■TENNIS
Venus out of Rogers Cup
Venus Williams withdrew from next week’s WTA tournament in Montreal on Friday, citing an injured left knee that is hampering her preparation for the US Open. The No. 4-ranked Williams already had pulled out of this week’s hard-court event in Cincinnati, another warm-up for the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, which begins Aug. 30. In a statement issued by the Montreal tournament, Williams said she was looking forward to playing there for the first time, “but the pain that I am experiencing in my knee has unfortunately not gone away.” The seven-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played a singles match on tour since June 29, when she was upset in the Wimbledon quarter-finals by 82nd-ranked Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria. Williams was seeded third for the Rogers Cup and her withdrawal caused four seeded players to be moved on the draw sheet. An extra player will make the main draw from this weekend’s qualifying tournament.
■SOCCER
City snap up Balotelli
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini completed the signing of Italian striker Mario Balotelli from Inter on Friday. Balotelli agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club after flying into Manchester for a medical earlier in the day. The 20-year-old was a long-term transfer target for Mancini, who worked with the player during his spell in charge at Inter, and it is believed he has cost City about £24 million (US$37.5 million). He is City’s fifth big-money signing since the end of last season, taking their spending to more than £100 million after the arrivals of Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov.
■SOCCER
Chelsea sign Ramires
English Premier League champions Chelsea on Friday completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica for a fee thought to be about £17 million. The 23-year-old has joined the Stamford Bridge side on a four-year contract having received a work permit and passed a medical. The former Cruzeiro player was to miss yesterday’s opening Premier League game against West Brom. “Every player in the world would love to play for Chelsea and it’s a great opportunity that was given to me, I will give my best to repay this chance and I am very happy,” Ramires told Chelsea’s Web site. “He is a fantastic player, a fantastic midfielder, he is very young and will be the future of the Brazilian national team and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea,” Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said.
■SOCCER
Star says he’s overweight
Ronaldo, sporting a large belly and little pace, acknowledged on Friday he is overweight and out of shape as he tries to return to Corinthians after a thigh injury sidelined him for three months. The 33-year-old Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA Player of the Year, said on Twitter that he could be in shape to play in 15 days. Ronaldo trained on Thursday against a Corinthians youth team and showed few of the skills that made him one of the world’s top players at the height of his career at Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid. Corinthians play today against Avai and Ronaldo will be on the substitute’s bench. “Ronaldo won’t play,” coach Adilson Batista said. “He’s a long way from what’s needed to get through the game. He hasn’t played in three months so we have to be careful.”
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