■BASKETBALL
US sprints past China
Danny Granger scored 22 points as the US sprinted past China 98-51 in an exhibition game on Saturday. Eric Gordon strengthened his case for a spot on the world championship team with 15 points, while Kevin Durant added 14 and Derrick Rose had 12. In the US’ first work against another team, coach Mike Krzyzewski likely showed who two of his cuts will be, not using Jeff Green or JaVale McGee. If McGee were cut, it would leave Tyson Chandler as the only true center on the US team. The US believe they can overcome a lack of size with their speed and shooting. It worked for three quarters. The first field goal of the fourth quarter put the US up by 51 points. The US outscored the Chinese 35-8 in the third quarter, then lost the fourth 17-16. Yi Jianlian of the Washington Wizards scored 13 for China.
■TENNIS
Roddick blames mono
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick said a virus was to blame for his recent fitness problems but expects to be back in good shape for the US Open. Roddick pulled out of this week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto citing an illness and after a lopsided loss to Frenchman Gilles Simon in the recent Washington Classic third round he complained of feeling lethargic. The 27-year-old American will compete in next week’s Cincinnati Masters after tests showed he had been suffering from mononucleosis, a viral illness. “I pulled out last week on the advice of doctors. I got some blood work done in Washington and then again in Texas and one of them came back positive,” he told reporters. “They think I’m most of the way through it, if not all the way through it. It’s kind of a mental relief opposed to wondering why and if I was out of shape.”
■CYCLING
Zubeldia takes Tour de l’Ain
Veteran Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia secured the slimmest of overall victories in the Tour de l’Ain on Saturday following a close-run fourth and final stage won by Dutchman Wouter Poels. Poels, of the Vacansoleil team, beat Frenchman David Moncoutie (Cofidis) to victory in the 126.1km between Culoz and Belley and which included the ascent of the Col du Grand Colombier. After finishing first from an eight-man leading group, which included Zubeldia, Poels was credited with the same overall time as the Spaniard, who in the end was handed overall victory thanks to a winning margin of just 0.20 seconds. Poels finished 10.20 behind Zubeldia in last Tuesday’s 3km opening stage time trial, and although he closed his 10-second deficit to Zubeldia by the final stage the Spaniard, in accordance with race rules, held on to his slight advantage.
■CYCLING
Leipheimer breaks record
Levi Leipheimer, riding in his first major mountain bike race, broke fellow American Lance Armstrong’s record time to win the Leadville 100 on Saturday. Leipheimer, seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong’s teammate on the RadioShack squad, won in six hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds to break the old mark of six hours, 28 minutes and 50 seconds set last year by Armstrong. Armstrong chose not to defend his Leadville crown, citing a hip that remains sore from a crash in last month’s Tour de France. Leipheimer set the record despite going over the handlebars once during the trek. A field of 1,500 riders started at 3,200m and climbed 610m more in the top US cycling high-altitude endurance challenge, contested over 160km.
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