■TENNIS
Federer hounded at village
World No. 1 Roger Federer says he cannot stay in the Olympic village because of constant attention from other athletes. Federer, who will carry the Swiss flag in Friday’s opening ceremony on his 27th birthday, showed his face in the village and was swamped by fellow athletes turning into fans demanding autographs. “It is impossible really, there are so many athletes asking for photos and so on. It is not ideal to prepare,” he told a news conference yesterday. “I will go down once in a while to see the other Swiss athletes,” said Federer who stayed in the village at the last two Olympics and even met his girlfriend for the first time at the one in Sydney.
■FENCING
Medalist back after 24 years
Luan Jujie tasted Olympic success for the first time when she won the foil fencing gold for China at Los Angeles in 1984, and now she is back for another crack at the title 24 years later. The 50-year-old, the oldest fencer at the Games, is now competing for Canada after moving there to be a coach following the 1988 Seoul Olympics — the last time she competed for China. She made a comeback for Canada at the 2000 Sydney Games but failed to progress beyond the first round, before missing out on qualifying for Athens four years ago. This time she was determined to make the grade, with the Olympics in Beijing, but it has come at a price. “I gave up my job and spending time with my children,” she said. “But it’s the Olympic Games in China, my home country.”
■FIELD HOCKEY
Players relax on beach
Title-contenders Spain prepared for the Olympic men’s field hockey tournament, which starts on Monday, by relaxing on a beach in southern China. Coach Maurits Hendriks took his squad for a three-day holiday to Hainan Province to “reinforce group feeling,” returning to the hockey field yesterday for training. “It was three days of active rest for our players, absolutely no hockey,” the Dutchman said. “They did routine physical training, but the intention was to rest and relax ahead of the Games as the players have come off gruelling training sessions,” Hendriks said.
■BOXING
Gavin fails to make weight
World lightweight champion boxer Frankie Gavin of Britain, a hot favorite for the 60kg gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, will miss the Games after failing to make the weight. Terry Edwards, head coach of the British boxing team, said yesterday: “It is the nature of our sport that we try and get our boxers to the top of their weight and it has been well documented that Frankie has struggled with this over recent months. “Whilst the support staff down in Macau and I have done everything we could, regrettably it is clear that Frankie will not make his weight before tomorrow morning’s weigh-in.
■JUDO
Japan vows strong showing
Japan’s judo chief has vowed to prove wrong the critics who say the sun may be setting on the country of the sport’s origin at the Beijing Olympics. Japan, who have dominated Olympic judo since its debut in 1964, surprised themselves with a record haul of eight gold medals in Athens four years ago. But they have since struggled to stay at the top, picking up only three titles at the 2005 and 2007 world championships. “There is always a winner and a loser in a competition,” Kazuo Yoshimura, the manager of the Japanese Olympic judo team, said. “And even if we lost last year, that is now firmly in the past,” he said.
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