OLYMPICS
Backstrom to get medal
Swedish ice hockey player Nicklas Backstrom will receive an Olympic silver medal despite being forced to miss last month’s final in Sochi due to a doping offense, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday. Although the IOC did not confirm at the time that Backstrom had failed a drugs test, Swedish officials pulled him out of the final after being told that he had been shown to be carrying a high level of the stimulant pseudoephedrine (PSE). The IOC was criticized for its handling of the case and Sweden lost the final 3-0 to Canada. Backstrom, one of Sweden’s top players, said he appreciated the IOC decision. “While I will always be disappointed that I wasn’t able to play in the gold medal game with my fellow countrymen, I’m pleased that my name has been cleared by the IOC,” Backstrom, who plays for the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals, said in a statement.
FOOTBALL
Smith, Ravens sign deal
Longtime standout wide receiver Steve Smith did not waste time finding a new home, signing a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens about 24 hours after being released by the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens announced the signing of the 34-year-old Smith on Friday. He was released by the Panthers after 13 seasons. In other moves on another busy day of NFL free agency, linebacker Brandon Spikes agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills and veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan and guard Shelley Smith signed deals with the Miami Dolphins. Steve Smith said he had a contract offer from the San Diego Chargers and canceled a visit with the New England Patriots scheduled for Monday.
PARALYMPICS
TV dance next for Purdy
On the snow during the morning, then dancing in the afternoon, Amy Purdy had a strenuous routine in Sochi. And one the US snowboarder was only too happy to put herself through. After years of pushing for her sport’s inclusion in the Paralympics came the reward: A bronze medal in the inaugural event at the Winter Games on Friday. That medal could soon be joined at home in Colorado by a sparkly mirror-ball trophy. Purdy is due in a Los Angeles television studio tomorrow as the first double amputee to take part in ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. To prepare for potentially several weeks of samba, tango and cha-cha-cha, pro dancer Derek Hough flew to Russia to perfect their ballroom bond.
GOLF
Langer leads Toshiba Classic
Bernhard Langer birdied three of the last four holes for an eight-under 63 and a two-stroke lead on Friday after the first round of the Champions Tour’s Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, California. Langer, the 2008 winner, had eight birdies in his bogey-free round at Newport Beach Country Club. The 56-year-old German won the season-opening event in Hawaii in January for his 19th victory on the 50-and-over tour. Fred Couples, the 2010 Toshiba Classic champion, shot a 65, along with Jeff Hart and Taiwan’s Chien Soon-lu. Couples bogeyed the par-four 16th to drop out of a share of the lead, but matched Langer with a two-putt birdie on the par-five 18th. Last month in Florida, Langer tied for seventh in Boca Raton and tied for second in Naples. He has broken par in all 10 of his rounds this season and 19 of his last 20. The German topped the first-round leaderboard on Friday for the 18th time in his career. In the first 17, he has gone on to win six times.
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