■ Basketball
David Hawkins faces ban
US point guard David Hawkins, who plays for Virtus Lottomatica Roma, could face a six month ban for cannabis use. Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutors recommended the ban on Monday after Hawkins tested positive for the drug following an Italian basketball championship playoff match against Montepaschi Siena on June 5. The Italian Basketball Federation, which provisionally suspended the player immediately after the failed test, will now rule on CONI's recommendation.
PHOTO: AFP
■ Equestrian
Rider's death investigated
The International Equestrian Federation is investigating the death of German rider Tina Richter-Vietor during the German Championships at the weekend. The 32-year-old Richter-Vietor died after being thrown from her horse Paulchen Panther on Saturday. The federation said on Monday it was "deeply saddened" by her death, which "is [being] taken very seriously and will be addressed by the FEI safety subcommittee." The FEI added that the course was within the specifications stated in the rules.
■ Soccer
RFK Stadium sold out
David Beckham has sold out Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. Whether he plays there is yet to be determined. All 45,000 tickets have been sold for tomorrow night's game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United. Most were sold long before fans realized the severity of an ankle injury that has kept Beckham from making his competitive debut with the Galaxy. Beckham sat on the bench but was not in uniform for the Galaxy's 0-0 draw with Toronto FC on Sunday night. He also missed all three of the Galaxy's US-Mexico SuperLiga games and has appeared only as a late substitute in an exhibition against England's Chelsea on July 21.
■ Soccer
Pagotto faces lifetime ban
Crotone goalkeeper Angelo Pagotto could face a lifetime ban for cocaine use. Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutors recommended the ban on Monday after Pagotto tested positive for the drug for the second time in his career following Crotone's Serie B soccer match with Spezia on April 28. Pagotto also served an 18-month ban for cocaine use while playing for Perugia in 2000. The 33-year-old had asked the committee for clemency at a hearing last week, where he admitted his second infringement. The Italian Soccer Federation, which provisionally suspended the player immediately after the failed test, will now rule on CONI's recommendation. Crotone was relegated to the third division at the end of last season.
■ Horse Racing
Dubai ruler buys horse
Agents for Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bought a colt by Unbridled's Song out of the champion mare Riboletta for US$1.05 million to top session one of the Fasig-Tipton selected yearlings sale in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Monday. Agent John Ferguson purchased the colt, from Taylor Made Sales Agency for Al Maktoum's Darley Stable. "Riboletta is a champion and you have to accept the fact that these South American mares have stepped up in the last few years and given a real soundness to the breed," Ferguson said. Fasig-Tipton chairman D.J. Van Clief said the session could be classified as a solid horse sale.
Aaliyah Edwards on Monday pulled off the stunner of the opening round of the Unrivaled one-on-one tournament, beating top-seeded Breanna Stewart 12-0. The tournament to be played over three days featured 23 of the WNBA’s 36 players. A few had other commitments and a couple others were out with injuries. Stewart got the ball first against Edwards and missed a contested layup. Edwards then hit a three-pointer from the corner and a jumper from the elbow to go up 5-0. The player who scores keeps the basketball. Edwards hit two layups and a three-pointer to seal the win. Stewart, a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player,
SPEEDSKATER: Her bronze medal ended Taiwan’s run at the Asian Winter Games without a medal since the nation first participated in the second iteration in 1990 Speedskater Chen Ying-chu yesterday made history as the first athlete representing Taiwan to secure a medal at the Asian Winter Games. Competing at the HIC Speedskating Oval in Harbin, China, Chen clocked 10.510 seconds in the women’s 100m event, finishing third behind South Koreans Lee Na-hyum and Kim Min-sun, who posted times of 10.501 and 10.505 seconds respectively. Her bronze medal ended Taiwan’s drought at the Asian Winter Games since the nation first participated in the second iteration in 1990. This year’s Games mark Chen’s debut at the event. Previously excelling in roller speedskating, she won six medals at world championships before transitioning
Taiwan’s Lin Yun-ju and Kao Cheng-jui were defeated by their Chinese counterparts 3-0 on Saturday in the men’s doubles final at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash. Lin and Kao received their silver medals after being defeated by third-seeded duo Lin Shidong and Wang Chuqin of China 2-11, 4-11, 11-13. The Taiwan pair were left playing catch-up early in the match after the Chinese duo proved unstoppable in the first and second game. Although Lin and Kao picked up their pace in the third game and at one point took a 10-8 lead, they were crucially unable to take
Australia yesterday won two of four races on the first day of the SailGP Sydney event on Sydney Harbour to finish the day atop the points table ahead of Britain and a French team who made an outstanding return after missing the first two events of the season. Australia also had a third and a second placing, finishing the day with 37 points, ahead of Britain with 32 points and France with 27. Britain won the second race of the day and Switzerland, who won the first race, were in fourth place overall. Australia’s prowess in the start box was again the