BASKETBALL
Lin silent on racism claim
Jeremy Lin said he would not name the person alleged to have called him “coronavirus” on the basketball court, as it would do little in the fight against racism. US media said the NBA’s G League had launched an investigation after the Taiwanese-American made the claim in a Facebook post on Thursday. “I know this will disappoint some of you but I’m not naming or shaming anyone,” Lin wrote on Twitter. “What good does it do in this situation for someone to be torn down? It doesn’t make my community safer or solve any of our long-term problems with racism.” The former NBA guard said there were better ways to support Asian American communities experiencing racism. “Fighting ignorance with ignorance will get us nowhere. Sharing our own pain by painting another group of people with stereotypes is not the way,” he said. “Listen to the voices that are teaching us how to be anti-racist towards ALL people. Hear others’ stories, expand your perspective, stop comparing experiences. I believe this generation can be different.”
MOROR RACING
Tanak holds Arctic lead
Ott Tanak on Saturday won three of the six stages to maintain his lead in the Arctic Rally. The Estonian, who drives for Hyundai, complained of tire issues after finishing second in the last two stages of the day. “It went to plan,” Tanak said. “The tires were quite tired, so it was important to get here without any mistakes.” On the day that it was announced that one of Finland’s greatest rally drivers, Hannu Mikkola, had died aged 78, 20-year-old Kalle Rovanpera climbed to second in his home rally, winning the sixth stage of the day. Tanak leads Toyota’s Rovanpera by 24.9 seconds. Belgian Thierry Neuville won the last stage of the day by 12.3 seconds in his Hyundai to close to 1.8 seconds further back in third. World champion Sebastien Ogier, who started this season with victory in Monte Carlo, drove into a snowbank on the final turn of the day. Ogier and his codriver, Julien Ingrassia, finished the stage, but dropped from sixth to 22nd in the standings.
SAILING
America’s Cup delayed
The first weekend of America’s Cup racing between Team New Zealand and Italy’s Luna Rossa next week has been postponed because of the latest COVID-19 lockdown in Auckland, organizers said yesterday. The first two race days, which were scheduled to take place in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday, have been pushed forward “to provide at least some certainty in planning for all event stakeholders,” America’s Cup Event said in a statement.
SOCCER
US ends kneeling ban
US Soccer on Saturday formally scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem, following a vote of members at the federation’s annual meeting. US Soccer’s board of directors repealed the policy last year, but the decision required confirmation by the full membership of the ruling body. At Saturday’s meeting, the board’s decision to scrap the rule was backed by 71 percent of voters, with 29 percent against. Explaining the decision to repeal the policy last year, US Soccer said the rule was wrong and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and other minorities.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely