■BASEBALL
Sizemore faces naked truth
Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore moved on Monday to try to prevent the displaying of sexy photographs of himself that were stolen from his girlfriend’s e-mail account. The pictures were posted on the Internet on Sunday and several feature the Major League Baseball standout partially clothed. He took them with a telephone camera while standing in front of a bathroom mirror. Sizemore, 27, has asked major league officials to investigate the matter. “We fully support Grady as he deals with this personal matter,” the Indians said in a statement. “The posted photos were stolen from his girlfriend’s e-mail account and a legal investigation is under way.”
■BASEBALL
Jeter is Sportsman of Year
New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter was named Sportsman of the Year on Monday by the US magazine Sports Illustrated. Jeter, 35, who won his fourth Gold Glove last season as best fielding shortstop in the American League, hit .334 with 18 home runs and stole 30 bases in his 15th season to lead the Yankees to the World Series championship. The award, bestowed by the magazine annually since 1954, went to swimmer Michael Phelps last year. During the Fall Classic against the Philadelphia Phillies, Jeter also received the Roberto Clemente Award, given to a Major League Baseball player who combines community service with excellence on the field.
■FIELD HOCKEY
Germans win 9-goal thriller
Germany snatched a last-minute goal to down Spain 5-4 in a thrilling contest at the men’s Champions Trophy in Melbourne yesterday. Germany got off with a first-minute bang as Benjamin Wess followed up his own pass to the right and drove home in the circle. Jan-Marco Montag flicked a penalty corner conversion four minutes later to give Germany a 2-0 lead. But Spain were quick to respond, Albert Sala and Eduard Arbos combining for a right-side challenge to Germany’s defense with a last touch by Arbos sending the ball into goal. Florian Fuchs replied for Germany seconds later, deflecting in a long pass from the midfield to give his side a 3-2 lead at the break. Field goals by Eddie Tubau and Jordi Carrera put Spain back in front early in the second half. A defensive error left Carrera with a loose ball which he drove past Jessulat to make the score 4-3 in Spain’s favor. With eight minutes to go, Fuchs retaliated with an opportunist’s goal from the top of the circle to level play 4-4. A penalty corner and three shots on goal from Germany followed, with Matthias Witthaus’s winning goal upheld by the video umpire with just 33 seconds left to play. Meanwhile, South Korea downed the Netherlands 2-1 and in the day’s final match, Australia squandered seven penalty corners before edging England 2-1 to remain unbeaten.
■FIELD HOCKEY
IHF looks for India boost
The International Hockey Federation wants to boost its income before the 2016 Olympics by cashing in on the sport’s popularity in India. Field hockey’s ruling executive meets this week to study a plan that aims to raise the game’s profile by using its biggest fan base. “Many sports want to go to India because it’s a fantastic market,” Christophe Troendle, the FIH’s director-general, said. “For us it’s maybe easier because we are part of the culture.” The FIH hopes that targeting sponsors and staging more top events in the nation of 1.1 billion people could help triple its annual budget.
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