TRACK AND FIELD
Hobbs qualifies for Olympics
Zoe Hobbs on Sunday became the first female sprinter from New Zealand to qualify for an Olympic Games 100m in nearly 50 years after setting a personal best to win her heat at the Continental Tour Challenger in Switzerland. Hobbs, 25, ran 10.96 seconds in the heats at La Chaux-de-Fonds before winning the final in 11.13 seconds. The previous New Zealand female sprinter to compete in an Olympic Games 100m was Sue Jowett in 1976 in Montreal. “When I saw the time come up I couldn’t believe it,” Hobbs said, adding that it “takes a massive weight off my shoulders.”
CRICKET
Bangladesh pays to stay
Bangladesh cricket authorities yesterday said they had compensated three senior players a total of US$65,000 for choosing to play for the national team rather than in the lucrative Indian Premier League this season. “This is just a small gesture on our part,” Bangladesh Cricket Board cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus said, with the cash to be split among Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Liton Das. “They did not demand any money from us formally, but we felt they should be at least partially compensated, if not fully.” Jalal said this would not be a regular practice.
SOCCER
US heads to Gold quarters
Jesus Ferreira on Sunday became the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks for the US as the Gold Cup hosts beat Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals. Jamaica also qualified for the last eight from Group A with ease after beating St Kitts and Nevis 5-0 in Santa Clara, California. In Group B, Qatar stunned Mexico 1-0 to advance. The win over the already-qualified Mexico denied Honduras, who beat Haiti 2-1.
TRACK AND FIELD
Olympian boos protesters
Norwegian Olympic champion Karsten Warholm on Sunday won his 400m hurdles race and then turned to join the crowd in booing environmental protesters who disrupted the Diamond League event near the finish in Stockholm. Three people kneeled on the track about 8m from the line holding two banners that spanned from lanes one to six, forcing runners to break through them. No athlete appeared to be hurt. Running in lane eight, Warholm had no barrier in his way, but was visibly angry with the protesters as they were led away while spectators booed. “It is permissible to protest, but this is not the way to do it,” Warholm told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “It is disrespectful to those who are here to do a good job. I must honestly admit that I’m pissed off.”
ICE HOCKEY
Union approves new league
It is game on for a new, yet-to-be named women’s pro hockey league to launch in January after union members cleared the final major hurdle on Sunday by unanimously ratifying a collective bargaining agreement and a constitution, a person with direct knowledge of the vote said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association has not announced the result of the vote conducted by its 97 members. The ratification effectively clears the way to launching the new league, which would bring together the top female stars in North America.
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
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
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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