FOOTBALL
Broncos, coach fined
The Denver Broncos and head coach Josh McDaniels have each been fined US$50,000 by the NFL after a team official videotaped part of a San Francisco 49ers’ practice when both teams were in London last month. Broncos’ video director Steve Scarnecchia taped six minutes of the 49ers’ practice, against league rules, in London on Oct. 30, the day before their game at Wembley Stadium, the NFL said. Scarnecchia gave the video to McDaniels, who did not watch it, but because he had not reported the incident had breached league policy, the league said in a statement on Saturday.
SOCCER
US qualifies for Cup
Amy Rodriguez scored in the 40th minute to lift the US to a 1-0 victory over Italy on Saturday and seal the Americans’ berth in the women’s World Cup. The USA won the playoff 2-0 on aggregate to secure the final spot in next year’s 16-nation women’s World Cup, which will be played from June 26 to July 17 in Germany. The draw will be held today in Frankfurt, Germany. The Americans have won the tournament twice, but were in danger of failing to qualify after an upset by Mexico earlier this month in regional qualifying. They got a second chance in the playoff tie against Italy and won both matches, starting with a 1-0 win in Padua.
BOBSLED
USA-1 takes the World Cup
Olympic champion Steven Holcomb steered USA-1 to victory in the World Cup four-man bobsled season-opener in Whistler, British Columbia, on Saturday night, on the same track where the Americans won gold at the Vancouver Games nine months ago. Holcomb, Curt Tomasevicz, Justin Olsen and new teammate Steve Langton finished two runs in one minute, 42.84 seconds. USA-1 had the fastest time in both heats. Maximilian Arndt drove Germany-3 to the silver, 0.17 seconds back. Manuel Machata drove Germany-2 to bronze.
SPEEDSKATING
Marsicano wins 5,000m
Trevor Marsicano of the US beat Dutch skater Simon Kuipers to win the 1,500m World Cup event in Hamar, Norway, on Saturday. Marsicano’s winning time was one minute, 45.54 seconds. Kuipers trailed the Olympic silver medalist by 0.43 seconds. US two-time Olympic champion Shani Davis finished third, 0.44 seconds back. Davis leads the World Cup rankings in the event with 210 points after three races. Davis and Marsicano later combined with Jonathan Kuck to win the team pursuit for the US, ahead of Canada and Norway. Stephanie Beckert of Germany won the women’s 5,000m in 6:59.18.
FIGURE SKATING
Kozuka takes Bompard
Takahiko Kozuka won the Trophee Bompard after an exceptional men’s free program on Saturday, surpassing his Cup of China win three weeks ago with an even better overall score. Overnight leader Kiira Korpi of Finland won the women’s event, overcoming a fall and one mistimed jump in her free to narrowly hold off US skaters Mirai Nagasu and Alissa Czisny, who took silver and bronze. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won the pairs after dominating the free for an overall score of 197.88. The overnight positions remained the same, with Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia getting silver with 183, and German pair Maylin Hausch and Daniel Wende picking up bronze with 157.42.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and