CYCLING
Leon Sanchez victorious
Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez on Tuesday won the San Sebastian classic for the second time, as the Rabobank rider finished 7 seconds ahead of Australia’s Simon Gerrans of Orica-Green Edge and Lotto-Belisol’s Belgian cyclist Gianni Meersman after 234km of racing. The 28-year-old, who also won the race in 2010, broke away from the peloton during the final few kilometers and held onto his lead as the chasing pack were unable to track him down. Winner of four of the past five Spanish time-trial championships, Leon Sanchez has also won four stages on the Tour de France and had a career high ranking of 10th overall during the 2010 season, when he also finished 10th on the Tour of Spain.
OLYMPICS
Peeping Tom in court
A man has appeared in a British court for sentencing after admitting spying on members of the Chinese Olympic swimming team in a women’s changing room. Declan Crosbie is accused of peering over the top of cubicles as members of the team were getting changed at a sports center where they were training in the northern city of Leeds. The 25-year-old pleaded guilty last month to a charge of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offense. A spokeswoman for Leeds Crown Court said on Tuesday that Crosbie’s sentencing was delayed until Sept. 17. Crosbie has previous convictions for voyeurism and trespassing. Judge Peter Collier said he would consider sentencing Crosbie to a treatment course for sex offenders.
BASEBALL
Mathis goes to Blue Jays
Catcher Jeff Mathis has agreed to a US$3 million, two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for next year and 2014. Mathis is to earn US$1.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The deal includes a US$1.5 million team option for 2015. There is no buyout. Traded to Toronto from the Los Angeles Angels in December, Mathis is batting .215 with nine doubles, six homers and 19 RBIs in 46 games. He has one error in 305 chances. An eight-year veteran, Mathis is a career .196 hitter with 32 homers and 158 RBIs. Also on Tuesday, Toronto agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Yorvit Torrealba and assigned him to Double-A New Hampshire. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Torrealba will play four games at Double-A starting on Thursday, then join the Blue Jays in Detroit on Tuesday next week. Torrealba was released by Texas on Aug. 8 after batting .236 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 49 games. The 12-year veteran has also played for San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado and San Diego. Toronto was left thin at catcher when J.P. Arencibia fractured his right hand in a July 25 game against Oakland.
FOOTBALL
Giants lose Rogers to injury
Super Bowl champions New York Giants suffered another blow to their defensive line on Tuesday when three-time Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers was lost for the season because of treatment for a blood clot in his left leg. The defensive tackle, who has previously played for Detroit, Cleveland and New Orleans, joined the Giants in April. Though initially overweight, he had lost 50 pounds by the time he joined the team’s training camp at the University at Albany. However, the 33-year-old Rogers experienced swelling in his lower leg after playing in the preseason opener on Friday and he missed team practice on Sunday and Monday before being diagnosed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
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