SOCCER
Brazil top Ghana 1-0
Ronaldinho made a winning return to international soccer as Brazil defeated 10-man Ghana 1-0 courtesy of Leandro Damiao’s first-half strike in a feisty friendly in London on Monday. Internacional striker Leandro marked his first start for Brazil with a maiden goal for the national team, collecting a through-ball by Fernandinho and slotting home a low finish in the 44th minute. The 31-year-old Ronaldinho made his first appearance for the five-time world champions in 10 months and played the full 90 minutes, improving as the match went on and drawing a couple of fine saves with bending free-kicks. World Cup quarter-finalist Ghana began well, but will view the 34th-minute -sending-off of defender Daniel Opare for two yellow cards as the turning point.
CYCLING
Leopard, RadioShack link up
The Leopard cycling team announced on Monday they were joining forces with seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong’s former team RadioShack for next year’s and the 2013 season. The Luxembourg-based outfit will be named RadioShack-Nissan-Trek and boast a strong line-up. It follows the announcement last month of another supermerger between Quick Step and Omega Pharma-Lotto. Among the stars will be Switzerland’s Olympic and time trial world champion Fabian Cancellera, as well as Luxembourg brothers Andy and Frank Schleck, who have all spearheaded Leopard-Trek’s campaign this season. This trio will be boosted by the arrivals from RadioShack of Tour of California winner Chris Horner and two-time Tour de France runner-up Andreas Kloden.
SOCCER
Serie A strike ends
Italy’s soccer strike ended on Monday when Serie A and the Italian Players’ Union (AIC) buried their differences and signed a collective contract, allowing the season to start on Friday. “A new collective contract, valid until the end of June 2012, has been signed today,” the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) said in a statement. “The signing followed a meeting in which the legal representatives of the two parties ironed out the final details.” The FIGC said the contract was signed in the presence of its president Giancarlo Abete, Serie A president Maurizio Beretta and AIC president Damiano Tommasi. The announcement means that Serie A can start on Friday with the meeting of defending champions AC Milan and Lazio, the first round of matches on Aug. 27 and 28 having been called off.
RUGBY UNION
UN’s Ban hedges his bets
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon likened international diplomacy to rugby union yesterday, although he conceded he was unlikely to have his teeth smashed while strutting the world stage. Visiting New Zealand for this week’s Pacific Islands Forum, Ban said that preparations for the Rugby World Cup were in full swing ahead of the tournament’s opening match in Auckland on Friday. “New Zealand is the magnificent meeting ground of both the world of diplomacy and the world of rugby,” Ban said in a speech at Auckland University. “I have come to realize that those worlds are not as different as you might think. In rugby, you lose teeth. In diplomacy, you lose face. Rugby scrums confuse anyone who doesn’t know the game, including myself — so do UN debates. And sometimes they can look very similar.” In true diplomatic fashion, Ban wished host nation New Zealand well in the World Cup, without saying which team he actually wanted to win the tournament.
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