■FIGURE SKATING
Rochette to miss Worlds
Joannie Rochette, who won a bronze medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics four days after her mother died of a heart attack, has withdrawn from next week’s World Championships. The emotional toll of the past few weeks has proven too much for the Canadian to compete at Turin, Italy, according to a statement by Skate Canada that said Myriane Samson would take her spot. “With everything that has happened over the past few weeks, I have missed a significant amount of training time,” Rochette said in the statement. “That means I’m not prepared either emotionally or physically to skate well at these championships and once again challenge for the podium,” she said. “Whenever I compete I want to give my best to the fans, and to respect the competitive nature of the sport. I just would not be able to do that for either the fans or myself next week,” she said.
■SOCCER
Cristiano Ronaldo under fire
Valladolid’s Brazilian defender Nivaldo Santana, who appeared to stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo’s shin during a Spanish La Liga match at the weekend, accused the Portuguese striker of being a “provocative” player on Monday. “It is a bit complicated, he [Ronaldo] is a good player, but he does things that the referees let him get away with. If others did what he did, for sure the referee would say something,” the 29-year-old told radio Cadena Ser. “He is very provocative and when we try to talk to him, he talks about other things.” Ronaldo rolled down his socks to reveal a cut left by Nivaldo’s boot during Real’s 4-1 win over Valladolid on Sunday and appealed to the referee, but the Brazilian escaped punishment. After the match, Real director general Jorge Valdano expressed his concern over the way the world’s most expensive player was being treated on the pitch. “One needs to analyze what our rivals are doing to Cristiano,” he said.
■SOCCER
Zidane unveils TV show
Reality TV has helped discover fresh musical talent and now two veteran soccer stars in Spain plan to use the format in a global search for a new star of the game. France legend Zinedine Zidane and Enzo Francescoli of Uruguay on Monday unveiled a new reality show called Football Cracks, which will follow the progress of 17 promising young players from around the world who are selected to attend a six-week training camp near Madrid. The participants will work with top trainers, sports nutritionists and a psychologist, and the winner will receive the opportunity to strut their stuff during the 2010-2011 pre-season at a Spanish first division club. “I hope everyone will enjoy it, that there will be a lot of talent and that we are going to discover many young people for the future,” Zidane said.
■BASEBALL
‘Dice-K’ hampered by injury
Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has been hampered by back problems, but is set to begin spring training in earnest at batting practice today. He will test his sore back after restricting himself to just 19 pitches in the bullpen on Monday, Japanese media reported. “It’s been quite stressful, as the pain comes and goes,” Matsuzaka told the Sankei Sports newspaper from Boston’s spring training camp in Florida’s Fort Myers. “Just when you think it’s better, my neck starts hurting. You’re never sure if it’s completely gone. I have to limit myself at the moment.” Matsuzaka could be involved in exhibition games later this month, but is unlikely to see any regular season action until the middle of next month.
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