Sports

Ukraine twins smiling through bombs to go for Olympic gold

By Anna Malpas in Kharkiv, Jonathan Brown in Kyiv, Philippe Siuberski in Montpellier and Diane Falconer in Fukuoka As synchronised swimmers, Maryna and Vladyslava Aleksiiva are used to having to smile no matter what. The sunny sisters are one of Ukraine’s best hopes of a gold medal at the Paris Olympics after winning a bronze in artistic swimming at the Tokyo Games three years ago. But the trials the 22-year-old twins have been put through […]

Michael Owen would ‘give my eyes’ to help son see again

Former England striker Michael Owen has said he would give son James “my eyes” to help him see fully again. James Owen, 17, was diagnosed with the degenerative eye condition Stargardt disease aged just eight. Speaking on the BBC Access All podcast, former Liverpool forward Michael Owen said: “You want to swap with him; if I could give him my eyes and we’d do a swap then I would tomorrow of course… I would pay […]

India’s Bopanna becomes oldest world No.1, aged 43

MELBOURNE, Jan 24, 2024 (AFP) – India’s Rohan Bopanna will become the oldest number one in men’s doubles history after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday at the age of 43. Bopanna, who attributes his longevity to yoga, turned professional more than two decades ago and his previous highest ranking was third, which he reached in 2013. Wednesday’s win for Bopanna and Australian partner Matthew Ebden against Argentine pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni […]

Japan FA condemns ‘shameful’ racist abuse of goalkeeper

DOHA, Jan 24, 2024 (AFP) – Japan’s football association on Wednesday condemned the “shameful behaviour” of fans who racially abused Zion Suzuki online following the goalkeeper’s performances at the Asian Cup. Pre-tournament favourites Japan were beaten 2-1 by Iraq in the group phase on Friday in Doha with Suzuki responsible for one of the goals. The US-born 21-year-old, whose father is Ghanaian-American and whose mother is Japanese, said he was subsequently racially abused on social […]

James, Embiid, Curry headline star-studded US Olympic squad

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid were named among a 41-strong player pool for the USA’s 2024 Olympics basketball roster on Tuesday. The star-studded roster will be whittled down to a 12-man squad for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, where the US will be chasing a fifth consecutive gold medal. The provisional player pool contains 28 players who have represented the USA at an Olympics or FIBA World Cup, […]

Cavaliers’ Thompson suspended 25 games for doping: NBA

Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson has been given a 25-game suspension after testing positive for banned drugs, the NBA said on Tuesday. An NBA statement said Thompson had been suspended without pay after traces of the growth hormone ibutamoren and bodybuilding supplement SARM LGD-4033 were found in his system. Thompson will start his suspension on Wednesday when Cleveland face the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. Thompson, 32, is in his second spell at Cleveland after […]

Paris’ grittiest suburb awaits Olympics dividend

By Adam PLOWRIGHT From the windows of “Les Bons Vivants” cafe, a short walk from the athletes’ village for the Paris Olympics, the changes underway in the once run-down neighbourhood are instantly visible. Next door, the makeover of the 130-metre (430-foot) Tour Pleyel skyscraper is nearly complete, turning the 1970s eyesore into a modern landmark that will host a four-star hotel and a pool with panoramic views. Its private owner started the 500-million euros ($550 […]

Jokic nets season-high 42 to lead NBA Nuggets over Wizards

WASHINGTON, Jan 22, 2024 (AFP) – Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 42 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to power the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets over Washington 113-104 on Sunday. The Serbian superstar center, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, made 15-of-20 shots from the floor and 12-of-14 free throws while adding eight assists, three blocks and a steal against the host Wizards. “It’s never easy. Not 42,” Jokic said. “It’s just a mindset. We […]

Five Olympic stars to watch in Paris

PARIS, Jan 22, 2024 (AFP) – When the Paris Olympics open in six months’ time on July 26, these five stars will be expected to light up the venues, delighting spectators and a TV audience of billions: SIMONE BILES (USA, gymnastics) After a two-year hiatus US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles vaults into Paris as potentially the biggest headline act of the 2024 Games. The four-time Olympic gold medallist was meant to be the poster star […]

Lakers post convincing win over Mavs despite Doncic return

LOS ANGELES, Jan 18, 2024 (AFP) – The Los Angeles Lakers, fueled by a near triple-double from Anthony Davis, spoiled Luka Doncic’s return from injury with a convincing 127-110 NBA victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Davis scored 28 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists and D’Angelo Russell scored 29 for the Lakers, who withstood a triple-double from Doncic — who had missed three games with a sprained right ankle. Doncic scored 33 […]

Djokovic confronts heckler as he battles through at Australian Open

By John WEAVER MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2024 (AFP) – Novak Djokovic said an angry altercation with a fan may have helped get him over the line during a testing second-round encounter at the Australian Open against home favourite Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday. The world number one showed his trademark mental strength to face down his inspired opponent, prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in more than three hours. It followed a gruelling first-round match on […]

Embiid scores 41 on return for Sixers, Lakers end Thunder streak

Joel Embiid scored 41 points in a dazzling return from injury on Monday as the Philadelphia 76ers romped past the Houston Rockets 124-115. Kicking off a packed slate of NBA fixtures as the US marked the Martin Luther King Jr. public holiday, the Sixers were always in control as they cruised to victory. Embiid missed the Sixers’ past three games after twisting his left knee in a January 5 defeat to the New York Knicks. […]