CYCLING
Boom tightens grip on tour
Lars Boom of the Netherlands tightened his grip on the Tour of Britain on Friday after winning the sixth stage to increase his overall lead in the standings. The Rabobank rider came home ahead of France’s Alexandre Pichot and Germany’s Leopold Koenig in a sprint finish after a demanding 146km stage from Taunton to Wells, England. It was the second stage win of the race for Boom, who is now well placed with only this weekend’s final two stages remaining. Boom leads Koenig by 28 seconds in the general classification with Britain’s Daniel Lloyd a further second behind.
BASKETBALL
Crittenton waives right
Former professional basketball player Javaris Crittenton waived his right on Friday to appear before a magistrate judge in Atlanta, Georgia, on a murder charge in the drive-by shooting death of a young mother of four. Crittenton, 23, was arrested at a Southern California airport last month as he prepared to check in for a flight to Atlanta to turn himself in to authorities. He is accused of the Aug. 19 slaying of 22-year-old Julian Jones, who witnesses said was gunned down in Atlanta with an assault rifle by someone driving a dark-colored sport utility vehicle, the FBI said. Atlanta police have said they do not believe Jones was Crittenton’s intended victim, but would not elaborate on the case.
MOTOGP
Outage delays qualifier
A power outage at a nearby electricity station forced the cancelation of the afternoon practice session for the Aragon motorcycling Grand Prix in Alcaniz, Spain, on Friday, organizers said. Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa had been quickest in the morning session, with his Spanish compatriot and reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo of Yamaha second and Australian series leader Casey Stoner, also of Repsol Honda, third. An extended final practice session was scheduled for yesterday and qualifying was to go ahead in the afternoon as originally scheduled, according to the MotoGP Web site. The race is today.
BASEBALL
Choo disabled again
Cleveland Indians outfielder Choo Shin-soo will miss the rest of the season after aggravating a left rib cage injury. The South Korean came off the disabled list before Cleveland’s game in Texas on Thursday, but left the game in the second inning. “Same injury, he just re-aggravated it,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said in Minneapolis on Friday before the Indians’ game at Minnesota. Choo hit .259 with eight homers and 36 RBIs, while being limited by injuries to 84 games. He had 22 homers and 90 RBIs last season. “The guy was healthy,” Acta said. “He went through the rehab period. The last five days he was feeling good.”
ICE HOCKEY
Crosby cleared to practice
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, fighting back from a concussion, said on Friday he has been cleared to practice without contact and was to skate yesterday with his NHL teammates. The 24-year-old Canadian center said he was not sure when he might be allowed to participate in full-contact drills with the Penguins as they begin their pre-season training camp with the season opener only three weeks away. Crosby led the Penguins to the NHL Stanley Cup crown in 2009 and scored the title-winning over-time goal for Canada at last year’s Vancouver Winter Olympics in the gold medal final against the US.
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