BOXING
Khan’s charges dropped
World welterweight title contender Amir Khan of Britain will face no further action after being involved in an incident with two youths last week. “No further action will be taken against a 27-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of assault, following reports of an assault on Russell Street in Bolton on Friday 4 July,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement on Monday. Khan was released on bail after being arrested in the early hours of Friday morning. He is hoping to challenge Floyd Mayweather Jr for the unbeaten American’s WBA and WBC titles.
FORMULA ONE
Schumacher hacker tracked
France has tracked down the IP address of the computer used by the alleged thief of Michael Schumacher’s medical records, prosecutors said on Monday, locating it in the Swiss helicopter firm that transported the injured Formula One champion. A doctors’ briefing on the motor-racing star’s treatment after he suffered a devastating ski accident in December last year was stolen and offered for sale for 50,000 euros (US$68,000) last month after he was transferred from hospital in the French city of Grenoble to a unit in Switzerland. French police opened a criminal probe into the theft of the document, which prosecutors said consists of several dozen pages that summarize the seven-time world champion’s treatment in Grenoble. A Zurich-based helicopter company, Rega, said on Monday that it had transported Schumacher, 45, to a clinic in Lausanne after he emerged from a coma, but said that it had “no knowledge of the investigation and had not been contacted by the authorities.”
BASEBALL
Attempted defectors fired
Villa Clara pitchers Diosdani Castillo and Yasmany Hernandez Romero have been indefinitely kicked out of their club after they recently attempted to defect, according to Cuban official media. The Vanguardia newspaper of Villa Clara Province said Castillo and Hernandez tried to leave the island about two weeks ago. “They will no longer wear the orange jersey following a grave indiscipline,” Vanguardia reported over the weekend. Villa Clara is the reigning champion of the Cuban baseball league, and orange is its signature color. Sports officials announced late last month that Castillo, Hernandez and several players from other clubs would be left off a national squad that is set to face a team of US collegians later this month.
SOCCER
‘Street World Cup’ starts
Forget the sumptuousness that surrounds the stars of this month’s World Cup in Brazil; young men and women from the fringes of society wearing mismatched shirts took center stage on Monday on the busy streets of Sao Paulo. A “Street Soccer World Cup” started on Monday in Brazil’s biggest city, with players from two dozen nations across the world all linked to movements seeking social change. The opening match of the week-long tournament was held at Largo da Batata, the scene last year of massive anti-World Cup protests attended by Brazilians angry at the event’s multibillion-dollar budget in a country lacking good quality services in key areas such as public health and education. The event is in many ways the World Cup of those living on the fringes of society and excluded from the official tournament being held in 12 Brazilian cities including Sao Paulo. On Monday, the atmosphere was festive and rivals even celebrated each other’s goals. Supported in the past by FIFA, this year’s “Street Soccer World Cup” was entirely financed with donations.
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