SOCCER
Euro 2016 powers sought
France’s government is to ask parliament to extend a state of emergency declared after the Paris terror attacks so that it covers the period of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said yesterday. The measure — which gives the state increased security powers — was imposed following the Nov. 13 last year militant attacks that left 130 dead and hundreds wounded in the French capital, and was already extended by three months — in February — until May 26. The government hopes to extend it to cover the Euro 2016 tournament to be held in France from June 10 to July 10, Valls told France Info radio. The measure allows the interior minister to place under house arrest any person whose behavior is considered “a threat to security and public order” and to order searches of homes without involving the court.
BASKETBALL
Dirk Nowitzki injured
German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki has been added to the long injury list for Dallas in the playoffs. Coach Rick Carlisle on Tuesday said that Nowitzki bruised his right knee when he fell early in the Mavericks’ 85-84 Game 2 win over Oklahoma City in a first-round playoff series that is tied 1-1. Carlisle said he hoped the extra day off between games would boost the German’s chances of playing in Game 3 today. He joins a list of players who might miss Game 3, including starting guards Deron Williams and J.J. Barea and backup forward David Lee. Williams is dealing with a sports hernia injury that will require offseason surgery. He had an effective first half in Game 2 on Monday, but left in the third quarter and did not return. Barea (right groin strain) missed Game 2, and Lee has yet to play in the series because of a right heel injury. Lee has targeted Game 3 for his return. Guard Devin Harris is playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb.
TENNIS
Granollers beats De la Nava
Marcel Granollers will play Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Barcelona Open after defeating Daniel Munoz de la Nava 6-4, 6-3, in Spain on Tuesday. The 50th-ranked Granollers had 10 aces on his way to victory over his fellow Spaniard to set up the match against title favorite Nadal. Second-seeded Kei Nishikori, the defending champion at the clay-court tournament, was to open yesterday against Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands, who defeated Sweden’s Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3. Fifth-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain fell to Russian qualifier Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in the second round. Nadal, who won the Monte Carlo Masters last week, is trying to win the Barcelona Open for the ninth time. He has beaten Granollers in their three meetings. Earlier on Tuesday, 11th-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine saved a match point and rallied to defeat Evgeny Donskoy of Russia 4-6, 7-6 (11/9), 6-4 in the second round, while Mikhail Youzhny of Russia beat Rajeev Ram of the US 6-2, 6-2 in a first-round match.
SOCCER
Neuer extends contract
Bayern Munich have extended the contract of German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, binding him until 2021, the club confirmed yesterday. Neuer, who was voted world goalkeeper of the year in 2013, 2014 and last year, is set to see out his career with Bayern and will be 35 when his new deal expires. He is the fifth Bayern star to commit until 2021, alongside Jerome Boateng, Thomas Mueller, David Alaba and Javi Martinez. German daily Bild said Neuer is set to earn 15 million euros (US$17 million) a year.
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
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and