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■ BASKETBALL

Nene has tumor removed

Denver Nuggets forward Nene underwent surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday to remove a testicular tumor, and a biopsy will determine if it was cancerous. The Brazilian player took an indefinite leave of absence on Friday, and there is no timetable for his return. "Nene is recovering well and in good condition," Dr Fernando Kim said. The operation was done at Denver Health Medical Center. Kim said a "right testicular mass was found incidentally and it was managed surgically." The tumor was found last week in an exam by team physician Dr Saurabh Mangalik.



■ OLYMPICS

Dion enters song contest

Canadian pop superstar Celine Dion will play her first concert in China in April and has submitted an entry for the Beijing Olympics theme song competition, Games organizers said yesterday. The 39-year-old multiple Grammy Award winner has scheduled a stop on her worldwide tour at the newly renovated Workers' Stadium in the Chinese capital on April 13, which will be part of Beijing's official celebration of the Games. Dion sang the theme song The Power of the Dream at the opening ceremony of 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. So far, more than 30 artists from China and abroad have submitted their works for the theme song.



■ SOCCER

Barca ends Sevilla's reign

Barcelona ended Sevilla's reign as King's Cup holders on Tuesday as a dull 0-0 draw was sufficient to see the Catalan giants through in their last 16 second-leg clash. Barcelona progressed thanks to the away goal rule, as the first leg had finished 1-1. With both sides missing several key players who had either been called away on African Nations Cup duty or were suspended and injured, the quality of the game in Barcelona slipped a notch or two from their previous encounters. The defeat leaves Sevilla effectively with just the Champions League to play for this season, as they are 10 points adrift of Real Madrid in the title race.



■ SOCCER

Del Piero rescues Juventus

Alessandro Del Piero rescued Juventus again on Tuesday, converting a decisive penalty in a 5-3 win over Empoli in Turin that qualified the Bianconeri for the Italian Cup quarter-finals. Coach Claudio Ranieri inserted Del Piero in the 65th minute and the Juventus captain scored 13 minutes later after Vincenzo Iaquinta was tripped. Juventus advanced on 6-5 aggregate after Empoli won the first leg 2-1. Juventus will play the winner of today's contest between Inter Milan and Reggina. Inter won the first leg 4-1. Del Piero also converted a 90th-minute penalty in a 1-1 draw with Catania in Serie A on Saturday.



■ OLYMPICS

Rio, Doha unveil 2016 bids

Rio de Janeiro and Doha released details of their 2016 Olympics bids on Tuesday. The Rio bid committee released plans to hold all sporting events within the city, a metropolitan area of 12 million people. Rio plans to use 19 existing venues, including many that will be in place for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Seven new venues will be built, and four temporary venues. Doha proposed to hold the games in October to avoid Qatar's searing summer temperatures. Daytime and evening temperatures as well as humidity levels will be conducive to the performance of athletes and the comfort of spectators, the committee said. The average temperature at 3pm during the proposed dates has been 31oC over the last 10 years.
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