OLYMPICS
Almaty, Beijing submit bids
The Kazakh city of Almaty came out battling on Tuesday in its contest with rival favorite Beijing in the bidding for the 2022 Winter Games, portraying itself as the compact, affordable choice with “real winter weather” and “lots of natural snow.” Delegations from Almaty and Beijing submitted their bid documents on Tuesday to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, a day before the deadline. The bid books include details of each city’s plans for the Games, including venues, accommodation, financing, transportation and security. The race began with six candidates, but was reduced to just two following the withdrawals of Stockholm; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; and Oslo. An IOC evaluation commission will visit the two finalists next month and in March. The host city will be selected by the full IOC on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
NORDIC SKIING
Bjoergen wins fourth stage
Six-time Olympic champion Marit Bjoergen won her fourth straight stage in the Tour de Ski in Dobbiaco, Italy, on Wednesday, extending her overall lead to more than a minute and a half. The Norwegian clocked 12 minutes, 48.5 seconds in the 5km classical individual start race. Norwegian teammate and defending champion Therese Johaug finished second, 10.8 seconds behind, and Heidi Weng, another Norwegian, was third, 13.1 behind. Seeking to win the Tour for the first time after twice finishing runner-up, Bjoergen now leads Weng by 1:34.3 in the overall standings. “The shape is good,” Bjoergen said. “I’m not getting tired.” It was Bjoergen’s sixth consecutive victory overall, including two World Cup wins before the Tour began.
SOCCER
Senegal offered large bonus
Senegal President Macky Sall promised his country’s soccer players bonuses of about US$55,000 each if they win their first Africa Cup of Nations title next month. Sall also promised the squad other undisclosed bonuses for winning games at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, which starts on Jan. 17. Senegal are one of only three African nations to make the World Cup quarter-finals, but have never won the continental championship, losing in a penalty shootout to Cameroon in the 2002 final in their best result. Bonuses promised to players will come under scrutiny at the finals after three teams — Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria — had their World Cup campaigns in Brazil last year marred by embarrassing disputes between players and officials over payments.
SKI JUMPING
Ammann injured in crash
Swiss four-time Olympic ski jumping champion Simon Ammann remained in hospital on Wednesday with a severe concussion after crash landing at the Four Hills tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria. A statement posted on the Swiss Ski Federation’s Web site said the 33-year-old escaped serious injury in the crash on Tuesday, but would remain in hospital for a few days. “He has a severe concussion and severe bruises to the face, but no broken bones,” it said. “Simon Ammann will stay a few days in the hospital in Schwarzach and requires absolute rest.” Ammann, who won the large and small hill Olympic golds in Salt Lake City in 2002 and in Vancouver in 2010, but missed out in Sochi last year, was left bloodied after toppling forward in the landing area and sliding face first across the snow.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care