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Monday, July 25, 2016 CRICKET Shawwal 20, 1437 AH Ashwin’s 7 for 83 GULF TIMES gives India innings win in Antigua SPORT Page 2

SPOTLIGHT IOC decides against blanket ban for Russians at Games International federations to decide if individuals can compete Athletes without spotless doping record will not be cleared Whistleblower Stepanova not eligible for Rio United States Anti-Doping Agency condemns decision

Reuters Geneva Russia hails IOC rejection of Rio ban

he International Olympic Com- AFP, Moscow: Russia hailed an “objective” decision by the said was organised by the sports ministry and Russian mittee (IOC) has rejected calls International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday not to secret service. for Russia to be banned from ban its entire team from next month’s Rio Games over Russian sports bosses welcomed the decision and began Tnext month’s Rio Olympics over revelations of state-run doping. looking forward to the the competition in Rio. the nation’s doping record, off ering ath- “It was objective and taken in the interests of world sport “I don’t see any problem with the participation of our letes a lifeline by ruling that decisions on and the unity of the Olympic family. We are grateful to the tennis players at the Olympics,” Shamil Tarpishev, the individual competitors will be left to the IOC for such a decision,” sports minister Vitaly Mutko told president of Russia’s tennis federation told TASS news international sports federations. R-Sport news agency. agency. “I am sure that the whole team that we’ve named The IOC’s decision yesterday, less He added later in televised comments that he was will compete at Rio.” than two weeks before the Rio Games convinced that the “majority” of the Russian team would The head of Russia’s swimming federation Vladimir opens on Aug 5, follows the World meet strict criteria to compete. Salnikov told R-Sport that he was waiting to hear from the Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) call “As far as the criteria announced for the Russian team on international swimming federation if the new IOC criteria for a blanket ban in response to the in- the eve of the Olympic Games they are of course very would rule out swimming star Yulia Efimova, who tested dependent McLaren report that found tough,” Mutko said. positive for banned substance meldonium. evidence of state-sponsored doping by “It is a specific challenge for our sportsmen but I am Separately, an IOC ethics commission also ruled that Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Ol- absolutely sure that the majority of the Russian team will 800m runner Yuliya Stepanova, who turned whistle- ympics in Sochi. meet the criteria.” blower on doping in Russian athletics, could not go to Rio “I think in this way, we have balanced The IOC on Sunday ordered individual sports federa- even as a neutral. on the one hand, the desire and need for tions to decide whether Russian competitors should Russia’s track and field team is already barred from Rio collective responsibility versus the right take part in the Rio Games after failing to agree on a and the decision to exclude Stepanova, who served a Acrobats perform on the to individual justice of every individual complete ban. doping ban exposing the rot inside Russian athletics, was Olympics rings at Paulista athlete,” IOC President Thomas Bach The Olympic body’s executive decided that any Rus- greeted with approval by off icials. Avenue in Sao Paulo’s said on a conference call. sian athlete wanting to go to Rio, where the Games start “It is correct that they did not let in Stepanova. I support financial centre yesterday. “In this way we are protecting the on August 5, will have to prove that he or she was not that decision,” athletics federation head Dmitry Shlyaktin clean athletes because of the high cri- involved in the doping which an independent investigator told R-Sport. teria we set. This may not please every- body, but this result is one which is re- specting the rules of justice and all the clean athletes all over the world.” athletes and the integrity of the Olympic considers suffi cient to meet the IOC’s It also ordered the immediate re- WADA and 14 national anti-doping Games, the IOC has refused to take de- requirements. testing of all Russian athletes from the organisations had urged the IOC to im- cisive leadership. The decision regarding For individuals to be allowed to com- Sochi Olympics. pose a blanket ban in the wake of the Russian participation and the confusing pete at Rio they must have a spotless Though a series of international fed- damning McLaren report, but former mess left in its wake is a signifi cant blow international record on drug testing, erations, anti-doping agencies and ath- Olympic fencing champion Bach said to the rights of clean athletes.” the IOC said, adding athletes who have letes have since called for a blanket ban, that Russian sportsmen and women Russia’s Sports Minister, Vitaly been sanctioned in the past for doping some have said they are against punish- “will have to clear the highest hurdle to Mutko, said the decision cleared the will not be eligible. ing innocent athletes. take part in the Olympics”. way for Russian participation. That would dash the hopes of mid- “It would be quite diffi cult for us to The United States Anti-Doping “I hope that the majority of interna- dle-distance runner Yulia Stepanova, think we should ban an entire team, Agency (USADA) said the IOC had failed tional federations will very promptly the whistleblower and former drug which will include some cyclists who to show leadership with its decision. confi rm the right of (Russian) sport- cheat whose initial evidence led to one are not implicated in any of these sto- “Many, including clean athletes and speople in diff erent types of sports of the biggest doping scandals in dec- ries we’ve been hearing,” said Brian whistleblowers, have demonstrated to take part in the Olympic Games,” ades. Cookson, president of the International courage and strength in confronting Mutko said. The International Tennis The IOC had said this week that it Cycling Union. a culture of state-supported doping Federation wasted no time in clearing would not organise or give patronage to “We’re going to have to look at it case and corruption within Russia,” USADA the seven Russian players nominated any sports event in Russia and that no by case, rider by rider and team by team. chief Travis Tygart said. for Rio. The ITF said the players have member of the Russian Sports Ministry At the end of the day, Russians are not “Disappointingly, however, in response been subject to a rigorous anti-doping implicated in the McLaren report would the only sportsmen or women who have to the most important moment for clean programme outside Russia, which it be accredited for Rio. been found doping.”

RALLYING Qatar’s al-Attiyah storms to Baja Spain victory

By Our Correspondent Al-Attiyah completed the second to the car with some testing coming up.” hind second-placed Mikko Hirvonen of Teruel, Spain Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah of the day’s stages – the 184.80km Al-Attiyah made the perfect start on Finland. in action in Spain yesterday. of Alfambra – in second position the 9.2km super special stage, near Ter- Roma was not so fortunate, however, behind Sainz and reached the uel, on Friday evening and posted the and the Spaniard’s fi rst appearance atar’s Nasser Saleh al-At- overnight halt in third place, fastest time of 5min 50.2sec to snatch a with Overdrive Racing was cut short tiyah and French navigator a mere seven seconds behind 12.9-second lead from Spaniard Xavier on a right-hand corner when he left the Matthieu Baumel delivered second-placed Mikko Hirvonen Pons. Roma was third in the second of road and was forced to prematurely re- Qa sensational last stage per- of Finland the Overdrive Racing Toyotas on his tire from the race. Al-Attiyah’s brother formance to earn Overdrive Racing and team debut, a mere half a second be- Khalifa carded the 28th quickest time Toyota a fi rst ever victory in Baja Spain Nasser and everyone at Overdrive Rac- hind Pons. Khalifa al-Attiyah was 14th after his own delay and reached Teruel Aragón, round fi ve of this year’s FIA ing,” said Overdrive Racing’s CEO Jean- in a time of 6min 46.6sec. in 17th overall. World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, Marc Fortin. “It gives Nasser another The bulk of the action took place Action concluded with a second run yesterday afternoon. 30 points in the FIA World Cup and over two selective sections of 162km through the 184.80km Alfambra stage Al-Attiyah, driving a Toyota Hilux, puts him in a very strong position going and 184.80km through the Jiloca and yesterday morning. Al-Attiyah began won the opening stage on Friday and forward. Yesterday was a bit frustrat- Comarca de Teruel regions on Saturday. the special from third on the road be- went on to fi nish 19 seconds ahead of ing, because he lost a lot of time in the Sainz set the fastest time of 2hr 03min hind Sainz and Hirvonen and it was the Carlos Sainz after trailing the Spaniard dust behind another car and this result 24sec through the opening special and Madrid driver who set the target time of at the start of the day. The result ena- was pay back. edged in front of al-Attiyah by just 49 2hr 23min 55sec. bled the Doha-based driver to extend “I looked at the time at the fi rst seconds in the overall standings, with But al-Attiyah was in inspired form his lead in the FIA World Cup driv- checkpoint this morning and knew that the Qatari slipping to third place. Roma and a stunning time of 2hr 22min 29sec ers’ championship standings before he Nasser was going for it. I was confi dent was sixth and held a similar position in enabled the Qatari to overhaul the two- leaves for South America to represent he could do it. That’s four wins in four the general classifi cation, while Khalifa time WRC champion by just 19 seconds Qatar in skeet shooting at the Rio Ol- races now for Nasser and the team. al-Attiyah was ninth. to secure a stunning victory and a fi rst ympics. “‘Nani’ was unfortunate yesterday to Al-Attiyah completed the second ever for Toyota in Spain’s premier off - Joan ‘Nani’ Roma’s competitive de- igator Alex Haro were forced to retire pleted the four special stages in 13th leave the road. We had intended to re- of the day’s stages – the 184.80km of road rally. His brother Khalifa capped a but with his new team ended prema- the second of the Hiluxes. overall in the third Overdrive Racing start him this morning, but there was Alfambra – in second position behind superb weekend for the Doha duo with turely when the Spaniard left the road Qatar’s Khalifa al-Attiyah and Bel- car. some slight damage on the chassis and Sainz and reached the overnight halt in the 12th quickest time to confi rm 13th on a right-hand corner and he and nav- gian navigator Stéphane Prévot com- “This is a truly fantastic result for we didn’t want to risk further damage third place, a mere seven seconds be- place. Gulf Times 2 Monday, July 25, 2016 CRICKET

EMPHATIC MANCHESTER TEST Ashwin spins England Cook up big India to crushing trouble for win over Windies Pakistan His haul of seven for 83 off 25 overs followed his third Test hundred — 113 — in India’s massive first innings total of 566 for eight declared at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

SCORECARD

India 1st Innings — 566 for 8 dec (V Kohli 200, R Aswin 113, S Dhawan 84, A Mishra 53; D Bishoo 3-163, K Brathwaite 3-65) West Indies 1st Innings — 243 (K Brathwaite 74, S Dowrich 57 no; U Yadav 4-41, M Shami 4-66 West Indies 2nd Innings (overnight: 21 for 1 following-on) K. Brathwaite lbw b Sharma ...... 2 R. Chandrika c Saha b Ashwin ...... 31 D. Bravo c Rahane b Yadav ...... 10 M. Samuels b Ashwin ...... 50 J. Blackwood c Kohli b Ashwin ...... 0 R. Chase c sub (Rahul) b Ashwin ...... 8 S. Dowrich lbw b Mishra ...... 9 J. Holder b Ashwin ...... 16 C. Brathwaite not out ...... 51 D. Bishoo c Pujara b Ashwin ...... 45 S. Gabriel b Ashwin ...... 4 Extras (nb5) ...... 5 Total (78 overs, all out) ...... 231 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (K. Brathwaite), 2-21 (Bravo), 3-88 (Chandrika), 4-92 (Blackwood), 5-101 (Samuels), 6-106 (Chase), 7-120 (Dowrich), 8-132 (Holder), 9-227 (Bishoo), 10-231 (Gabriel). Bowling: I. Sharma 11-2-27-1 (3nb), M. Shami 10-3-26-0 (1nb), U. Yadav 13-4-34-1, R. Ashwin 25-8-83-7, A. Mishra 19-3-61-1 (1nb). Result: India won by an innings and 92 runs England’s Alastair Cook belts the Pakistani bowling in Manchester Toss: India yesterday. Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SLK) AFP but I think it’s the right decision Manchester and hopefully we’ll be proven right.” for 44 runs. Pakistan head coach Mickey Such was the speed of the collapse that ngland captain Alastair Arthur said the tourists simply India looked on course to complete the Cook left Pakistan need- had to bat better in their second win well before the tea interval. ing to rewrite the record innings – whenever that came. However Brathwaite and Bishoo of- Ebooks if they were to win “I was disappointed with our fered resistance that was entertaining for the second Test at Old Traff ord, fi rst innings,” Arthur told report- the few home fans in the stands and more after opting against enforcing the ers. than a little irritating for Virat Kohli and follow-on yesterday’s third day. “We need more discipline out- his men who were kept waiting to cel- At stumps, England, looking to side off stump. We were nicking ebrate a comprehensive win. level the four-Test series at 1-1, off that ‘fi fth stump’ line a lot, Brathwaite fi nished unbeaten on 51, his were 98 for one in their second which was particularly disap- third half-century in as many Tests, but innings. That gave them a lead pointing,” the South African with just one wicket for 242 runs so far in of 489 runs, with no side having added. his young career, his value as a frontline made more in the fourth innings Asked if not being made to bowler remains highly questionable. to win a Test than the West In- follow-on had made it more like- Apart from earning the West Indies a dies’ 418 for seven against Aus- ly that Pakistan could draw the modicum of respect, the ninth-wicket tralia at St John’s in May 2003. game, Arthur replied: “It prob- pairing’s defi ance also embarrassed the Cook, who made a fi rst innings ably gives us a bit better chance frontline batting which once again failed hundred, was 49 not out and but that’s not an infl ammatory to cope with India’s potent combination vice-captain Joe Root, whose 254 headline, as irrespective of any of pace and spin. in the same innings was his Test- declaration we have to bat damn Umesh Yadav got his team off to the best score, unbeaten on 23. well.” perfect start in the morning, the fast Shortly before the close, Eng- Pakistan’s fi rst innings saw bowler claiming the important wicket of land opener Alex Hales (24) was England pace-bowling all- Darren Bravo without any addition to the caught behind off Mohamed rounder Chris Woakes take overnight score. Amir. four for 67, while Root held four Samuels then made the most of a nar- Pakistan were dismissed for catches at second slip. Indian off -spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowls during the fourth day row escape when an appeal for a catch to just 198 in reply to England’s 589 Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan of the first Test match against the West Indies in Antigua yesterday. the wicketkeeper off Mohammed Shami for eight declared – a huge defi cit captain, provided a lesson in ap- was turned down after consideration of of 391 runs. plication to the rest of the top or- the television replays. Yet Cook, on a day where four der with an innings-high 52 and AFP dred — 113 — in India’s massive fi rst in- the heart of the home side’s batting in the Amid growing questions about his place rain interruptions caused caused shared a ninth-wicket stand of North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda nings total of 566 for eight declared at the afternoon session, reaping a fi ve-wicket in the side following 11 consecutive Test in- 27 overs to be lost, decided to bat 60 with Wahab Riaz, who made a Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. haul and then fi nishing off the match with nings of scores lower than 20, the elegant again. Test-best 39. Resuming their second innings fol- the last two wickets just after tea to give right-hander stroked 11 fours in an even 50 That reduced the time England Pakistan, who resumed on 57 avichandran Ashwin lowing on at the overnight position of 21 India a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. before being bowled by Ashwin. had to bowl Pakistan out again, for four, saw their collapse con- completed a magnifi cent for one, the West Indies were dismissed He was fortunate to claim his fi rst His demise came just after Jermaine although there were, in fairness, tinue before lunch yesterday as all-round performance for 231 in another abject batting display, wicket, opening batsman Rajendra Chan- Blackwood fell for his second duck of the still more than two days remain- they lost a further four wickets with seven wickets to bowl despite half-centuries by Marlon Samu- drika adjudged caught at the wicket for a match and Ashwin added the wickets of ing in the match. for 62 runs. IndiaR to a crushing victory by an in- els and Carlos Brathwaite and a ninth- painstaking 31 in over three hours at the Roston Chase and captain Jason Holder to “It was a pretty simple deci- But with Cook opting against nings and 92 runs on the fourth day wicket stand of 95 between Brathwaite crease. turn the match into a formality. sion to bat again,” England as- using experienced paceman of the fi rst Test against the West and Devendra Bishoo (45). But there was no doubt about the dem- Wrist-spinner Amit Mishra accounted sistant coach Paul Farbrace told James Anderson and Stuart Indies in Antigua yesterday. Wicketless throughout the fi rst innings olition eff ected thereafter, including dis- for Shane Dowrich in the midst of the Sky Sports. Broad after lunch, Pakistan add- His haul of seven for 83 off 25 and for the fi rst nine overs of his second missing Samuels for his fi rst half-century rout before Brathwaite and Bishoo held “We thought we’d bat while ed 79 runs in the second session. overs followed his third Test hun- innings eff ort, Ashwin scythed through in 12 Test innings, as six wickets tumbled up the victory celebrations. the wicket was still good, rather Pakistan started yesterday’s s than put ourselves under pres- play with opener Shan Masood sure when it gets worse. 30 not out and Misbah one not BOTTOMLINE “It could have gone either way, out.

SCORECARD England 1st Innings: 589-8 dec (J (Shafiq), 7-112 (Sarfraz), 8-119 (Yasir), Root 254, A Cook 105, C Woakes 9-179 (Misbah), 10-198 (Wahab) Pawar to quit as MCA chief 58, J Bairstow 58; Wahab Riaz Bowling: Anderson 13-5-27-1; 3-106) Broad 12-5-20-1 (1nb); Ali 7.4-0-43-2 IANS BCCI and MCA, many things were ac- Now, the MCA will redraft the consti- Association is represented, they can in- Pakistan 1st Innings (overnight: (1nb); Woakes 16-1-67-4; Stokes Mumbai complished in support of cricket. I shall tution, get it approved by the Managing clude Mumbai players, on which the 57-4) 15-1-39-2 retire as a happy person,” Pawar told me- Committee, then summon a Special Gen- BCCI can seek a clarifi cation from the M Hafeez c Root b Woakes ...... 18 England 2nd Innings: dia persons here after an MCA meeting. eral Meeting to get the amended consti- Lodha Committee, Pawar said. S Masood c Root b Anderson .. 39 A. Cook not out ...... 49 owing to a recent Supreme However, he said the MCA would need tution approved in the next six months, Accepting that he was rendered ineligi- Azhar Ali c and b Woakes ...... 1 A. Hales c Sarfraz Ahmed b Court order, Mumbai around six months to implement the SC he added. ble to continue in cricket administration, Younis Khan c Bairstow b Stokes 1 Mohamed Amir ...... 24 Cricket Association Presi- orders, and set in motion the process to While accepting the one state-one vote de- he jocularly said he welcomed the deci- Rahat Ali c Ballance b Woakes ..... 4 J. Root not out ...... 23 Bdent Sharad Pawar yester- revise its constitution in tune with the cision, the veteran politician pointed out that sion of the Arbitration Panel in SC which Misbah-ul-Haq c Cook b Ali ...... 52 Extras : (lb2) ...... 2 day announced his decision to quit judgement Maharashtra has three associations — Mahar- had some members who had crossed 70 Asad Shafiq c Hales b Broad ...... 4 Total (1 wkt, 21 overs, 86 mins) 98 the post within six months. “We discussed the recommendations asthra, Mumbai and Vidarbha Cricket Associa- years of age. Sarfraz A c Root b Stokes ...... 26 To bat: J Vince, G Ballance, C The 75-year-old Pawar — ranked of the former Chief Justice R M Lodha tions. So, as per the apex court order, they would “I am happy their vast experience and Yasir Shah c Root b Woakes ...... 1 Woakes, B Stokes, J Bairstow, M amongst the fi nest cricket admin- Committee, the Supreme Court verdict take turns to be represented in the BCCI for knowledge is available to the apex court,” Wahab Riaz c Hales b Ali ...... 39 Ali, S Broad, J Anderson istrators in the world and having and unanimously approved all the rec- which they would seek a clarification. he said amidst laughter, adding that many Mohamed Amir not out ...... 9 Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Hales) earlier headed BCCI and the ICC ommendations,” Pawar added. “When MCA is represented in BCCI, our members of the MCA, barring some like Extras (lb2, nb2) ...... 4 Bowling: Amir 10-2-36-1; Rahat — said he honoured the apex court By implication, Pawar — who has jurisdiction would extend all over the state Joint Secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar, Total (all out, 63.4 overs, 286 5-0-26-0; Shah 6-0-34-0; verdict putting an upper age limit crossed the age-bar limit and the term and not be restricted to Mumbai-Thane. We would be aff ected by the ruling. mins) ...... 198 Match position: England lead of 70 for cricket administrators. cap of nine years cumulatively for offi ce- will then have to include players from the rest To a question, Pawar said Mumbai has Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Hafeez), by 489 runs with nine second- “I respect the judiciary and shall bearers — would no longer be involved in of the state in our teams for Ranji Trophy and enough talented and effi cient persons 2-43 (Azhar), 3-48 (Younis), 4-53 innings wickets standing. happily retire from cricket ad- any kind of cricket administration in the other tournaments,” he pointed out. to take over the mantle from those who (Rahat), 5-71 (Masood), 6-76 Toss: England ministration. During my tenure in country as per the court ruling. Similarly, when Maharashtra Cricket would be quitting their posts. Gulf Times Monday, July 25, 2016 3 ROAD TO RIOSPORT

SPOTLIGHT Aussies stay away from Village due to blocked toilets, exposed wiring

More ‘B Team’ than Rio de Janeiro: The Austral- said, but the faults, particularly ian team will not move into the plumbing issues, have not the Olympic Village for next been resolved. month’s Rio de Janeiro Games Such issues are not uncom- because of problems including mon in Brazil where narrow ‘blocked toilets, leaking pipes pipes and poor plumbing and exposed wiring’, the head mean residents throw toilet ‘Dream Team’ as of the country’s delegation paper in bins rather than flush Kitty Chiller said yesterday. it away. Australian team staff The first Australian athletes are continuing to set up as to arrive in Rio were due to best they can for the arrival of move into the Village on July athletes and for those coming 21 but have instead been in the next three days alterna- living in nearby hotels. The tive accommodation has been US eye Rio gold Games are due to start on Aug. arranged. 5. Chiller said some Village Some 18,000 athletes, apartments had water running coaches and off icials from ‘With the depth of our national roster we were able to select a very strong team’ down the walls and ‘a strong around the world will live in smell of gas,’ while stairwells 3,604 apartments in 31 build- were unlit and floors were in ings, looked after by 13,000 need of a massive clean. employees and volunteers. Rio 2016 organisers did The village boasts a large not respond to requests for dining and kitchen area for up comment but one off icial told to 5,000 people, a state-of- Reuters they were aware of the-art gym, a clinic, a rec- problems and were working reation area, a beauty salon, a to resolve them. “There are multi-faith religious centre and lights, beds, air conditioning, seven laundries. but we still lack a few details,” There is also a place of the source said on condition mourning, to be inaugurated of anonymity. “There really are with a special ceremony “that last-minute details to finish but will give the opportunity to it will be done this week.” remember, in particular, those Chiller, who will reassess people who have died at the the situation later today, said Olympic Games,” according she had raised concerns on a to the International Olympic daily basis with the organisers Committee (IOC). and the International Olympic The village is located around Committee, and was ‘pushing 1.5 kilometres from the Olym- hard for a solution’. Australia is pic Park, where the majority bringing 401 athletes to Brazil, of venues are located, in the the same number as upmarket district of Barra, in 2012. The team finished in the west of the Brazilian eighth in the overall medals metropolis. table four years ago. Extra Planned and built by an maintenance staff and more investor and a construction than 1,000 cleaners have been company, the apartments are engaged to fix the problems to be sold to wealthy residents and clean the Village, Chiller after the August 5-21

Kyrie Irving (left) Kevin Durant will lead a star-studded United States team at the Rio Olympics. (AFP)

Reuters It would be diffi cult to label any lineup In Olympic competition, the United to the win column as they chase a third Toronto that boasts former NBA Most Valuable States are on a 17-game unbeaten run that consecutive gold medal. Player Kevin Durant, 2016 NBA cham- dates back to the bronze medal game of They may not match up with the US pion Kyrie Irving and two-time Olympic the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since taking “Dream Team” from the 1992 Games that o Stephen Curry? No LeBron gold medallist Carmelo Anthony a “B control of the US national team in 2005, included 11 future Hall of Fame players, James? No problem. Despite Team” yet that will be the perception. Colangelo’s teams have compiled a stel- but the current squad possess everything missing the game’s two best But the fact is even if Team USA man- lar 75-1 record and are on a 63-game win needed to reach the top of podium again. players the US men’s basketball aging director Jerry Colangelo was forced streak that is expected to continue in Rio. Durant was third in NBA scoring last sea- View of an athlete’s room at the Olympic and Paralympic Village Nteam are still the slam dunk favourite to to dive deeper into the American talent But for all the gold medals won, it is son by averaging 28.2 points per game for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. (AFP) return home from the Rio Olympics with pool the United States would still be ex- the one loss Colangelo recalls with vivid while DeMar DeRozan and Paul George the gold medal. With many top players pected to surface with a gold medal on the clarity when a team that included James, were also in the top 10. turning down a chance to throw on the fi nal day of Rio Games. Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan Guards Irving and Kyle Lowry will be Stars and Stripes, the US squad are more “We are blessed with a lot of talent and Chris Paul fell to Greece in the semi- the fl oor generals while DeAndre Jor- “B Team” than “Dream Team” but are here in the USA, we have the ability to fi nals of the 2006 world championships. dan will anchor the defence. The United nonetheless a frightening collection of withstand players dropping out for vari- “That loss proved the point that on any States may not dominate the way they did talent capable of providing Olympic-size ous reasons,” Colangelo told Reuters in a given night a team that hits their shots, in Beijing and London but there are no nightmares for opponents. telephone interview. “With the depth of makes their free throws, doesn’t turn the holes or glaring weakness. Among other Americans choosing to our national team roster we were able to ball over and you miss your free throws “There is certainly enough shooting, a skip the Aug. 5-21 Rio Games are National select a very strong team.” While Team and turn the ball over (a loss) can happen couple of players are outstanding shoot- Basketball Association All-Stars Russell USA will have only two players with Ol- and it did happen,” said Colangelo. “That ers. Durant and Klay (Thompson) and Westbrook, Chris Paul, James Harden, ympic experience, the two men at the top, loss really had a lot to do with our prepa- Kyrie are three of the outstanding shoot- Blake Griffi n, John Wall, Kawhi Leonard Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyze- ration and mindset going forward.” ers in basketball,” said Colangelo. “Each and Anthony Davis. For any other coun- wski, bring stability and an unmatched It was a lesson learned. The United Olympics is a challenge and each one is try, losing nearly all of their “A Team” winning pedigree to Rio. Krzyzewski, a States have not tasted defeat in the 12 a little bit diff erent. Our biggest rival is would cripple their medal hopes. But legendary college coach at Duke Univer- years since. Losses on Olympic hardwood ourselves. If we take care of business, if such is the depth of basketball talent in sity, has guided the United States to gold are rare for the United States, which have we maintain our focus, if we keep our eye the United States that their absence has medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics an all-time record of 130-5 in Games on the prize then all things should work View of the cafeteria at the Rio Olympic Games. (AFP) barely caused a ripple of concern. and the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups. competition and will be expected to add out because of our talent and coaching.”

FOCUS The easiest thing to win at Rio Games? A ticket Reuters tertainment is an important part of least 50,000 Games tickets had sought New York its plan to recoup part of its $12bn in A salesman hands tickets to a fan at to return them for a refund after June Games investment. For Olympic spon- the 2016 Rio Olympics ticket off ice 17, the day Rio de Janeiro declared a sors and other big fi rms, the Games are in Rio de Janeiro. (Reuters) “state of public calamity” due to severe ver the past few weeks, one a major marketing event, a chance to cash shortfalls. Reuters could not im- US marketing executive’s reward customers, suppliers, staff or mediately verify the report. phone has been ringing hot VIP guests with the trip of a lifetime. To boost revenues and fi ll stadiums, Owith off ers that many sports A typical fi ve-day program for two Rio organisers took the unusual step fans could only dream of: an all-ex- corporate guests is valued at around last month of allowing foreigners to penses-paid trip to watch the Olympic $30,000, according to another mar- buy tickets once reserved for Games in Rio de Janeiro next month. keting executive who has worked Brazilians. Previously, foreigners So far, 10 Olympic sponsor fi rms closely with sponsors on the programs. could only buy tickets from authorised have invited him to the Games, a sign of Some companies invite more than resellers in their home countries, often what he and other executives say is an 1,000 guests each. at sizeable mark-ups and unfavourable event struggling to draw well-heeled Several top-tier global Games spon- exchange rates. corporate clients worried about Zika sors — including VISA, GE and Coca- “Our goal is to sell out all the tickets virus, Brazil’s economic crisis and se- Cola — said their hospitality programs for the Games,” Rio Organising Com- curity risks. The marketing executive, were proceeding as planned for Rio. mittee Ticketing Director Donovan speaking on condition of anonymity to They declined to say how many guests Ferretti told Reuters, adding that more avoid harming business relationships, or employees they would entertain than 1mn events tickets had been sold said he had turned down Rio due to there. All said health and safety of to spectators outside of Brazil. prior commitments. guests were a top priority. Still, seats at many events remain But even when invited guests are “We recognize the challenges that unsold, with prices ranging from less available to attend, there appear to be have arisen, but we believe the Olym- than 40 reais ($12) to 3,000 reais ($923) fewer takers than normal for Rio, ac- pic Games can have a lasting, positive for a prime seat at the closing cer- cording to interviews and a Reuters impact on the host community,” said emony. On Thursday, organisers made analysis of ticketing and travel data. Coca-Cola spokeswoman Kate Hart- be deployed in Rio, more than twice cast, about huge numbers of tourists travellers. “The jet set goes where they another 100,000 tickets available on “I can understand the scare about man. The challenges include Zika, a the number at the 2012 London Games. going to the Olympics, and it’s almost feel everybody is going to be,” he said. Rio2016.com. the Zika virus,” said Rob Prazmark, mosquito-borne virus which can cause All these concerns mean sponsors always wrong,” said Tom Jenkins, CEO Rio can still pull off a dazzling Perhaps surprisingly for a football- president of 21 Sports & Entertain- a rare birth defect, as well as economic will take fewer guests to Rio and may of European tourism association ETOA Games, but organizers are scrambling crazed host country, around 800,000 ment Marketing and a leading broker crisis and security fears ranging from spend less on entertaining than at past in London. The Games draw mostly to sell some 1.7mn tickets, or 28 % of of the unsold Games tickets are for of Olympic corporate partnerships. street crime to militant attacks. Summer Games like London, or Bei- domestic audiences, corporate delega- the scaled-back total made available football matches. “And when you have a souring market, On Thursday, Brazil arrested 10 jing in 2008, Prazmark said. Brazilian tions and die-hard international sports for sale. That is a bigger overhang than Many will be played in cities far from which Brazil has become, the concept people on suspicion of belonging to tourism offi cials project that Rio will fans, Jenkins said. the 20 % of tickets that were unsold a Rio de Janeiro, in now under-utilized of entertaining at a high-profi le event a group backing Islamic State and receive as many as 500,000 Games- Zika worries have led some athletes month before the London Games. stadiums that Brazil built at high ex- can also go sour.” preparing attacks during the Games. oriented tourists over the Olympics. to withdraw from Rio and may also On Thursday, Rio’s O Globo news- pense for the last mega-event it host- For the host city, corporate en- Some 85,000 security personnel will “There’s a perception, widely broad- crimp attendance by VIP and luxury paper reported that fans holding at ed, the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Gulf Times 4 Monday, July 25, 2016 ROAD TO RIO

BOXING India’s Yadav fails Wounded Taylor looks doping test

New : Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav has failed a to regain golden touch drugs test, the country’s anti- doping agency said yesterday, raising doubts about his inclu- sion in the Olympic squad less Within the ring she is a tigress prowling for the killer punch and merciless on her opponent than two weeks before the Rio Games begin. Yadav, a gold medallist, quali- fied for next month’s Olympics in the 74-kilogram freestyle category, but tested positive for a banned steroid during routine testing. A subsequent sample known as a B sample was also found to be positive. “Narsingh was person- ally present when his B sample was opened,” National Anti-Doping Agency director general Navin Agarwal told Katie Taylor of Ireland had been the Press Trust of India news unbeaten since 2011 going into agency. “He appeared before 2016 but she has suff ered two a disciplinary panel yesterday defeats already this year. (Saturday). The panel sought more reports regarding the matter,” Agarwal said. Agarwal said a decision had not yet been made on remov- ing the 26-year-old from the Rio-bound squad, adding it was “too early to comment. We will try to complete the whole thing quickly.” Further hearings would be held into the case, the govern- ment said in a statement, con- firming the positive test but not naming Yadav. Yadav, who won gold at the Common- wealth Games in 2010 but fell short at the London Olympics two years later, insisted he had “never taken any banned substance”. “This is a conspiracy against me. I am sure the truth will come out,” he was quoted by the NDTV network as saying. The news could open the door for champion wrestler Sushil Kumar, India’s most successful individual Olympian. Kumar failed to qualify for AFP clear of Indian great Mary Kom — the consolation female sportswoman. O’Sullivan won the world Taylor — an all-round sportswoman who has Rio despite winning bronze London was she qualifi ed for the Olympics. “It’s a dream outdoor silver medal over 5,000 metres in 1995, represented Ireland in football and is also a superb at the 2008 Beijing Games come true, everyone knows how much the Olympic won silver at the 2000 Olympics in the same event. Gaelic Footballer — has thought not of retirement and silver in London, both Games mean to me and to have a chance to defend She was also crowned European champion three but to turning professional. However, the amateur in the 66-kilogram freestyle rish boxing superstar Katie Taylor along with my title is an absolute honour,” said Taylor. “We’re times, including the 5,000m and 10,000m double sport’s governing body the International Boxing category. Kumar launched a Nicola Adams established women’s boxing in going to have some team in Rio and I think we’re at the 1998 championships. “I’m not sure I can Association (AIBA) has indicated it would fi ght legal battle to win the right to London in the 2012 Olympics as a must see going to come home with a few gold medals.” go that far,” said Taylor on winning her European tooth and nail to secure her services. compete against Yadav for the Ievent but four years on cracks are appearing in Taylor can be a hard character to read. For most Games title. “Sonia O’Sullivan has always been my “What Katie Taylor has achieved over the last 10 sole spot in the Indian squad her armour. The 30-year-old Olympic lightweight of her career she has been carefully protected by idol. I don’t know if I can take her mantle yet. For years in international competition, including the for the 74-kilogram category, champion — who also has fi ve world, six European her English father Peter who serves as her mentor me she remains the greatest Irish female athlete.” Olympic Games and International Boxing Asso- after his 66-kilogram favourite crowns and the inaugural title — and coach and her brother Lee is in her corner now Taylor, who has suff ered just nine defeats in 11 ciation World Women’s Elite Championships, has event was axed. had been unbeaten since 2011 going into 2016 but with national coach Zaur Antia. years in the ring, similarly dismisses claims she is been absolutely outstanding,” said AIBA president But Delhi’s High Court last she has suff ered two defeats already this year. She is a devout Christian and restrained in the the greatest pound for pound fi ghter in women’s Dr Wu Ching-Kuo. month sided with the Inter- This included a controversial loss in the world remarks she makes regardless of victory or defeat. boxing. “I think it’s great to be in the mix and men- Taylor, who gives a lot of her spare time to chari- national Wrestling Federation championship semi-fi nals to impressive French- However, within the ring she is a tigress prowl- tioned in that conversation but it’s very opinion- table causes, insists the fi re is still in her belly and which ruled that Yadav, a 2015 woman Estelle Mossely, whom she beat in the ing for the killer punch and merciless once her op- ated as well,” said Taylor. it would be a fool who discounts her chances of world championship bronze European Games in Baku last year. The defeat ponent is on the ropes. “When you’re so consistent people have to stand retaining her Olympic crown. “I think I’m as hun- medallist, had already quali- prevented Taylor from taking a record sixth world Despite all her success, though, she continues to up and take notice. It’s great to have that support gry now as I ever was. I just want to continue to fied. The Olympics start on crown. Despite her disappointment at not achiev- reject the belief held by many she has replaced her back home as well. I don’t think people praise con- improve. People on their way up want to take my August 5. ing that mark — which would have taken her one idol Sonia O’Sullivan as her country’s greatest ever sistency enough and it’s great to get that praise.” place so it is up to me to continue to improve.”

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pullout hands Aft er headguards, vests next on Olympic hit list Hearn Rio Reuters the move. “There’s three pieces of research London that I personally have done which led me to the conclusion that removing headguards Olympic berth was a good thing,” he told Reuters. ale boxers will step into the ring That included comparing the number of Reuters without headguards at the Rio knockouts and stoppages due to head blows Sydney Olympics for the fi rst time since in world series boxing against amateur fi ghts the 1980 Moscow Games, and at the time, and also in the 2009 and 2011 Mtheir vests could be next on the hit list. With world championships compared with 2013. ixteen years after being an unused reserve at the lines between amateur and professional “There was a marked reduction in knockouts her home Sydney Olympics, Australian rider increasingly blurred, another distinctive dif- and stoppages in 2013 when the headguards Sue Hearn will fi nally make her Games debut ference between the codes — the red or blue were removed,” he said. at the age of 60 in Rio. Hearn got her ticket to singlets worn by Olympic boxers — is being “I think what’s more likely is that people joinS the 410-strong Australia team heading for Brazil questioned. feel safer wearing a headguard and so are when Kelly Layne withdrew from the team over the “The removal of vests (from the ring) is prepared to take a blow to give a blow be- weekend because her horse was suff ering from an in- a proposal we are looking at,” a spokesman cause they feel its not going to do them any jury. “LLOYDY and I are off to Rio! Thank you every- for governing body AIBA told Reuters in re- harm,” he said. “It may also be that the head- one for your support!” Hearn posted on her Facebook sponse to a query. “It has to be approved by guards reduce your fi eld of vision. The blows page after getting the news that she had been named the relevant AIBA commission and approved that actually cause the damage tend to be the to the dressage team with her warmblood gelding by the executive committee and then we will hooks that come in from the side you just (Lloyd) Remmington. present this request to the IOC (International don’t see them.” Hearn will be the second oldest Australian to make Olympic Committee).” Loosemore said the IOC commissioned their Olympic debut after sailor Harold Brooke, who Unlike professionals, who fi ght bare- research from him and Australian Andrew was 61 when he got his fi rst taste of the Games in chested, Olympic boxers have always worn McIntosh, who used dummies to assess the Rome in 1960. Although Hearn will bring a measure tops — possibly for reasons of decency in impact of blows to the head, “because they of maturity to an Australian Olympic team that has the early days although they also protected wanted to know if it was the right thing to do an average age of 26, she will not even be the oldest against rope burn and absorb sweat. for the Olympics”. member of the dressage squad. There was once even talk of ‘smart vests’, The evidence, he said, indicated there Her team mate Mary Hanna, one of three Austral- with electrodes to sense a scoring blow, would be more cuts but fewer head injuries ians who will be taking part in their fi fth Olympics, before AIBA discarded the computers and without headguards. “The IOC took it very takes that honour at the age of 61. The youngest changed to a pro-style 10-point scoring sys- seriously and decided that probably having athlete in the 207-man, 203-woman Australia team tem. AIBA president Wu Ching-kuo said in fewer head injuries was worth the increase in is 16-year-old footballer Ellie Carpenter, who was 2011 that “we will still need to keep the vest cuts.” a babe in arms when Australia hosted the Games in for amateur boxing because of the country That could make the Games bloodier, and Sydney in 2000. name” but much has changed since then. increase the risk of fi ghts stopped on cuts Australia sent its biggest ever team of 632 athletes The Olympic tournament is no longer the Unlike professionals, who fight bare-chested, Olympic boxers have always worn red and — as happened to Australian welterweight to the Sydney Games and the Rio delegation is the preserve of amateurs, with AIBA approving blue tops – possibly for reasons of decency in the early days although they also protected Daniel Lewis in the Commonwealth Games equal fi fth largest, matching the party that was as- a constitutional change in June that allows against rope burn and absorb sweat. quarter-fi nals. “Bring the headgear back 100 sembled for London four years ago. The tallest mem- professionals in for the fi rst time. AIBA’s %,” Lewis said on Twitter after being ruled ber of the team is NBA basketballer Andrew Bogut at team-based World Series of Boxing (WSB) but AIBA offi cials are convinced theirs is the . Female box- out by the cut over his eye. “I had two fi ghts, 213cm (7ft), while Beijing silver medallist in diving and individual APB Boxing, whose competi- right call. “Both our statistical research and ers, who made their Olympic debut only in two comfortable wins with one TKO and a Melissa Wu is the shortest at 153cm. tors fi ght for money while remaining eligi- the feedback from boxers and coaches, shows 2012, will continue with headguards pend- stupid elbow ruins it all.” Australia will compete in 26 sports in Rio — they ble for the Olympics, have no headguards us that this is the best outcome for our sport,” ing further research.Mike Loosemore of the AIBA launched a ‘Heads Up’ campaign in have no entries for fencing or handball — and have or vests. The arguments for and against Wu said in March. English Institute of Sport (EIS), who carried 2015, while also promoting the use of a cut targeted a return to the top fi ve on the medal table af- headguards, fi rst used at the 1984 Los An- Boxers fought headgear free at the 2013 out research for the IOC after AIBA requested preventative cream. Lewis, meanwhile, will ter fi nishing eighth in London. geles Games, may continue for some time and 2015 world championships as well as the headguards be removed for Rio, supported be chasing a medal in Rio. Gulf Times Monday, July 25, 2016 5 ROAD TO RIO

TENNIS TABLE TENNIS Facing the Bryans eye golden Motherland is bittersweet for Olympics swansong China’s emigres

‘We know Rio will be our last Olympics, I can safely say that’ Reuters ing drills. In 2012, the game’s Shanghai rules were changed to allow each Reuters than a decade. Ten times they country to only enter two players London have ended a year as top dogs into the singles events, prevent- and have held the number one or former Chinese ath- ing one country from winning all ranking together for close to 450 letes that now compete the medals as China did at the hen Mike Bryan’s weeks in total. for other countries’ fl ags, 2008 Beijing Games. cellphone rang re- Watching them play is a study an Olympic meeting with Japan, North Korea and South cently and the po- in fi dgety synchronisation. They theF Motherland at Rio de Janeiro Korea are among teams expected liceman on the other are used to being ‘hunted’ wher- will be bittersweet. to put up a tough fi ght against Wend of the line told him his home ever they play, but the Olympics Scores of China-born ath- the Chinese in Rio, along with security alarm had gone off one is a whole diff erent ball game letes have switched citizenship Singapore who will fi eld a wom- thought fl ashed up in his head — with players who usually shun in the two decades since the en’s team of China-born players. is my Olympic gold medal safe? doubles pairing up. Roger Fed- Asian powerhouse returned to Hu, a 27-year-old from China’s The golden medallion, the erer, Andy Murray, Novak Djoko- the Olympic fold in 1984, driven northeastern Liaoning province, one he earned with twin brother vic and Rafael Nadal will all play by stiff competition for national said she moved abroad after Bob at London 2012, is his most doubles in Rio — Wimbledon team places that has shut out feeling she was getting too old prized souvenir from a trophy- champion Murray partnering many aspiring Olympians. to qualify for the national team, laden career that has earned the brother Jamie who was recently The Chinese emigres are most which made her contemplate 38-year-olds 112 titles together, ranked one in doubles. apparent in the table tennis giving up the sport. including 16 grand slams. “London was the toughest title tournament at Rio, where China “Of course every table ten- “We thought someone had we’ve won, we were so pumped,” is expected to dominate as usual. nis athlete in China has a dream broken in, the cops went over Bob says. “There’s nowhere to Discounting 12 players compet- of entering the national squad,” and I just said ‘dude, please just hide in the Olympics, right from ing for China, Hong Kong and she said.”So with the pressures check that one spot’ just make round one. You got all the great self-ruled Taiwan, 27 of the 140 of having to decide whether I sure it’s there. It was there,’” the singles guys, the doubles guys, all entrants in the singles were born should fi nd a job or do some- right-handed half of the most the top stars. The big four want a in China but will represent na- thing else, I chose to go overseas successful doubles team in men’s medal. No one is gonna give it a tions like Portugal, Qatar and to play and train.” tennis history, told Reuters at half-arsed eff ort. Gold is a gold,” Republic of Congo. Her path is similar to that of Wimbledon, scene of their Ol- adds Mike. “That’s going on the “The fi rst feeling if I meet Beijing-born Wu Yue, who will ympic glory. “It’s the only thing medal board for your country. them (in competition) is that I’m compete for the United States at I hide when we leave for a trip.” It’s going to be a stacked fi eld.” very unlucky, because it’s very her fi rst Olympics after obtain- No wonder. Bob describes While golf has hit the headlines diffi cult to beat them and it feels ing her green card in 2014. their victory in London as their after a slew of Rio no-shows, and like the match may be over very Wu, who also goes by her Eng- “greatest moment” while Mike several tennis players including quickly,” Melek Hu, who will lish name Jennifer, said life in says missing out in Athens, when the Bryans’ fellow Americans represent Turkey in her second China as a table tennis profes- they were expected to medal, John Isner and Sam Querrey will Olympics after moving there sional is easier because of the ranked as a low. They won a be absent, the brothers’ eyes about a decade ago, told Reuters considerable amount of gov- bronze in Beijing. Rio, where light up just thinking about the in a phone interview. ernment support given to ath- they will play with gold-painted Olympics. “It’s bigger than the “But the Chinese team repre- letes. But she said her freedom rackets, will be Olympics number game of tennis,” Mike said. sents the highest level of compe- to choose her own schedule and four — and the last. While Bob added: “I remem- tition, one also wants to see how competitions had been invalu- Retirement is looming and ber after London it didn’t hit us wide the gap is between them able. they want to sign off in style, until about two weeks later when and I. After all, you won’t always “There are too many talents perhaps with a golden chest we were driving in Cincinnati. get a chance to exchange blows in China. In China I didn’t count bump. “(Rio) would be a hell of a Then I sought of yelled “Yeah” at with such high standards.” as a talent,” she told Reuters. “I way to go,” Bob, who juggles life the top of my lungs. We were like China has won 24 out of 28 feel that it doesn’t matter which on Tour with wife Michelle and ‘Oh man! this is nuts’. We ended gold medals since table tennis country you’re playing for, this three young children. up having one of the best sum- became an Olympic sport in 1988 fulfi ls my Olympic dream. It “We know Rio will be our last mers of our career.” and is known for its cutthroat means that I didn’t play table Olympics, I can safely say that. So popular were the med- selection and military train- tennis for nothing.” It’s been a huge priority. When als that Mike described his as we sat down to plan the year in a ‘celebrity’ in its own right December we said peaking for while Bob’s was so in demand it Rio was the goal. Winning in Rio picked up numerous battle scars. would mean everything.” “When I took the medal out peo- No retirement decision has ple fl ocked to it,” Mike said. “It been taken, says Mike, but “the was wild. It was like Lord of the conversation” could happen de- Rings. It was crazy.” pending on what Rio has in store Bob even did the dirty on his for the hugely-popular Califor- brother. “His was all shiny, the nia-based brothers whose vic- ribbon was perfect so I did a tory ‘chest bump’ had become switcheroo,” he said. “He didn’t their trademark. “You have to realise until next year!” What- earn your way off the Tour, and ever happens in Rio their careers you have to blast your way out,” will be forever entwined — it’s Mike said. “No one wants to limp either together or never. “You their way off . (Pete) Sampras had could go and make some dough the perfect send-off . He won the with someone else,” Bob teases US Open and said goodbye.” his brother, “Just cut me in.” Amiable off court, a well-oiled “No, no, we are a package deal. The golden medallion, the one Mike Bryan earned with twin brother Bob at London 2012, is his machine on it, the Bryans have We came in together we’ll go out most prized souvenir from a trophy-laden career that has earned the 38-year-olds 112 titles together, China-born Melek Hu will represent Turkey in her second Olympics carried men’s doubles for more together,” Mike says. including 16 grand slam titles. after moving there about a decade ago.

BADMINTON British sweethearts wedded to dream of Rio gold

Reuters ed to a cheerleader, Adcock and Bankier were Melbourne The mixed doubles pair of Chris and knocked out early in their home Games and Gabby Adcock are Team GB’s best chance parted ways the following year. The Adcocks’ of a maiden gold medal. enforced separation would have been a test for oncerned colleagues often warn of the strongest of relationships, but the couple the perils of work-place romances insist the time apart strengthened their bonds. but Britain’s badminton power couple “The plan was to bring us back together later on Chris and Gabby Adcock believe mar- and I think we both developed a lot, with Gabby riageC has only made their on-court perform- playing with Robert and me playing with Imo- ance more harmonious. gen,” said . The mixed doubles pair are Team GB’s best “And now we’ve come back together and it chance of a maiden badminton gold medal at almost feels like we’ve not split up before but the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and their relation- everything’s improved. I think when you’ve ship has gone from strength to strength since played together so long, like we did, you cover their wedding three years ago. each other’s weaknesses up. But when you play Not long after their honeymoon, the Ad- with other people you strengthen your weak- cocks upset China’s London Olympic cham- nesses. And since we’ve come back together pions and to win the we’ve become a lot more rounded.” The spread Hong Kong Superseries title and took gold at of Zika in Brazil has prompted a number of ath- the Commonwealth Games in the fol- letes to pull out of Rio, citing health concerns. lowing year. The mosquito-borne virus can cause po- In December, they became the fi rst Britons tentially severe birth defects in babies whose to win a title at the World Superseries Finals in mothers were infected during pregnancy, in- Dubai, the sport’s equivalent to tennis’s season- cluding microcephaly — marked by small head ending ATP World Tour Finals. They head to Rio size that can lead to developmental problems. as the world’s seventh-ranked pair, brushing off The Adcocks’ parents have been diligent in fears about the Zika virus and convinced that warning their athlete children to take all pre- domestic bliss has given them an edge in their cautions but the couple have never wavered. mission to win a medal for Team GB. “We haven’t had any second thoughts about “I think it’s really easy for us to read each going, that’s for sure,” said Chris. “It’s the Ol- other and how we’re feeling, if one’s a bit more ympic Games, it’s our pinnacle and we can’t tired or whatever,” Gabby Adcock told Reuters wait for it.” in an interview in Sydney, with husband Chris They will bid to burnish Britain’s solid record perched beside her. in Olympic mixed doubles which includes Si- “So that’s good that we can be honest with mon Archer and Joanne Goode’s bronze at the each other and we’re working towards the 2000 Sydney Games and and Nath- same goal. We know if one’s having a bad day an Robertson’s silver at Athens in 2004. Hav- the other one’s got to be there to support and a 27-year-old from Leicester, seem a relaxed where (BE) has its national bloom. Chris was paired with Imogen Bankier, ing battled for three years to get to Rio, the idea it does happen. So we’re very fortunate that we and amiable couple for all their determination performance centre. while Gabby went with . of letting off steam with a medal around their know each other inside out. I know that Chris is to succeed. They have known each other since They were doubles partners and a couple well The Adcock-Bankier partnership was more necks is a tickling one for the couple. putting in the work every day 24-7 and he trusts they were children competing on the national before the London Olympics but in a Shake- successful, yielding a world silver medal in 2011 “It’d be a great holiday after winning a medal, that I’m doing the same.” age circuit and are rarely out of each other’s spearean twist, BE’s coaches tore their on- and the pair were selected for the 2012 London I’d go on a one-month bender,” Gabby laughs. Gabby, a Leeds-born 25-year-old and Chris, pockets, living and training in court partnership asunder before it could fully Olympics. With then-fi ancee Gabby relegat- “Straight to Vegas!” adds Chris. Gulf Times 6 Monday, July 25, 2016 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Higuain feels the wrath of Napoli fans over reported move to Juventus Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain is feeling the wrath of the club’s fans following widespread reports he is about to jump ship and join bitter rivals Juventus. Italian media have reported that Juventus, Italian champions for the past five seasons, are on the point of signing the prolific It’s the right time for Argentina striker, who last season scored a record 36 Serie A goals. Higuain still has two years to run on his contract but the Italian media, who reported he has already undergone a medical in Madrid, said Juventus were prepared to pay a buyout clause of 94mn euros ($103.15mn). If Juventus did pay the full amount, it would equal the sum Real Madrid paid to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in me, says Allardyce 2009, the world’s second highest transfer fee. On Saturday, Napoli supporters gathered in the city centre to tear up pictures of the Argentine and set fire to replicas of his ‘I’m at the right age with the right experience. Hopefully I can pass on that knowledge to the team’ number nine shirt. There were also protests against both Higuain and the club at Trento, where Napoli won a pre-season friendly 4-0 on Satur- day. A Higuain banner was photographed tied to a dustcart in the city of Naples yesterday as protests continued. Higuain’s compatriot Diego Maradona, who helped Napoli win their only two Serie A titles when he played for the club from 1984 to 1991, said the speculation was “hurting” him. “Nobody thinks about the supporters,” he said on Facebook. “It hurts me that Higuain is going to one of Napoli’s direct rivals, like Juventus. But you can’t blame the player. The player has his responsibility but it’s the ones who do the business who are happy.” On Wednesday, Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentiis had played down suggestions Higuain would go to Juventus and said the Argentine would “betray himself” if he left.

Reuters “I’m at the right age with the Sunderland appointed the qualifi ers, try to qualify for the and support you. London right experience. Hopefully I can former Everton, Manchester World Cup and when we go next “We all have to face criticism pass on that knowledge to the United and Real Sociedad man- time we’re better prepared, I at this level; the level of criticism team and the staff that works be- ager David Moyes to succeed Al- think mentally, to succeed.” sometimes is far greater at in- ew England manager hind the team to try to get a very lardyce on Saturday. Allardyce, who was over- ternational level because it’s just Sam Allardyce be- happy camp that becomes suc- Allardyce told his players to looked for the England job when a short time together, but also lieves it is just the right cessful.” use their shock Euro 2016 exit at Steve McClaren was appointed praise is also far greater as well. time in his career for Allardyce will be expected to the hands of Iceland as motiva- for his ill-fated spell as manager “We have to accept both for Nhim to be taking on what some devote more time than previ- tion for the future on Saturday. in 2006, brings a wealth of expe- what it is.” have called the impossible job. ous England managers to all age Allardyce, who dramatically rience having managed fi ve dif- Allardyce’s two-year deal in- Allardyce, who will give his groups, working at St George’s kept Sunderland in the Pre- ferent Premier League clubs. cludes the task of trying to bring fi rst news conference today, has Park, the national football head- mier League last season, wants But his task is a diffi cult one a clear identity to the junior Evans scores on return aft er jail term left Premier League club Sun- quarters in Burton where today’s a young England team to stay as England remain without a sides as well as the fi rst team. London: Former Wales striker Ched Evans, who spent two years derland to succeed Roy Hodgson news conference will take place positive despite the recent dis- major trophy since their World “Man-management, I think,” in prison only to have his rape conviction quashed, scored on his with the England team at a low (1000GMT). appointments. Cup triumph 50 years ago, and he said when asked what he return to football yesterday. ebb after poor performances at He can expect to face ques- “It’s a very bitter experience without a semi-fi nal appearance would bring to the job. Evans scored for third-tier English league club Chesterfield in a the 2014 World Cup and Euro tions about his supposed prefer- as we all know but that inner since hosting Euro 96. “(And) creating a backroom 3-0 pre-season friendly win at nearby seventh-tier side Ilkeston. 2016. ence for direct football, a repu- drive... He also used his fi rst interview staff that delivers a great service The 27-year-old played 59 minutes, scoring and setting up the Allardyce, 61, was upset to be tation he has never been able to Players should keep that, they as manager to give a rallying call in all areas and departments. opener. overlooked for the job in 2006 shake off . should hold it and use it as a to the English supporters. You have to manage that, not His last match was for Sheff ield United in April 2012. after being interviewed before It proved costly in his four positive, say ‘we don’t want to “There’s nothing wrong with just manage players but man- Evans was jailed and sentenced for five years in 2012, being Steve McClaren was appointed. years at West Ham United from experience that again’,” he said in England fans, they have sup- age staff , to delegate to them and released in 2014, for raping a 19-year-old woman. Ten years on, he is convinced 2011-15, where supporters never an interview with FATV. ported the team through thick give confi dence to produce the The Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in April. the extra decade in management took to him and his contract was “I think fi rst and foremost it’s and thin and there’s nothing qualities they have which are ac- He will go on trial again for alleged rape in October and has will prove benefi cial in a job suc- not renewed. about regaining, perhaps, a bit of wrong with the support they tually better qualities than me.” pleaded not guilty. cessive managers have found Sunderland fans were more confi dence they have lost after give,” he said. Allardyce, who has never won The forward penned a one-year deal with Chesterfield in June. comes with elevated expecta- grateful after he took over last the Euros. Let’s get started from “Fans will get behind you if a major trophy in his 22-year The Spireites lost a sponsor just days after signing Evans. tions and intense media scrutiny. October with the team bottom day one. Let’s put that to bed, you’re hitting that level. managerial career, will see his The company in question said it did so “in light of recent events”. “It is the right time for me,” but one in the Premier League let’s start delivering, gain from If you’re showing that passion players in action for the fi rst In the 2011-2012 season Evans – capped 13 times for Wales – he told the English Football As- and steered them to safety as the experience that you gained and commitment but ultimately time in a friendly at Wembley scored 35 goals in all competitions for Sheff ield United, then in the sociation’s website (www.thefa. bitter local rivals Newcastle at the Euros. that quality, that team spirit they on September 1 against an as yet third-tier League One. com). United were relegated instead. “We are going to get into the recognise they will get behind it unnamed opponent.

FOCUS Galaxy end Timbers’ MLS unbeaten run

AFP sore hamstring — the Galaxy point-blank shot that he fi red goal, 12 minutes into the second Los Angeles struck early to stretch their MLS high in the last 10 minutes. half. Chris Pontius scored at ROBBIE KEANE winning streak to four games. In Eastern Conference action, 72 minutes for the Union, who Keane struck fi rst, heading in Didier Drogba’s hat trick and a were playing their third match obbie Keane and Gyasi Giovani dos Santos’ cross in the goal from Ignacio Piatti lifted the in seven days and were without Zardes scored early seventh minute. It was Keane’s Impact to a 5-1 victory over the suspended midfi elder Ilsinho. goals and the Los An- seventh goal in 10 matches this Philadelphia Union in Montreal. Piatti tacked on a goal in the geles Galaxy ended the season. Four minutes later Em- Piatti contributed to all three 87th minute and Matteo Man- Timbers’R nine-match unbeaten manuel Boateng and Jelle Van of Drogba’s goals. cosu added one more in injury streak with a 2-1 Major League Damme set up Zardes, who dou- At the 19-minute mark, Pi- time. Soccer victory in Portland on bled the lead to 2-0. atti worked a pretty give-and-go In Toronto, Sebastian Gio- Saturday. The Galaxy have 34 goals this with Ambroise Oyongo, who hit vinco ended an eight-game MLS Zarek Valentin scored for season, matching FC Dallas for Drogba with a perfect cross at scoring drought with three goals reigning MLS Cup champions the most in the league. the right post. Drogba convert- to help Toronto FC notch a 4-1 Portland, who lost veteran de- Zarek Valentin pulled one ed, giving the Impact a 1-0 lead. win over DC United. fender Nat Borchers to what back for Portland in the 41st On Drogba’s second goal, Piatti Marco Delgado added a fi rst- looked like a left ankle injury in minute, taking a pass from Dar- beat two Philadelphia defenders half goal for Toronto and Jared the fi rst half. lington Nagbe and beating Gal- and after his shot was denied by Jeff rey scored for DC United. Despite the injury absences of axy keeper Brian Rowe with a Union keeper Andre Blake, Drog- Two of Giovinco’s goals were midfi elder Steven Gerrard and right-footed shot. ba seized the defl ection and fi red off free kicks in the fi rst half and defender Ashley Cole — who The Timbers had several more home a right-footed shot. his third goal came in second- missed his fourth game with a chances, including Nagbe’s Piatti fed Drogba for his third half stoppage time. Gulf Times Monday, July 25, 2016 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT OPINION Pogba is not worth City boss Guardiola world-record fee: Scholes

Reuters to shake on renewed London

ormer Manchester United player Paul Scholes has questioned whether the club should pay a world-record fee for Juventus midfi elder Paul Pog- ba,F saying the 23-year-old is not in the same Mourinho rivalry bracket as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. United have been negotiating with Juven- ‘Why should we not shake hands? No reason why. He will want to win and so will I, that’s all’ tus over the transfer of Pogba, who is a top target for new manager Jose Mourinho, ac- cording to media reports in Britain. AFP Scholes was Pogba’s team mate when the Beijing latter was a teenager at United and feels de- spite his obvious talent, the France inter- national has a long way to go before he can ep Guardiola pushed aside stake his claim as one of the world’s top play- any suggestion he would not ers and command a record fee. shake hands with arch-rival “He was a very talented young player, I Jose Mourinho and insisted played with him and I knew how good he Pall would be friendly when Man- was,” Scholes, who is playing in a futsal chester City play Manchester United tournament in India, told the Times of India today. daily. “We are polite guys, why not?” “I just don’t think he is worth 86 mn Guardiola said yesterday when asked pounds ($112.75mn). For that sort of money, if the pair would extend hands, de- you want someone who is going to score 50 spite an acrimonious rivalry which goals a season like Ronaldo or Messi. Pogba stretches back to 2010 when the is nowhere there yet.” Catalan had stewardship of Barce- Scholes also praised Manchester City’s lona and Mourinho took the reins at capture of Borussia Dortmund midfi elder Il- Real Madrid. kay Guendogan for a fee worth around 20mn “Why should we not shake hands? pounds, according to British media reports. No reason why. He will want to win “I think Guendogan is a really impressive and so will I, that’s all,” the City boss player,” Scholes said. “I’ve seen a lot of him told a news conference after training at Borussia Dortmund.” at Beijing’s Olympic Sports Centre “If he can stay fi t, I think he can be a fan- ahead of the International Champi- tastic player. I also think he is great value for ons Cup pre-season tour match. the money Manchester City paid for him. I “It’s a friendly game, a really think he is a bargain.” friendly game.” Since taking on their respective Manchester football giants, each man- Toure makes Celtic switch ager has insisted they will not con- centrate on each other too much. But for Rodgers reunion Guardiola acknowledged that United Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure will be would mount a serious challenge in reunited with former Liverpool manager the English Premier League after a pe- Brendan Rodgers after joining Scottish riod in the doldrums since the retire- champions Celtic yesterday. ment of Alex Ferguson in 2013. Toure agreed a one-year contract to “I’m pretty sure they will be become Rodgers’ latest signing since he stronger than in previous years,” said took charge at Celtic earlier in the close- Guardiola. “With this manager I’m season. sure they will buy new players. They Rodgers also signed Toure for Liverpool will be a strong team.” in 2013, following the centre-back’s previ- Yesterday’s training session was ous spells at Manchester City and Arsenal. switched hastily to the smaller Ol- Toure, 35, will thrive in the Scottish ympic Sports Centre to preserve the Premiership and be a big asset to Celtic, famous Bird’s Nest stadium’s pitch according to Rodgers. following days of storms in the Chi- “I brought Kolo into Liverpool to add that nese capital that have left the ground bit of experience and help to the centre- saturated. halves there at the time,” Rodgers told The fi rst Manchester derby out- Celtic’s website. side the UK will be played at the “You saw from his impact there and in centrepiece of the 2008 Beijing Ol- particular last season, he was a very im- ympics on Monday night, weather portant player for Jurgen Klopp towards permitting. More than 200 people the end of last season, playing in the have died in fl ooding in northern Europa League final. provinces surrounding Beijing. “He was outstanding in the big games Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola during a for me when I was there. He looks after ‘Not ideal’ training session yesterday. (Reuters) himself, he’s a wonderful professional and Guardiola acknowledged that he has good experience. conditions would not be ideal and “With a lot of young players in our squad, his fi rst priority at this stage of pre- he can really help them and he can be season was to avoid any injuries. injured. “We know the humidity for ering from an injury-blighted cam- derland on August 13, but he would fi t — if it’s for Sunderland, perfect. If of great assistance for the likes of Scott “We didn’t see the pitch but there the training is not ideal, but we also paign in 2015-16, but did not train not rush the Belgian central defender not, September.” Brown, who is a wonderful leader. is a lot of water in the last days so we know that it’s so important to come with the rest of the players as he is back and risk further injury. United lost 4-1 to Borussia Dort- “But he needs support and help around understand it’s not in a good condi- here to know the people and to play undergoing his own intensive pro- “The physio says he is ready but he mund in Shanghai on Friday and him as well. It will be nice for Scotty to tion,” said Guardiola. a good two games against amazing gramme to regain full fi tness. needs to show that he can play one City will play the German side in the have someone behind him who has that “But OK we’re going to adapt and teams like United and Dortmund.” Guardiola said there was a possi- week, then one week more, to play southern Chinese city of Shenzhen real big-game experience. Kolo can do adjust. The most important thing is Captain Vincent Kompany is in bility he could be ready for the fi rst regularly,” said Guardiola. “The most on Thursday to conclude their China very well for us.” that the players are not going to be Beijing with the squad after recov- game of the new season against Sun- important thing is for Vincent to get tour.

FOCUS China chaos has Jose pining for home comforts

AFP as they had a storm and had to land Finally the Portuguese former Chel- Beijing somewhere else for a couple of sea and Real Madrid boss did agree hours. to answer questions — on the sta- “They then arrived at the hotel dium’s running track surrounded by anchester United man- for dinner at 1:00am. The players are a vast media scrum. Then he comi- ager Jose Mourinho re- good and arrived with a smile.” cally struggled to be heard among as vealed yesterday he was Doubts over the state of the Bird’s a few hundred fans chanted from the ready to go home as the Nest Stadium turf for the friendly stands. Mclub’s pre-season tour of China against City after days of heavy rain Earlier City boss Pep Guardiola threatened to descend into farce. meant a hasty switch of training had told reporters his number one The fi nal match of their China venues Sunday to the nearby Ol- priority was to avoid any injuries and tour is fi rst Manchester derby out- ympic Sports Centre to protect the what could be a treacherous pitch. side the UK against City on Monday match pitch. Mourinho, raising his voice above and Mourinho can’t wait for it to be And with more storms forecast the melee, agreed. over. for Sunday night and Monday, the “I think Beijing is unlucky because “It is almost the end and we can go match itself could be in the balance. the pitch is bad and condition of the home and train in conditions where “It has been really bad,” said In- players is more important than pre- the players are safe,” said Mourinho ternational Champions Cup China season,” said Mourinho. after a wild couple of days for his spokesman Ben Xiaozheng. “We are “I have one objective for tomor- squad after they lost 4-1 to Borussia hopeful the game will go ahead.” row, take the players home safe and Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday. Meanwhile the smaller venue without injury.” Half of Mourinho’s players were struggled to cope with the invasion He also played down any sim- caught on a plane Saturday which of hundreds of reporters, photogra- mering animosity between him and had to make a forced landing be- phers and TV crews to cover United’s Guardiola, following their stints as tween Shanghai and Beijing because every move. rivals in Madrid and Barcelona re- of a violent storm in the capital. spectively. “Of course I will shake his Striker Memphis Depay tweeted No animosity hand. Why wouldn’t I?” said Mour- a video of himself outside the plane Mourinho arrived but refused to inho when asked if he would off er his in Tianjin, saying they were “lost in attend a news conference in an over- hand to Guardiola. China”. crowded and stifl ing press room in “We worked together for three “We were supposed to fl y in two the bowels of the inadequate facility. years (at Barcelona), we were op- Manchester United coach Jose diff erent planes,” Mourinho con- “It was too small, too full and too ponents but we are professionals. I Mourinho during a training session fi rmed to reporters. hot,” said a spokeswoman for Man- don’t see why I wouldn’t shake his in Beijing yesterday. (Reuters) “The second group was unlucky chester United’s media department. hand.” Gulf Times 8 Monday, July 25, 2016 SPORT

MLB NFL Bell is latest Steelers player to embarrass San Francisco Giants ownership and teammates

By Ron Cook big-money, long-term deal _ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Bell or Brown, who is signed regain winning ways, through the 2017 season. There no longer should be any lameda Ta’amu. Mike debate. It seems almost comi- Adams. Chris Rainey. cal now that Bell rapped just LeGarrette Blount. a few weeks ago about being Martavis Bryant. the NFL’s best running back Le’VeonA Bell. I apologize if I’m and wanting $15 mn per year in forgetting any Steelers miscre- his next contract. He won’t be beat Yankees 2-1 ants from the past fi ve years. getting anything close to that There have been so many, it’s here. Or anywhere, for that hard to keep track. matter. ‘It hurts, because we had opportunities to score some runs and we weren’t able to do it’ And, to think, we used to The Steelers knew this was laugh at the Cincinnati Bengals. coming. More than a month The Steelers Way took an- ago, 105.9 The X reported “a By Andrew Baggarly other kick in the teeth Friday rumor” that Bell was facing a The Mercury News San Francisco Giants Angel Pagan, Denard Span with the ESPN announcement suspension because of a missed and Mac Williamson celebrate aft er defeating the that Bell is facing a four-game drug test. He lied about it when New York Yankees 2-1. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports suspension for missing a drug questioned by the media, say- here are must-win games test. It’s hard to say what this ing he had never missed a test. to avoid elimination. damages more _ the team’s It turns out you can’t depend on There are must-win on-fi eld product this season his word, either. games to restore sanity. or its off -fi eld reputation. Dan The Steelers are fortunate to TAnd there are must-win Rooney turned 84 Wednesday. have DeAngelo Williams, who games that might save a club- It’s safe to say the Bell news was superb last season during house from becoming a powder ruined The Ambassador’s Bell’s suspension and after his keg. Giants manager Bruce Bo- birthday week. injury. The team also likes Fit- chy barked in anger after an in- If Bell’s appeal is turned zgerald Toussaint despite his attentive Angel Pagan failed to down, which is likely, the fumble in the Denver playoff score on a wild pitch in the 11th Steelers will play the fi rst four loss. It will show up for those inning Saturday at Yankee Sta- games against Washington, fi rst four games and take its dium. It was the kind of mistake Cincinnati, Philadelphia and chances even if it doesn’t sign that cannot happen for a team Kansas City without two of another veteran running back. that is not getting clutch hits or their top four off ensive stars But there’s no way the fi nding any breaks. _ Bell and Bryant, who is sus- Steelers off ense will be as good But in the Big Apple, the worm pended for the season because without Bell and Bryant. It’s a fi nally turned. Mac Williamson of multiple failed/missed shame because it had a chance hit a home run in the fi fth inning drug tests. Keep your fi ngers to be among the best in fran- and threaded an RBI single in the crossed that Ben Roethlis- chise history. Roethlisberger is 12th as the Giants snatched a 2-1 berger and Antonio Brown stay the second choice as NFL MVP victory in the Bronx. healthy. If they don’t, it’s going behind Green Bay’s Aaron “It hurts, because we had op- to be a very long season. Rodgers, according to Bovada, portunities to score some runs I admit, I’m no expert on ad- an on-line betting site. Brown and we weren’t able to do it,” Yan- diction. Maybe Bell and Bryant is the league’s best receiver. kees manager Joe Girardi said. have serious drug problems. The off ensive line was very Two rookies rescued the Gi- Maybe it’s unfair to blame good last season and should be ants (58-39) from their six-game them for something they can’t even better this season. losing streak out of the All-Star control. If that’s the case, I How do Bell and Bryant look break. Trevor Brown doubled hope they get treatment and their teammates and coaches off Anthony Swarzak to start the fi nd peace from their demons. in the eye? How do they look 12th and Williamson, who hit his Life is much more important at Roethlisberger, who, at 34, third home run of the trip in the than football. knows he is running out of fi fth, came through with the Gi- But that doesn’t change NFL years? How do they look ants’ only hit in 11 at-bats with the fact the Steelers can’t de- at Brown, who is the hard- runners in scoring position. pend on Bell and Bryant. Bell est worker on the team and The club is batting.125 in was suspended for the fi rst is driven every day to be the those situations since the break. two games of 2015 after being best? Santiago Casilla saved his own arrested for marijuana with How do they look at Ramon victory. He escaped a bases- then-teammate Blount. Foster, who could have left af- loaded situation not of his mak- He came back to play in ter last season for more money ing in the 10th, then pitched a Week Three and was produc- as a free agent but chose to stay scoreless 11th to keep the game Cueto in his previous No.2 spot Mark Teixeira’s single to right. make a perfect relay to the plate. double off Brian McCann. tive until a knee injury after because he believed in the of- alive and save Pagan’s skin. behind Madison Bumgarner in When Williamson fumbled the The Giants simply let a chance Josh Osich pitched a spotless a hit by the Bengals’ Vontaze fense and believed it was good Hunter Strickland handled the the rotation. A sellout crowd ex- ball, Gregorius busted home and pass in the third inning, when ninth inning but unraveled while Burfi ct in the eighth game enough to win Super Bowl LI? 12th to record the save. pected to see right-hander Jeff scored easily. they couldn’t score with no outs issuing two walks to start the ended his season. Bryant was And, yes, how do they look Pagan by all rights should Samardzija, who is now listed to It was the kind of break the and runners at the corners. Bran- 10th. The fi rst one came after he suspended for the fi rst four Rooney in the eye? have scored in the 11th after he start Sunday. Giants haven’t received during don Belt, who has wandered in had two strikes on Aaron Hicks, games last season. Bell and Bryant didn’t just walked, stole second base and Bochy apologized to report- their losing skid. Their oppo- the dark ever since the All-Star who entered the game with a.189 He returned to play in the embarrass themselves. They advanced on a ground out. The ers for the confusion, saying the nents aren’t giving away outs, break, couldn’t check his swing average. The second one includ- fi nal 11 regular-season games embarrassed an organisation Yankees set up to issue an inten- plan was set several days ago to and when the Giants try to force while striking out. Then Posey ed a passed ball on an apparent and had a huge game against that, sadly, has to be getting tional walk to Brandon Crawford put Cueto back on his normal the issue, they end up getting bounced into a double play. cross up with Posey. the Bengals in the playoff s used to it. but right-hander Dellin Betanc- day and he thought it had been penalized. The fi rst three innings Williamson, getting a rare start RESULTS with a spectacular 10-yard es looped the fi rst pitch to the communicated to the public. were a grotesque pencil sketch of against a right-hander, atoned Seattle...... 14 Toronto ...... 5 touchdown catch and a 44- backstop. Cueto still pitched with ex- their luck in the second half. for his earlier error when he Pittsburgh ...7 Philadelphia ...... 4 yard run. Pagan, who had taken just a tra rest, and he appeared much They couldn’t get a hard-hit drilled his third home run of the San Francisco 2 NY Yankees ...... 1 But now, it’s hard to imagine one-step lead off third base, got a crisper than he did in his previ- ball to fall with two on and one road trip. His solo shot off Ivan (12 innings) Bryant playing for the Steelers late break and did not run. Bochy ous start at San Diego or when out in the fi rst inning. Buster Nova tied the game in the fi fth. Baltimore..... 5 Cleveland ...... 2 again. Even talented players yelled from his perch against the he took the loss for the National Posey lined out, then Yankees Pagan atoned as well. He Washington 3 San Diego ...... 2 run out of second, third and dugout rail, and stared at Pagan League in the All-Star Game. He left fi elder Brett Gardner made kicked away a short-hop liner Cincinnati ....6 Arizona ...... 1 fourth chances. the rest of the inning. Crawford struck out nine in six innings, a sliding catch of Brandon Belt’s to give the Yankees an extra base Milwaukee ..6 Chicago Cubs ...... 1 The team is expected to take grounded out and by the time and the only run he allowed was sinking liner. In the second in- in the seventh inning, but left- Houston ...... 7 LA Angels ...... 2 back Bell after his suspen- Pagan returned to the dugout, unearned. ning, Williamson was thrown hander Javier Lopez got a pair Minnesota .11 Boston ...... 9 sion but any thoughts of giv- Bochy had walked up the tunnel. The Yankees took advantage out trying to score from fi rst base of ground outs to bail him out. Miami ...... 7 NY Mets ...... 2 ing him a contract extension The Giants pulled a surprise a of Williamson’s mistake to score on Ramiro Pena’s two-out dou- Pagan paid it forward for Sergio LA Dodgers 7 St. Louis ...... 2 before this season have gone few hours prior to the fi rst pitch, a run in the fourth. Didi Grego- ble. Gardner made a barehand Romo in the eighth, when he laid Texas ...... 7 Kansas City ...... 4 up in smoke. Literally. There switching the order of their rota- rius reached on a nubber to the pickup in the left-center gap, out to catch Starlin Castro’s line Colorado..... 8 Atlanta ...... 4 has been some debate in town tion and giving the ball to Johnny left side, and got a good jump on and teamed with Gregorius to drive and threw to fi rst base to Oakland ...... 4 Tampa Bay ...... 3 about which player to give a

SPOTLIGHT In NBA, players’ power proving absolute

By Ira Winderman Riley, in fact, opened a refl ec- That was their choice. Then they four picks. I just said to them, ‘If Sun Sentinel PAT RILEY tive window into players and wanted UD (Udonis Haslem). you want the sixth year because I power-brokering as he off ered Well, I can’t get UD even though know you’re going to opt out af- his epilogue on the Heat’s Wade I wanted to get UD.” ter the fourth anyhow, but if you he snark during recent era, by going back to how it all That’s when Wade stepped up want the sixth year, I don’t want seasons had been of Le- began with Wade, James and to sacrifi ce a bit more of his salary any of you to walk into my of- Bron James doubling as Chris Bosh. than James and Bosh in order to fi ce and say, ‘Hey, can we get any general manager, be it “I can tell you a funny story re-sign Haslem, who now stands young guys around here? Can Tthe additions he insisted upon about... maybe I shouldn’t,” he as the last remaining member of we get some draft picks around during his Miami Heat tenure said in his typical disarming that 2010-11 Heat roster. here?’ Because they were gone.” (Mike Miller, Ray Allen) or those manner of arming his argument. But Riley said the players- It turns out James did want he helped orchestrate with the “But I can tell you a funny story as-brokers wanted even more, more young guys and picks, the Cleveland Cavaliers (Andrew about 2010. When we took the the extra year for James and young guy who turned out to be Wiggins for Kevin Love, acquir- three of them in, we had $49.5mn Bosh that only could be assured championship co-conspirator ing JR Smith, the above-market (in cap space). So we had $16.5mn by changing their signings to a Kyrie Irving this past season in deal for Tristan Thompson). for each guy, which was the max sign-and-trade agreement. Cleveland, the pick in Wiggins And yet, in listening to Heat deal. So, we got it all. “So that whole concept about that the Cavs fl ipped for Love. president Pat Riley a week ago “Then they said, ‘Well, who bringing guys in the (cap-space) When he was done with his during his summer of discon- do we have left?’ We got Mario room was on fi ve-year deals,” Ri- refl ection, Riley smiled, “and I tent, the notion of NBA stars as (Chalmers) as the starting point ley continued of when contracts don’t know why I told you that the league’s ultimate power bro- guard and we got Joel (Anthony) were allowed to be a year longer story.” kers is probably as true during as the starting center. That’s it; than currently. But he did. Of course he did. this era of free agency as it ever we have fi ve guys. “The interesting part is on Because for all the power he has has been. “They said, ‘Well, we would July 9th, they all agreed to come amassed with the Heat, all the To get a star, you not only need like to get Mike Miller. How can in on fi ve-year deals, room only, respect he has cultivated around a star, but a star actively engaged we get Mike Miller?’ I said, ‘I so I didn’t have to give up any the league, this is an era brokered in the personnel process, such as can’t get you Mike Miller. We assets. Then, at the 11th hour, by the players, and when they when the Golden State Warriors the Heat fuelled their Big Three compelling appearance at the Chris Paul eventually joining can’t get him. I don’t have the they all wanted the sixth year. don’t get or can’t get what they rolled their starting lineup into push behind Dwyane Wade in ESPYs, it would be wise not to forces. With today’s players, money.’ So we traded Michael You know what that cost me want, a LeBron James leaves for the Hamptons this summer to 2010. sleep on the possibility of James, where there is such a will, there Beasley to get the money, but and Andy (Elisburg, the Heat’s Cleveland, a Dwyane Wade de- embrace Kevin Durant, or when It is why, in the wake of their Wade, Carmelo Anthony and almost assuredly can be a way. they had to go down to $15mn. general manager)? That cost us parts for Chicago. Gulf Times Monday, July 25, 2016 9 SPORT

TENNIS MILESTONE Monfi ls to face Venus eyes 50th Croat Karlovic in WTA title in Stanford

AFP Washington fi nal San Francisco

‘It was diff icult conditions,’ Monfils said. ‘It was very warm. It was very diff icult to keep op-seeded Venus Wil- liams will play for her the ball in. I changed up the pace a little bit and it was tougher for him to handle it’ 50th WTA title in Stan- ford, in the tournament Twhere she made her professional debut 22 years ago. Williams defeated tenacious Alison Riske 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) to reach the championship match, where she’ll face third-seeded Briton Johanna Konta. Konta, ranked 18th in the world, reached her fi rst career WTA fi nal with a 6-4, 6-2 victo- ry over second-seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova. After sailing through the opening set, Williams had to my fi rst fi nal,” Konta said. “I’m fi ght her own inconsistent serve really happy that it’s here in in the second. California, where the weather is Up 5-4 in the second and serv- unbelievable.” ing for the match, Williams pro- Konta dominated on serve, duced three double faults, wast- winning four of her fi ve service ing two match points. games in the fi rst set at love. Two games later Williams She closed out the fi rst frame saved two set points to force with an ace, and delivered more the tiebreaker, which she domi- of the same in the second set, nated. when she won 27 of the 29 points Williams, who won the Stan- on which she put her fi rst serve ford title in 2000 and 2002, won in play. her 49th career singles title in “I defi nitely felt I needed to Taiwan in February. take care of things on my end the The 36-year-old winner of best possible way,” Konta said. seven Grand Slam titles turned “I was very eff ective with my back the clock with a run to the breathing and just really playing semi-fi nals at Wimbledon. within myself.” Konta, who reached the semi- Cibulkova said power wasn’t fi nals of the Australian Open in Konta’s only advantage on serve. January, and at Eastbourne in “Her placing was very good,” June, has rebounded well from Cibulkova said. “Her serve was a second-round exit at the All fast, but it wasn’t the main prob- Gael Monfils of France serves during his 6-4, 6-0 win agianst Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center in Washington. England Club. lem. She was just placing the “I’m really happy to have serve really well, and it was really AFP “There was this moment when I just Zverev smacked a forehand long to backhand winner on the line to break for come through that and to be in hard to read it.” Washington wanted to lay down on the court. But I surrender the fi rst set, which was halted a 2-1 lead. kept going. It was diffi cult.” briefl y at the midpoint by rain, and Mon- “I tried to be as aggressive as I could Monfi ls has split four career ATP fi ls rolled from there, improving to 3-0 and it paid off ,” Karlovic said. “In all the GOLF rance’s Gael Monfi ls, seeking his matches against Karlovic, winning their against the world number 27. crucial moments I was able to make a fi rst ATP crown outside Europe, most recent meeting at Madrid in 2011 Monfi ls, who seeks his fi rst outdoor good shot.” and Ivo Karlovic, nearing titles in but losing their only prior hardcourt crown since Sopot in 2005, is 5-19 in ATP Karlovic faced two break points in the consecutive weeks at age 37, ad- matchup in 2009 at Cincinnati. fi nals, including a 2011 loss at Washing- fourth game but answered with three aces Aussie Min Woo Lee Fvanced to the ATP and WTA Washington “There’s only one Ivo,” Monfi ls said. ton to Radek Stepanek. and a service winner to hold and kept Open fi nal in sweltering conditions Sat- “You only get one shot. Sometimes you Belgian seventh seed Yanina Wick- Johnson at bay with his serve from there. urday. only have one opportunity so you have mayer, a 2009 US Open semi-fi nalist, “It was defi nitely frustrating,” said joins sister as US The 29-year-old Frenchman, whose to make the passing shot and then stick battled through the heat to oust Kazakh Johnson, who won his fi rst ATP title last most recent of fi ve career titles came in with the serve.” sixth seed Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-2. month at Nottingham. 2014 at Montpellier, ripped 19-year-old Karlovic, who averaged 22 aces in his “It was very tough conditions out Gstaad: Spain’s Feliciano Lopez junior title winner German Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-0 in first three wins at the US capital, has there,” said Wickmayer, who seeks her claimed his fi rst clay-court title yester- one hour. not surrendered a service break this fi fth WTA title Sunday against either day with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Dutch- “It was diffi cult conditions,” Monfi ls week. America’s 122nd-ranked Lauren Davis or man Robin Haase in the fi nal in Gstaad. AFP out winning, and it’s great for said. “It was very warm. It was very dif- “This is my game. This is my strength,” 173rd-rated American Jessica Pegula. Top seed Lopez, who fi nished runner- Washington both of us.” fi cult to keep the ball in. I changed up the Karlovic said. “It is really working this Karlovic broke in the third game and up in Switzerland 10 years ago, broke Added Min Woo Lee: “It’s pace a little bit and it was tougher for him week.” took the fi rst set in 38 minutes, ending it Haase’s serve in the fi fth game as he took probably the best I’ve ever felt. to handle it.” Karlovic won his seventh career ATP like the second with back-to-back aces. the opening set and then fought back ustralia’s Min Woo It’s a dream come true for me. Croatia’s 35th-ranked Karlovic, fi red title last week on Newport grass to be- Johnson, ranked a career-best 25th, from 3-0 down in the second to wrap up Lee had to wait out a I’ve always wanted to win this 14 aces to defeat US fi fth seed Steve come the oldest tour singles champion sent a backhand wide to squader a break a fi fth ATP Tour title. 47-minute weather tournament. I was in good form Johnson 6-4, 6-4 in a match where tem- since 1979. point in the second game of the second For Haase, the world number 95, it delay before holing coming into it. I knew I had a peratures on the court reached 140 de- “I’m confi dent from winning last set and in the next game, Karlovic rock- was a second fi nals defeat in four years in Aa three and a half foot putt to good chance. It feels great to win grees Fahrenheit (60 Celsius). week,” Karlovic said. “In my old age, it’s eted a service return forehand winner Gstaad having lost the 2013 title decider win the US Junior Amateur golf and be on the trophy with names “It was really hot,” Karlovic said. good when you can meet your goals still.” past Johnson and then dropped a slice to Mikhail Youzhny. championship on Saturday. such as Tiger (Woods).” The 17-year-old from Perth In Paramus, New Jersey, South added another US Golf Associa- Korea’s Seong Eun-Jeong ral- RUGBY tion junior crown to the family lied from an early defi cit to beat collection. His older sister Min- Andrea Lee 4 and 2 in the fi nal jee Lee, a two-time LPGA Tour match to win the US Girls’ Junior winner slated to play for Aus- Championship. tralia at the Rio Olympics, won Seong, 16, became the fi rst to the US Girls’ Junior title four win back-to-back titles in the years ago. event since Hollis Stacy won her Lions stand alone against NZ They are the only brother- third straight in 1971. sister duo to win USGA junior “It’s a little bit diff erent feel titles. than last year,” said Seong. “Last Min Woo Lee made a late rally year, it was a little bit hard. But I on the Honors Course in Oolte- trusted myself today, and I have supremacy in Super semis wah, Tennessee, shaking off confi dence. This morning was two weather delays and beating so hard because I was losing 5 Reuters two minutes after winger Courtnall Sko- 16-year-old Texan Noah God- down, but it’s OK because I had Sydney san sidestepped New Zealand lock Luke win 2 and 1 in the 36-hole cham- a lot of holes (left).” Romano in midfi eld and raced to the line. pionship match. Seong, who was 5 down It got even better for the Lions fi ve “I think we made history, so through 13 holes of the 36-hole ellar dwellers for most of their minutes later when centre Rohan Janse that’s pretty cool,” Minjee Lee title match, admitted she had current incarnation, South Af- van Rensburg barged over from close said from the LPGA Tour’s In- not heard of Stacy, noting: “My rica’s Lions were left standing range and the home side were up 12-0 as ternational Crown outside of mom was born in 1971.” as the only threat to New Zea- some in the crowd were still fi nding their Chicago, where she is competing Seong sealed the match with landC domination of Super Rugby after the seats. this weekend at The Merit Club a 40-foot birdie putt to win the weekend’s fi rst round of playoff s. The Crusaders have not won seven ti- for Australia. “I just told him at 34th hole. Such has been the strength of New tles by letting their heads drop, however, the beginning of the day to just “It was really nothing much I Zealand rugby this season in the wake of and it was not until another two-try burst have fun. I’m glad that he came could do,” said California’s Lee. the All Blacks’ second successive World late in the second half that a famous 42- Cup triumph last October that many 25 victory was assured. thought a sweep of all four semi-fi nal There was plenty to like about the Li- England, USA advance in International Crown spots was likely. ons performance — the solidity of the The Otago Highlanders, the reigning scrum against an All Blacks front row, AFP, Chicago: With Charley Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn champions, duly held on in Canberra to the defence and the energy of lock Franco Hull back in action on Saturday, 3 and 1 as England won Pool B defeat the ACT Brumbies 15-9 on Friday Mostert — but the strong start and fi nish England cruised into the final with nine points. before the top-seeded Wellington Hur- were particularly pleasing for coach Jo- singles matches along with the Thailand had taken the lead ricanes thumped South Africa’s Sharks han Ackermann. United States and Taiwan at with birdies at the second 41-0 in New Zealand’s capital on Satur- Lionel Mapoe and Ruan Combrinck of the Emirates Lions run during their Super Ackermann had gambled by resting his the LPGA’s International Crown and fourth by Moriya, but Hull day. Rugby quarter-final clash against the Crusaders at Ellis Park rugby stadium in fi rst-choice side for their last regular sea- team event. reeled off four straight birdies The Waikato Chiefs continued in a Johannesburg. son match against the Jaguares in Bue- Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Holly at the fifth through eighth to similar vein by hammering the Stormers nos Aires, which they lost to forfeit the Clyburn routed Pornanong put England 2 up. 60-21 in the fourth quarter-fi nal in Cape Rugby in eight of nine seasons and did not with All Blacks looking to give departing chance of topping the table and securing Phatlum and Pornani Chut- Reid birdied the ninth to stretch Town but only after the Lions had en- feature at all in 2013 after being relegated coach Todd Blackadder his fi rst title in his home advantage throughout the playoff s. ichai of Thailand 7 and 5. Hull, the lead before Ariya stepped sured there would be no sweep. in favour of the Kings. fi nal season in charge. “We always knew the start was going to sidelined by illness on Friday, up with two birdies and a chip- Since changing names from the Cats Their opponents on Saturday at El- Rather than being overawed, however, be important. We put them under pres- returned and teamed with in eagle on the 16th hole to in 2006, the Johannesburg-based Lions lis Park were the seven-times champi- the Lions tore into the visitors from the sure to play catch-up rugby,” the former Melissa Reid to beat sisters keep within striking distance. have fi nished in the bottom three in Super ons Canterbury Crusaders, a side packed start and were on the scoreboard within Springboks lock told reporters. Gulf Times 10 Monday, July 25, 2016 SPORT PICTURE PERFECT

The pack rides past the Chateau de Chantilly (Chantilly castle) during the start of the 113km 21st and last stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France between Chantilly and Champs-Elysees yesterday. (AFP)

Indian yoga guru Baba Ramdev does a ceremonial kick-off ahead of a charity football match between Indian Bollywood actors and Indian Parliamentarians in New Delhi yesterday. The match was organised to raise awareness for two flagship initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ‘Clean India’ campaign and a female empowerment programme. (Below) Baba Ramdev and Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan gestures during the charity match between Actors and Parliamentarians. (AFP) actor Ranbir Kapoor are seen playing the match with other actors and parliamentarians during the game yesterday. (AFP)

Football greats (from left) Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cafu, Falcano, Crespo and Salgado line up before taking Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho looks at fans from the team bus after a training session a day before the 2016 International part in a ‘Legends match’ before the final of the Indian Premier Futsal League match in Mapusa yesterday. (AFP) Champions Cup football match between Manchester City and Manchester United, in Beijing yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, July 25, 2016 11 SPORT

ATHLETICS Qatar’s Haroun wins 400m at U20 Worlds, India’s Chopra sets world record in javelin

Agencies Championships, which concluded Bydgoszcz, Poland yesterday. In the 400m, it was the start that helped the talented Qatari to take a atar’s Abdalelah Haroun, winning lead, and he never let that ad- a World Indoor silver med- vantage go. allist, won the 400m with “It’s the fi rst time I started a race so a season’s best timing of fast. I almost killed myself in this race 44.81Q at the IAAF World Under-20 but now I’m very happy,” said Haroun. Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, He was given a good challenge by on Friday. It was a great run from the Sibanda, who was drawn one lane in- 19-year-old Qatari, who pushed US’ side Haroun in the fi nal. Will London and Karabo Sibanda of The Qatari began quickly as he tends Botswana to second and third posi- to do. Sibanda kept pace with Haroun tions, respectively. and was neck-and-neck with the India’s Neeraj Chopra won the 19-year-old heading into the home javelin throw gold with a new world straight but then he began to toil. record (U-20 category) of 86.48m. “I went all out in the fi rst 200m South African Johan Grobler and in the last straight I felt dizzy. I (80.59m) took the silver and Anderson attempt that measured a new world Hailing from the country’s northern made amends with his sensational feat. pra. “My ultimate target this year was couldn’t see anything in the last 50 Peters (79.65m) of Granada the bronze. record distance. The previous record state of Haryana, Neeraj had served Chopra’s mark added nearly two me- to qualify for the Olympics, but I didn’t metres,” said Sibanda, who faded back Neeraj began the proceedings with of 84.69m was set by Latvia’s Zigis- notice of his prowess in December last tres to the previous record of 84.69m. make it. My other goal was to win at the into third in 45.45. an eff ort of 79.66m that put him sec- munds Sirmais in 2011. year when he set a world leading dis- It also smashed his own senior Indian World U20 Championships.” US junior champion London ran ond place after the fi rst round behind The Indian thrower then came up tance of 81.04m to win the Inter-Varsi- record. With two men beyond 80 metres and the most even-paced race of the three Grobler who had touched 80.59m with with another impressive eff ort that ty Championship gold in Patiala. After “I was hoping to improve, but I never all three medallists beyond 79m, it was medallists, picking off Sibanda in his opening eff ort. The Indian came up measured 78.36m while his fourth and narrowly missing the Olympic qualifi - expected to throw over 86 metres and the best quality podium fi nish ever in the closing metres to claim the silver with his massive throw on his second last attempt ended in a foul. cation mark by 77 cm, Neeraj has now break the world U20 record,” said Cho- this discipline at the IAAF World U20 medal in 45.27. FORMULA ONE Qatar’s Adel Hussein closes in on T2 lead Fift h Hungary win with Baja Spain win Agencies Alfambra stage on Saturday Teruel, Spain afternoon trailing Saeidan by 5 minutes 02 seconds, but that was all to change in the atar’s Adel Hussein demanding special, held in the Abdulla stormed back punishing heat of a Spanish Qinto contention to win summer afternoon. sends Hamilton top the FIA T2 World Champion- Saeidan’s car developed ship for Drivers by winning the gearbox issues and the Saudi category at the Teruel-based was forced to retire, as the regu- ‘The start was everything. I got a good start and one of the Red Bulls was inside me Baja Spain Aragón, round five lations state that any T2 driver so I was pressurised a lot. But this is a great result for the team. What a day! The traff ic of the FIA World Cup for Cross- changing the gearbox during Country Rallies, yesterday. a Baja would automatically be was diff icult to navigate, but it was an amazing race. A special thank you to the fans’ Running a Nissan Patrol with placed in the T1 category for the support from Nissan Middle remainder of the race. East and the Qatar Motor Adel Hussein reached the Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico and Motorcycle Federation stage finish a mere 11 seconds Rosberg celebrate their Hungarian GP 1-2 (QMMF), the Qatari began the behind local Spanish driver finish with team members. (Reuters) final morning with an outright Cesar Sequeira and stormed to lead of 13 minutes 51 seconds the top of the T2 standings. By and benefited from excellent the end of the day, his lead in support from French co-driver the FIA T2 category for Series Jean-Michel Polato to set Production Cross-Country vehi- a target time of 2 hours 58 cles had risen to 13 minutes 51 minutes 01 seconds in the final seconds over Spain’s Josep Sole. Alfambra special stage. Qatar’s Mohamed al-Harqan That was suff icient for the too joined Saeidan on the list Qatari to secure the win and of retirements. the maximum points awarded José Enrique de Dios was in T2 and enabled him to also classified in the T2 cat- close to within an unoff icial egory, but was not registered two points of Saudi Arabia’s for the FIA World Cup for Yasir Saeidan at the top of the Cross-Country Rallies and was points’ standings.” competing for points in both “What a fantastic rally and the Trophy Aragón and Span- mission accomplished for us,” ish Championships. enthused Adel Hussein. “The The Alfambra special was aim was to win the race and to repeated yesterday morning shrink the gap to the leader in and 184.80km stood between the championship. That’s what Adel Hussein and a famous T2 we managed to do. I finished win on one of the most diff icult first and the points’ diff erence Bajas in the world. He stayed is now just two. clear of trouble to record a “I had big confidence in my memorable T2 victory and Nissan Patrol. We didn’t have a closed in on the T2 series lead single problem. The result to- heading for two further Bajas day will give me a major boost in Europe next month. for the next events. I’m now looking forward to pressing Baja Spain Positions on to try and win the T2 World Championship,” he added. (after SS4, T2 class) After series leader Yasir 1. Adel Hussein Abdulla (QAT)/ Saiedan had succumbed to Jean-Michel Polato (FRA) Nissan transmission problems on Patrol — 8hr 37min 33sec Saturday, Hussein came under 2. Josep Sole (ESP)/Laura Diaz pressure from a strong contin- (ESP) Mitsubishi Pajero gent of Spanish drivers with far — 9hr 01min 39sec more experience of the remote 3. César Sequiera (ESP)/Tania rural terrain used for the chal- Sequiera (ESP) Isuzu D-Max lenging route of Spain’s premier — 9hr 24min 08sec off -road rally. Spanish drivers, DNF. Mohamed al-Harqan Josep Sole and César Sequiera, (QAT)/Fares Allouh (JOR) Toyota eventually finished second and Land Cruiser AFP Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, four-time front fi ve squeezed through a sweeping Perez (MEX/Force India) 1, 12. Jolyon Palmer third behind the Qatari. DNF. Yasir Seaidan (SAU)/Alexei Budapest champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and trio of corners. (GBR/Renault) 1, 13. Esteban Gutierrez Adel Hussein began the first Kuzmich (RUS) Toyota Land teenager Max Verstappen in the second Rosberg, pushed back to third, fought (MEX/Haas) 1, 14. Romain Grosjean (FRA/ of two runs through the 184km Cruiser 200 Red Bull. Kimi Raikkonen was sixth in the back and emerged from the opening tus- Haas) 1, 15. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) efending champion Lewis Ham- second Ferrari ahead of two-time cham- sle back in second place ahead of the two 1, 16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 1, 17. ilton produced a trademark tri- pion Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Red Bulls, but struggling to match the Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber) 1, 18. Felipe Massa umph of pace and panache to Carlos Sainz of Toro Rosso, Valtteri Bot- pace of the defending champion. By lap (BRA/Williams) at 2 laps, 19. Pascal Wehrlein win the Hungarian Grand Prix tas of Williams and Nico Hulkenberg who 15, Hamilton was 2.5 seconds clear and (GER/Manor) 2, 20. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/ yesterdayD ahead of Mercedes teammate was 10th for Force India. the two Silver Arrows were striding away. Sauber) 2, 21. Rio Haryanto (INA/Manor) 2 Nico Rosberg and replace him as leader of Hamilton’s win increased his points A phenomenal and fast out-lap from this year’s world title race. total to 192, six more than Rosberg as Ric- Hamilton put him in charge with Rosberg Overall standings Hamilton outpaced pole-sitter Ros- ciardo moved up to third. in pursuit, trimming the gap as he made Drivers: 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 192 berg at the start and then controlled the “It was all down to the start in the end,” best use of his fresh rubber. By lap 51 it pts, 2. Nico Rosberg (GER) 186, 3. Daniel 70 laps with a mixture of speed and fl aw- admitted Rosberg. “With Daniel on one was 1.8 seconds before Hamilton was held Ricciardo (AUS) 115, 4. Kimi Raikkonen less judgement in sweltering heat at the side and Lewis on the other I was out of up when Esteban Gutierrez ignored blue (FIN) 114, 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 110, Hungaroring circuit. space and that was it really. It’s not pos- fl ags. The stewards swiftly announced an 6. Max Verstappen (NED) 100, 7. Valtteri His victory completed a hat-trick of sible to pass on this track. We have the investigation into the Mexican’s driving. Bottas (FIN) 56, 8. Sergio Perez (MEX) 47, successes in consecutive races, was his next race coming up very quickly and it is Results 9. Felipe Massa (BRA) 38, 10. Carlos Sainz outright record fi fth in Hungary, his fi fth my home race next weekend, the German Jr (ESP) 30, 11. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 28, of the season and the 48th of his career. Grand Prix, so bring it on,” he added. 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr 12. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 27, 13. Fernando “The start was everything,” said Ham- After the deluge in Saturday’s qualify- 40min 30.115sec, 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/ Alonso (ESP) 24, 14. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 23, ilton. “I got a good start and one of the Red ing, the race began in searing heat with air Mercedes) at 1.977, 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/ 15. Jenson Button (GBR) 13, 16. Kevin Mag- Bulls was inside me so I was pressurised a temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius and a Red Bull) 27.539, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/ nussen (DEN) 6, 17. Pascal Wehrlein (GER) lot into Turn One. But this is a great result track temperature of 52 degrees. Ferrari) 28.213, 5. Max Verstappen (NED/Red 1, 18. Stoff el Vandoorne (BEL) 1 for the team. What a day! The traffi c was Hamilton made a fl awless start to pull Bull) 48.659, 6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) Constructors: 1. Mercedes 378 pts, diffi cult to navigate, but it was an amaz- alongside Rosberg while Ricciardo surged 49.044, 7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) 2. Ferrari 224, 3. Red Bull 223, 4. Williams ing race. A special thank you to the fans forward on the outside in the run up to at 1 lap, 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) 94, 5. Force India 74, 6. Toro Rosso 45, — you make this such a great event.” Turn One. Ricciardo attacked and briefl y 1, 9. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) 1, 10. Nico 7. McLaren 38, 8. Haas 28, 9. Renault 6, Rosberg came home second ahead of led before Hamilton responded as the Hulkenberg (GER/Force India) 1, 11. Sergio 10. Manor 1 Monday, July 25, 2016 GULF TIMES SPORT

CYCLING/ TOUR DE FRANCE Froome cements great status with third title Reuters the three-week race while Adam Yates It earned Froome sympathy from the “I feel so privileged to be in this posi- Paris showed Britain was full of resources, crowd, as did his crash on the penulti- tion where I’ve always had teammates ending up fourth overall and winning the mate stage, which left him with a blood- around me in the race,” he said. “Although white jersey for the best Under-25 rider. ied knee. That was not enough to unset- we haven’t won the team competition, riton Chris Froome cemented Another Briton, Mark Cavendish, tle the Briton, who with his third title in we’ve had by far the strongest team in this his status as one of the greatest also claimed four stages but he pulled four years, has become a more popular race and I’m incredibly grateful for that.” Tour de France riders when he out of the race on the second rest day to fi gure in the race after being grilled by Froome has already vowed he will try Bsecured his third title yesterday prepare for the Olympics, where he will the media on doping issues and had urine for more victories on the Tour, having after a three-week rocky ride. be competing on the track. thrown at him by a spectator last year. joined Belgian Philippe Thys, American Germany’s Andre Greipel won the Froome rode a wave of hostility to his “I think for quite a lot of reasons, I’ve Greg LeMond and France’s Louison Bo- 21st and last stage, a 113km ride from fi rst two Tour de France wins, but had put that to rest now,” Froome said. “I’ve bet as triple winners. Chantilly ending on the Champs an easier time out of the saddle on his done a lot in terms of off ering up my Ahead of him are fi ve-time champi- Elysees in Paris. way to a third, winning respect if not physiological data and trying to be open ons Miguel Indurain of Spain, Belgian The Team Sky rider survived two love from the tough French crowds. to people as much as I can while protect- great Eddy Merckx and Frenchmen Ber- crashes and even a jog up a mountain The Briton’s fi rst two titles were ac- ing a competitive advantage at the same nard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil. “It road to add to his 2013 and 2015 tri- companied by tense moments with some time. Things have been put into per- would be my dream to keep coming back umphs to become the fi rst rider to retain spectators, while questions about cy- spective for us, by the attack in Nice and to the Tour for the next fi ve to six years his title since Miguel Indurain in 1995. cling’s doping past were never far away. what’s been happening. But credit to the if I can and give it my best shot. I hope I American Lance Armstrong won This year, Froome was more relaxed and French public, the race continued. can do that next year,” said Froome. seven titles in succession from 1999 spontaneous as the crowds seemingly “It’s a strong sign that life goes on,” he but was erased from the winners’ list warmed to the Kenyan-born rider. added, referring to the recent incident in Final Classification after admitting to doping. Frenchman He built his 2013 and 2015 victories which a delivery driver killed 84 people 1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 89:06:01 Romain Bardet fi nished second overall on stunning attacks in the climbs, but and injured many more when he drove 2. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R) +2:52 ahead of Colombian Nairo Quintana. he triumphed this year by surprising his his truck through a Bastille Day crowd 3. Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) +3:08 Pole Rafal Majka won the polka dot rivals on descents and the fl at. A some- on the seafront at the Riviera city. 4. Adam Yates (Britain / Orica) +3:29 jersey for the mountain classifi cation times robotic character, Froome looked The 31-year-old is grateful to the 5. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) +4:04 and his Tinkoff teammate, world cham- human when, after his bike was bro- public and he knows he also owes his 6. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +5:03 pion Peter Sagan, clinched a fi fth green ken in a crash involving a motorbike on success to his teammates, who like 7. Louis Meintjes (South Africa / Lampre) +5:45 jersey for the points classifi cation. the slopes of Mont Ventoux, he started Wouter Poels, kept him safe throughout 8. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) +5:51 Sagan, who won three stages, was to run up the road in one of the most Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain celebrates with his wife Michelle Cound and and formed the most formidable team 9. Roman Kreuziger (Czech / Tinkoff ) +5:58 also voted the most aggressive rider in memorable moments of any Tour. their child after winning his third Tour de France title in Paris yesterday. (Reuters) assembled in years. 10. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +6:16

SPOTLIGHT QOC’s Shine project aims to transform young lives ‘The Qatar Olympic Committee established Shine because we believe in the power of sport to transform lives. The Rio Olympics will leave a compelling legacy for Rio and Brazil, and the QOC is determined to contribute to that legacy. We want to make sure that we grasp the opportunity of the Rio Games to leave a positive impact and inspire young people’

By Sports Reporter Doha

he power of the Olympic Games is in their ability to be a cata- lyst for change and transform the lives of young people from Tacross the host nation. Once the fi nal medals at this sum- mer’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games have been awarded, the volunteers have re- turned to their day jobs and the 30,000 international media have fi led their fi nal stories of herculean athleticism, ten talented young athletes from Rio de Janeiro will be at just the beginning of their Olympic journeys. This group of promising young sporting stars from disadvantaged backgrounds have won a place to train at Doha’s world-renowned Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence as a result of the Qatar Olympic Commit- tee’s (QOC) ‘Shine’ project. The athletes will receive the same specialised coaching and sport science support that has contributed to the success of Qatar’s World Champions, Mutaz Barshim and Ashraf Elseify, both graduates of the Aspire Academy. Qatar’s world-class sports facilities attract some of the best global sport- ing stars for high-level training camps, including Bayern Munich, PSG, the British and Australian Olympic swim- ming teams and several athletics world champions. The QOC is committed Gabriel Oliveira Constantino wins the 100m during a Shine-sponsored competition in Rio; to utilising Qatar’s knowledge and re- (Left) Shine winners celebrate with QOC off icials; (Below) Men’s high jump competition sources to support the careers of young athletes from around the world. The Shine project aims to use the opportunity of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to provide support and assist- ance that will help Brazil’s most talent- ed athletes realise their full potential. Dr Thani Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, Secretary General of the QOC, explains: “The Qatar Olympic Committee estab- lished Shine because we believe in the power of sport to transform lives. The Olympic Games will leave a compelling legacy for Rio and Brazil, and the Qa- tar Olympic Committee is determined to contribute to that legacy. We want to make sure that we grasp the oppor- tunity of the Rio 2016 Games to leave a positive impact and inspire young peo- ple in Rio de Janeiro and Qatar.” The QOC, together with the Qatar them in Doha,” she said, speaking from help athletics in Brazil as a whole. letics is everything in my life and I live efi t his athletes, as well as him person- their development and performance Athletics Federation and Aspire Acad- the event. “It’s what Brazil and athletics need- for it. Futuro Olimpico opened a lot of ally: “It is a unique experience and a through tailored and optimised train- emy, have partnered with the Rio de For many of the winners, travelling ed. Support from a foreign country doors for me and because of it I will go great opportunity to meet new ath- ing programmes. The Shine athletes Janeiro Athletics Federation and Futuro to Doha will be the fi rst time that they changes our vision about what we are to Qatar. I want to thank everyone who letes, a new culture, and a high level will benefi t from the same experience, Olimpico, an NGO founded by Brazil’s have left Brazil or have even been on a doing and is an incentive for athletes to gave us this opportunity.” training centre. They will see what an helping to provide new knowledge and Olympic bronze medallist from Atlanta plane. pursue their goals. The trip to Qatar is Founded in 2007, Futuro Olimpico athlete needs to go through to win an expertise that will support their future ’96, Arnaldo de Oliveira, to organise the Nineteen-year-old 800m runner a gift and it will also motivate the ath- aims to take athletics to students at Rio Olympic medal. It will be an interest- training programmes. project. Saulo Santos Morais, describes his ex- letes,” she says. de Janeiro’s public schools. Currently ing exchange not only for the athletes In order to further strengthen the An athletics competition in the out- citement: “I can’t wait to feel the adren- The 21-year-old Lucas Soares has his around 200 students participate in the but also for me as a coach. I will learn QOC’s support to Futuro Olimpico, skirts of the Brazilian capital in May aline and to know another country. It sights set on competing in the 2020 Ol- project, which off ers them support not about their training style and disci- the QOC will be asking members of the saw almost 200 young athletes battle will be my fi rst time in an airplane. This ympic Games. He has already achieved only on sports but also provides them pline. I think that when we come back, public to make a donation to the NGO it out across 24 events to become one of is a very gratifying opportunity that strong results on a regional level, fi n- with education, medical, social and we’ll have new ways of seeing things, when entering Bayt Qatar, the QOC’s the ten winners of the trip of a lifetime. people from Qatar are giving to us. I ishing third in the Rio de Janeiro Cham- psychological assistance. new structures and positive thinking in hospitality house for the Rio 2016 Ol- Sheikha Asma al-Thani was very im- can’t wait to have the chance to train in pionships in 800m and second in the Arnaldo de Oliveira, who is devoting order to create more Olympic athletes.” ympic Games. This will enable the NGO pressed by the level of competition. “It a diff erent climate, a diff erent place and 400m hurdles. Commenting on the his life to giving back to the sport that The athletes will travel to Qatar to buy uniforms and equipment and was really inspiring seeing these ath- somewhere that I have never seen.” opportunity ahead, he said: “I’ve heard gave him so much, explains: “Our goal with Arnaldo at the end of 2016 for for further athletes to benefi t from the letes compete. They were really push- Sarah Morais, 21, is one of Brazil’s that Qatar is very advanced in terms of is to transform our athletes into good the week-long training camp. The As- partnership long into the future. ing themselves to their limits and to see most promising young talents. The technology. I really want to absorb eve- citizens. We use athletics as a vehicle pire Academy regularly hosts training More details about the Shine project are them compete and win for the spot in 400m runner feels that the Shine rything possible, meet new people and for social inclusion.” camps for Asia’s most talented young available in the QOC’s fi lm (https://www. Shine was incredible. I can’t wait to see project is providing an opportunity to to learn from high-level athletes. Ath- He feels that Shine will hugely ben- athletes, enabling them to enhance youtube.com/watch?v=lQBxaaRMnjQ).