■SOCCER
Henry to miss Cup final
Barcelona striker Thierry Henry will miss the Copa del Rey final and might not play in the Champions League final because of his strained right knee ligament. The club said on Friday that Henry will miss the next four games, including Wednesday’s Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao. The France striker was “undergoing specific treatment to try and ensure that he can play in Rome against Manchester United,” the club said on its Web site. Henry injured his knee during Barcelona’s 6-2 win at Real Madrid last weekend. Although he traveled with the team to London, Henry missed Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea that advanced the Spanish league leaders to the Champions League final on May 27. The 31-year-old former Arsenal striker has been one of the keys to Barcelona’s bid to become the first Spanish team to win the treble of Europe’s top club competition and the domestic league and cup double.
■SOCCER
Barca to face the Galaxy
Barcelona’s tour of the US this summer will include a match against David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy. Barcelona will play an exhibition match against the Galaxy at the 90,000 seat Rose Bowl Stadium on Aug. 1. The Catalan club will also face the Seattle Sounders on Aug. 5 and a third match against a yet to be named opponent. Beckham will be back with the Galaxy by the time Barca visit under the terms of his loan agreement with AC Milan.
■NASCAR
Kenseth grabs pole position
Matt Kenseth set a Darlington Raceway record in winning his first pole in four years on Friday, while three-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will start near the back for the Southern 500 after a qualifying crash. Kenseth had a lap at 288.89kph on the 60-year-old track to take the top spot for the race. He surpassed the mark of 288.77kph set last year by Greg Biffle, the first race after Darlington’s repavement. Johnson, a two-time Darlington winner, had the back end of his car slide into the turn two wall on his first qualifying lap. Then Johnson’s front side hit an infield wall and brought the car to a stop. Johnson was evaluated at the infield care center and released a short time later.
■CYCLING
Riders to be tested for CERA
Riders in the Giro d’Italia will be tested for the advanced blood-boosting drug CERA. Several cyclists have tested positive for the substance since last year’s Tour de France. All 198 riders entered in the Giro underwent routine pre-race tests by the International Cycling Union (UCI) on Thursday and there will be 481 more controls — plus surprise tests — during the three-week race. Giro d’Italia director Angelo Zomegnan announced plans for CERA testing on Friday, but did not specify who will carry out the controls. Urine tests for insulin will also be conducted.
■GOLF
Skins game postponed
The made-for-television Skins game in Indian Wells, a Thanksgiving weekend tradition since 1983, has been postponed because of the global financial crisis. “The Skins game has enjoyed a long and successful history ... but given the current economic climate, postponing the 2009 event was necessary,” IMG media executive vice president Barry Frank said in a statement on Friday. “We look forward to working with key partners over the coming months to ensure the Skins game comes back next year in a manner befitting one of golf’s great traditions.”
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