OLYMPICS
Illegal ticket seller arrested
British police said they arrested a man suspected of illegally offering to sell London Games tickets. The Metropolitan Police Service arrested the 23-year-old man at his home on Monday in Brent, England, after it was tipped off about activity on social networking sites luring people to a fraudulent Web site offering tickets to next year’s Games. Police said on Tuesday it was the first arrest of its kind. The man has been bailed to return in early August. Police are warning people to be wary of buying tickets from unauthorized sources.
HOCKEY
Belfour heads Fame list
Former All-Star goalie Ed Belfour has been elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, joining Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Joe Nieuwendyk as the newest class of inductees. The four former NHL stars were chosen by the hall’s 18-member selection committee on Tuesday. Belfour, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s top goalie, posted 484 wins — third on the NHL career list — and 76 shutouts during a 17-year career during which he played for Chicago, San Jose, Dallas, Toronto and Florida.
RUGBY UNION
McCaw could be fit to play
Canterbury Crusaders assistant coach Daryl Gibson is confident All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will be fit for the Super 15 semi-final against South Africa’s Stormers on Saturday. Gibson said All Blacks backrower Keiran Read was also likely to be fit for the match in Cape Town, South Africa. McCaw has been sidelined for the past month with a foot injury and Read was in doubt after injuring an ankle during last weekend’s elimination qualifier against the Durban-based Sharks. Gibson said “we anticipate Richie will be back and he will lead the team. Kieran, too, is expected to be fit.” He said it was “a pure luxury” for the Crusaders to be able to name a full strength team at this stage of the season.
HOCKEY
Canucks’ Bieksa extended
The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Kevin Bieksa to a five-year contract extension, the NHL team said on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but local media reports have suggested the deal is worth US$23 million. Bieksa, Vancouver’s fifth-round selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, has 34 goals and 147 points in 347 games with the only team he has played for. A cornerstone of the Vancouver blueline, Bieksa had five goals and five assists the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Stanley Cup finalists still have two key defensemen unsigned with Christian Ehrhoff and Sami Salo set to hit the free agent market tomorrow.
CRICKET
‘Big Bash’ salary cap set
Cricket Australia say eight city-based teams in Australia’s revamped Twenty20 “Big Bash” competition will have a salary cap of A$1 million (US$1.05 million). The teams, including two each from Melbourne and Sydney, can sign up to 18 players, including up to two from overseas, within the cap, Cricket Australia said yesterday. Players will be paid retainers, not match fees. Retired Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and attacking West Indies allrounder Chris Gayle are the highest-profile international players figuring in contract speculation. The Indian Premier League, which spawned a number of domestic Twenty20 competitions around the world, imposed a US$9 million salary cap on its clubs for this year’s competition.
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