NETBALL
Urinator’s mom apologizes
New Zealand’s national coach has apologized on her son’s behalf after he was accused of drunkenly relieving himself in an airplane aisle, splashing other passengers in the process. Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said she was “hugely disappointed” at her son Michael over accusations that he urinated in the aisle during a Jetstar flight from Auckland to Singapore last week. “He is hugely embarrassed at what has been reported and the thought that he could have done something like that is just beyond belief really, for all of us — him included,” she told the New Zealand Herald. Aitken said the 21-year-old had no memory of the incident, which led to criticism from fellow passengers after the offender, dubbed “The Urinator” in the media, was let off with a warning about his behavior. Aitken’s son was identified after a passenger sent media a picture of The Urinator sleeping off his bender. Jetstar initially defended the cabin crew, but this week admitted they should have taken stronger action. Passenger Zhe Ma said he was watching a movie when he realized there was urine spraying on his jacket and laptop, as well as the scarf of a female passenger. Zhe said he appealed for help, but staff told him to wait until they had finished serving people, then they refused to relocate him to another seat. “For the rest of the flight, no one came to ask if I needed anything,” he told the Herald. “I realize that Jetstar is a budget airline, but it doesn’t mean they can under-rate their responsibility of keeping passengers’ trips safe and enjoyable.”
ATHLETICS
Doping scandal coach fired
India’s sports minister announced yesterday that he had sacked the Ukrainian coach of the country’s female 400m runners after six of them tested positive for steroids in a growing doping scandal. “I have asked for his removal. He has already been removed,” Ajay Maken told a press conference in New Delhi, referring to Yuri Ogrodnik, who coached three of the six to Commonwealth and Asian Games gold last year. Late on Monday, one of India’s brightest female track stars, Ashwini Akkunji, joined her fellow 400m runners in failing a drugs test. Three out of the four runners in the 4x400m relay team — Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose — have now tested positive for banned steroids. They are among eight athletes in total — six female 400m runners, a female shot-putter and a male long-jumper — who have now failed drugs tests.
SOCCER
Latics sign ’keeper Al Habsi
Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has joined Wigan Athletic on a permanent deal from Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers following a successful loan spell with the Latics last season. Al Habsi has signed a four-year deal believed to be for £4 million (US$6.4 million) and the 29-year-old, Wigan’s player of the season last term, was delighted by his move. “To come from Bolton on a season loan and get player of the year was great — especially as it was the first time in my life I had played like a professional in terms of every week,” the 29-year-old said.
SOCCER
Alou Diarra joins Marseille
France midfielder Alou Diarra has joined Olympique de Marseille (OM) from Girondins de Bordeaux on a three-year deal, OM said on Monday. “He will join his teammates [at a training camp] in Brittany in the evening,” OM said on their Web site. Holding midfielder Diarra, 29, has won 34 caps for France and is Marseille’s fourth signing of the summer after Morgan Amalfitano, Jeremy Morel and Nicolas
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