FORMULA ONE
Susie Wolff now test driver
Susie Wolff has been promoted to official test driver for Williams for next year’s Formula One season, increasing her chances of becoming the first female racer on the grid since 1976. Wolff is to build on her three seasons as the team’s development driver by taking part in the first two practice sessions at races still to be determined, as well as two test days. She will also conduct extensive simulator testing to help with the development of Williams’ new cars. If Valtteri Bottas or Felipe Massa were to miss a race next season, the 31-year-old Wolff would be first to step into the seat. Italian driver Lella Lombardi was the last woman to race in F1. Wolff drove in practice ahead of races in Britain and Germany this year.
FORMULA ONE
Sainz to race for Toro Rosso
Spain’s Carlos Sainz, whose father and namesake was a double world rally champion in the 1990s, is to race in Formula One next season with Toro Rosso, the Red Bull-owned team said on Friday. The 20-year-old will partner 17-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen, whose father Jos is a former F1 racer, in an all-new lineup at the Italy-based outfit. “With Carlos Sainz joining Max Verstappen in our driver lineup next year we continue the Toro Rosso tradition of providing youngsters from the Red Bull Junior Driver Programme with their first steps in Formula One,” team principal Franz Tost said in a statement.
BASEBALL
Blue Jays acquire All-Star
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson in a five-player blockbuster off-season trade with the Oakland A’s on Friday. In exchange for the 28-year-old Donaldson, the A’s receive Canadian infielder Brett Lawrie, left-handed pitcher Sean Nolin, right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman and minor league infielder Franklin Barreto. Donaldson hit .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 158 games with the A’s last season. He is a .268 career hitter with 63 home runs and 228 RBIs in 405 games over four seasons with Oakland. It was the second major off-season move for the Jays this month, following the signing of free agent catcher Russell Martin. The 24-year-old Lawrie batted .247 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 70 games this past season. He missed close to three months because of a broken finger and an oblique strain.
RUGBY UNION
Fans banned for abuse
Twickenham, the home of English rugby, has banned two fans for two years for homophobic abuse aimed at gay Welsh referee Nigel Owens at a recent international against New Zealand. The pair were also ordered to pay £1,000 (US$1,600) each to a charity of Owens’ choice. “While instances of this nature are exceptionally rare, the RFU [Rugby Football Union] takes rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship very seriously and is determined to uphold them,” Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said in a statement on Friday. “We are all guardians of these aspects of the game, on and off the pitch, and it is these values which make the sport special.” The RFU has instituted a confidential text service to report any anti-social or discriminatory behavior at the stadium that hosted the match against the All Blacks on Nov. 8. Owens, who has been an official since 2005 and refereed at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups in France and New Zealand, is the first openly gay man to referee at the highest level of the sport.
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