■BASKETBALL
CP3 still wants to stay
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul is excited about the NBA club’s potential and said on Monday after a meeting with team officials that he wants to stay with the team. Paul had been reportedly set to ask about a possible trade in the wake of seeing good friend LeBron James leave Cleveland for Miami, where he will join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to form a formidable lineup. However, Paul, in a statement released by the club, said he was pleased after a meeting on Monday morning with new Hornets coach Monty Williams, team president Hugh Weber and new general manager Dell Demps. “I have been a Hornet my entire career and I hope to represent the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana for many years to come.” Paul said.
■BASKETBALL
Marbury could return to CBA
Former NBA all-star Stephon Marbury is back in China for talks about a return to Shanxi Zhongyu, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) team said yesterday. A team spokesman told reporters that the 33-year-old New Yorker had arrived in Taiyuan to discuss a return to the city where he had a successful two-month spell last season, which he rounded off with an MVP performance in China’s All-Star Game. One big bonus about a possible return to China for Marbury is the opportunity to promote his “Starbury” brand of shoes in the country’s booming athletic apparel market.
■CYCLING
Armstrong’s team in trouble
The International Cycling Union (UCI) is opening disciplinary proceedings against Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team after the start of the final stage of the Tour de France was delayed because its riders were wearing non-sanctioned jerseys. The cyclists tried to wear black jerseys on Sunday with “28” on the back to honor the 28 million people fighting cancer, one of the themes of Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation. “The UCI regrets that an initiative for a cause as worthy as the fight against cancer was not coordinated beforehand,” the organization said on Monday.
■HOCKEY
NHLPA files grievance suit
National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) lawyers filed a grievance on Monday over the NHL’s rejection of a record-setting contract between Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils. Last week, the league rejected the 17-year deal worth US$102 million, saying it violated the NHL salary cap. The contract covered the longest span of any player deal in NHL history. The union argued in its filing that under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement with the union, Kovalchuk is entitled to an expedited resolution of the matter. An arbitrator would settle the validity of the contract, where a ruling to uphold the deal could open the door for more front-loaded, long-term deals until a new union-NHL deal replaces the one expiring after the 2011-2012 season.
■FOOTBALL
Vick won’t be punished
Michael Vick will not face punishment from the NFL over a shooting last month at a birthday party for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, ESPN reported on Monday. No charges were filed in the shooting matter and neither the victim nor the shooter were identified by police as a result, except to say that neither was Vick. The party was staged on June 25 at Virginia Beach, near the area where Vick financed kennels for a dogfight ring that led to federal charges and the conclusion of his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.
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