ATHLETICS
US to focus on Rio qualifiers
The US have not set a medal target for this year’s Pan American Games and are focused instead on the handful of sports that offer direct qualification to next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics, US Olympic Committee officials said on Friday. US athletes have traditionally occupied top spot in the medals rankings at the quadrennial multi-sport event, but these Pan Am Games in Toronto, which run through July 26, are to be about earning the 10 available automatic berths to the Rio Games. US athletes will be seeking Olympic qualification in field hockey, equestrian, canoe/kayak, diving, pentathlon, shooting, synchronized swimming, table tennis, triathlon and water polo by winning gold. A team of 623 US athletes featuring 111 Olympians is to compete and, according to the officials, their toughest challenge is to come from Brazil and hosts Canada.
SOCCER
Telefonica buys TV rights
Spanish telecom giant Telefonica is to pay 600 million euros (US$669.4 million) for exclusive rights to screen Spain’s top soccer matches next season, it said on Friday. The company and La Liga on Friday signed “an agreement for the marketing of the exploitation of audiovisual content rights for the pay-per-soccer in the domestic market, for the 2015-2016 season,” Telefonica said in a statement in English. It said the deal was “also beneficial for the rest of the operators, clubs and supporters.” La Liga last week estimated that selling the international TV rights would bring in another 600 million euros per season. That would boost the overall TV revenue for the Spanish league from about 785 million euros in the 2013-2014 season to 1.2 billion euros overall for 2015-2016. Friday’s deal was struck under a new system of collective bidding that aims to boost revenue and help Spain’s La Liga compete with the likes of the English Premier League.
SOCCER
Basti to head to United: Bild
German newspaper Bild said Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to leave Bayern Munich for Manchester United. The 30-year-old midfielder would be reunited with former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, who is preparing for his second season in charge of United. Bild said Schweinsteiger, who has a year remaining on his Bayern contract, is to join on a three-year deal in a transfer worth about US$20 million. Germany’s Sky TV also reported on Schweinsteiger’s impending departure after spending his entire career at Bayern. When asked last week if Schweinsteiger would be at Bayern next season, coach Pep Guardiola said: “When I think about the next season, always Basti is here, but what will happen ... I don’t know.”
SOCCER
West Ham sign Ogbonna
West Ham United have signed Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus. Ogbonna, 27, joined on a four-year deal to become the London club’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window. Ogbonna made his name with Torino before joining rival Juventus in 2013, winning two Serie A titles and the Italian Cup. Ogbonna, who has played 10 times for Italy, was an unused substitute during Juventus’ Champions League final loss to Barcelona last month. West Ham’s season has already begun under new manager Slaven Bilic, advancing into the second qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday by completing a victory over Andorra club Lusitans. West Ham next play Birkirkara of Malta.
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