OLYMPICS
Sochi Games made US$53m
Last year’s Winter Olympics in Russia’s Sochi made an operating profit of more than US$53 million, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday. IOC director of communications Mark Adams said last year’s Sochi games raked in about 3.25 billion rubles (US$53.1 million) in profit. Adams made the disclosure on the sidelines of the IOC’s executive board meeting in Rio de Janeiro, which is meeting in the Brazilian city until today. The total cost of the Sochi Games was set at about US$41 billion, Adams said. Pyeongchang, South Korea, is to host the 2018 Winter Games. A decision on the host of 2022 is to be taken at the full meeting of the IOC in Kuala Lumpur in July. Beijing is regarded as favorite, ahead of Kazakh rival Almaty. Stockholm, Krakow, Lviv and Oslo all withdrew from contention.
OLYMPICS
Sponsor rules relaxed
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to relax regulations barring athletes from promoting non-official sponsors during the Olympics following an outcry over attempts to enforce the rule at the London 2012 Games, a spokesman said on Thursday. IOC director of communications Mark Adams said the body planned to tweak existing rules which would “allow generic non-Olympic advertising during the period of the Games, which hasn’t been allowed until now.” The change would need to be approved at a meeting of the full IOC in Kuala Lumpur in July. The IOC’s executive board, meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, agreed to amend the existing Rule 40, which was targeted by disgruntled athletes in London three years ago. The rule bars athletes from using their image or likeness in non-Olympic advertising for a window encompassing each Games. Anyone in violation risked disciplinary action including stripping of medals or expulsion from the Games. However, the regulation was protested by athletes who complained that it deprived them of earnings.
MOTOR RACING
NASCAR back on track
NASCAR is back on the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The Sprint Cup drivers got an extra day of testing on Thursday, allowing them to tinker with a new rules package that will be in effect for the first time. Restrictor-plate rules were used at the season-opening Daytona 500, won by Joey Logano. This new package, which be used at every track besides Daytona and Talladega, includes a reduction in horsepower, a shorter rear spoiler and the most intriguing change of all: Drivers now have the option of controlling the track bar from inside the car during the race, allowing them to tinker with the rear balance to change the way the machine handles during acceleration and braking. Jamie McMurray posted the fastest speed during the opening practice at 308.27kph.
RUGBY LEAGUE
NRL tightens drug tests
Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) yesterday said it had strengthened drug testing as a cocaine scandal engulfs the Gold Coast Titans. Responding to reports that clubs have tipped off players about the presence of drug testers at training or even hidden positive tests, the game’s governing body issued a statement saying its approach has recently been stepped up. “The NRL has strengthened its approach to combating drug use through its continued commitment to independent drug testing programs and player education,” it said.
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
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
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