CYCLING
Barker wins points race
Britain’s Elinor Barker yesterday won the women’s points race at the Union Cycliste Internationale Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong after a gripping duel with US’ Sarah Hammer. The Olympic team pursuit gold-medalist crucially picked up 20 points for lapping the field with just four laps to go, pipping Hammer by 59 points to 51. Dutch rider Kirsten Wild finished third in the 100-lap race. Barker picked up Britain’s second title in Hong Kong after Katie Archibald’s win in the omnium.
RUGBY UNION
Stormers’ run ends
New Zealand’s Crusaders are the only unbeaten team left in Super Rugby after South Africa’s Golden Lions ended the Stormers’ winning start to the season this weekend. The Johannesburg-based Lions downed the Stormers in a bonus-point 29-16 win in Cape Town, South Africa,while seven-time champions the Crusaders crushed Japan’s Sunwolves 50-3 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Chiefs are two points adrift of the Crusaders in the New Zealand conference following a 41-27 come-from-behind win over the endangered franchise Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
BASKETBALL
Complaints about Jackson
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) said it has spoken to National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver about Phil Jackson’s comments regarding Carmelo Anthony. Jackson on Friday said that perhaps it was best if Anthony sought to be traded from the New York Knicks, and the team president added that the club had not been able to win with the all-star forward. Players are prohibited from publicly requesting trades, and NBPA executive director Michele Roberts on Saturday said that players “expect management to adhere to the same standards.”
SOCCER
Panama player shot dead
Panamanian player Amilcar Henriquez, a veteran member of the national team, was shot dead on Saturday, authorities said. Gunmen got out of a car and opened fire on Henriquez and his friends in Sabanitas, a suburb of Colon, Panama, preliminary reports said. The 33-year-old athlete was taken to a clinic, where he died from his wounds. “We strongly condemn the assassination of Amilcar Henriquez,” PanamanianPresident Juan Carlos Varela tweeted. The Panamanian Football Federation added: “God bless your soul Mickey.” Henriquez was playing at the United Arab League club in Colon. His last match was against Chorrillo in the Panamanian Football League on Wednesday.
FOOTBALL
Ex-NFL star kills daughter
Former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals tight end Todd Heap accidentally struck and killed his three-year-old daughter while moving a truck in his driveway. Police in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, Arizona, responded to the accident on Friday afternoon and said that the girl was taken to a local hospital, where she later died. There was no sign that Heap was impaired at the time of the accident. Heap, 37, played 10 seasons with the Ravens after being selected in the first round of the 2001 National Football League draft. He played two years for Arizona before an injury forced his retirement during the 2012 season. “We cannot imagine the heartbreak and sorrow Todd and Ashley’s family feels right now,” the Ravens said in a statement on Saturday. The Cardinals also offered condolences.
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