■ HORSE RACING
China may legalize betting
China may legalize gambling on horse races for the first time since the Communist Party took power in 1949, the official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday. The government in Beijing has approved the start of regular horse racing in the central city of Wuhan, and is considering the introduction of betting on those races on a trial basis next year, Xinhua reported. The experiment is seen as heralding the return of nationwide betting on horses in China, Xinhua said. Wuhan was a center for horse racing in the early 1900s, but the sport and gambling in general were among a string of vices banned when the Communists won the Chinese civil war.
■ Figure skating
`Showman' dies aged 40
Former figure skating world medalist Christopher Bowman, called "Bowman the Showman" for his flair on the ice, died on Thursday of a possible drug overdose, authorities said. He was 40. Bowman's body was found at a motel in North Hills, California, and an autopsy is planned for this weekend. Bowman, a former child actor, won US men's figure skating titles in 1989 and 1992, and was a two-time medalist at the world championships. Bowman also competed in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, finishing seventh and fourth, respectively. Bowman had a part in the TV series Little House on the Prairie for one season and appeared in dozens of commercials. Recently, Bowman had returned to acting. He plays an assistant coach in the upcoming Brian De Palma-directed movie Down and Distance.
■ Tennis
Hsieh Su-wei wins again
Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei beat Barbara Zahalova Strycova of the Czech Republic in straight sets in the second round of the women's qualifying tournament for the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Hsieh's 6-0, 7-6 win followed her 6-4, 6-1, defeat of No. 2 seed Asha Rolle of the US on Thursday. Another Taiwanese Hwang I-hsuan lost to Arina Rodionova of Russia 6-2, 6-2, yesterday. It was a disappointing loss following her three sets victory over No. 7 seed Greta Arn of Germany in the first round. Meanwhile Australia's former world No. 4 Jelena Dokic lost yesterday and so will miss out on playing in next week's opening Grand Slam of the year. Dokic, bidding to return to the Open for the first time in four years, lost 6-2, 6-1 to Thailand's experienced Tamarine Tanasugarn in the second round of qualifying.
■ Olympics
Counterfeits to prove costly
A crackdown on fans returning from the Beijing Olympics with unofficial merchandise or counterfeit goods will be launched ahead of this year's Games, a top customs official said on Thursday. Christophe Zimmermann, head of the World Customs Organization's counterfeiting and piracy unit said the offensive would not only target fans as they left China but when they arrived at ports or airports in their home countries. He warned that fans caught with any counterfeit products on their return -- particularly in Europe -- would face heavy fines and possibly imprisonment if found guilty. "Even if you are found with the smallest item, even just one item, you will face at least a fine," Zimmermann said. "My message to fans that buy these fakes, is to take care when you come back because there is a very good chance you will be caught," he said.
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
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
After nearly six years away from the NBA, New Taipei Kings player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) is set to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars mini-tournament as the coach of Team G League. The NBA announced Monday (U.S. time) that the Taiwanese-American player will join a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers – Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond – as honorary coaches for four teams featuring 28 rising talents. "See you soon in the Bay," Lin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the news. As the All-Star Weekend will take place at
The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly US$17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans, was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana to four years and nine months after pleading guilty last year. He was ordered to pay US$18 million in restitution, with nearly US$17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the US Internal Revenue Service. He was