FOOTBALL
Pro Bowl voting finalized
Kansas City and San Francisco each have had eight players voted into the Pro Bowl, including running backs Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs and Frank Gore of the 49ers. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was selected to his 13th Pro Bowl after receiving the most votes among fans, 1.43 million. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was second among fans with 1.2 million votes. The National Football League (NFL) combines votes from fans, players and coaches to determine 86 of 88 Pro Bowl players; the other two players are long-snappers selected by Pro Bowl coaches. Voting ended on Thursday. Under a new format this year, NFL greats Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will divide the players in a two-day draft before the Jan. 26 game. Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman received 552,600 votes by fans, the most for any defensive player. Houston defensive end J.J. Watt had just under 410,000 fan votes. Atlanta, Green Bay, Jacksonville and both New York teams had no players selected.
TENNIS
Federer gets ‘hero’ Edberg
Roger Federer on Friday announced that his “childhood hero” Stefan Edberg is to become part of his coaching team at the Australian Open and for the 10 weeks after the season’s first Grand Slam. Edberg, a former world No. 1 and a six-time major winner, had been hitting with Federer over the winter as the Swiss gears up for what could be a make-or-break season. “Stefan was my childhood hero, and I am really looking forward to spending time and learning from him,” said Federer, the 17-time major winner, but whose ranking is now down at No. 6 in the world. Edberg, 47, won the Australian Open in 1985 and 1987, Wimbledon in 1988 and 1990, and back-to-back US Opens in 1991 and 1992.
RUGBY UNION
Fritz out after accident
Toulouse center Florian Fritz will be out of action for at least two months after sustaining an arm injury in a road traffic accident, club manager Guy Noves said on Friday. “Florian had an accident with his motorbike and has broken an arm or had a dislocation,” Noves said ahead of today’s Top 14 clash with Bayonne. “He will be unavailable for at least two months.” Fritz has enjoyed a fine season to date, playing in 13 of the 14 Top 14 games that Toulouse have played so far, as well as all four European Cup games. He also has been a first choice for France at international level, being selected nine times by coach Philippe Saint-Andre, seven of which was as a starter. The injury will mean Fritz will miss several club games in the Top 14 and European Cup, and will likely be unavailable for France in the first games of the Six Nations.
CRICKET
Darren Bravo quits tour
The West Indies suffered a blow on the eve of the second one-day international (ODI) against New Zealand with the loss of key batsman Darren Bravo. Bravo has returned home to Trinidad “for personal reasons,” a team spokesman said. The left-hander, whose career-best 218 was pivotal in saving the first Test for the West Indies, scored 14 when the West Indies won the first ODI in Auckland on Boxing Day by two wickets. The second of five ODIs is in Napier today. Bravo will not be replaced in the West Indies squad for the remaining four ODIs, with star batsman Chris Gayle expected to join the squad in time for the two Twenty20 matches. Gayle is in Sydney, recovering from a hamstring injury.
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