■FOOTBALL
Seahawks fire coach Mora
The Seattle Seahawks fired coach Jim Mora on Friday after just one season, leaving the NFL team without a coach, general manager and president less than four years after they appeared in the Super Bowl. This season, Mora led his hometown team to only five wins in 16 games. “We’ve made a tough decision today,” Seahawks chief executive Tod Leiweke said. “It became apparent after conducting an extensive internal audit, that a new direction was needed to provide an opportunity for the organization to be successful.” Leiweke called Mora “truly a standup man, who gave his full effort to our franchise.” Seattle has a 9-23 record since its last playoff appearance in January 2008, after four consecutive NFC West division titles. GM and president Tim Ruskell took the initial fall for the Seahawks’ flop when he was fired on Dec. 3.
■BASEBALL
Seattle hold on to Gutierrez
The Seattle Mariners have agreed terms with Venezuelan outfielder Franklin Gutierrez on a four-year contract extension with a potential fifth season in 2014, the club said on Friday in a statement. “Franklin had a breakthrough season last year, but the exciting thing for us is that we believe he will only continue to get better,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. The 26-year-old Gutierrez hit .283 (160x565) with 85 runs scored, 24 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 153 games with Seattle last year.
■BASEBALL
Boston sign Adrian Beltre
The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre on Friday to a one-year contract with an option for the 2011 season. Beltre is guaranteed at least US$10 million this year, the team said on its Web site. The 30-year-old is coming off the least productive offensive season since his rookie campaign in 1998, having batted .265 with eight home runs and 44 RBI with Seattle. Beltre, considered one of the top defensive players in his position, has won two gold gloves over the last three years.
■ALPINE SKIING
Giorgio Rocca injures groin
Former World Cup slalom champion Giorgio Rocca has pulled a muscle in training and may be at risk of missing the Vancouver Olympics next month. The Italian Winter Sports Federation said Rocca hurt himself in the thigh-groin area while training in Domobianca. He was taken to a hospital in Milan for further tests and was to miss this weekend’s races in Adelboden, Switzerland. The 34-year-old Rocca entered his home Olympics in Turin four years ago as a heavy favorite for slalom gold, only to fall in the opening run. Rocca was hoping for one more shot at the Olympics, then had planned to retire after this season. He has 11 career World Cup victories and took the season slalom title in 2005-2006.
■ALPINE SKIING
Holaus fractures ankle
Austrian skiier Maria Holaus has been ruled out for the rest of the season after fracturing her right ankle during training for the World Cup downhill race in Haus im Ennstal, Austria, on Friday. The Austrian Ski Federation confirmed that the 26-year-old underwent surgery and will be hospitalized until Sunday. Holaus has three World Cup podium finishes including one victory to her name and was one of the Austrian women’s teams hopes for the Winter Olympics after the retirement of Renate Gotschl.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and