SOCCER
West Ham win in new home
The first Premier League game staged at the centerpiece stadium of the London Olympics in 2012 served up some late drama on Sunday, with new tenants West Ham United scoring in the 85th minute to earn a 1-0 win over 10-man Bournemouth. Bournemouth were left a man short after Harry Arter was sent off in the 77th, and West Ham took advantage when winger Michail Antonio met an inviting left-wing cross by Gokhan Tore with a header at the far post. West Ham then needed a reaction save from goalkeeper Adrian followed by a clearance from near the goal line to preserve their first league win at the team’s new home. Sunderland, and their new manager David Moyes, are also looking for their first point after a 2-1 loss to northeast rival Middlesbrough in the other game on Sunday.
SOCCER
PSG start with win over Metz
Layvin Kurzawa, Marco Verratti and Lucas on Sunday scored as Paris Saint-Germain beat newly promoted Metz 3-0 at the Parc des Princes in coach Unai Emery’s first home game in charge. PSG join Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice on a maximum six points from two games, but Olympique de Marseille remain without a win after the troubled giants lost 2-1 at En Avant de Guingamp on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Manchester United star Paul Pogba was in the crowd as AS Saint-Etienne claimed a 3-1 win over Montpellier Herault. At the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, the world’s most expensive player was there to support his brother Florentin, the Guinea defender who turned 26 on Friday last week.
FOOTBALL
NFL changes injury reports
The NFL has opted to drop the “probable” designation in injury reports ahead of games, bringing more clarity to the availability of players and their chances of taking the field, the league announced on Sunday. Under the new guidelines, three classifications are to be used prior to games: “questionable” for those whose availability is uncertain, “doubtful” for those unlikely to play and “out” for those who will definitely not play. Under the changes, if an injured player is certain to play he cannot be placed on the game status report. In addition, a change has been made to the midweek practice report, removing the “out” category. Practice injury report designations are to be limited to “full participation” for players who took 100 percent of their normal reps, “limited participation” and “did not participate.”
RUGBY UNION
Fiji honors coach Ben Ryan
The England-born coach of Fiji’s gold medal-winning rugby sevens team, Ben Ryan, was yesterday awarded one of the Pacific nation’s highest civil honors at a ceremony in the capital, Suva. Fijian President Jioji Konrote made Ryan a Companion of the Order of Fiji, the highest honorary title that can be awarded under the order. Fiji’s players and team managers were made Officers of the Order of Fiji and, with Ryan, were awarded US$30,000 by the Fijian government for winning Fiji’s first Olympic medal. The awards took place at Suva’s packed ANZ National Stadium yesterday, which was made a national holiday in the team’s honor. Fans cheered as Ryan drained a bowl of local beverage kava as part of a traditional ceremony of celebration.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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