ATHLETICS
Bolt runs 9.88 seconds
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt shook off a “horrible start” to win the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix athletics meeting in 9.88 seconds, the second-fastest time in the world this year. “It wasn’t a perfect race, but the good thing was that I won and I came out injury free,” said Bolt, who got away slowly, but powered home, catching the field at about 50m and celebrating as he got to the line first to the delight of a big crowd in Kingston. The sprint superstar led three compatriots under 10 seconds. Nickel Ashmeade and Yohan Blake were both timed in 9.94 seconds, with Asafa Powell finishing in 9.98 seconds.
CYCLING
Pinot wins penultimate stage
French climber Thibaut Pinot won the penultimate stage of the Criterium du Dauphine after beating countryman Romain Bardet in a sprint finish on Saturday, while defending Tour de France champion Chris Froome extended his overall lead. After breaking away from the main pack, the two forged ahead and Pinot won the sprint after Bardet attacked first. The race’s toughest stage featured four big climbs and an uphill finish. Froome finished in fourth place and moved 21 seconds ahead of Richie Porte and Bardet.
RUGBY UNION
Carter leads Racing to semis
Former All Black Dan Carter on Saturday marked his return from injury with a perfect six penalties to lead Racing 92 to a 21-16 win over Toulouse and into the French Top 14 semi-finals. The 34-year-old had been sidelined with a calf injury sustained in the European Champions Cup final three weeks ago. The 112-Test flyhalf made up for lost time to guide the big-spending Paris club into a semi-final clash with Clermont in Rennes on Friday. Toulouse scored the game’s only try on 66 minutes when Gael Fickou slipped through a poor tackle by Carter to just touch down
SOCCER
Former Nigeria coach dies
Tragedy has hit the game in Nigeria again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu died just days after another ex-national team coach, Stephen Keshi, passed away. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday said that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems. On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in the southern Benin City. Amodu, four-time Super Eagles coach, also died in his sleep in the same city. Amodu, who coached Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was to have replaced Sunday Oliseh, who quit as the country’s coach in February, but he declined on health grounds. The top coach was recently appointed Nigerian technical director. Senior officials said Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication.
YACHTING
Japan get first win
Light winds again wreaked havoc on the America’s Cup World Series races in Chicago on Saturday, but Team Japan had the satisfaction of seeing their first win go up on the board. The team, skippered by Dean Barker, won the “substitute race” sailed on Friday, and with the winds too light and unstable to support Saturday’s planned schedule, officials scored it as the first official race of the Chicago stop. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get racing started on time today, but it’s nice to turn the good work from Friday into a win on the scoreboard today,” Barker said. Artemis Racing of Sweden were second and Team France were third. On the other side of the ledger were Team USA, who capsized in the substitute race and carried that last-placed finish on the scoreboard.
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