■ SOCCER
Eto'o now a Spaniard
Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that their Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o has obtained Spanish nationality. Eto'o is the third Barcelona player to obtain Spanish nationality after Brazilian Ronaldinho and Mexico's Giovani Dos Santos. Spanish league sides are only permitted three non-European players.
■ SOCCER
Court reins in Web site
A Beijing court has ruled that a Chinese Web site violated the Juventus soccer club's copyright by using the name of the Italian team in its domain name, state press said yesterday. The court ruled that Li Ning had violated the club's copyright by selling Juventus merchandise on its juventus.com.cn Web site, the Beijing Times reported. The report did not say if the Chinese Web site was fined or ordered to shut down. The ruling comes after China's international commercial arbitration panel ruled in August last year that Li violated the Juventus copyright, but Li refused to abide by the ruling and brought the case to the Beijing court, the paper said.
■ DOPING
90g of HGH seized
Police raided a chemist in New York where they seized more than US$7 million in human growth hormone (HGH) from China, the US media reported on Wednesday. The raid carried out on Tuesday was the second in five months on Lowen's Pharmacy in the suburb of Brooklyn which has been linked to a larger probe of HGH in professional sports. Officials discovered 90g of raw HGH, worth an estimated US$7.2 million. They also found kilogram quantities of steroids, comprising testosterone, nandrolone and stanazolol.
■ SUMO
Asashoryu delays return
Troubled sumo grand champion Asashoryu has injured his ankle and is unlikely to return to Japan this month as was originally expected, a report said on Wednesday. "I don't think there is any way there will be a return to Japan this month," Kyodo News said quoting an unnamed trainer who returned from visiting the top-ranked wrestler in his native Mongolia. Asashoryu hurt ligaments in his left ankle during training, while a lingering injury to his left elbow is not healing as hoped, the report said. The 27-year-old Mongolian returned home a month ago for treatment after doctors said he had developed mental problems following his harsh punishment by sumo authorities. Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, was suspended until late next month after he was caught on camera playing soccer in Mongolia despite skipping a non-competition tour of provincial Japan citing injuries.
■ ICE HOCKEY
Thrashers coach fired
Bob Hartley was fired on Wednesday as coach of the Atlanta Thrashers, who have lost their first six games and are the only National Hockey League team without a victory. General manager Don Waddell will be the coach until a replacement is found. He has no timetable for selecting a replacement. "We felt after six games the direction we were going was not the direction we wanted to go," Waddell said at a news conference in announcing the first coaching change of the NHL season. "We couldn't let it go any further."
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