■ ATHLETICS
Hooker leads 100m qualifier
Former collegiate champion Marshevet Hooker ran an eye-popping but wind-assisted 10.76 seconds to lead the women’s 100m qualifying on the opening day of the American Olympic trials on Friday. No woman has run faster under any conditions since disgraced American sprinter Marion Jones clocked 10.68 seconds in 2000. The wind on the quarter-final race was 3.4m per second, well above the accepted 2.0mps. “I stuttered a little bit [at the start], but I just kept running,” said the 23-year-old Hooker.
■ RUGBY
Les Kiss quits Waratahs
Australian Les Kiss said yesterday he has quit the New South Wales Waratahs to take up an appointment as Ireland’s new defense coach. The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed the appointment of Kiss on Friday. “The opportunity to work with Ireland and to be involved at the international level of the game held great attraction for me,” Kiss said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with [new coach] Declan Kidney and his group and learning about and contributing to the overall structure. There is an exciting challenge ahead for us over the next few years in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup in 2011.”
■ ICE HOCKEY
Jagr offered US$35m bid
A Russian Super League club has offered Czech star Jaromir Jagr a US$35 million contract to play in Europe next season, American media reported on Friday. The New York Post said Omsk reportedly offered the three-year contract earlier this week after months of conversation with Jagr, who scored 25 goals and had 71 points as the captain of the New York Rangers last season. Jagr, a seven-time all-star, will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday and has said that his first choice is to sign a new deal with the Rangers. Jagr, a native of the Czech Republic who won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP 10 years ago, has 646 goals and 953 assists in parts of 18 seasons with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.
■ CYCLING
Court to rule on Landis case
Disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis will find out on Monday from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) whether he can reclaim his 2006 Tour de France title. The CAS said in a statement on Friday that it would announce at its headquarters in Lausanne the decision of a three-lawyer panel on a five-day hearing that took place in New York in March. Landis, who has denied wrongdoing, made his final appeal in closed door sessions before a CAS panel against a decision by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) last May that resulted in his two-year ban from cycling through Jan. 29. The International Cycling Union later stripped Landis of his 2006 Tour de France crown and awarded the title to Spain’s Oscar Pereiro.
■ ATHLETICS
Poland wins World League
World silver medalists Poland powered past Japan 25-14, 25-12, 25-22 for their third win against two defeats in the World League men’s volleyball preliminary round yesterday. Japan, with one win against four defeats, remained at the bottom of the four-team Group D round robin, which also includes China and Egypt. A total of 16 teams were divided into four groups. The winners of each group, hosts Brazil and a wild card chosen by the International Volleyball Federation will reach the final round in Rio de Janeiro from July 23 to July 27.
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