TENNIS
Duval diagnosed with cancer
US tennis player Victoria Duval, who lost in the second round at Wimbledon last week, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and will undergo immediate treatment for the cancer. The player’s management team said on Friday that 18-year-old Duval was diagnosed after a biopsy was taken in England before Wimbledon and further tests in the US confirmed the results. The statement said Hodgkin’s, the most common form of cancer in adolescents, “was caught in a very early stage.” It says Duval “will undergo treatment right away and due to her overall good health and isolation of the cancer, the prognosis is a full recovery in a few months.” Duval reached the second round of the US Open last year, beating 2011 champion Sam Stosur in the first round.
CRICKET
Bank prefers rounders
In a move that might say more about its Canadian governor Mark Carney than his attitude toward quantitative easing, the Bank of England has abandoned cricket as part of its annual sports day, it said on Friday. Carney, who took charge of Britain’s central bank in July last year, asked his 3,500 staff what they wanted to play this year, and rounders, tug-of-war and a three-legged race topped the poll amid reports cricket was seen as too exclusive and technical. “The arrangements for the day were left in the hands of staff,” a bank spokesman said. “They chose a number of other sports to play such as rounders and a tug-of-war.” Several governors have been well-known cricket enthusiasts, including Carney’s immediate predecessor Mervyn King. King fielded teams including former professionals such as ex-England batsman Graeme Hick for the sports day at the bank’s own well-appointed Roehampton ground in southwest London, where this year’s event takes place today.
SOCCER
Equatorial Guinea expelled
Equatorial Guinea have been expelled from the African Nations Cup qualifiers after being found guilty of using an ineligible player, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Friday. Equatorial Guinea were found to have used Cameroon-born player Thierry Fidieu in their preliminary round tie against Mauritania in May. Mauritania protested and CAF ruled that Fidieu had no connection with Equatorial Guinea and was therefore not eligible to play. The small, oil-rich west African country has in recent years topped up its national team with imports from Brazil, Colombia and other African countries, who were given passports and paid to play.
BOXING
Former champ arrested
Former British world champion boxer Amir Khan was arrested by police over an incident on Friday in which two 19-year-old men were allegedly assaulted. However, a spokesman for the 27-year-old former WBA and IBF light welterweight champion said he expected the case would be dropped. Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to a street in Khan’s home town of Bolton in northwest England at about 1:30am on Friday. Officers said they discovered two 19-year-old men had been assaulted. Their injuries were not serious, police said, adding a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two assaults. He was taken into custody for questioning. A spokesman for the Olympic silver medalist confirmed he had been quizzed by officers, but added: “It was a minor incident and we’re expecting the case to be dropped against Amir. We’re expecting to formally hear that from police on Monday [tomorrow] morning.”
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