ATHLETICS
Sprinter faces lifetime ban
Former world champion Steve Mullings was found guilty of a doping offense on Thursday that could land the Jamaican sprinter a lifetime ban from athletics. Mullings, 28, who will learn his penalty on Monday, was found guilty by a three-member Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary panel for using the banned diuretic furosemide, which could serve as a possible masking agent for other drugs. “It is a unanimous verdict that Mr Mullings is guilty of having furosemide in both his ‘A’ and ‘B’ samples,” said Lennox Gayle, who chaired the disciplinary panel. A stay of execution was granted while the panel awaits correspondence from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association in regards to Mullings’ previous two-year ban in 2004 for excessive levels of testosterone. Mullings, who won gold in the 4x100m relay team at Berlin in 2009, tested positive for the substance after placing third in the 100m final of the Jamaican national trials in June.
OLYMPICS
Chinese lifter suspended
Chinese Olympic weightlifting champion Liao Hui has been suspended for doping, ruling him out of next year’s London Games, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday. Liao, who captured the men’s 69kg gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, has been banned until September 2014, according to the International Weightlifting Federation’s official Web site. Details of Liao’s offense were not given. He is one of 10 athletes from seven countries listed as being banned by the federdation. China’s Sports Ministry denied knowledge of Liao’s ban when contacted.
BASKETBALL
Noah eyes move to France
Joakim Noah is considering a move to the French League if the NBA season is canceled because of the lockout, the Chicago Bulls center said on Thursday. “In my mind, it is out of question that I come and just play a few matches. If I come, it’s for the whole year,” Noah, who would like to play for childhood team Paris-Levallois, told French sports daily L’Equipe. The fate of the NBA season was hanging in the balance on Tuesday after players filed a lawsuit against the governing body and another two weeks of competition were scrapped. Noah would be the seventh French NBA player to come back to his home country.
FOOTBALL
Giants avoid club shooting
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said on Wednesday he was relieved that a group of his players emerged unharmed from a Manhattan night club where a man was fatally shot this week. Victor Cruz and some teammates were apparently celebrating the wide receiver’s 25th birthday when, according to a police report, gunshots killed one man and injured two others at 2:22am on Tuesday. “The only one I heard about initially was Victor,” Coughlin told reporters at the Giants’ practice facility. “Thank God he was safe. I would speak to him as a parent would speak to their son. I don’t know what happens good at 2:30, 3 in the morning. I’ve never been able to figure that one out. Beyond that, it’s between he and I.” The Giants players were not involved in the shooting and Coughlin said no discipline was expected. The incident occurred almost exactly three years since a night club shooting during the 2008 NFL season involving Plaxico Burress, who was a wide receiver with the Giants at the time. Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan night club.
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