FOOTBALL
Olympics a step closer
Football took a small step closer to potential inclusion in the Olympics on Tuesday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board granted provisional recognition to the international association that oversees the US sport. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) had 64 member nations spanning six continents. USA Football governs the sport in the US and is associated with the NFL. A vote on approving football for the Summer Games could take place as early as 2017, with the possibility of the sport joining the Olympics in 2024. IOC sports director Christophe Dubi praised football’s federation for demonstrating “strong youth appeal and making great progress in developing their sport around the world.”
RUGBY LEAGUE
Ferguson guilty of groping
Australian State of Origin rugby league representative Blake Ferguson has been found guilty of groping a young woman at a Sydney bar earlier this year. A Sutherland Local Court yesterday found Ferguson indecently touched the 24-year-old woman in a late-night incident on June 16. Ferguson’s defense argued he mistook the victim for another blonde woman he had been kissing at another venue earlier that night. Magistrate Jacqueline Trad said Ferguson’s actions violated standards of decency. He will be sentenced early next year. Ferguson, 23, who represented New South Wales in this year’s State of Origin series, has played for the Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League. He was dropped by the Raiders in September for his off-field behavior.
FORMULA ONE
Vettel slams rule changes
Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has ridiculed a decision to give double points in the final race of the upcoming seasons, calling it “absurd.” The German driver says the decision by the sport’s governing body “punishes those who have worked hard for a whole season.” The idea behind the decision is to add more suspense to the season’s finale. Vettel won this season’s title with three races to spare. Vettel says he respects “old traditions in the Formula One” and does not understand the new rule. Vettel told Sport-Bild magazine: “Imagine if there were suddenly double points in the final round of the Bundesliga.”
TENNIS
Murray to skip BBC awards
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has decided not to attend Sunday’s BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony, despite being the hot favorite to take the top prize. The Scot was installed as the front-runner for the prestigious award immediately following his historic win over Novak Djokovic in July made him the first British men’s singles victor at Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. Murray had considered being present at the hugely popular ceremony in Leeds, but in the end, decided to stay at his training base in Miami, where he is working his way back to fitness after an operation on his lower back in September. Instead, the 26-year-old Murray will link up with the show live by video from Florida, as he did last year, when he was presented with the third-placed trophy by former heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis. The world No. 4 intends to train every day up to and including Christmas Day before flying to Abu Dhabi, where he is due to begin his season on Dec. 26 with a match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Murray says he does not want his decision to be seen as a snub to the award or the BBC.
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