■ATHLETICS
Bolt spurns London meet
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt will not compete at next month’s Diamond League meeting in London because it will not be financially viable owing to Britain’s tax laws, the Jamaican said on Monday. “I am definitely not going to run [in London],” the world 100m and 200m record holder told a news conference ahead of Friday’s Diamond League meeting in Paris, where he will run the 100m at the Stade de France. Asked if it was because he would lose more money than he would earn from running in London, Bolt replied: “That’s what my agent told me.” Britain’s Daily Mail reported that if Bolt competed once in Britain and only five races elsewhere, British tax authorities would demand one-sixth of everything he earns, whether in Britain or not. Bolt will face a stern test in Paris as he will meet former record-holder Asafa Powell, the last man to beat him — in July 2008 in Stockholm — for the first time this season.
■BASEBALL
Gunfire stops Mexican game
An official in the mayor’s office of Mexican border city Reynosa has confirmed that a Mexican League baseball game was suspended after gunfire broke out around the stadium. There were no reports of injuries, but the game between the Sultanes of Monterrey and the Broncos of Reynosa was suspended in the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday, league spokesman Gabriel Medina said. He said this type of suspension was unprecedented. The game will be completed on Friday. The mayor’s office official said it was unclear if the gunfire was linked to drug-related violence.
■BASKETBALL
Gilbert fined for blast
Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has been fined US$100,000 for a scathing letter in which he called LeBron James’ decision to play for the Miami Heat “cowardly behavior,” the NBA said on Monday. Gilbert made the comments in a letter last Thursday to the team’s supporters shortly after the two-times reigning NBA Most Valuable Player said he would leave Cleveland to play with fellow All Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. James, who was the league’s most prized free agent this year, delivered his announcement in a special one-hour show broadcast live on national TV. Shortly after, Gilbert issued the strongly worded letter to the team’s supporters and said they, “simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.” Gilbert also said that James’ decision was a “shameful display of selfishness and betrayal.”
■CRICKET
BBC announcer Hudson dies
The BBC broadcaster Robert Hudson, who launched and commentated for the long-running radio program Test Match Special has died aged 90. He was also a successful administrator, becoming head of BBC Radio outside broadcasts. In 1955, while Hudson was commentating for radio on a Yorkshire versus Nottinghamshire county match, Fred Trueman was on a hat-trick with only a few minutes of airtime remaining. The incoming batsman, Cyril Poole, took an age to prepare for Trueman’s next delivery, which, with only seconds to spare, had him caught at short leg. Hudson had just enough time to yell: “It’s a hat-trick, back to the studio.” The experience made him determined to liberate cricket from its piecemeal scheduling. During World War II, his clear voice when controlling large-scale artillery fire by radio impressed his superiors and inspired him to audition for the BBC in 1946.
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