MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016 SPORTS

Aregawi Rio hopes dashed Finland set to return Australia’s Gerrans, after suspension lifted to MotoGP calendar Hewitt out of Rio SYDNEY: Australia’s Olympic hopes were dented yesterday as road STOCKHOLM: Abeba Aregawi will not be selected for next month’s Rio Olympics BONN: Finland is set to host a MotoGP round in 2018, the coun- cyclist Simon Gerrans withdrew from the Rio Games with an injury and despite having her doping suspension lifted following a positive test for meldo- try’s first appearance on the calendar since 1982, while Germany Lleyton Hewitt was set to pull out as tennis coach. Gerrans, 36, was due nium, the Swedish Athletics Association (SAA) said yesterday. Aregawi has not has agreed a contract extension until at least 2021, promoters to ride in his third Games, but was forced to quit the Tour de France on competed in 2016 due to her suspension, which was lifted on Thursday, but still Dorna said yesterday. Dorna said in a statement that agreement Thursday after breaking his collarbone in a crash. He later underwent sur- hoped to be included in Sweden’s Olympic team. SAA general secretary Stefan had been reached for Finland’s KymiRing, a circuit under con- gery in Spain. “With my current injury my (Olympics) preparation would Olsson, however, said in a statement that uncertainty surrounding Aregawi’s struction at Tillola near the city of Kouvola, to be approved in be seriously jeopardised, and so too my performance at the Games,” “medical and physical status and environment” would have to be clarified before time for the 2018 season. Finland hosted motorcycle grands prix Gerrans wrote in a letter to team officials. “For Australia to have the best she could be considered for selection. Team coach Karin Torneklint in Tampere and Imatra between 1962 and 1982. The late Jarno chance to achieve the best result possible, I feel I should be replaced by added that the SAA committee’s decision meant that the Saarinen, who died at Monza in Italy in 1973, is the only Finn to one of the riders in the squad.” Cycling Australia will select a replacement Ethiopian-born 26-year-old would not be nominated for have won a motorcycle grand prix world championship, in 250cc rider later this week, the Australian Olympic Committee Sweden’s Olympic squad. Aregawi’s doping suspension was lift- in 1972. Dorna also announced, in a statement issued at the (AOC) said. Also representing Australia’s men road cycling ed after the Swedish Sports Confederation said it had not been German Grand Prix at Sachsenring, a new five-year deal for team are London Games’ track silver medallist Rohan proven that she had taken meldonium after it was added to Germany to remain on the calendar. “We and the ADAC (German Dennis and Richie Porte, a regular Grand Tour contender. the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of banned sub- Automobile Club) will be making a joint announcement in the A fourth rider has yet to be named. Meanwhile, Tennis stances on Jan. 1. The former 1500m world champion was sus- next few weeks concerning the venue for the German MotoGP Australia informed the AOC they would be applying to pended by the SAA in February following a positive test round,” said Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta. ADAC sports Olympic chiefs to replace coach and former for meldonium, from a sample taken in Addis president Hermann Tomczyk said negotiations were ongoing for world number one Hewitt with Mark Draper Ababa on Jan. 12 this year.— Reuters the Sachsenring to remain the venue. —Reuters at the Games.—AFP

Kuwait takes unassailable lead over Malaysia in Davis Cup

By Abdellatif Sharaa and led by 2/0 before this important Yarmouk Sports Club. He said PAS was Kuwaiti, Gulf and Arab player to receive match. able to prepare the court in record time this honor by the International Tennis KUWAIT: Kuwait has taken a command- President of Kuwait and Arab Tennis and contributed to reflecting a good Federation (ITF). In fact he is one of the ing lead and guaranteed its win over Federations Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- image of Kuwait. few players in the world to receive this Malaysia, when doubles players Abdallah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah congratulat- The matches were attended by distinguished achievement. The ITF Mohammad Al-Ghareeb and Abdallah ed Kuwait national team on their win in deputy chairman of Kuwait Tennis Award was presented by its representa- Maqdis defeated Malaysia’s Mohammad Kuwait and under the Kuwait flag. He Federation Abdelsamad Al-Aryan, tive, the general referee in this event Marzouqi and Sayed Mohammad Najeeb said Kuwaiti players proved they deserve Treasurer, Director of the event Faleh Al- Khalid Al-Serjani accompanied by Kuwait in a marathon match that lasted 4.5 the win, so Kuwait is the only Arab coun- Otaibi, Assistant Treasurer Ahmad Al- Tennis Federation Vice-president hours. The match did not start well for try in the region the plays in the second Qallaf, board member Ali Saleem Al- Abdelsamad Habeeb Al-Aryan. the Kuwaiti players who lost the first set group of Asia and Oceania within the Daihani, Technical Director Abbas Al- Mohammad Al-Ghareeb dedicated with a score of 6/7 in a tie break, and Davis Cup tournament, and he wished Busairi. this win to HH the Amir, HH the Crown then they won the second set 6/3, only Kuwaiti players more success in the Meanwhile, Kuwait tennis player Prince and HH the Prime Minister. He also for the Malaysian team to win the third future. Mohammad Al-Ghareeb was honored in dedicated it to PAS head, and its Director set 3/6. The Kuwaiti players, who were Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdallah appreciation of his continued represen- General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Al- under pressure, were able to win the Al-Jaber Al-Sabah thanked the Public tation of his county in Davis Cup for 20 Sabah, and Kuwait Tennis Federation and fourth set 6/4 and the fifth set also end- Authority for Sport headed by Sheikh years. Al-Ghareeb played 65 individual its President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- ed 6/4, leaving the Malaysians in total Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and double matches winning most of Abdallah Al-Sabah. shock. and lauded the speed in which mainte- them. He said this honoring is for Kuwait Kuwait had won its first two matches nance job was done on the main court of Mohammad Al-Ghareeb is the first sports in general and tennis in particular. Storm take over top spot in NRL

BRISBANE: The moved to the top of the Australian National when they nar- rowly beat last-placed Newcastle Knights in Newcastle yesterday. The 20-16 win was enough to move the Storm ahead of the Cronulla Sharks on points for and against. The Sharks didn’t play this weekend because of a split round due to the final State of Origin match played last Wednesday. The Storm had Queensland Origin stars and backing up, while they also welcomed and Will Chambers back from injury. But a lack of possession and some ill-discipline hampered the Storm and the Knights were unlucky not to end an 11-game losing streak. Storm’s Fijian winger Marika Koroibete scored two tries as Melbourne eased home against the lowly Knights. Penrith ended Parramatta’s slim finals hopes when they beat the Eels 22-18 in Penrith. The Eels were firm- ly in finals contention until they were docked 12 com- petition points for salary cap breaches. They needed to win every remaining game if they wanted to reach the playoffs but were unable to over- come the Panthers, who climb to ninth, one place out of the finals. Glamour club the Broncos returned to form when they beat a woeful South Sydney 30-10 on Saturday night. Having struggled through the State of Origin period, Brisbane roared back to form on the back of a dominant backline performance as they scored five tries to two against the Rabbitohs. Fellow Queensland outfit the Gold Coast moved back into the top eight when they stunned St George Illawarra 32-12, while the Manly Sea Eagles upset the SAN ANTONIO: Michael Phelps trains during the 2016 US Olympic Swimming Team Training Camp Media Day on Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. — AFP 15-14. —AFP Hurricanes eye redemption after emerging in top spot

WELLINGTON: The Wellington wrong of 2015, when they marched Canberra where few expect the misfir- while hard questions will also be asked finals opponents. “We probably broke Hurricanes chose a good time to play into the playoffs as the dominant team ing ACT Brumbies to win. New in South Africa on Sunday. Lions’ aeroplane protocol because some of their best game of the season, their of the season but were upset in a Zealand has decried ’s coach Johann Ackermann’s gamble to us were watching the game on their stunning win over the Canterbury home final by an inspired Otago controversial conference system as leave 15 first-choice players at home to phones until three minutes to go and Crusaders leaving them well placed Highlanders side. unfair, given it has rewarded the rest for the playoffs backfired with his we lost reception and at that stage for another shot at the Super Rugby Ironically, the defending champions Brumbies and Stormers with home side’s 34-22 loss to the Jaguares in they (Jaguares) were up by 12 points,” title after the heart-breaking final loss have played a decisive role in deliver- quarter-finals at the expense of the Buenos Aires. The Johannesburg team Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd told local last year. ing the Hurricanes their redemption Highlanders, Chiefs and Crusaders, needed only a bonus point in a defeat media after touching down. The record 35-10 victory at the shot, by preventing the Waikato Chiefs who all have superior winning records. by seven points or less to clinch top “That puts the icing on the cake Crusaders’ Christchurch fortress not from swiping back top spot in the New Yet the system is still likely to deliver spot but now need the Hurricanes to for a pretty good weekend for the only set up a highly winnable quarter- Zealand conference. a New Zealand champion and the high trip up to host the final. club.” The Lions have their hands full final against Durban’s eighth-ranked The Highlanders’ 25-15 win in a possibility of all four Kiwi sides playing The sprawling reach of the competi- just getting to the semi-finals, as they Sharks but deservedly secured home Dunedin thriller instead condemned off in the semi-finals. tion meant the Hurricanes boarded host an angry Crusaders team who advantage all the way to the champi- the Chiefs to a taxing road-trip to Cape Australian media, meanwhile, have their plane back to Wellington on tend to travel well and beat them at onship decider. The Hurricanes are Town to meet the Stormers, while giv- lamented the nation’s failure to qualify Sunday still awaiting the Lions result home 43-37 during the regular sea- now in pole position to right the ing themselves a gentler path to more than one team in the playoffs and confirmation of their quarter- son. — Reuters