■BASEBALL
Pitcher in kidnap attempt
Major League Baseball pitcher Luis Ayala was unharmed during an apparent attempted kidnapping by gunmen at his home in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. A spokesman for the state prosecutors’ office said investigators believed Ayala was the intended victim, whom police prevented from being abducted. He said gunmen forced their way into Ayala’s home on Monday by shooting open the door. Police arrived at the scene after receiving a call to an emergency number, and soldiers dispatched to the scene apparently scared off the assailants. Neither Ayala nor his family members were hurt. He was found handcuffed at the home. Ayala, who has played six seasons in MLB, pitched last year for Minnesota and Florida. He has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
■BASEBALL
Holliday agrees deal
Free agent left fielder Matt Holliday has agreed to a long-term contract with the St Louis Cardinals, the Major League Baseball team said on Tuesday. Holliday, who made his name with the Colorado Rockies, finished last season with the Cardinals before opting for free agency. Local media reported the contract is for seven years and had a guaranteed US$120 million over the period of the agreement. St Louis said in a statement the agreement was pending a medical and they expected to make a formal announcement within 48 hours. They gave no financial details. The three-time All-Star joined St Louis in July after he had spent a brief spell with the Oakland Athletics. Holliday told ESPN Radio that he was taken aback by the money he would receive. “Sometimes when you take a big-picture look at things it is overwhelming. It is a tremendous amount of money. When you are a little kid growing up, you hope to be a professional baseball player playing in the major leagues. I don’t think you ever think about the money. Now that you look at it and it is that kind of money, it is a little overwhelming.”
■ICE HOCKEY
US win junior title
John Carlson scored in overtime to give the US a 6-5 victory over Canada in the world junior ice hockey championship on Tuesday. Carlson beat goaltender Martin Jones on a 3-on-1 after US goalie Jack Campbell made a save at the other end. It was the second goal of the game for Carlson. Chris Kreider, Jordan Schroeder, Jerry D’Amigo and team captain Derek Stepan also scored for the US. Canada never led in the championship game but Jordan Eberle scored twice in the final three minutes to force overtime. Luke Adam, Greg Nemisz and Taylor Hall also scored for Canada in front of a sellout crowd of 15,171 at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon.
■BOXING
Fighters convert to Islam
Nine African boxers converted to Islam on the sidelines of an international tournament in Pakistan on Tuesday, saying they were impressed by the humanity and righteous ways of the religion. The boxers flew to Karachi to compete in the contest that has drawn participants from 20 countries. Six boxers from the Central African Republic (CAR) all chose to convert on the sidelines of the contest, which runs until tomorrow. They were joined by three from Cameroon who also converted from Christianity to Islam. CAR coach Mohammad Kalambaye said the boxers were impressed by the teachings of Islam and Pakistan’s hospitality. “All our boxers have converted from Christianity to Islam by heart and there was no compulsion on them,” Kalambaye 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