ATHLETICS
Anti-doping body resigns
All 12 members of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission have resigned amid questions about drug testing in a nation that has produced some of the world’s top track stars. Jamaican Minister of Sports Natalie Neita-Headley says the 12 commissioners agreed to step down to give the government what she described as “a fresh start” as it reorganizes the commission. The resignations take effect on Dec. 31. She told reporters on Friday that Jamaica would review its anti-doping legislation and appoint qualified testing officers. Jamaica’s anti-doping program was audited by the World Anti-Doping Agency after a former Jamaica director alleged it did not test its athletes for entire months before they dazzled at last year’s London Olympics. Eight Jamaican athletes have failed drug tests this year, including former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell.
CRICKET
Pakistan win second T20
Captain Mohammad Hafeez ended his poor form by sharing a match-winning partnership with Umar Akmal as Pakistan beat South Africa by six runs in a Twenty20 international at Newlands on Friday. Hafeez made 63 and Akmal contributed 64, the pair putting on 102 for the third wicket to lead Pakistan to a total of 176 for four. South Africa, who won the first game of the two-match series in a rain-affected encounter on Wednesday, managed only 170 for four in reply, with opener Hashim Amla hitting 48 and J.P. Duminy adding 47 not out.
SOCCER
’Gladbach see off Stuttgart
Borussia Moenchengladbach won their fourth straight league game by beating VfB Stuttgart 2-0 on Friday with goals from Raffael and Oscar Wendt to tighten their grip on fourth place and close in on the Bundesliga leaders. Raffael struck from a tight angle after 37 minutes for his sixth goal of the campaign and their Sweden international Wendt doubled the lead with a stunning shot after controlling a high Patrick Herrmann cross in the 73rd minute. It was only ’Gladbach’s third win in their past 31 games against Stuttgart and moved them on to 25 points from 13 matches.
SOCCER
Osasuna out of drop zone
Osasuna beat Valladolid on Friday as their second road victory of the season lifted them out of the Spanish league drop zone. Oier Sanjurjo’s 84th-minute header moved Osasuna up the standings to start the 13th round of games, with Valladolid’s poor home record of just one win in seven games at the Jose Zorilla Stadium leaving them hanging above the relegation area. A frenetic start eventually dissipated into the home side controlling play, but Osasuna eventually struck on the counter with Oier connecting on Manuel Ortiz’s cross just when the teams looked set to share the spoils.
SOCCER
Marseille move up
Olympique de Marseille beat lowly Ajaccio 3-1 on Friday in the French league to make up ground in the race for a Champions League spot. Marseille forward Dimitri Payet opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Ajaccio defender Grenddy Perozo leveled with a downward header in the 31st. However, Andre-Pierre Gignac fired into the top corner from the edge of the box in the 39th and Florian Thauvin scored from close range in the 58th to seal the win. Marseille pulled within two points of third-place Monaco, while Ajaccio remained in the relegation zone.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and