TENNIS
Player sorry for Twitter rant
US tennis player Donald Young has apologized to the US Tennis Association (USTA), saying he is sorry for the obscenity-laced message he posted on Twitter criticizing the federation. Last week, Young sent out the expletive-filled tweet, saying he was sick of the treatment he received from the USTA, after losing in the final of a tournament that awarded the organization’s wild-card entry into the French Open. On Tuesday, the 21-year-old made amends with several of his coaches and contacts at the USTA, including Patrick McEnroe, the head of player development, who had said Young needed to apologize for the relationship to continue. “Basically, I want to just apologize for what I said and the way I said it,” Young said in an interview. “It wasn’t the right way to say it, at all.”
BOXING
Mayweather trial postponed
Floyd Mayweather’s scheduled trial on a misdemeanor battery charge was postponed to Sept. 1 by a Las Vegas Justice Court on Monday. Mayweather is accused of poking a 21-year-old homeowners’ association security guard in the face during a scuffle last November over parking tickets issued to vehicles around Mayweather’s gated--community home. The 33-year-old former champion, who faces a maximum of six months in jail and a US$1,000 fine, was originally set to have the case heard in February, but that date was postponed to Monday. Mayweather faces more serious felony domestic violence charges in a hearing today that stems from a dispute with former girlfriend Josie Harris and two of their children on Sept. 9. Mayweather is accused of striking and threatening Harris, stealing her cellphone and threatening the children. Lawyers for Mayweather have denied any wrongdoing by the fighter, but Mayweather faces up to 34 years in prison if convicted of the charges, which include felony counts of grand larceny, coercion and robbery.
FOOTBALL
Zbikowski banned for drugs
NFL defensive back Tom Zbikowski, unbeaten in four pro boxing fights, tested positive for marijuana before a victory, but was clean in an independent drug test on Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Zbikowski, a safety for the Baltimore Ravens, was among five fighters suspended for 45 days for failing a drug test taken before his knockout of Blake Warner on Saturday at a casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation Boxing Commission banned the fighters pending a second negative test of the samples. Zbikwoski underwent a more comprehensive set of independent tests in Chicago and the results came back negative, leaving the gridiron heavyweight’s manager, Mike Joyce, saying he was confident in his fighter’s innocence. “We’re appealing it,” Joyce told the newspaper. “He has taken all sorts of tests for the NFL and he’s never tested positive. We’re confident we will get this resolved this week.”
OLYMPICS
Ticket deadline extended
The deadline to apply for the 6.6 million tickets available to the public for next year’s Olympic Games in London was extended by an hour on Tuesday after the official Web site crashed because of high demand. The Web site froze an hour before the six-week window to apply for tickets was due to close as demand “hit the roof.” As a result, sports fans were given until 23:59 GMT on Tuesday to apply, an hour later than planned. More tickets will be released closer to the two-week event, which starts on July 27 next year.
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