■FOOTBALL
NFL to hold conduct training
The NFL will implement a workplace conduct training program after finding the New York Jets acted unprofessionally in the case of a female television reporter who said she felt “uncomfortable” in their locker room. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the conduct of the Jets “clearly should have been better,” but also stressed that his investigation of the matter found no evidence that TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz was “bumped, touched, brushed against or otherwise subjected to any physical contact” by any player or coach. Goodell said it did appear that during the practice some Jets team members purposely threw footballs in her direction.
■TENNIS
Groth moves on to semis
Top-seeded Jarmila Groth of Australia moved closer to her first WTA Tour title when she reached the Guangzhou International semi-finals with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Maria Elena Camerin of Italy on Friday. Groth, who went four rounds at Wimbledon and the French Open this year, was the only seed to make the quarter-finals in Guangzhou. She next faces unseeded Romanian Edina Gallovits, who came back from a slow start to beat Chinese wildcard Han Xinyun 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia beat countrywoman Ksenia Pervak 6-3, 6-1. Kudryavtseva will play China’s Zhang Shuai in the other semi-final, the first on the tour in the careers of both women.
■TENNIS
Mattek-Sands beats Marino
The US’ Bethanie Mattek-Sands reached the semi-finals of the WTA Bell Challenge indoor tournament on Friday, defeating Rebecca Marino of Canada 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Mattek-Sands moves on to play third-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic who rallied to beat fifth-seeded Melanie Oudin of the US 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the Club Avantage Multi-Sports de Quebec. In the other semi-final, Christina McHale was to face Austria’s Tamira Paszek last night.
■YACHTING
Pipe Opener canceled
Australian officials canceled a three-day event on the southern island of Tasmania yesterday after a sailor died in rough conditions in the opening leg. Organizers of the 42nd Pipe Opener in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, south of Hobart, defended their decision to begin the series on Friday as weather forecasters warned of strong winds and high seas. Ron Bugg, vice commodore of the Derwent Sailing Squadron, said the course for the night race had been shortened because of the weather and conditions were manageable for the experienced sailors taking part. The crewman, aged in his 50s, drowned late on Friday after being knocked overboard. His body was found at about midnight washed ashore on Bruny Island.
■MOTOGP
Stoner grabs pole position
Casey Stoner of Ducati will start Moto GP’s Aragon Grand Prix from pole position after edging championship leader Jorge Lorenzo in qualifying yesterday. Stoner’s lap of 1 minute, 48.492 seconds around the Motorland Aragon circuit was nearly 0.8 seconds quicker than Lorenzo, who is looking to extend his season-long streak of podium finishes to 13. Dani Pedrosa of Honda, who has won two straight to sit 63 points behind fellow Spaniard Lorenzo in the standings, starts third and Nicky Hayden fills out the second row. Andrea Iannone of Italy will start the Moto2 from pole position after beating British rider Scott Redding by 0.04 seconds.
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