FORMULA ONE
Russia renews bid
Russia is making a renewed bid to bring Formula One racing to Sochi with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone agreeing terms for a Grand Prix to be held in 2014, the same year the Black Sea resort hosts the Winter Olympics. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whose backing was crucial in Sochi winning the right to host the Games, is to visit the city today to sign an agreement for work to begin on the construction of a new US$200 million circuit. Ecclestone told local media that after several rounds of negotiations with the Russian authorities the conditions for the contract have been agreed. He said that the annual fee Russia would pay for hosting a Grand Prix would be comparable with that of around US$40 million paid by new Grand Prix hosts Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
BASEBALL
Gonzalez to manage Braves
Fredi Gonzalez, the former manager of the Florida Marlins, has been hired as the new manager of Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Tuesday. The 46-year-old native of Cuba will be introduced today as the replacement for friend and mentor Bobby Cox, according to the newspaper, citing unnamed sources. Gonzalez worked under Cox as the Braves’ third-base coach from 2003 to 2006 and Cox, 69, is a friend and mentor. Cox’s 25-year tenure as the Braves field boss ended with a playoff loss to San Francisco on Monday.
SOCCER
Govou faces Greek wrath
France international Sidney Govou has incurred the wrath of his new club, Panathinaikos, after breaking their strict rules governing nights out. The Greek champions want a written explanation from the striker by tomorrow after he was reportedly seen at an Athens nightclub late on Sunday, Sport.gr reported. A Panathinaikos spokesman refused to comment on the report, save to confirm that the club has asked for a written response by Govou by tomorrow. This is the third incident involving the 32-year-old former Lyon player since his arrival in Greece. On Oct. 3 Govou was first warned about defying the team’s curfew when he returned home late, and on Sept. 17 he reported late for a practice session. On this latest occasion he is reported to have stayed out beyond a 3am curfew.
SOCCER
Ferdinand under warrant
A warrant for the arrest of Sunderland soccer player Anton Ferdinand was issued on Tuesday after the Black Cats defender failed to appear in court for a driving offence. Ferdinand, whose brother Rio was captaining England against Montenegro at Wembley later that day, had been due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates Court where he was expected to face a driving ban. A spokesman for Northumbria Police confirmed a warrant without bail had been issued for the 25-year-old defender’s arrest after the no-show. Ferdinand was charged after allegedly being caught using a cellphone while driving his Range Rover in July.
ICE HOCKEY
Gesture nets suspension
New York Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended two games for an inappropriate gesture toward New York Rangers forward Sean Avery in a recent game, the NHL said on Tuesday. Wisniewski and Avery had exchanged words during a stoppage of play in the first period of Monday’s game before the defenseman made the gesture. Wisniewski will be eligible to return on Saturday against Colorado.
Two people died on Thursday after fans and police clashed outside the Estadio Monumental in Santiago ahead of a game in South America’s Copa Libertadores, Chilean authorities said. The fatalities happened shortly before the match between Chile’s Colo-Colo and Brazilian club Fortaleza, when police blocked about 100 fans when they attempted to enter the stadium. There were conflicting accounts of how the fatalities occurred, with local media reporting that one of the dead was a 13-year-old boy. The other victim was an 18-year-old woman, according to a relative at the hospital where she was treated. The fans died after being caught underneath a
College basketballer Kaitlyn Chen has become the first female player of Taiwanese descent to be drafted by a WNBA team, after the Golden State Valkyries selected her in the third and final round of the league’s draft on Monday. Chen, a point guard who played her first three seasons in college for Princeton University, transferred to the University of Connecticut (UConn) for her final season, which culminated in a national championship earlier this month. While at Princeton, Chen was named the Ivy League tournament’s most outstanding player three times from 2022 to last year. Prior to the draft, ESPN described Chen as
College basketballer Kaitlyn Chen (陳凱玲) has become the first player of Taiwanese descent to be drafted by a WNBA team, after being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the third and final round of the league's draft yesterday. Chen, a point guard who played her first three seasons in college for Princeton University, transferred to the University of Connecticut (UConn) for her final season, which culminated in a national championship on April 6. While at Princeton, Chen was named the Ivy League tournament's most outstanding player three times from 2022 to last year. Prior to the draft, ESPN described Chen as a
Japan yesterday secured a second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup finals appearance with a 2-1 win over 2023 champions Canada, thanks to Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama’s 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 win over Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino in the qualifying doubles decider. Shibahara and Aoyama powered through the opening set 6-3, breaking twice for a quick 3-0 lead. Cross and Marino hit back in the second, edging it 7-5 to level the match, before the Japanese pair regained control in the third. Canada’s 18-year-old Victoria Mboko edged Shibahara 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-5 in a marathon opening clash. Mboko fired eight aces to
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