SOCCER
Leicester re-sign Ranieri
Manager Claudio Ranieri has signed a new contract with Leicester City that would keep him at the club until June 2020, the Premier League champions announced yesterday. Appointed in July last year, the 64-year-old Italian helped the club defy pre-season odds of 5,000-1 to win the league, the first top-flight title in Leicester’s 132-year history. “Claudio’s qualities, both as a man and as a coach, have been very clear since the moment he arrived — qualities that have helped Leicester City to progress on every level,” club vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said in a statement. Key players, including goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, defender Wes Morgan and prolific striker Jamie Vardy, have also extended their contracts with the club who begin their title defense with a trip to promoted Hull City on Saturday.
BOXING
Pacquiao confirms fight
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has confirmed he will come out of retirement to fight WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas on Nov. 5. The boxer turned Philippines senator issued a statement yesterday confirming the bout, saying he would conduct his entire training camp in his home country so he can also attend to his legislative work, as he promised during the election campaign. His adviser Michael Koncz said there will be a promotional tour from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10 in Los Angeles after which Pacquiao and his team will go home so he can attend to his political duties. The 37-year-old Pacquiao said he was excited to return to the ring and said he has to fight again to earn a living.
CRICKET
Ashwin carries India
An unbeaten century stand for the sixth wicket by Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha on Tuesday put India in a respectable position after the first day of the third Test against the West Indies in St Lucia. The visitors were 234-5 at the close of play with all-rounder Ashwin on 75 and wicketkeeper Saha on 46, the pair having added 108 to leave honors even at the Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet. Opener Lokesh Rahul chipped in with a brisk 50 earlier, but India’s batsmen were otherwise bogged down until Ashwin and Saha cut loose against the second new ball. The late flurry took the gloss off what had been an encouraging day for the West Indies bowlers.
CRICKET
New Zealand win series
Part-time spinner Martin Guptill bagged three wickets as Zimbabwe folded on the final day of the second Test to hand New Zealand a comprehensive 254-run victory yesterday. New Zealand won the two-match series 2-0 after bowling Zimbabwe out for 132 in their second innings, although the home side were hampered by some poor umpiring decisions. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi took 3-19 and Guptill had career-best figures of 3-11 as they tore through the Zimbabwe batting lineup after lunch, having set the home side an imposing victory target of 387. Craig Ervine provided the most resistance on the final day, scoring 27 before being ruled out caught behind off Guptill from a delivery that commentators on cricinfo.com said had not touched the bat. New Zealand next face South Africa.
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