FORMULA ONE
Russia renews bid
Russia is making a renewed bid to bring Formula One racing to Sochi with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone agreeing terms for a Grand Prix to be held in 2014, the same year the Black Sea resort hosts the Winter Olympics. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whose backing was crucial in Sochi winning the right to host the Games, is to visit the city today to sign an agreement for work to begin on the construction of a new US$200 million circuit. Ecclestone told local media that after several rounds of negotiations with the Russian authorities the conditions for the contract have been agreed. He said that the annual fee Russia would pay for hosting a Grand Prix would be comparable with that of around US$40 million paid by new Grand Prix hosts Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
BASEBALL
Gonzalez to manage Braves
Fredi Gonzalez, the former manager of the Florida Marlins, has been hired as the new manager of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Tuesday. The 46-year-old native of Cuba will be introduced today as the replacement for friend and mentor Bobby Cox, according to the newspaper, citing unnamed sources. Gonzalez worked under Cox as the Braves’ third-base coach from 2003 to 2006 and Cox, 69, is a friend and mentor. Cox’s 25-year tenure as the Braves field boss ended with a playoff loss to San Francisco on Monday.
SOCCER
Govou faces Greek wrath
France international Sidney Govou has incurred the wrath of his new club, Panathinaikos, after breaking their strict rules governing nights out. The Greek champions want a written explanation from the striker by tomorrow after he was reportedly seen at an Athens nightclub late on Sunday, Sport.gr reported. A Panathinaikos spokesman refused to comment on the report, save to confirm that the club has asked for a written response by Govou by tomorrow. This is the third incident involving the 32-year-old former Lyon player since his arrival in Greece. On Oct. 3 Govou was first warned about defying the team’s curfew when he returned home late, and on Sept. 17 he reported late for a practice session. On this latest occasion he is reported to have stayed out beyond a 3am curfew.
SOCCER
Ferdinand under warrant
A warrant for the arrest of Sunderland soccer player Anton Ferdinand was issued on Tuesday after the Black Cats defender failed to appear in court for a driving offence. Ferdinand, whose brother Rio was captaining England against Montenegro at Wembley later that day, had been due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates Court where he was expected to face a driving ban. A spokesman for Northumbria Police confirmed a warrant without bail had been issued for the 25-year-old defender’s arrest after the no-show. Ferdinand was charged after allegedly being caught using a cellphone while driving his Range Rover in July.
ICE HOCKEY
Gesture nets suspension
New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended two games for an inappropriate gesture toward New York Rangers forward Sean Avery in a recent game, the NHL said on Tuesday. Wisniewski and Avery had exchanged words during a stoppage of play in the first period of Monday’s game before the defenseman made the gesture. Wisniewski will be eligible to return on Saturday against Colorado.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was