Russia on Sunday won the four-team Birmingham International track meet despite a dominating performance from US sprinters.
Russia started the second day of the meet with a 22-point lead and hung on to win with 349 points. The US was second with 312.5 points, followed by Britain with 269 and China with 158.5.
American sprinters Allyson Felix, Brianna Glenn and Wallace Spearmon couldn't rally the US team despite impressing in difficult conditions.
Felix, the 200m world champion, ran through a swirling crosswind and won in 22.19 seconds -- the second-fastest of the year.
"It's been a rough season for me this year," Felix said. "I went home recently and just got my mind together to get it right on the track. I had to focus on my race as there was some people who could beat me out there if I didn't take care."
Sanya Richards finished second in 22.52, with Yuliya Gushchina of Russia third in 23.10.
Glenn, a last-minute replacement for the injured Torri Edwards, beat Irina Khabarova at the finish line in the 100m, crossing in 11.34 -- 0.07 ahead of the Russian. Joice Maduaka of Britain was third in 11.42.
"I was just supposed to be here for the relay but I figured, hey, here's a chance to run 100 meters," Glenn said. "And so I am very happy with the performance. A win's a win."
Spearmon eased to his fifth victory of the year in the 200m, running 20.30 to beat Marlon Devonish of Britain by 0.19. Yang Yaozu of China finished third in 20.92.
The American sprinters denied that the failed doping tests of Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin would distract them.
"It's unfortunate and it's a tough time for the sport to have two such big blows like that," Felix said. "Most of us who are out there running are running hard and running clean."
Jones tested positive for the banned performance enhancer EPO at the US Championships in Indianapolis in June.
Bernard Lagat won the 3,000m in 7:50.49, more than a second ahead of Britain's Mo Farah. It was an impressive debut for the Kenyan-born athlete, who was running in his first team race for the US.
China's sole win on the final day came in the men's javelin. The Asian team won three events at the two-day meet, including the men's 110m hurdles and women's javelin.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported £400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported £400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported £900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically