GOLF
Czech wins crazy golf title
Europe’s crazy golf elite pitched their putters against a slew of obstacles at the Crazy Golf World Championships at a seaside town on England’s south coast. Sixty-six crazy golfers took to the links at Hastings Adventure Golf — dubbed the spiritual home of crazy golf by the British Minigolf Association — to compete for the £1,000 (US$1,271) winner’s purse. Competitors had to contend with obstacles including a 1.82m lighthouse, a paddle wheel and a windmill as they navigated the course. After a hard-fought battle, 23-year-old Olivia Prokopova of the Czech Republic triumphed over her mostly male rivals for the championship, completing the 18-hole course in 31 strokes. “It is incredible, it is a big tournament and a big win for me,” Prokopova said of her victory.
RUGBY UNION
Parra drops pool complaint
Clermont’s France international scrumhalf Morgan Parra has dropped legal action against fans who were filmed skinny dipping in his swimming pool after the club’s Top 14 final victory, prosecutors said on Monday. The group had traveled to Clermont, France, to watch the final in the team’s hometown on June 4, and later broke into Parra’s house and were filmed celebrating the title win naked in his swimming pool. Four supporters — all members of an amateur rugby club in the southwestern French town of Beziers — were summoned to the police station in the central French town of Clermont-Ferrand on Monday, when Parra arrived and had a talk with them. “They apologized, Morgan Parra withdrew his complaint,” a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office told reporters.
SAILING
Race abandoned over winds
The suspense continued at the America’s Cup challenger playoffs on Monday as light winds forced the day’s first race between Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing of Sweden to be abandoned. The New Zealand team entered the day with a 4-2 lead in the best-of-nine series and needing just one victory to advance to the 35th America’s Cup match against defenders Oracle Team USA. However, the decisive day got off to an anti-climactic start when the first race was abandoned as the winds declined and neither boat could make it to the finish line of the shortened course within the 25-minute limit. Organizers were monitoring conditions, hoping that wind speeds would rise to the minimum average of six knots per hour (11.1kph) required to start a race.
SOCCER
Tiote’s body to return home
Cheick Tiote’s body is tomorrow to arrive back in the Ivory Coast, where tributes are to be paid to the international by his former teammates, the Ivorian Football Federation said on Monday. Tiote — who was a member of the Ivory Coast squad that ended a 23-year drought by winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations — died on June 5 aged 30 after “suddenly fainting” during a training session with his second-tier Chinese club Beijing Enterprises. Tiote had 52 caps for “The Elephants” and played in two World Cups in 2010 and 2014. The national team returned to Abidjan on Monday after an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying defeat to Guinea and presented their condolences to the player’s family. Tiote had joined the Chinese team in February after a seven-year stay with Newcastle United.
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