■SOCCER
Liga rout Fluminense
Edison Mendez’s quality hat-trick led Liga de Quito to a 5-1 rout of Fluminense in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final on Wednesday. The return leg is next Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, where Fluminense will be relieved after appearing to struggle to breathe at Quito’s 3,000m altitude. The final is a rematch of the last year’s final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s club championship, when Liga beat Fluminense in a penalty shootout to become the first club from Ecuador to win a major tournament. In search of revenge, Fluminense made a remarkable start at the Casa Blanca Stadium. After barely 20 seconds, the ball was worked to Fred on the edge of the box and the former Lyon striker’s shot was barely parried away by goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. Marquinho pounced on the rebound and blasted a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Liga regrouped fast and Mendez pulled the home side level in the 21st minute after receiving a quick free-kick on the right and arrowing a shot that stung the fingers of Fluminense goalkeeper Rafael. Mendez scored again in the 44th minute when his 30m free-kick rebounded off the wall and dropped invitingly into his path. The veteran midfielder launched an unstoppable drive off the underside of the crossbar to put Liga in front. In the 60th minute, Mendez arrived in the box to complete his hat-trick with a downward header from Norberto Araujo’s right-wing cross. Franklin Salas swapped passes with Mendez inside the box in the 77th minute and hit a first-time volley across Rafael for Liga’s fourth goal. De La Cruz sealed a miserable night for Fluminense with a 30m strike in the 88th minute.
■BASKETBALL
Iverson set to retire
With no apparent interest from NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire, an online report says. Commentator Stephen Smith published a statement on his Web site on Wednesday attributed to Iverson. It said Iverson plans to retire, but also that “I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.” The statement also said Iverson has tremendous love for the game and the desire to play, adding there is “a whole lot left in my tank.” “His legacy would be huge,” Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James said. “He’s one of the best when you talk about guys six foot [1.83m] and under in the game of basketball. He played injured and he played hard every single night. I don’t think it should end this way, but if it does, he’s left a lot of great things behind.”
■SOCCER
Romario in emotional return
Former Brazil striker Romario came out of retirement to play 22 minutes for his late father’s favorite team America-RJ and lift the Rio de Janeiro State second division title on Wednesday. The 43-year-old Romario, who retired last year and became America’s sporting director this year, came on as a substitute in the second half of America’s 2-0 win over Artsul. The former Barcelona striker was unable to improve on his career goals tally, which he has claimed to be more than 1,000, but he did a lap of honor with the trophy.
■CYCLING
McEwen planning comeback
Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen is planning to make his comeback to professional cycling at the Tour Down Under in January. A three-time winner of the Tour de France’s sprinters’ green jersey, McEwen was sidelined for most of this year after crashing heavily in Belgium in May. Lance Armstrong of the US and Australia’s road race world champion Cadel Evans will also be competing.
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