■ ATHLETICS
Bolt just misses 100m record
Jamaican Usain Bolt ran the second fastest 100m ever when he clocked 9.76 seconds at the Jamaican International Invitational on Saturday. Bolt’s time was just two hundredths of a second slower than the world record of 9.74 set last year by his compatriot Asafa Powell. Bolt made a good start and left the field behind to come home ahead of American Darvis Patton in 10.08 and Antigua’s Daniel Bailey in 10.12. American Wallace Spearmon Jr, the world 200m bronze medallist, was clearly upset by two false starts and finished fifth in 10.13 seconds.
■ Horse Racing
Tragedy hits Kentucky Derby
Big Brown defied history to win the 134th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but the race finished under a pall as runner-up Eight Belles broke down and was euthanized.Big Brown more than justified the faith of trainer Rick Dutrow and gave jockey Kent Desormeaux his third triumph in the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel in US flat racing’s Triple Crown.Big Brown became the first Derby winner from post 20 since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and roaring home.
■ ATHLETICS
Champion linked to doping
Antonio Pettigrew, a four-time world champion who helped the US 4x400 relay team win gold at the 2000 Olympics, was named as a user of performance-enhancing drugs in a witness list for the trial of noted coach Trevor Graham. The New York Times reported on Saturday that Pettigrew was identified on a government list of witnesses against Graham, whose trial on charges of lying to federal agents is scheduled to begin on May 19. The timing of the alleged doping was not identified in the four-page list of eight athletes on the witness list against Graham, whose trial could bring the first major court revelations of names from the BALCO steroid scandal. Pettigrew had never before been linked to doping. “If the trial goes forward, it will go forward and whatever happens will happen,” Pettigrew’s attorney, Xavier Donaldson, told the Times. “Antonio is one of the best persons you’d hope to meet. That’s why this whole situation is a sad one.”
■ CRICKET
Harmison talks of retirement
Steve Harmison is likely to quit cricket if he fails to win back his England place, the fast bowler said yesterday.The Durham paceman was dropped after England lost the first test in New Zealand in March and in his absence the team won two matches in a row to take the series 2-1. “The prospect of playing for England is what drives me and if I felt my chance of doing that was gone the probability is I’d retire from first-class cricket altogether,” Harmison told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. “This is not an ultimatum or me trying to impose conditions on anyone. But I am 29 now and if I felt my England career was over I would be tempted to say I want to do something different with my life.” Although Harmison retired from one-day internationals in 2006, he is desperate to add to his haul of 212 Test wickets. “I am absolutely determined to show I have something to offer England,” he said. “I certainly do not believe I am finished. After a terrible year for me on the field with injuries, operations and so little cricket it is ridiculous, my aim is to bowl fast, take wickets and give the selectors something to think about.” England open the three-match home series against New Zealand with the first test at Lord’s starting on May 15.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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