MOTOR RACING
Villas-Boas to enters WRC
Andre Villas-Boas is to make his World Rally Championship (WRC) debut in Portugal this month, organizers said on Tuesday. “Some of the biggest intrigue in Portugal will be reserved for car 57, driven by Andre Villas-Boas. The former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur soccer manager has been an avid rally fan for some time and will make his WRC debut,” the WRC said in a statement. Villas-Boas is to race in a Citroen C3 in the third-tier WRC3, which is reserved for privately entered crews. The 43-year-old has been away from soccer since his departure from Olympique de Marseille in February. In 2018, he took part in the Dakar Rally, having to retire with a back injury. The Portugal leg of the WRC is to be held from May 20 to 23.
CRICKET
MacGill allegedly kidnapped
Former Australia Test cricketer Stuart MacGill was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and threatened with a firearm before being released in Sydney last month. New South Wales state police yesterday arrested and charged four men in relation to the incident, including one who is allegedly known to MacGill. Police say the 50-year-old MacGill was confronted by a man at Cremorne in Sydney’s north on April 14, before two other men arrived and helped force him into a vehicle and take him to the city’s southwest, where he was allegedly assaulted. He was reportedly held for about an hour before being driven to another location and released. Police believed the motive was financial although no ransom demands were made, Detective Acting Superintendent Anthony Holton told a news conference. Police said MacGill sustained minor injuries, but did not need medical treatment.
CYCLING
Spreafico banned for doping
Italian rider Matteo Spreafico has been banned for three years after failing two anti-doping tests during the Giro d’Italia in October last year, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement. The 28-year-old, who rides for the Italian team Vini Zabu, failed two tests for the banned steroid ostarine during last year’s Giro and has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained at the race. The UCI said that Spreafico’s ban was backdated and effective until Oct. 21, 2023. Vini Zabu were last month suspended for 30 days after two of their riders tested positive for banned substances in a 12-month period. Following Spreafico’s failed tests, teammate Matteo de Bonis tested positive in March for the banned blood-booster erythropoietin. The positive tests led to the team withdrawing from this year’s Giro.
CRICKET
India helps stranded Aussies
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to help to move Australia’s entire IPL cohort to the Maldives or Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia interim chief executive Nick Hockley said yesterday. The IPL was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday as India’s COVID-19 crisis escalates, but the decision left Australian and other foreign participants looking for ways to leave the country. Australia has banned travelers from India who have been in the country within the past 14 days, but Hockley said that the players would wait outside India for approval to head home. Australia has banned travelers from India until Saturday next week.
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