CZECH REPUBLIC
Russian athletes banned
The government on Wednesday said that it had banned all athletes representing Russia from taking part in local competitions as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued. The government said it banned “the participation of individual athletes and sports teams representing the Russian Federation in sports competitions and games organised on Czech soil.” At the same time, athletes and teams representing the Czech Republic must not take part in competitions held in Russia, it said in a statement.
BASKETBALL
NBA agreement signed
The NBA and the players union on Wednesday said that the new collective bargaining agreement has been signed by both parties, just in time for the start of free agency today. The league and players had ratified the seven-year deal in April and it takes effect tomorrow. Although it is slated to run through the 2029-2030 season, either side can opt out a year early, but must declare its intention to do so by Oct. 15, 2028. The deal includes new penalties for high-spending teams that flout salary cap restrictions and incorporates an in-season tournament similar to cup competitions in European soccer.
GYMNASTICS
Simone Biles to return
Simone Biles is poised to compete in August for the first time since mental health and safety concerns cut short her Tokyo Olympics campaign, entering the August US Classic near Chicago. USA Gymnastics on Wednesday announced that the four-time Olympic gold medalist was entered in the Aug. 4 and 5 event, which would be her first since she withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo in 2021. “Registration ... does not guarantee participation,” USA Gymnastics said in the statement. “Every athlete is at a different place in their season and career, and we will support each of them, wherever they are in their journey,” USA Gymnastics chief programs officer Stefanie Korepin said.
SOCCER
Miami appoint Martino
Inter Miami have appointed former Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo Martino to take charge of the Major League Soccer team, setting up a reunion with compatriot Lionel Messi. Martino, widely known as “Tata,” coached Messi at the Spanish club and for the national team. He was most recently in charge of Mexico and previously worked in MLS with Atlanta United, winning the title in 2018. Martino’s arrival was widely expected after Miami, rock bottom of the Eastern Conference, fired their English coach Phil Neville. The 60-year-old is take over the team from interim coach Javier Morales once his work documentation has been completed. “We are very happy to be able to welcome Tata to Inter Miami. We feel he is a coach who matches our ambitions as a club and we’re optimistic about what we can accomplish together,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. “Tata has coached at the highest levels and we believe that experience will be hugely beneficial to us as we aim to compete for titles here.” Messi earlier this month said that he was joining Miami, having opted to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract.
Tallon Griekspoor on Friday stunned top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) in the second round at Indian Wells, avenging a devastating loss to the German at Roland Garros last year. Zverev, the world No. 2 who is heading the field of the prestigious ATP Masters event with No. 1 Jannik Sinner serving a three-month drugs ban, is the first Indian Wells men’s top seed to lose his opening match since Andy Murray in 2017. It was a cherished win for Griekspoor, who had lost five straight matches — including four last year — to the German. That included a five-setter
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday scored 26 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the NBA playoffs with a hard-fought 112-107 victory over the Miami Heat. A seesaw battle in Cleveland saw the Heat threaten to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening up a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs clawed back the deficit in the closing minutes to seal their 12th straight victory and a place in the post-season. The Cavaliers improved to 52-10, maintaining their stranglehold on the Eastern Conference with 20 games of the regular season remaining. Mitchell was one of six Cleveland
Five-time champion Novak Djokovic on Saturday tumbled out of the Indian Wells ATP Masters, falling in his first match to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp as two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced. “No excuses for a poor performance,” 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic said after 37 unforced errors in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 defeat. “It doesn’t feel great when you play this way on the court,” he said. “But congratulations to my opponent — just a bad day in the office, I guess, for me.” Djokovic is just the latest in Van de Zandschulp’s string of superstar victims. He
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