critchley but is not his bankruptcy attorney.
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