■HOCKEY
Atlanta trade Kovalchuk
Atlanta traded high-scoring winger Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday after the Atlanta Thrashers were unable to sign him to a long-term contract, Atlanta General Manager Don Waddell said. The Thrashers, who said they had offered Kovalchuk a 12-year deal worth US$101 million, received rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, defenseman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick in this year’s NHL draft from New Jersey. Russian Kovalchuk, 26, can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He has 31 goals and 27 assists in 49 games this season for Atlanta. “It’s been a very tough day for all of us with the Thrashers,” Waddell told reporters. “When you have to trade this type of player there are a lot of emotions. But he was too important an asset to let walk away on July 1.” Kovalchuk leaves the Thrashers after setting many offense records for the team who drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2001. A two-time 50-goal scorer, Kovalchuk has 615 points in 594 career games.
■OLYMPICS
Kangaroo flag stays
Australia yesterday defied “ridiculous” orders to tear down a large Boxing Kangaroo flag at the Winter Olympics athlete’s village in Vancouver over trademark rules. Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said the iconic flag was still flying from the team’s windows despite verbal instructions to remove it because it is a registered trademark. “The flag is still up, we haven’t moved it,” Tancred said from the Canadian city. “They told us to take it down and we haven’t.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) told Australia to remove the flag on Monday because it is a registered trademark, which violates Games rules. Tancred said the image, which has been displayed at previous Games, was the team’s mascot and was also used to promote Olympic ideals to children. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard slammed the IOC’s order as “ridiculous” and called for more flags bearing the famous symbol of a kangaroo wearing boxing gloves. “It’s a scandal,” Gillard told the Nine Network TV station. “I think we want to see a lot of the Boxing Kangaroo, particularly now that we’ve had this ridiculous ruling. So, yes, boxing kangaroos everywhere.”
■BASEBALL
Tigers, Verlander reach deal
Ace Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers finalized a US$80 million, five-year contract on Thursday that avoids a salary arbitration heading. Verlander’s deal includes a US$500,000 signing bonus, US$6.75 million this season, US$12.75 million next year and US$20 million in each of the following three seasons. Verlander would have been eligible for free agency after next year’s World Series. “I have one goal and that’s to make it to the Hall of Fame,” Verlander said. The 2006 American League rookie of the year tied for the major league lead with 19 wins last season.
■FOOTBALL
Harvin named top rookie
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin was named the NFL’s rookie of the year on Thursday after setting a franchise record for total yards. Harvin posted 2,081 total yards during 15 regular-season games en route to winning the award, determined by fan voting, the NFL said in a statement. The other finalists for the award were Buffalo’s Jairus Byrd, Houston’s Brian Cushing, Green Bay’s Clay Matthews and Baltimore’s Michael Oher.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care