■BASKETBALL
Davis fined for swearing
Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis has been fined US$25,000 for “directing inappropriate language” toward a fan, the NBA said on Thursday. Davis responded to a heckler during Boston’s 92-86 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit. The 2.06 m, 131.1 kg Davis is averaging 6.2 points per game this season. A jeering fan called Davis a “fat boy” and told him to lose some weight. Davis responded with an expletive. “We know what happened, and that’s unacceptable,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after the game. “It’s tough when the fans are yelling that stuff at you, but you have to be stronger than that.”
■GOLF
La Quinta play washed out
The second round of the Bob Hope Classic was postponed until yesterday because of unplayable conditions at La Quinta, California, on Thursday. Organizers had initially pushed back the scheduled tee times by two hours due to heavy overnight rain before eventually abandoning play for the day. Little-known American Shane Bertsch held the first-round lead after firing a 10-under-par 62 on the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West, one of four venues hosting the 90-hole event.
■SOCCER
Beckham tackle in spotlight
An Italian television channel has apologized for a prank in which a female presenter attempted to grab David Beckham between the legs. The AC Milan midfielder was visibly angered when Elena Di Cioccio, who fronts the popular show Le Iene (The Hyenas) on Italia Uno, made her move while he was being interviewed by another person on Wednesday. Beckham is on loan at Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham’s spokesman Simon Oliveira says he has “no issue with it. It did surprise him at the time, but David saw it for what it was — harmless fun.”
■ATHLETICS
Marathon cheats disqualified
At least 30 runners in a marathon in China cheated their way into the top 100, hopping on to public transport during the race or hiring faster runners, sporting authorities said yesterday.
Some of the people taking part in this month’s Xiamen International Marathon cheated in a bid to boost their chances of getting into university, the provincial sports bureau said on its Web site. If they run a marathon in good time, students can earn extra points for the entrance examination for China’s highly competitive universities. The Fujian sports bureau said some of the cheats, who were all later disqualified, used public transport to cover part of the race route, while others convinced better runners to replace them.
■SOCCER
Clubs spend too much: UEFA
European clubs’ spending on players is still rising just months before UEFA introduces reforms that will limit their ability to spend beyond their means. A UEFA survey of 629 clubs across Europe’s 53 soccer nations showed the clubs’ revenues rose by 10 percent last season but spending on transfers and salaries went up 18 percent. UEFA general said in an interview on Thursday that more than half the clubs ran up a deficit in the 2008-2009 season while one in five made a “huge’’ loss — spending 20 percent above their total income. The research will be used to draw up “financial fair play” reforms demanded by UEFA president Michel Platini, who said the spending cannot go on.
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