OLYMPICS
Russian jumper given nod
Russian long jumper Darya Klishina has been cleared to compete internationally as a neutral athlete after a successful appeal against a blanket ban on her country’s track and field athletes for systematic doping. “The IAAF [The International Association of Athletics Federations] Doping Review Board has agreed that Russian long jump athlete Darya Klishina meets the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as a neutral athlete,” the IAAF said on its Web site. “Darya Klishina’s participation as a neutral athlete in international competition is still subject to acceptance by the organizer of the competition in question, in accordance with the rules of that competition,” it said.
OLYMPICS
Canadian sprinters qualify
Andre de Grasse ran his fastest 100m of the year to book his place at the Rio de Janeiro Games, while world champions Shawn Barber and Derek Drouin also won their events at the Canadian Olympic trials on Saturday. De Grasse, co-bronze medalist at last year’s World Championships, clocked 9.99 seconds to defeat Aaron Brown in the meeting in Edmonton, Alberta.
OLYMPICS
Serbia, Croatia book berths
Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia booked two of the last three remaining Olympic basketball berths after contrasting wins over their respective rivals on Saturday. Serbia qualified for the first time as an independent nation with a 108-77 rout of Puerto Rico, while Croatia beat Italy 84-78 in an overtime thriller after the game was held up for 15 minutes when the electronic scoreboard malfunctioned. France were to play Canada in the final of the Manila tournament last night for the last remaining berth. Host nation Brazil, champions the US, Argentina, Australia, Venezuela, Nigeria, China, Spain and Lithuania qualified earlier.
GOLF
Riegger takes lead in NY
John Riegger followed his opening 66 with a five-under 67 on Saturday and was tied with Paul Goydos (66) for the lead at 11-under 133 at the second round of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, New York. First-round leader Scott Dunlap (70) was third at 10-under. Wes Short Jr and Monday qualifier Neal Lancaster also shot 66 and shared fourth, another shot back at En-Joie Golf Club. Riegger thrived on the four par-fives on the narrow, tree-lined course. On Saturday, he birdied two of the three on the front side and eagled No. 12, the final par-five. This will be the first time Riegger has had the lead, or a share of it, entering the final round of a Champions Tour event.
SOCCER
Pele to marry again
Pele is to get married tomorrow for the third time, tying the knot with his girlfriend of six years, Marcia Cibele Aoki. Pele, 75, told O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that this time, he has found “love forever.” Pele and Aoki met in New York in the 1980s, but only started seeing each other in 2010, when they crossed paths in an elevator in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Aoki, a 42-year-old businesswoman, has been by the three-time world champion’s side for nearly all his public appearances since 2012, as well as during his repeated hospital visits in recent years. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele is held by many as being the greatest soccer player in history. He scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, appeared 91 times for Brazil between 1957 and 1971.
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