WRESTLING
Star alleges bribe approach
India’s two-time Olympic medal-winning wrestler Sushil Kumar told a newspaper yesterday that he was offered money to lose a world championship title bout in 2010 in Moscow. Kumar said that he was approached through one of his team’s foreign coaches to lose the 66kg-category final against Russia’s Alan Gogayev. “I was aghast,” Kumar was quoted as saying by the Times of India. “The money offered was around a good few crores. For a wrestler, it was really good money.” A crore is worth about US$150,000. “The offer was communicated to one of our foreign coaches. The event was taking place in Russia and my final opponent was a Russian. It’s our country so our player should win — that’s what they seemed to want,” he said. Kumar went on to beat Gogayev 3-1 in the final. “It was not a matter of two or four crores, it was a matter of honor.” Indian Wrestling Federation secretary-general Raj Singh said that Kumar had not reported the offer at the time, but added he would not be surprised if such an approach had been made. “I have heard such things happen,” Singh said. “We need to be careful about this all the time.” Kumar won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver in London last year, both in the 66kg category.
SOCCER
‘Bison’ upset at pig insult
A player in Belgium has demanded a public apology and damages from a television commentator who described him as being “fat as a pig.” Charleroi issued a statement on behalf of striker Harlem Gnohere, commonly known as “Bison,” saying TV presenter Stephane Pauwels had contacted the club to offer his apologies. Pauwels told viewers during Charleroi’s 2-1 defeat by KV Kortrijk on Saturday: “Bison is fat as a pig. He is 15kg too heavy and he’s going nowhere.” Gnohere said he was seeking advice from a lawyer because the comments were totally unacceptable. In a statement from the club, Gnohere demanded that any apology should be made in public. He said he would drop potential charges if Pauwels also made a sizeable donation to a children’s charity. Pauwels has since responded by saying on Twitter: “Harsh, yes, that’s football. OK, I should have said ‘a few too many kilos’. My apologies to Bison.”
BADMINTON
Lee advised to curb schedule
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei faced calls yesterday to reduce his rigorous playing schedule if he wants to extend his career to the 2016 Olympics. The 30-year-old was stretchered from the court during this month’s world championships final against Lin Dan with cramp and dehydration, in the latest heartbreaking defeat to his nemesis. However, Lee, still without a world or Olympic title despite consistently topping the rankings, was back playing in the lucrative new Indian Badminton League (IBL) just days later. “He should not participate in too many tournaments,” said Zolkples Embong, Malaysia’s national sports council director-general, adding that Lee should focus on the Olympics and next year’s Asian Games.
GOLF
Duo share Gleneagles lead
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez secured a share of the lead after the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in Scotland on Thursday. The pair carded seven under par rounds of 65 over the Centenary Course to lead by one from Australian Brett Rumford, Spain’s Ignacio Garrido, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and English trio Oliver Fisher, Ross Fisher and Mark Foster.
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