OLYMPICS
Rio mayor wants shutdown
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paesis is to ask some of the city’s biggest companies to shut down during next year’s Olympic Games to make transportation easier for athletes and officials. Paes said he was planning to meet next month with leaders of the judicial branch and bosses at state-controlled oil company Petrobras and the BNDES, a major development bank. “I should call a meeting by March with judicial officials and big companies, such as Petrobras, BNDES and other big employers in Rio, so we can have a holiday period during the Olympics,” Paes said on Tuesday. “I don’t want people to leave the city, we want them to stay, but it is clear that mobility will be affected during the Olympics.” Paes said he would reschedule school holidays to ensure fewer cars are on the roads and warned he may call public holidays during the event, which will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21 next year. Rio, which has some of the worst traffic congestion in Brazil, was one of the cities that declared public holidays on match days during last year’s World Cup. The measure was taken to cut down on traffic chaos. Brazil’s cities have poor public transportation networks and although Rio has added kilometers of new bus lanes ahead of the Games, a scheduled new metro line is late and may not be open on time.
GOLF
Love to captain US at Ryder
Former PGA Championship winner Davis Love III will captain the US in next year’s Ryder Cup match against holders Europe at Hazeltine in Minnesota, the PGA of America said on Tuesday. It will be the second time Love, 50, has led the team in the biennial event, as he oversaw the “Miracle of Medinah” defeat in 2012, when Europe stormed back from 10-6 down heading into the final day to win by 14.5 points to 13.5. “I am here with the same goal as in 2012, but not as the same captain,” Love said during his introductory news conference. Love, who won his sole major at the 1997 PGA Championship, played in six consecutive Ryder Cups from 1993. He tasted victory on his first appearance and in 1999. Europe have won eight of the past 10 Ryder Cups.
FOOTBALL
Lions linked to ARL’s Hayne
Australian Rugby League (ARL) standout Jarryd Hayne could be taking his talents to the NFL’s Detroit Lions, with reports saying he will sign with the US club this week. From the NFL’s Web site to the Mlive site for a Michigan regional newspaper group on Tuesday, reports said the 27-year-old Parramatta Eels playmaker is set to join the Lions as a running back and potentially a kick returner as well. Hayne, who shared National Rugby League Player of the Year honors this season with Johnathan Thurston of the North Queensland Cowboys, said in October last year that he would leave rugby league to pursue an NFL career. Hayne performed in December last year for scouts from about half the teams in the NFL and his hand-held 4.5 second clocking for the 40 yard dash would have placed him among the top 10 in the unofficial rankings at the recent NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “My 4.5 on my pro day puts me in the mix,” Hayne said in a Twitter posting. The Mlive report said Hayne had chosen the Lions over other interested teams such as last year’s Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. Hayne, likely a tailback rather than a fullback, could help a team that was fifth-worst in rushing last season with Joique Bell and Reggie Bush as running backs. The Lions have tried rugby talent before, signing US Rugby Sevens’ Carlin Isles to the practice squad, but he never made the final roster.
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