NASCAR
New tires increase speed
A new environmentally friendly tire and cool morning temperatures had NASCAR drivers clocking speeds they were not even sure were possible on Tuesday. On the first day of a closed tire test on Indianapolis’ historic 4km oval, Mark Martin wrote on Twitter that he had hit 340kph in the morning. When Jeff Gordon saw the post, he asked his own team how fast he reached and said he was told 344kp/h. Drivers attributed the speed to almost perfect conditions in the morning — good grip and a cool track. In the heat of the afternoon, Gordon said the tire wear increased and the speeds slowed.
BOXING
Purdy to replace Brook
England’s Lee Purdy is to replace unbeaten compatriot Kell Brook in a May 18 world welterweight title bout against US boxer Devon Alexander, promoters announced on Tuesday. Purdy, 20-3 with one drawn and 13 knockouts, is to challenge for the International Boxing Federation crown held by Alexander, 24-1 with 13 knockouts, at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Brook, 29-0 with 19 knockouts, was forced to withdraw from the fight because of a foot injury. The bout had been delayed twice before, first by a Brook ankle injury in December last year and then by a February biceps injury to Alexander. Alexander, a former world light welterweight champion, took the title with a unanimous decision in October last year over Randall Bailey in New York.
FOOTBALL
Blackmon gets suspension
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon was suspended without pay on Tuesday by the National Football League for the first four games of this year’s season for a substance abuse policy violation. Blackmon, who caught 64 passes for 865 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season last year, would be able to return to the Jaguars’ active roster on Sept. 30, the day after Jacksonville play host to Indianapolis. Blackmon, 23, will be able to participate in all pre-season games and workouts, but is to miss the team’s Sept. 8 season opener at home against Kansas City and road games at Oakland and Seattle. Details of the violation are kept private under NFL policy and medical privacy laws. “I’ve made a mistake and I have no excuse,” Blackmon said.
RUGBY UNION
Kahui’s season in doubt
Injury-plagued All Blacks center Richard Kahui’s season with Super 15 champions the Waikato Chiefs is in doubt after he hurt his shoulder in training, it was reported yesterday. Kahui, who missed the Chiefs’ win over the Coastal Sharks on Saturday last week with a hamstring strain, injured his shoulder during tackling practice on Sunday, the Waikato Times said. Chiefs coach Dave Rennie told the newspaper that Kahui would undergo a scan next week, saying signs were “not very good” for the 27-year-old, who has signed to play with Japanese club side Toshiba Brave Lupus next year. “It felt sore and then he threw out a hand to catch a ball and he felt a little pop in there,” Rennie said. He said the injury was to the same shoulder that Kahui had been operated on last year, sidelining him for 10 months. The player only returned to Super 15 rugby last month. Kahui was a key member of New Zealand’s World Cup-winning team in 2011, but persistent shoulder problems have plagued him since his international debut in 2008, restricting him to just 17 Tests, in which he scored 10 tries.
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