■ SOCCER
Henry still an Arsenal fan
Thierry Henry would love to return to former club Arsenal in some capacity in the future, the Barcelona striker said on Wednesday. "It does not matter what will happen with my new team, I'll never find the affection I was shown at Arsenal," Henry told Sky television. "In part that's because I don't think my legs will let me play for another club for eight years. You always return to the place you belong to and so I hope one day to be able to work with that club. I have this club in my blood." The 30-year-old said he had followed Arsenal's games since leaving for Spain in the close season. "I'm proud to have played for Arsenal and to be a fan of theirs," he said.
■ GOLF
TV commentator suspended
A commentator on US cable television's Golf Channel was suspended for two weeks on Wednesday by the company for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." Kelly Tilghman was laughing during the exchange on Friday with analyst Nick Faldo at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and Woods' agent at IMG said he didn't think there was any ill intent. But the comments became prevalent on news shows on Wednesday and American black activist Al Sharpton joined the fray by demanding she be fired immediately. Golf Channel didn't know who would replace Tilghman.
■ SWIMMING
Kovacs opts out of Games
Former Olympic champion Agnes Kovacs won't compete at the Beijing Games because she lacks motivation and is tired after being cleared of doping charges last year. "After giving it a lot of thought, I will not prepare for the Beijing Olympics," Kovacs said on Monday. "But my life will be complete only if I take part in the national championships. So, officially, I am not retiring yet." Hungary's national swimming championships are in July, the month before the Beijing Olympics. Kovacs won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She also won a bronze in the same event at the 1996 Atlanta Games, as well as two world and seven European gold medals.
■ EQUESTRIAN
Swiss pull out of dressage
Switzerland's dressage team will not take part at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The move follows the withdrawal of the team's top rider, Silvia Ikle, who doesn't want to expose her horse to travel-related stress and the humid conditions in Hong Kong during the summer. "Ikle's decision not to participate has consequences for the entire national dressage team," the Swiss equestrian federation said Tuesday in a statement. Switzerland said it had only qualified for the event because of the performance of Ikle and her horse, Salieri.
■ SOCCER
Coach rules out change
Thailand coach Charnwit Polcheewin says he has no interest in coaching Vietnam's national team because he loves his country too much. The Thai national team boss, reportedly a candidate for the vacant Vietnam post, said he was too patriotic to consider coaching another country, even if the salary was bigger. "I'm not interested because I couldn't do it," Charnwit said yesterday. "I know the money would be better than what I earn but I'm Thai, I always will be and I'm happy where I am. We have World Cup qualification to think about now, that's my focus.
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
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from