■BASEBALL
Dodgers to visit Taiwan
The Los Angeles Dodgers, a US Major League Baseball team, are scheduled to visit Taiwan in March for two exhibition games, a Taipei-based report said yesterday. The Dodgers will play the matches against a local professional team on March 13 and March 14, the United Daily News reported, citing Jim Small, vice president of MLB Asia. The paper quoted Small as saying that he hoped the Dodgers’ visit would give a morale boost to fans of Taiwan’s favorite sport, which has been hit by a string of game-fixing scandals. Taiwanese authorities last year launched an investigation into the latest allegations which led to the arrest of six bookies and former players.
■FOOTBALL
NFL going to London, again
The Denver Broncos will meet San Francisco in a National Football League game at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 31 and the league might play another game this year in the UK, the NFL announced on Friday. The Broncos-49ers clash will mark the fourth year in a row that a regular-season US football game will be staged in London, the first three having drawn sell-out crowds of more than 80,000 spectators. “We have seen the extraordinary passion that exists for NFL football in the UK,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
■BASEBALL
Court fines Yankees
A court in the Dominican Republic ordered the New York Yankees to pay more than US$750,000 to Carlos Rios, their former director of Latin American scouting, for what it ruled was his unlawful firing. In court papers examined on Friday by The Associated Press, Judge Alexis Gomez Geraldino found in favor of Rios, who was fired in August 2008 for allegedly skimming US$100,000 in bonus money from Yankees prospect Kelvin De Leon. The judge said the accusations against Rios were based on rumor and ordered the Yankees to pay Rios US$762,878 in damages.
■HOCKEY
Hockey alleges sex abuse
Police are investigating a sexual assault criminal complaint by former National Hockey League star Theo Fleury against his former junior hockey coach, Graham James. Fleury, whose NHL comeback bid with Calgary at age 41 failed last year, wrote in his autobiography last year that he was repeatedly abused while playing youth hockey in the 1980s. On his Web site, the former Calgary Flames star said on Thursday that he would file a complaint against James. Police said their probe would include working with US authorities and across Canada. Fleury, whose career was dogged by drugs and alcohol, played in the NHL from 1987 through 2003. In 1994 he briefly played for Tampere of Finland when the NHL missed nearly half a season in a labor dispute. He also played for the Belfast Giants of Britain’s Elite League in the 2005-2006 season.
■TENNIS
Aussies to play Taiwan
Australia will play Taiwan in their Asia Oceania Zone Group One Davis Cup tie at Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open, Tennis Australia (TA) said yesterday. TA said it would be using the outdoor Margaret Court Arena for the first time to host the Davis Cup tie from March 5 to March 7. Australia won their only Davis Cup tie last year, but remain in Asia Oceania Zone Group One after withdrawing from the May tie in India because of security concerns. One-time power Australia have won the Davis Cup 28 times, second only to the US, with 32.
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