FORMULA ONE
Massa boosted by soccer star
Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa said he received some extra motivation from Brazil striker Neymar before winning the pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday. “Just before I go to the car, my son gave me a little Neymar, a little one, so I bring the little one to the car and I put on the side of my helmet. It was a nice feeling,” said Massa, who had not started from the pole since 2008, when his son, four-year-old Felipe, had not yet been born. The Williams driver said he knows “there is a lot going on in Brazil in this moment” because of the World Cup, and he is paying attention even though he’s far away. “I’m a great fan of football, so I hope we can have a great World Cup,” Massa said. “I know what it is to win at home, so I can imagine winning the World Cup at home is like a dream come true, not just for the players, but also for everybody which is watching. So I really hope the best for Brazil.” Massa twice won his home race, in 2006 and 2008, when he drove for Ferrari.
WORLD CUP
Macau betting ring busted
Macau police have busted a bookmaking racket that allegedly took HK$5 billion (US$645 million) in illegal bets — including a single HK$40 million bet — on World Cup matches in a week, the South China Morning Post reported on Saturday. Police have arrested 22 suspects from what they say is the biggest illicit soccer-betting ring uncovered in the gambling haven following a raid of a hotel on Thursday, the newspaper said. The syndicate, operating out of three rooms in the hotel, took online bets and telephone orders from around the world, the report said. Initial investigations showed that about HK$5 billion in World Cup bets had been taken and officers had found evidence of a single HK$40 million bet on one match, it cited Macau police spokesman Suen Kam-fai as saying. Investigators seized more than HK$2 million in cash, along with 17 computers, as well as more than 10 mobile phones and betting slips from the rooms, the paper said.
TENNIS
ATP elects player council
Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka and the highest-ranked American man, John Isner, have been elected to the ATP Player Council. Council members were announced on Saturday, two days before Wimbledon. They are to serve two-year terms. Others elected in the player vote include Kevin Anderson, Gilles Simon, Jurgen Melzer, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Raven Klaasen, Bruno Soares, Eric Butorac and Andre Sa. The new council’s first meeting is to be in New York before the US Open in August, when it is to elect a president and vice president. Roger Federer is stepping down after serving as president since 2008.” Clearly we made big strides in prize money ... I think we were able to calm things down a little bit, because things were quite hectic when I came onto the council,” Federer said.
WORLD CUP
English fans consoled
English fans devastated by their team’s World Cup elimination still had a nice chance to see the sights. A sign outside the Sao Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) read: “English, don’t be sad. This week you get free admission to MASP.” Two men working the ticket gate reported only a couple of takers by early on Saturday evening, but expected many more English visitors once word got out. The admission price is usually 15 reais (US$7).
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