SOCCER
Payet returns for Marseille
Olympique de Marseille star recruit Dimitri Payet on Tuesday made his return to the French club, but it was Brazilian Doria who booked their Coupe de France quarter-final berth with a 2-1 win over Olympique Lyonnais. Payet rejoined the Ligue 1 side on a four-and-a-half-year deal on Sunday after Marseille paid 30 million euros (US$31.3 million) to bring him back to the Stade Velodrome. The 29-year-old former West Ham United player came on to a standing ovation after 94 minutes with the game locked at 1-1 and heading into extra-time. It was old recruits who kept 10-time winners Marseille on track in the 100th edition of the tournament. Rod Fanni, recalled last summer by former coach Frank Passi, opened on 24 minutes before Corentin Tolisso equalized for the visitors on 64 minutes. Doria, who had been sidelined by former Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa and loaned out twice, stole the show. He came on in place of another new recruit, Patrice Evra, who picked up a thigh injury three minutes after the break, and fired in the winner after 109 minutes. Ligue 1 sides Girondins de Bordeaux, Lille OSC and Lorient also won, while Nantes and Dijon FCO exited.
CRICKET
Andre Russell banned
Globetrotting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been banned from all cricket for a year over a doping code violation, his Australian Twenty20 club said yesterday. The 28-year-old did not file his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015 as required, which constitutes a failed drugs test according to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines. His punishment was handed down by the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission on Tuesday. “We are devastated for Andre,” Sydney Thunder general manager Nick Cummins said while confirming the outcome. “We haven’t seen the written judgement, but given the circumstances surrounding the filing failures we thought he had a good chance of being exonerated. We will monitor the appeals process and assess our options.” Under WADA’s whereabouts rules, elite athletes must supply details of where they will be for one hour each day to facilitate drug tests. Sydney Thunder director of cricket Mike Hussey said he felt for Russell. “I feel for him. He’s been going through a really tough time of late with all the ‘whereabouts’ saga going on and he’s been waiting to hear the finding of that hearing,” Hussey told the Cricket Australia Web site.
HORSE RACING
Sydney to host rich race
Sydney is to host the world’s richest turf race with A$10 million (US$7.55 million) in prize money, surpassing the Melbourne Cup for the high-stakes honor, organizers said yesterday. Coined “The Everest,” organizers said it represents “the pinnacle” of thoroughbred racing with the 1,200m sprint involving just 12 horses, Racing New South Wales (NSW) said. The inaugural race is to be run on Oct. 14 with buyers from Australia and around the world invited to purchase a A$600,000 spot in the event, which can then be traded prior to the entry date. “The Everest will be a game-changer for racing in Sydney and provide a stage for showcasing the best Australian sprinters against leading international contenders,” Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said. It will eclipse the winnings from Australia’s iconic Melbourne Cup, where punters gather to watch thoroughbreds race for A$6.2 million.
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