MOTOR RACING
Bianchi starts rehabilitation
French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi remains unconscious, but has begun a program of rehabilitation therapy, his family said in a statement on Tuesday. Bianchi, who suffered a serious F1 race injury when he crashed into a recovery tractor in the wet at the Japanese Grand Prix on Oct. 5, was transferred to a hospital in Nice last month. “It was a significant and very comforting step for us to be able to bring Jules home to France last month, to continue his rehabilitation surrounded by his family and friends. This is very important for Jules and also for us,” the statement said. Bianchi has been treated in the Intensive Care Unit of Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice and is now at the hospital’s rehabilitation center. “Jules’ neurological status remains unchanged; he is unconscious, but able to breathe unaided,” the family added.
SOCCER
Zelalem made US citizen
German-born Gedion Zelalem, a 17-year-old standout midfielder for Arsenal, has become a US citizen and plans to play for the country, US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said on Tuesday. “Gedion Zelalem is now a US citizen. At his request, we have started the FIFA process which would allow him to be eligible for the USMNT,” Gulati said in a Twitter posting. Zelalem, whose parents are Ethiopian, played high-school soccer in Washington before being tapped by an Arsenal scout in 2013. While Zelalem had played for several German national youth squads, none was in a FIFA event, according to the Washington Post, which first reported the star prospect being seen near the White House on Monday at a US passport office. Zelalem, the first Arsenal player born after Arsene Wenger took charge of the Gunners, could boost US prospects at next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics, as well as the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
FOOTBALL
Michigan U signs Harbaugh
American football coach Jim Harbaugh formally accepted the head coaching position at the University of Michigan on Tuesday, two days after parting company with the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh has been signed to a seven-year contract, university interim athletics director Jim Hackett said while introducing the 51-year-old in Ann Arbor as the school’s 20th head coach. According to media reports, Harbaugh’s deal is worth about US$5 million a year. “To come back as football coach, I have dreamed about that since the time I was a young lad. Now it’s time to live that,” said Harbaugh, who played college football at Michigan in the 1980s before embarking on a 14-season career in the NFL.
FOOTBALL
Suh wins suspension appeal
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won his appeal on Tuesday of a one-game suspension by the National Football League and is available for Sunday’s first-round playoff game at Dallas. League appeals officer Ted Cottrell overturned the one-game ban imposed on Monday by NFL vice president of football operations Merton Hanks, instead imposing a US$70,000 fine upon the Detroit defender. Suh was punished after stepping twice on the injured leg of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a victory by the Packers over the Lions on Sunday at Green Bay. Suh backed into Rodgers and knocked him to the ground during a pass play in the fourth quarter. After stepping backward once onto Rodgers leg, Suh made another step backward onto the area between Rodgers’ ankle and calf, an area which was injured in the second quarter so badly that Rodgers had to be helped off the field.
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