OLYMPICS
E coli shutters event
High levels of bacteria forced the swimming portion of a triathlon test event for the Tokyo Paralympics to be canceled yesterday. In a statement, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) said that E coli levels were “more than two times over the ITU limits” at level 4, the highest risk level. The venue in Tokyo Bay, called Odaiba, has been a concern for organizers, who have experimented with measures to clean the water. The union is scheduled to hold it final test event today “depending on the latest water quality tests,” it said. A few days ago, the ITU described water quality conditions at the venue as “very good,” but swimmers at a distance swimming event at the same venue complained of foul-smelling water. “We are set to conduct a comprehensive review with the international federation,” Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya said.
BUNDESLIGA
Bayern scrambles in opener
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski on Friday scored twice to rescue a 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin in the season opener. Lewandowski opened his account in the 24th minute, sliding in to complete a move he started himself, and become the first player to score in five consecutive season-opening games. However, the visitors stunned the home crowd with two goals in three minutes, first a deflected shot from Dodi Lukebakio in the 36th, then a stunning turnaround by Marko Grujic in the 39th. “We were still a bit shocked from the first goal. We lost some pace and maybe our last pass was not as accurate, but we played a good game overall,” said Lewandowski, who can count on some reinforcements, as Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho is set to move to Bayern on loan from Barcelona.
CYCLING
Gimondi dies at 76
Italy’s Felice Gimondi, who won five Grand Tours in his career, died on Friday at the age of 76 of a heart attack while swimming in Sicily. “A great champion who made our sport more human has left us, a great man,” the Italian Cycling Federation said in a statement. Nicknamed “The Phoenix,” he won the Tour de France in 1965, the Giro d’Italia in 1967, 1969 and 1976, as well as the Vuelta a Espana in 1968. Gimondi remains just one of seven riders in history to have won all three of the sport’s greatest prizes. His Tour de France win came in his debut year. He also famously triumphed at the 1973 World Championships in Barcelona, where he out-sprinted Eddy Merckx, Freddy Maertens and Luis Ocana.
MMA
McGregor in punching row
Retired mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor apparently punched a man in a pub in April, and Irish police are reportedly investigating. TMZ acquired a video of the attack and published it on Thursday. The security camera footage appears to show McGregor hitting an older man in the face after he refused a shot of McGregor’s Proper Twelve whiskey brand. McGregor was quickly removed from the bar by friends. Irish media have reported that police questioned McGregor about the incident.
SOCCER
Nigeria coach banned
The coach who led Nigeria to two Olympic medals has been banned for life by FIFA on Friday for agreeing to receive bribes to fix matches. Samson Siasia was punished in the latest case from the investigation into Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Perumal. FIFA did not specify which games were investigated as it also fined Siasia 50,000 Swiss francs (US$51,106).
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