■ 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.
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
Taiwanese sprinter Chen Yi-cen on Friday won the silver medal in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, with a time of 53.16 seconds. Chen, 15, was the youngest among the eight finalists, and her performance also met the qualifying standard of 53.50 seconds for the Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September and October. Chen first made her mark at the National Games in Tainan in 2023, at the age of 13, winning the women’s 400m final in 55.55 seconds to become the youngest gold medalist in the history of the event. Meanwhile,
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