ATHLETICS
Kipyegon misses milestone
Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya fell well short in her bid to become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile on Thursday. Aided by wavelength technology and 13 pacers, 11 male and two women, Kipyegon clocked 4 minutes, 6.42 seconds over 1.6km in perfect conditions at Stade Charlety in Paris, France. The time was better than her own world record of 4:07.64 in the non-Olympic event set in Monaco in 2023, but it would not stand as a new world record given the presence of male pacemakers. “I’m exhausted, I feel tired,” the 31-year-old Kipyegon said. “I tried to be the fastest woman under four minutes, I’ve proven it’s possible, it’s only a matter of time. I think it will come one day, if not me, someone else,” she added.
Photo: AFP
CYCLING
Chris, Sarah Hoy honored
British Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy and his wife, Sarra Hoy, have been honored with the freedom of the City of London. The pair have been recognized for their charitable work raising awareness for cancer and neonatal care, alongside Hoy’s contribution to sport as a six-time Olympic gold medalist. The couple, who were married in 2010, attended a joint ceremony at the Lord Mayor of London’s official residence, Mansion House, on Thursday. Hoy, 49, revealed in October last year that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and was told by doctors he had between two and four years to live. The freedom of the City of London recognizes individuals for significant contributions to London or public life more generally, as well as outstanding achievements.
SOCCER
Lewis-Skelly signs new deal
Young Arsenal prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly has set his sights on winning “everything there is to win in the game” after signing a new long-term Arsenal contract that would make him one of the best-paid teenagers in the world. The 18-year-old has been rewarded for a breakthrough season during which he became the youngest player to score on his senior debut for England. Lewis-Skelly, who joined Arsenal’s academy aged eight, is understood to have committed his future to Arsenal until 2030 after making 23 English Premier League appearances last season. There had been rumors of interest from Real Madrid after his performances against them in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, but Arsenal were keen to wrap up a new deal with Lewis-Skelly about to enter the final 12 months of his first professional contract, signed in 2023.
NBA
Suns acquire Fleming
The Phoenix Suns opened the second round of the NBA draft by taking Rasheer Fleming after agreeing to acquire the pick earlier on Thursday from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves still made the No. 31 pick, but Phoenix and Minnesota had worked out the swap a few hours earlier, a person with knowledge of the details said on condition of anonymity because the deal was not officially announced. Fleming, a forward from Saint Joseph’s, averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season, ranking in the top four in the Atlantic 10 in rebounds and blocks. The draft picked up where it left off at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York — although in a much smaller portion of it than was used Wednesday for the first round.
While British star Jack Draper spent the past week trying to find rhythm and comfort in his first grass tournament of the season at the Queen’s Club Championships in London, Jiri Lehecka on Saturday bulldozed everything in his path. After more than two furious hours of battle, their form was reflected in the final scoreline as Lehecka toppled a frustrated Draper, the second seed, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to reach the biggest final of his career, against Carlos Alcaraz. Lehecka is also the first Czech to reach the men’s title match at Queen’s since Ivan Lendl lifted the trophy in 1990. Draper, who
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka staged a “crazy comeback,” saving four match points before beating Elena Rybakina 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (6) in the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open on Friday. Sabalenka was 6-2 down in the final-set tie-breaker, but won six straight points to reach her eighth semi-final of the season. “Elena is a great player and we’ve had a lot of tough battles,” Sabalenka said. “I have no idea how I was able to win those last points. I think I just got lucky.” “I remember a long time ago when I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down
The Canterbury Crusaders edged the Waikato Chiefs 16-12 in an intense Super Rugby Pacific final battle in Christchurch yesterday to claim their 15th title in 30 years of the Southern Hemisphere competition. Hooker Codie Taylor scored a try and Rivez Reihana contributed 11 points from the kicking tee as the most dominant team in Super Rugby history extended their perfect home playoff record to 32 successive matches since 1998. The Chiefs, who were looking for a first title since 2013, scored first-half tries through George Dyer and Shaun Stevenson, but were unable to register a point after the break and fell to
REUNION: Former Barcelona players Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Miami coach Javier Mascherano are to face their former coach Luis Enrique Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi faces a tantalizing reunion with former club Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup last 16 after both sides on Monday progressed to the knockout phase. Miami drew 2-2 with Palmeiras to go through second in Group A, after the Brazilian side fought back from two goals down to seal top spot. They now face an all-Brazil clash against Botafogo, who lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, but progressed from Group B in second at the expense of the Spaniards. Champions of Europe PSG won the group with a 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders, paving the
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