OLYMPICS
WADA releases suspect list
The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) on Thursday gathered chiefs of sports federations and Olympic committees in Lausanne, Switzerland, to pass on information on athletes suspected of benefiting from alleged Russian state-sponsored doping. As investigations are ongoing, WADA has not publicly released the list of suspects. Intelligence from the laboratory information management system database of a former WADA-accredited Moscow laboratory was handed over to 60 international officials at the meeting. The agency has “forensically reconstructed the database; determined its authenticity; uncovered and analyzed its hidden content; and determined what valuable intelligence could be shared,” a news release said.
SOCCER
Lazio advance to quarters
Felipe Anderson on Thursday scored his first goal of the season as SS Lazio cruised into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia after beating Serie B side AS Cittadella 3-1. Lazio are to face ACF Fiorentina in the quarter-finals on Dec. 27. Brazilian winger Anderson, who has become one of Lazio’s star players since arriving in Italy from Santos in 2013, slotted the home side’s 24th-minute second goal in his second appearance since being sidelined with a knee injury before the start of the season. Anderson raced through to stroke home Lucas Leiva’s fine through-ball 13 minutes after Ciro Immobile opened the scoring and his strike was added to by an Agostino Camigliano own-goal nine minutes before the break and a smart Immobile chip in the final moments.
TENNIS
Hewitt to return for doubles
Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt is to come out of retirement temporarily and play doubles with compatriot Sam Groth at next month’s Australian Open, local media reported yesterday. Hewitt, a US Open and Wimbledon singles champion, officially retired from top-level tennis after his home Grand Slam last year, when he also played doubles with Groth. However, he did play doubles during the Davis Cup and Wimbledon last year. “It’s going to be a bit of fun. That’s what the Australian Open is about,” Hewitt told News Corp Australia yesterday. “I’m going to really enjoy it. Groth, who is retiring after the season-opening Grand Slam and is hoping for a wild card for the singles draw, is also to play mixed doubles with Sam Stosur.
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
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
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