RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) by Sebastian Smith A riot during the Olympic torch relay cast a shadow over the Rio Games starting in just over a week Thursday, marking a new low in a ritual that had been meant to unite Brazil. The torch is nearing the end of a 300-city relay that will end with the lighting of the Olympic flame in the Maracana stadium at the opening ceremony on August 5. But […]
Sports
Olympics: UK anti-doping chief hails ‘innovative’ swimming tests
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – The head of United Kingdom Anti-Doping believes a partnership programme of pre-Olympic drug tests conducted by world swimming governing body FINA and 15 national anti-doping agencies will help “safeguard the integrity” of events in the pool at the Rio Games. FINA announced a Games ban on seven Russian swimmers on Monday, a day after the International Olympic Committee caused widespread controversy by declining to impose a blanket suspension on Russia, despite evidence […]
Friendly match ng Phil. Azkals vs. Perth Glory, isinagawa sa Ilocos Sur
ILOCOS Sur (Eagle News) — Dinagsa ng libu-libong Ilocano at karatig ng Probinsiya ang Quirino Stadium, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, noong Martes ng gabi, July 26. Kung saan ay nasaksihan ang friendly match ng Philippine Azkals laban sa Perth Glory ng Australia, ngunit bigo ang Philippine football team Azkals. Naging dikit ang laban sa first half kung saan walang nakapag-goal sa magkabilang team. Ngunit pagsapit ng ika-67 na minuto ng second half, isang magandang pasa mula sa kaliwa […]
NBA: Veteran big man Stoudemire retires
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Six-Time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement as a player in the National Basketball Association on Tuesday, going out as a Knick after inking a final contract with New York. Stoudemire thanked Knicks brass for signing him so that he could officially retire as a member of the storied franchise. “I came to New York in 2010 to help revitalize this franchise and we did just that,” he said. […]
Olympics: Durant hopes Rio gold quest eases Golden State move
by Jim SLATER WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant is ready for another starring role on the US Olympic team, hoping Rio heroics will relax him after a tumultuous NBA move from Oklahoma City to Golden State. The 27-year-old forward averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists a game for the Thunder last season, leading them within one win of the NBA Finals. But in early July, Durant signed a two-year deal worth […]
NBA legend Jordan speaks out, condemns US gun violence
by Rebecca BRYAN LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Basketball icon Michael Jordan, long reluctant to speak out on social issues, on Monday condemned gun violence that has heightened racial tensions in America and pledged $2 million toward finding a solution. “I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent,” Jordan said in a letter released via theundefeated.com, a website backed by ESPN. It was a watershed moment for […]
Olympics: USA romp past China in Rio warm-up
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The USA, warming up for a run at their third straight Olympic men’s basketball gold, romped to a 106-57 friendly victory over China on Sunday. The game at Staples Center, home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, was a preview of the teams’ scheduled August 6 clash in Rio de Janeiro, in the first-round opener for each. Kevin Durant, the erstwhile Oklahoma City Thunder star […]
Rio mayor says arrests over suspected terrorism show effective security operations
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) — Rio de Janeiro Mayor, Eduardo Paes, said the arrest of 10 people suspected of planning a terrorist attack during the Olympic Games on Thursday (July 21) showed Brazil’s security forces are working effectively. “I see it in a positive light, it shows that the security forces are working – the suspects, the investigation, intelligence, the arrest of 10 people in Sao Paulo and in Curitiba – this shows that […]
Olympics: Russia anger after Rio ban appeal rejected
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) – by Agnès Pedrero in Lausanne and Ben Simon in Geneva The international sports tribunal on Thursday rejected an appeal by Russian athletes against a Rio Olympics ban amid mounting pressure for action over state-run doping in Russia. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on track and field is seen as a key indicator as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) debates whether to order a blanket ban on Russia from the Rio […]
‘Field of Dreams’ offers baseball hope in Philippines
Inspired by the Kevin Costner “Field of Dreams” movie, a baseball program is giving children from a slum in one of the Philippines’ biggest garbage dumps a chance to rise out of poverty. https://youtu.be/MAT6kgoF8fs
PBA: TNT KaTropa edges Rain or Shine for first Governors’ Cup win
By Diego de la Paz QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – TNT KaTropa survived a second half surge from Rain or Shine to pull out a 101-98 win out of the fire in their debut game in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In a cruel twist for the reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion, TNT KaTropa managed to keep Rain or Shine scoreless in the last 6:18 of […]
PBA: Mahindra tops Globalport, stays perfect in Governors’ Cup
By Diego de la Paz QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – Mahindra stayed perfect in its young PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign after pulling out a 108-98 win on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. James White, inspired by the marching orders of interim Head Coach Chris Gavina, asserted his might against the shorthanded Batang Pier and scored 28 points with 20 rebounds and four blocked shots. Aldrech Ramos added 16 points on a near-perfect […]
