OLYMPICS
Sapporo to bid for 2026
The mayor of Sapporo, Japan, has announced his city’s intention to bid for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sapporo, on northernmost Hokkaido island, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda yesterday told a city assembly meeting that “hosting the Winter Games will lead Sapporo to a new stage.” The announcement comes at a time when public opinion in some European cities has turned against bidding for the Olympics in light of the US$51 billion price tag associated with the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. The Japanese Olympic Committee will decide in 2016 which city will bid to host the event before International Olympic Committee members make their selection in 2019. Pyeongchang, South Korea will host the 2018 Winter Games while Tokyo is the venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
BASEBALL
Darvish cleared for throwing
Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish has been cleared to start his offseason throwing program for the Texas Rangers. Darvish, who missed the last seven weeks of the major league season because of inflammation in his right elbow, had an MRI scan and was examined on Tuesday by team physician Keith Meister. Texas said Darvish already is in his normal off-season training program and expects to start throwing early next month, as he usually does. Darvish had been home in Japan, but returned for the exam. He is expected to spend at least the next several weeks working out in Texas. The right-hander did not pitch after Aug. 9. He was 10-7 with a 3.06 ERA and 182 strikeouts over 144- 1/3 innings in 22 starts in his third major league season. Darvish was put on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 13. He was shut down for the season on Sept. 6 with the Rangers on way to 95 losses and a last-place finish in the AL West.
BASKETBALL
Popovich has surgery
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich missed Wednesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers after undergoing what the team is calling a minor medical procedure. Popovich also is expected to miss tonight’s home game against Sacramento. Assistant Ettore Messina will run the team in Popovich’s absence. “It’s not what you want, but the good thing is that obviously it’s nothing big or you would not see me here so relaxed,” Messina said. The 65-year-old Popovich is in his 18th season as head coach of the Spurs. Messina becomes the first European-born coach to run an NBA team in the regular season. Messina is a two-time Euroleague coach of the year and also has coached in Russia, Italy and Spain. He served as a coaching consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011-2012.
RUGBY UNION
Ashley-Cooper at center
Veteran back Adam Ashley-Cooper has shifted from wing to center to replace the injured Tevita Kuridrani in one of three changes to Australia’s starting lineup for their tour-ending Test against England tomorrow. The Wallabies, coming off three-point losses to both France and Ireland, recalled Rob Horne on the wing to fill the void and selected Sean McMahon on the blindside flank to replace Luke Jones. The pack was otherwise unchanged, with lock Rob Simmons selected to earn his 50th Test cap — one of six Australian forwards to achieve that milestone this year. Australia opened their five-match tour with wins over the Barbarians in London and Wales in Cardiff, before losing 29-26 in Paris and 26-23 at Dublin. Kuridrani sustained an ankle injury in the loss to Ireland. The makeup of the reserves bench will be finalized later.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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