■ HOCKEY
Red Wings star retires
Dominik Hasek announced his retirement from ice hockey during a news conference in Detroit on Monday, only days after the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in six games over Pittsburgh.
“I don’t feel today that I’m ready to compete on the highest level,” Hasek said during a news conference at Joe Louis Arena. “Not because of the physical things, but because I need motivation every day ... Right now I don’t feel it’s there, and I don’t want to disappoint anybody.” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said Hasek’s place in NHL history is secured, calling him not only one of the greatest goalies of his era but also one of the best in league history.
“He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Holland said. “And one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game.” Hasek ranks 10th in NHL career victories for a goaltender, 10th in goals against average, 18th in games and is tied for sixth in shutouts, according to STATS Inc, a sports statistics and information company. Hasek also led the Czech Republic to the Olympic title at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
■ SOCCER
Ferdinand made a chief
Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has been awarded a special chieftancy title by the Nigerian city of Lagos after he set the ball rolling for an annual tournament aimed at discovering fresh talent from the streets. Ferdinand was given the Fiwagboye of Lagos title by the Oba of Lagos for finding time to visit the city during which he kicked off a street soccer tournament to be organized by Lagos State government. Ferdinand spent three days in Lagos as a special guest of the Lagos government which is organizing a tournament that will attract several thousands of youngsters from across the state every year.
■ SOCCER
Party lands star in hot water
Mexico goalkeeper and captain Oswaldo Sanchez was arrested in a Chicago hotel when celebrations got out of hand following a 4-0 friendly win over Peru, a Mexican newspaper reported on Monday. El Universal said on its Web site that Sanchez was held for two hours after a group of players partied in a room and the noise disturbed other guests. “The police turned up to stop the trouble-makers and Sanchez resisted, for which he was held for two hours and had to pay bail of US$1,000,” said the report, adding that Sanchez would have to appear in court on July 11.
■ CYCLING
Valverde wins first stage
Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won a finish-line sprint to claim Monday’s first stage of the Dauphine Libere cycling race, while Norway’s Thor Hushovd took the overall lead. Valverde, who placed third in Sunday’s time trial prologue, finished the flat 194km first stage in 4 hours, 46 minutes and 36 seconds. Germany’s Bjorn Schroder, riding for Team Milram, placed third in the stage. The day’s surprise came from American Levi Leipheimer, riding for Astana. He placed sixth in the stage and slipped from his lead after the prologue to third in the overall standings. The eight-day race in southern France is seen as the traditional warmup for the Tour de France. However, not everyone in the race will be in the Tour. For instance, Leipheimer’s Astana team was banned from the Tour in February by race organizer ASO as punishment for doping problems in previous seasons. ASO’s decision also means that last year’s Tour champion Alberto Contador, another Astana rider who is not racing in the Dauphine Libere, won’t get to defend his title.
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