SAILING
Crew member dies in race
A crew member on a German yacht competing in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Transatlantic Race died following an accident during the crossing from Spain to Antigua, race organizers said on Tuesday. German yacht Walross 4 was near the halfway point of the 3,000-nautical-mile (5,556km) race when an unidentified crew member was knocked unconscious on Monday, the club said previously. The boat was being sailed by German skipper Matthias Kahnt and a novice crew of students. The injured crew member was transferred to a nearby commercial vessel as part of a coordinated rescue, but later died, organizers said in a statement.
Photo: Reuters
SOCCER
No World Cup boycott: France
The French government does not support boycotting this year’s FIFA World Cup finals being cohosted by the US, over US President Donald Trump’s Greenland threats, French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Marina Ferrari said late on Tuesday. Trump has threatened France with tariffs for its opposition to his drive to annex Greenland. That prompted French lawmaker Eric Coquerel to say the US should be stripped of cohosting this year’s World Cup. “As it stands now, there is no desire from the ministry for a boycott of this great competition,” Ferrari told reporters, adding that she believes in keeping sport separate from politics. Coquerel said he could not see how France could play in the World Cup if Trump went through with his threats over Greenland. “Seriously one imagines going to play the World Cup in a country who attacks its ‘neighbors,’ threatens to invade Greenland and rides rough shod over international law,” he said.
CHESS
Naroditsky report released
American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky had a combination of stimulant and psychoactive substances in his system when he died last year, a toxicology report released by North Carolina authorities showed. Naroditsky, 29, was found dead at his home in Charlotte in October last year. At the time, police said his death was being investigated as a possible overdose or suicide. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, who had accused Naroditsky of cheating in online games, on Tuesday issued a statement expressing condolences to Naroditsky’s family while rejecting claims that his conduct played a role in the grandmaster’s death. “I deeply regret that this profound tragedy was exploited by various individuals and groups to advance their own agendas,” Kramnik said. “There can be no justification for such immoral conduct.”
GOLF
Ballesteros statue missing
Spanish authorities have launched an investigation following the disappearance of a statue commemorating former World No. 1 Seve Ballesteros from his hometown of Pedrena. The Marina de Cudeyo Town Council confirmed the incident on Sunday through its social media accounts, describing the disappearance as “an unfortunate event” and suggesting foul play. “Everything indicates that it was a theft,” the council said. The statue, which has been a focal point in tiny Pedrena as a tribute to Ballesteros’ enduring legacy, vanished sometime over the weekend, local police said, indicating that they are working to identify those responsible and recover the tribute.
MARRED FINAL: As most of Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a controversial decision, some supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the pitch Senegal on Sunday won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sunk hosts Morocco 1-0 after a chaotic final that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with a controversial spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time as ugly scenes broke out in the stands. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted “Panenka” chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.
James Harden on Friday scored 31 points and came up big in overtime to help the Los Angeles Clippers erase a double-digit deficit on the way to a 121-117 NBA victory over the Toronto Raptors. Harden scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Clippers pushed their wining steak to five games despite the absence of star Kawhi Leonard with a sprained right ankle. The Clippers trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Harden drilled a pair of free-throws with 1:24 left in regulation to tie it and after misses from both teams, they went to
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
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