OLYMPICS
Nuzman calls for Rio unity
Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman on Monday urged protesters angry over the impeachment of suspended Brazlian president Dilma Rousseff not to mar the opening ceremony of the Rio Games in two months. The first Summer Olympics ever staged in South America open on Aug. 5 at Rio’s Maracana Stadium. According to the latest estimates, that could be just a few days after a vote in the Brazilian Senate over whether to remove Rousseff from office — marking a showdown in a months-long political crisis that has divided the country and sparked accusations of a coup d’etat. Asked if he was afraid that crowds would start chanting political slogans or causing trouble inside the famous soccer stadium during the opening parade and lighting of the Olympic cauldron, Nuzman told reporters: “It’s difficult to know what will or won’t happen.” However, he said he thought that Brazilians would “show respect for the Olympic Games and for the 11,000 athletes who will be parading.”
TENNIS
Mahut advances at Ricoh
Defending champion Nicolas Mahut on Monday made short work of his first-round match at the Ricoh Open, beating Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 6-1, 6-4 to set up an all-French second-round match. Mahut, who is seeking his third title on the Rosmalen grass courts in the Wimbledon tune-up, is to face Paul-Henri Mathieu, who beat Rajeev Ram of the US 6-4, 6-4. Stefan Kozlov of the US survived the first day of the tournament by beating Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, while Sam Querrey made it two US wins on the opening day, edging Benjamin Becker of Germany 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5). In the first round of the women’s doubles, Taiwan’s Chan Chin-wei and Aleksandrina Naydenova of Bulgaria fell to a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium in 1 hour, 13 minutes.
TENNIS
Pliskova defeats Sevastova
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on Monday arrived late to the Aegon Nottingham Open and avoided an early exit. Saving the only break point she faced, Pliskova served superbly to outlast Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-7 (5/7), 6-0, 6-2. She accepted a wild card only last week and took over the top seeding from Victoria Azarenka, who withdrew after practicing on the Nottingham grass for two days, because she still could not play properly due to a knee she injured at the French Open. Pliskova’s twin, Kristyna, could not get out of trouble against Anna Tatishvili of the US and lost 6-4, 7-6 (6/4). Second-seeded Johanna Konta of Britain and No. 8 Christina McHale of the US also advanced.
TENNIS
Groth dispatches Marchenko
Sam Groth of Australia on Monday fired 15 aces to overcome Illya Marchenko of Ukraine 7-5, 6-4 in the opening round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Germany. Marchenko beat Groth in their only previous match in February on a Memphis hard court, but with Stuttgart switching its courts from clay to grass, Groth got the upper hand. Also, local wild-card Michael Berrer came from behind to beat Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-4. Roger Federer is the top seed in the Wimbledon tune-up and has a bye into the second round. Federer is coming back from a back injury that forced him to skip the French Open.
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