OLYMPICS
Visa requirements lifted
Brazil was to lift visa requirements for tourists from Australia, Canada, Japan and the US from yesterday to encourage travel to the Rio de Janeiro Games, the Brazilian government said. The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism on Tuesday said that it was throwing the doors open to tourists from the four countries because they are already a good market, have strong interest in the Olympics and pose a low security risk. “These tourists will boost the country’s economy by spending in hotels, restaurants, car hire, travel agencies and many other sectors,” Brazilian Minister of Tourism Henrique Eduardo Alves said in a statement. “In this period, our attractions will be on global view. If we do our part, many of these tourists will return after the Olympics bringing friends and relatives.”
OLYMPICS
Baseballer warns over Zika
Detroit Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez says he contracted the Zika virus over the off-season in his home country of Venezuela and advises potential Olympic athletes to educate themselves on the virus before heading to Rio de Janeiro. Rodriguez on Tuesday told ESPN.com that he would not blame athletes for skipping the Olympics and that “if they have plans to have kids in the future, you’ve got to think about it.” Zika is a mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. Rodriguez says he was bedridden for about two weeks with head and body aches, sore joints and other symptoms. It felt like he had a cold at first, but as symptoms worsened, he went for bloodwork that determined it was Zika. It took about two months until he felt normal again.
SOCCER
Brazil loses more players
Brazil has lost two more players from its squad for the Copa America, with Barcelona midfielder Rafinha and SL Benfica goalkeeper Ederson being replaced because of injuries. The Brazilian Football Confederation on Tuesday said that Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura and Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe had been called up as replacements for the tournament in the US, which is to start tomorrow. Last week, Brazil lost Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa to injury. Barcelona star Neymar will also be missing, as his Catalan club made him choose between playing in the Copa and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August. Brazil’s opening game is against Ecuador on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, the Pasadena stadium where they won the nation’s fourth World Cup title in 1994.
RUGBY UNION
Imhoff to miss Tests
Racing 92 winger Juan Imhoff will miss out on playing Italy and France next month after Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade named a 28-man squad on Tuesday. Hourcade included 20 players who featured in his squad who made the World Cup semi-finals in October. However, only players now registered in Super Rugby are eligible for Los Pumas, meaning Imhoff, Juan Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon) and Marcelo Bosch (Saracens) miss out. Argentina are to play Italy in Santa Fe on Sunday next week before taking on France on June 19 and June 25 in Tucuman. Hourcade will have to do without prop Ramiro Herrera, lock Tomas Lavaniniand and No. 8 Leonardo Senatore, all suspended for foul play in Super Rugby games.
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
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