SOCCER
Drogba joins Montreal
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba joined Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact on Monday, the Ivory Coast striker signing with the club after a rights transfer from the Chicago Fire. The 37-year-old African star, who will join the Impact when his Canadian work permit and transfer certificate are obtained, signed an 18-month contract at just over US$3 million a year, according to reports. “It’s an honor to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact,” team president Joey Saputo said. “From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect.” Drogba played 381 games with Chelsea from 2004 through 2012 and last season, scoring 164 goals and setting up 88. He helped the Blues win four Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
BASKETBALL
Cavs to re-sign Dellavedova
A person familiar with the agreement says the Cavaliers will re-sign free agent guard Matthew Dellavedova to a one-year contract. Dellavedova, who emerged as an unlikely post-season contributor after All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving was injured, will sign for US$1.2 million for next season, said the person, who spoke on Monday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed. Dellavedova made US$816,000 last season. The Australian has endeared himself to Cleveland fans and his teammates with his non-stop hustle. Dellavedova had several big games in the playoffs, scoring 20 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Dellavedvoa was hospitalized following the game with dehydration.
ATHLETICS
Chand cleared to qualify
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand will aim to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games after the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to suspend IAAF rules that could have blocked women with high levels of male hormones from competing in Rio de Janeiro. “I’ve been through a lot, but I’m happy with the judgement,” the 19-year-old Chand said in a telephone interview yesterday. “My immediate aim is to qualify for the Rio Olympics, but I also know that age is on my side and I can realize my dream of winning several medals for India.” Chand was suspended last year due to hyperandrogenism — the presence of high levels of testosterone in some females — which made her ineligible under the rules of the IAAF. She missed out on last year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, but was cleared to compete earlier this year pending a final verdict in her CAS case.
TENNIS
Zeballos beats Rublev
Horacio Zeballos of Argentina beat Russian teenager Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) in the Swiss Open in Gstaad on Monday to earn a second-round match against top-seeded David Goffin of Belgium. Zeballos took the only break point he needed in the first set against his 17-year-old, wild-card opponent. After exchanging service breaks in the second, Zeballos cruised through the tiebreaker. The 14th-ranked Goffin was elevated to top seed when French Open champion Stan Wawrinka withdrew from his home event last week. Defending champion Pablo Andujar of Spain will face Dusan Lajovic in the second round of the clay-court event after the Serb beat French qualifier Calvin Hemery 7-5, 6-2. Federico Delbonis of Argentina beat Swiss wild card Marco Chiudinelli 6-4, 6-2, and Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan beat Frenchman Maxime Teixeira 6-0, 6-4.
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