SPORT THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 2017 21 India’s Rahul to return for second Test

Colombo Ranatunga stops India to host Reuters India’s cricketer Lokesh Rahul eyes the ball as he plays a shot during a practice session watching ‘ailing Sri Lanka later ndian captain Virat Kohli at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground has confirmed that fit- in Colombo, yesterday. Indian captain Virat national team’ this year again opening batsman KL Kohli has confirmed his return for the Rahul will return to the side second Test against Sri Lanka, starting today for the second Test against in Colombo. Colombo New Delhi I Sri Lanka, with Abhinav Mukund AFP AFP appearing the player most likely to lose his spot. ormer Sri Lanka skipper ndia will host Sri Lanka for Rahul was ruled out of the Arjuna Ranatunga (pic- a full series later this year, first Test in Galle, where India Ftured below) yesterday Iwith the cricket board won by 304 runs, with a viral lambasted the country’s adding nearly two dozen fever but the 25-year-old has cricket leaders and said he matches to the tail-end of a recovered sufficiently and has had stopped watching the packed home schedule for been batting in the nets. ‘ailing national team’. Virat Kohli’s team. “KL has been our established Ranatunga, 53, said he India will now host Aus- opener. I feel one of the open- was also disillusioned with tralia, New Zealand and Sri ers (from the first Test) has to the government of which he Lanka back-to-back at venues make way,” Kohli told reporters is a minister because it failed across the country between in Colombo on the eve of today’s to protect the game. September-December. match at the Sinhalese Sports “Frankly, I don’t watch , who went down Club Ground. cricket anymore,” Ranatunga, 2-1 to hosts India in the Test “What he has done for us in who led Sri Lanka to a World series earlier this year, will the past two years has been very Cup triumph in 1996, said. return for five one-day inter- solid and he deserves to come “I read about it in the nationals and three Twenty20 back in and start fresh in Test later on after practice, so we will need to sit down and think “It’s very important to make newspapers but I don’t watch matches. cricket again. be able to clarify that then but which player has had more him feel that this is his spot,” cricket.” India will then welcome “We have a team meeting yes KL, according to me, will impact on the game and who’s Kohli said. Since retiring, the sports New Zealand for three ODIs definitely come back.” been able to make that differ- “It won’t be changed because star has entered politics and and three T20 matches, fol- India were without both ence in the game straight away,” of unfortunate events that hap- was an unelected cricket lowed by Sri Lanka for a India lead 1-0 against their first choice openers in Kohli said, hinting that Dhawan pen outside the playing field or administrator in 2008. return series with three Tests, Sri Lanka Galle, with Murali Vijay also will get the nod. the injuries that you can’t “I am disappointed about three ODIs and three T20s. unavailable due to injury. “It all depends on who’s had control. cricket since the last elec- Abhinav Mukund most India are currently tour- Shikhar Dhawan, who was a better game. Honestly, it’s a “That phase you have to tions,” he said. likely to lose his spot ing Sri Lanka. The two sides named in the squad as a replace- very thin line, it’s a very small come back, get stronger... he’s Ranatunga and his meet Thursday for the second for Colombo Test as ment for Vijay, and Mukund margin but unfortunately that’s really stuck it out in that phase. brother stood for the top two of three Tests after the hosts India look to seal opened for the tourists, who how this sport goes It’s been hard for him, he was posts on the Sri Lankan were thrashed in the first, and three-match series eased to a 1-0 lead in the three- sometimes.” batting very well and then he cricket board in January last they then play five ODIs and after Galle triumph Test series. Rahul had been due to return had to be out. year but were easily beaten one T20. While Dhawan put India in to the Indian starting lineup after “It’s very important to make by Thilanga Sumathipala and Sri Lanka had previously Dhawan likely to the driver’s seat on the opening recovering from a shoulder him feel secure and he deserves his team. been expected to tour India retain his place after day with a sparkling 190 off just injury sustained during the home it because he’s given us those big Ranatunga, who is the next March. But the Board of a sparkling 190 off 168 deliveries, it was Mukund’s Test series against Australia. The performances when the team petroleum minister, is push- Control for Cricket in India just 168 deliveries in turn to shine in the second right-handed batsman has scored has required them. So he’s a guy ing for the ousting of the adjusted the schedule because the first Test innings with an 81. four hundreds and seven fifties in who needs to be back, we... all leadership and the appoint- the island is hosting the Inde- “In a situation like this you 17 Tests with a top score of 199. back him.” ment of an interim committee pendence Cup over that period. to administer the game. “Sri Lanka has always co- He said he had asked operated with India and authorities to intervene in Sri therefore India will be mak- Lanka Cricket but has had no ing a reciprocal short visit response. only to play the Independ- Australian players, board edge closer to deal Last month Ranatunga ence Cup,” BCCI acting demanded an investigation secretary Amitabh Choudhary Melbourne upcoming test series against “I’d like to, but as we’ve two-decade-old revenue share into the country’s 2011 World told reporters on Tuesday. Reuters England. said for a long time we need to model, by which players get a Cup final defeat by India amid India are slated to tour But talks continued to grind get the deal done first,” Smith fixed share of the organisation’s allegations of match-fixing. South Africa for a full series ricket Australia is on the on into yesterday. said. annual revenue, in the new pay Sports minister Dayasiri after completing their verge of agreeing a new Australia’s top 230 players “I don’t think it would be deal. “It’s had some difficult Jayasekera has said he was matches against Sri Lanka. Cpay deal with the play- have effectively been unem- fair for us to go away after the moments,” the 28-year-old willing to order a probe if ers’ union, ending a long ployed since the last five-year (Australia) A guys were very said. there was a written INDIA’S HOME SCHEDULE impasse and avoiding the need agreement expired on June 30 strong on not going away on “When this is all over with, complaint. for arbitration. and an “A” tour of South Africa their tour, for us to then go I have to deal with Pat Howard, Australia: 5 ODIs in Chennai, Bangalore, A Cricket Australia spokes- has already fallen victim to the away I don’t think that’s fair. I have to deal with the (CA) Nagpur, Indore, Kolkata; 3 T20Is in Hydera- man said yesterday that lockout. “CA know this, they’ve been Board and speak to (CA chief bad, Ranchi, Guwahati negotiations had advanced to Australia captain Steve told this. I told (CA’s Executive executive) James Sutherland so New Zealand: 3 ODIs in Pune, Mumbai, the “final details” after days of Smith told Fox Sports TV on General Manager Team Per- I have to be careful with what Kanpur; 3 T20Is in Delhi, Cuttack, Rajkot lengthy talks with the Austral- Tuesday he was confident of a formance) Pat Howard sort of lines I tread.” Sri Lanka: 3 Tests in Kolkata, Nagpur, Del- ian Cricketers’ Association. deal being brokered, but con- personally that this was how CA chief executive James News Ltd media on Tues- firmed players would not travel things were going to be if there Sutherland proposed taking the hi; 3 ODIs in Dharamsala, Mohali, Vizag; 3 day declared a “peace deal to Bangladesh for a two-Test wasn’t a deal done.” matter to binding arbitration if T20Is in Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, In-

brokered” and the “Ashes tour starting this month until The dispute revolves a deal was not struck by early

dore, Mumbai saved”, a reference to the the dispute was resolved. around CA’s scrapping of the this week. LA gets Olympics with an 11-year wait – and risks

Los Angeles History teaches that the accurately estimate ticket prices a venue for Olympic track events, AP economy swings up and down, and the revenue they will then back again. sometimes with disastrous generate? Another hurdle: With the y 2028, a new stadium results. Political scientists fore- Events that happened 11 years change in date, LA apparently being built for the Rams see an era of continuing ago can seem part of a faded, dis- needs to renegotiate and extend and the Chargers will have upheaval and unrest. Geologists tant past. Facebook was a mere financial guarantees approved B Mayor of Los Angeles been beaten up by nearly a dec- say an inevitable big earthquake two years old. Iraqi dictator by the city and state to cover ade of NFL games. The seemingly in quake-prone Southern Cali- Eric Garcetti attends Saddam Hussein was executed. potential shortfalls connected intractable problems of South- fornia could damage venues the news conference Taylor Swift released her first with the 2024 bid. Gov. Jerry ern California — traffic and envisioned as part of the Games. after the voting during album, and “Game of Thrones” Brown signed legislation in Sep- homelessness — might get bet- Mayor Eric Garcetti shrugged the International was years into the future. tember that puts California ter or grow worse. off a question about the Olympic Committee Consider the Los Angeles taxpayers on the hook for up to So much can change in 11 uncertainty. (IOC) extraordinary Memorial Coliseum. The nearly $250m if Los Angeles were years. “Los Angeles is resilient,” session in Lausanne, century-old iconic structure — awarded the 2024 Games and Los Angeles’ decision to lock said the youthful-looking mayor, Switzerland, in this which would be used in an they ran over budget, and the city in an Olympic Games to far-off who will be granddad age, chas- July 11, 2017 file photo. Olympics for a third time after has promised the same. 2028 was praised by city lead- ing 60, by the time of the Games. the 1932 and 1984 Games — was Chicago-based sports- ers as a deal that offers hundreds “If the entire earth falls apart, constructed long before modern finance consultant Marc Ganis of millions of dollars in future probably the Olympics aren’t other supporters argued that the to 10 million people, and that building codes. It was also said the overall outcome was benefits. But the longest wait happening in Los Angeles. But four-year delay was advanta- population could increase by severely damaged in a 1994 favourable for LA, given that time for any Olympics in the US short of that, we are going to geous, giving the car-choked city more than 500,000 by 2028, earthquake. The coliseum is cur- Paris was in line for the 2024 also comes with the risks of the have a great Games here in LA,” more time to build rail lines. state demographers project. The rently undergoing an extensive Games. Additionally, financial unknown. the mayor told reporters. Additionally, the delay comes cutting-edge technology in the makeover, but experts have sweeteners will help cover costs “It’s a big chunk of time,” In embracing the 2028 date with financial sweeteners that, new NFL stadium, now sched- warned it could still be vulnera- over the longer wait time. noted Jules Boykoff, a Pacific that is expected to be finalised among other things, will pump uled to open in 2020, will ble to shaking. Still, facilities age, technol- University professor who has later this year, city Olympic millions of dollars into youth probably look like the forgotten Higher construction costs are ogy advances and costs rise. written widely on the Olympics. organisers ceded the 2024 sports. But time rushes on, and Blackberry by 2028. likely, too. One example of the “There is always going to be “You just don’t know what’s Games to Paris, which both cit- major changes are bound to Many athletes in their prime work that needs to be done: the financial risk,” Ganis said, “when going to come. The world ies had craved. happen. today will be in the bleachers in Coliseum, a football stadium, you are targeting 11 years into the presents surprises.” But Garcetti and Los Angeles County is home a decade. And how can officials would need to be converted into future.” 22 SPORT THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 2017 Qatari female athletes target medals at Ashgabat Games

The Peninsula NBA champ

atar will be out to Curry to test make an impact when it sends a strong dele- golf skills at gation to compete at Qthe 5th Asian Indoor Web.com tour and Martial Arts Games taking place in the Turkmenistan cap- Los Angeles ital city of Ashgabat between AFP September 17 to 27. Ever since being selected as tephen Curry (pictured the football World Cup hosts in above), a two-time NBA 2022, Qatar has drawn global SMost Valuable Player attention in a number of areas and two-time champion with when it comes to sport. the Golden State Warriors, Following that historic has a relatively modest goal announcement in 2010, a con- when he tees it up on the certed effort was launched by the Web.com golf tour today. Qatari leadership to promote “I want to make the cut, more opportunities in sport, par- Qatari swimmer Nada Arkaji leads Qatari contingent at the 2016 of course,” Curry said after a ticularly among the female Rio Olympics opening ceremony in this file photo. Arkaji along practice round at Stonebrae population. with a good number of Qatari female athletes will take part in Golf Club in Northern Califor- In particular, the emirate the Ashgabat Games to be held in September. nia on Tuesday. focussed on ensuring female ath- The cut in last year’s Ellie letes would be a part of its Mae Classic, part of the Web. delegation to attend an Olympic Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, the And there was considerable Ashgabat 2017 across 15 venues Swimming, Taekwondo, Track com Tour that is the talent Games for the first time in Lon- Secretary General of the Qatar success at this year’s Gulf Wom- over 12 days of competition. The Cycling Traditional Wrestling, pipeline to the US PGA Tour, don 2012. Olympic Committee, told report- en’s Games, hosted by Doha in 21 sports are 3x3 Basketball, Belt Weightlifting and Wrestling. was three-under par. And it paid off with Noor Al- ers recently. March, when Qatar topped the Wrestling, Billiard Sports, Bowl- Ashgabat was awarded the Curry acknowledged that Malki (sprinter), Nada Arkaji The reality is that Qatar has medals table with 60, including ing, Chess, DanceSport, Games by the Olympic Council to finish 36 holes at (swimming), Bahiya Al Hamad a small population to choose 21 gold in sports as diverse as Equestrian Jumping, Futsal, of Asia (OCA) in 2010. The 5th three-under, (shooter) and Aya Maidi (table from. Of the 2.7 million people athletics, chess, fencing, taek- Indoor Athletics, Indoor Tennis, AIMAG Executive Committee will “I’ll have to play probably tennis) all making history in calling it home, only 310,000 wondo, handball and Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Kurash, organise and run the Games in the best two rounds of golf of . are Qataris and previously it basketball. Muay, Sambo, Short Courseurse cooperation with the OCA. my life.” Four years later in Rio de has been difficult for girls and “Our success is inspiring lots But, he added: “Why not Janeiro, Qatari females were in women to break into top level of new female athletes in Qatar take advantage of the oppor- the spotlight again when Arkaji sport. But the drive from its who want to play and join the tunity I’ve got right now?” and Dalal Al Harith (400m) joined leadership for more inclusive- national team. During the tour- Known for his long-range a record squad of 38 athletes. ness will continue, and nament, we saw many players shooting touch on the NBA The ambition to have more Ashgabat 2017 will provide registering to join, which was court, the talented amateur female athletes doesn’t stop another major international amazing to see,” said Al Kuwari. Our success is inspiring lots golfer admitted he was there and investment has con- platform for them to show their While the final number for of new female athletes in nowhere near matching the tinued into Qatar’s small progress. the Qatar team to Ashgabat 2017 Qatar who want to play distance of the pros he’ll be population to identify and train At home, the results continue is being finalised, a large female and join the national team, facing. more females through to inter- to come and only recently contingent – not only compet- says Dr Thani Abdulrahman “Most of the courses I national level. Qatar’s first female jockey sad- ing, but looking for medals – are Al Kuwari play, I’m not playing their “I think the number of dled up for competitive horse set to feature in the Games. yardages and I don’t hit as women will increase,” Dr Thani racing. There will be 21 sports at many drivers off the tee,” he said. “So I just have to get com- fortable with hitting the driver a lot more.” Sturridge suffers injury as Curry will be playing Turkey appoints Lucescu as coach: Reports today alongside defending champion Stephan Jaeger, Liverpool beat Bayern 3-0 Ankara domestic league titles and six Terim left his job two who fired the first 58 Reuters national cups as well as the weeks after being involved in recorded in a US professional London again soon,” Liverpool manager UEFA Cup in 2009 to become a brawl in a west coast holiday tournament when he went Reuters Juergen Klopp told reporters. urkey has appointed their most successful coach. He town. 12-under in the first-round “It’s a shame and I hope it’s Romanian Mircea left the Ukrainian club to join The 63-year-old former last year. iverpool striker Daniel nothing serious.” T Lucescu as national team Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, Fiorentina, AC Milan and Sturridge was substituted Sadio Mane and Mohamed coach, a week after parting but was dismissed in May after Galatasaray manager was seen Lwith a thigh injury as the Salah also scored for Liverpool, ways with Fatih Terim, local a solitary season in charge. in television footage fighting MLB: Miami Premier League club beat Bay- who open their Premier League media reported yesterday. He has previously coached with a restaurant owner. Turk- ern Munich 3-0 in a pre-season campaign at Watford on August Lucescu spent 12 years at the Romanian national team, ish media said he and his match in Germany on 12. the helm of Shakhtar Donetsk Inter Milan and Turkish clubs sons-in-law left five men Marlins edge Tuesday. Sturridge will miss pre-sea- from 2004, winning eight Galatasaray and Besiktas. injured after the incident. Sturridge, whose career has son Audi Cup final match out Nationals been blighted by a string of against Atletico Madrid with a injuries over the last three sea- thigh injury but does not need New York sons, scored Liverpool’s third a scan. Agencies goal, but immediately pulled up “There are currently no Pochettino targets quality and was substituted in the 87th plans for a scan to take place in he first-place Washing- minute. Germany,” the club added. ton Nationals lost star “He hurt his thigh. He has Sturridge said after the Tpitcher Max Scherzer to really prepared well, really match that the injury was not signings to inspire Spurs a neck spasm and then blew well, so I hope this is just a small serious and put it down to a six-run lead, falling 7-6 to injury and that he can play fatigue. the Miami Marlins on Tues- London Chelsea in the last campaign, but day night at Marlins Park. Mauricio Reuters the manager has concerns over Scherzer hit his first Pochettino how to keep his players career homer, a three-run failure to recruit quality motivated. blast, in the top of the second signings that will help “We understand that Dele inning, but he could not throw A increase competition Alli, Harry Kane, Christian Erik- a pitch in the bottom of the within the squad could leave sen, (Eric) Dier, (Toby) second. Tottenham Hotspur struggling Alderweireld are really good He left as a precaution to end their trophy drought, players. They want to win but and said postgame that he is manager Mauricio Pochettino need to feel the pressure a little day-to-day. has said. bit to improve every season,” he Tottenham are the only Pre- added. BASEBALL RESULTS mier League side yet to add to “If there’s no competition in San Diego 3 Minnesota 0 their squad in the close season, “Bringing players and trying behind it’s normal to drop your La Angels 7 Philadelphia 1 while their England interna- to put more pressure on their motivation, it’s normal to drop tional right back Kyle Walker star players -- and for us we everything that you do. And then San Francisco 10 Oakland 4 has departed for rivals Manches- need to do that too. it’s difficult to win.” Colorado 5 NY Mets 4 ter City. “Right, now (I hear) we need He reiterated his belief that Tampa Bay 6 Houston 4 All the teams expected to to win some trophies, no? That Spurs chairman Daniel Levy 8 Chicago W’Sox 4 challenge Tottenham for silver- is good, the pressure. I think it’s would strengthen the squad but Chicago Cubs 16 Arizona 4 ware have strengthened and important to understand now said Tottenham could not go Seattle 8 Texas 7 Pochettino said his hopes of end- that we need to be clever how toe-to-toe with the rich sides of Milwaukee 3 St. Louis 2 ing the club’s nine-year wait for we manage the expectation and Manchester. LA Dodgers 3 Atlanta 2 a trophy relied on increasing how we need to put pressure on “The problem is so clear,” he competition within the ranks. our own players.” said. Boston 12 Cleveland 10 “How have Manchester City, Under Pochettino, Totten- “We are not a club today that Miami 7 Washington 6 Liverpool, Chelsea and differ- ham have evolved into one of can compete with Manchester Cincinnati 9 Pittsburgh 1 Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke comes on as a substitute to

ent clubs tried to improve their the top teams in the league, fin- United and City for a player. We Detroit 4 NY Yankees 3

replace Daniel Sturridge (right) during the Audi Cup match season?” the Argentine told Brit- ishing third two seasons ago and cannot fight. We are in a differ- Baltimore 7 Kansas City 2 against Bayern Munich in Munich on Tuesday. ish media. ending as runners-up to ent way.” THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 23

Thiem, Halep ‘Underdog’ Bolt ready to fire ease through in Washington London been cleared to compete as neutrals. AFP But Bolt insisted the sport was on Washington the right path. Gatlin gunning AFP amaican sprint legend Usain Bolt “You can’t be happy about doping, (pictured) labelled himself the Every year you find but we’re doing a better job and are op seeds Dominic Thiem underdog as he seeks to round off something else to catching up and if you cheat, you will for final Bolt duel and Simona Halep his glittering individual track get caught. After the scandal on Russia, Tcruised into the round Jcareer with the defence of his motivate you. it doesn’t get any worse than that. It’s on of 16 at the ATP and WTA Citi world 100m title this week. I love competition, I thrive its way back up now. London Open with straight-set tri- “That’s what I keep reading and on competition, and I AFP umphs on Tuesday at the US what my team keeps telling me, so I’vee Open tune-up event. got to prove myself again,” thee want people to run fast to ustin Gatlin has become increasingly irri- Austria’s seventh-ranked 30-year-old said in a warning shot too push me: Usain Bolt tated at being labelled the dope cheat Thiem, a French Open semi- pretenders to his crown in the blue rib- Jcontrasting with Usain Bolt’s superhero finalist in June, waited out a and event of the IAAF Worldd image in the sprinting world, but he can set rain delay then needed only Championships. that aside by spoiling the latter’s farewell at 63 minutes to dispatch 96th- Bolt started this season in sluggishh the championships. ranked Swiss Henri form, running two 10sec-plus timess The 35-year-old American -- who last year Laaksonen 6-3, 6-3. before finally hitting some form at thee “I’m comfortable saying I’m a became the oldest man to win a 100m Olym- World number two Halep, Monaco Diamond League. legend because I’ve proved myself. pic medal when he took silver behind his this year’s French Open run- “The last race I ran was 9.95sec, “I didn’t know I would be 100m nemesis Bolt -- gets one last go at the Jamai- ner-up, took only 79 minutes which shows I’m going in the rightt world record holder growing up, I can legend when the world championships to oust US wildcard Sloane direction,” he said. had no ideaidea.. get underway in London on Friday. Stephens 7-6 (7/3), 6-0. “It’s a championships and the twoo “Anything’s possible, you’ve just It will be asking a lot of Gatlin -- who Thiem, who dropped only rounds always help me. I’ve been heree got to put it in your head and work served a four-year ban reduced from eight eight points on his serve and many times. It’s go-time, so let’s go!” for it. There are no words to explain for doping from 2006-2010 -- to achieve that just one on 25 successful first He added: “Usain Bolt has retiredd what I’ve done over the years, and I’m having only beaten Bolt once in nine previ- serves, broke in the second unbeaten in an individual event, reallyreally proud of mmyself.”yself.” ous meetings over the shorter sprint distance, game of the match and again unbeatable, unstoppable -- for me thatt SprintingSprinting has been mired by doping and that was four years ago in Rome. in his rival’s last two service would be the best headline! over the years, and ’s gov-gov- There exists a mutual respect between the games, taking the match “If I show up at a championshipss erningerning bodbodyy the IAAF has been on the two old rivals to the extent the Jamaican was when Laaksonen netted a you know I’m fully confident and readyy back foot over widespread state-spon-state-spon- horrified by the booing and jeering of the backhand. to go, and my coach, I’m ready to go.”” sored dopingdoping in Russia, whose athletes American prior to the 100m final in Rio last This marks the biggest Bolt refused to single out whoo were barred from the Rio Olympics year, and then again at the medal event where Thiem has been would be his closest rival for the 100m, and will also miss London, ceremony. top seeded, but his four near- with heats on Friday before the semi- althoughalthough some “I personally think he’s a great athlete,” est rankings rivals are also in final and final on Saturday at the samee hhavea v e said Bolt after Rio. the field - Germany’s Alexan- stadium in east London where he wonn Gatlin too is gushing about Bolt, whose der Zverev, Japan’s Kei treble gold at the 2012 Olympics. crowd-pleasing antics have gilded his image Nishikori, Canada’s Milos “The seven people who are goingg as the good guy whilst the American has often Raonic and Bulgarian Grigor to be in that race with me, they’re thee been cast as a pantomime villain. Dimitrov. biggest challengers,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for Usain,” said But Thiem faces a possi- Bolt has dominated sprinting sincee Gatlin. ble third-round match taking double individual gold at thee Gatlin -- who has been one of the most Thursday against South Afri- Olympics in 2008, going on too tested athletes in sport since his return from ca’s Kevin Anderson, who has win a further six Olympic golds andd the ban - showed his class in adding Olympic beaten him in all five of their also picking up 11 world titles. bronze (2012) and silver in the 100m to go career meetings, all on hard- He also holds world records of 9.588 with the gold he won in the pre-Bolt era in court and with Thiem taking and 19.19sec in the 100 and 200m, Athens in 2004, when he also took bronze in only one set. both set when winning at the 2009 DEFENDING CHAMPIONS AT IAAF WORLD the 200m. Second-seeded Nishikori Berlin worlds. He has the full house of Olympic 100m turned back the determined Bolt admitted that he hoped his 100m: 50km race walk: medals - plus a plethora of world medals challenge of American Don- records would last. Usain Bolt (JAM)/Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) Matej Toth (SVK)/NA including the 100m and 200m golds from ald Young 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5). “I want to brag to my kids when 200m: 4x100m relay: 2005 -- but whether it measures up to what Nishikori, seeking his first they’re 15, that I’m still the best,” he Usain Bolt (JAM)/Dafne Schippers (NED) Jamaica/Jamaica he could have won, had he not fallen foul of title of 2017, didn’t face a joked. the dope testers when he was a member of break point in the third set, In a glitzy press conference organ- 400m: 4x400m relay: the now disgraced Trevor Graham stable, is but he couldn’t convert any Wayde van Niekerk (RSA)/Allyson Felix (USA) United States/Jamaica ised by his long-term sponsors Puma a moot point. of his eight break chances as and hosted by Welsh ex-hurdler Colin 800m: High jump: Although he has hinted he might try and Young forced the Jackson, Bolt picked out his then- David Rudisha (KEN)/Maryna Arzamasava (BLR) Ezekiel Kemboi (KEN)/Hyvin Jepkemoi (KEN) ppush his ageingg g legsg and bodyy to tryy and tiebreaker. world record breaking victory in the 1500m: : make the Tokyo OOlympicslympics in 2020, realistrealisti-i- Nishikori finally sealed 200m at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 Asbel Kiprop (KEN)/Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) Shawnacy Barber (CAN)/Yarisley Silva (CUB) callcallyy London mamayy the win on his sixth match as the stand-out performance of his represent the last point after two hours and 25 career. 5000m: Long jump: chance to bbee a minutes and with the clock Mo Farah (GBR)/Almaz Ayana (ETH) “It’s definitely Beijing (Olympics), Greg Rutherford (GBR)/Tianna Bartoletta (USA) genuine con- ticking toward 2 am. the 200m, because I never knew I 10000m: Triple jump: tender at a major Halep will next face could break the world record,” he said. Mo Farah (GBR)/Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) Christian Taylor (USA)/Caterine Ibarguen (COL) chamchampionshipspionships - Colombia’s 115th-ranked “That was my main dream grow- Marathon: Shot put: aandnd deliverdeliver a Mariana Duque-Marino for a ing up -- I always wanted to be Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI)/Mare Dibaba (ETH) Joe Kovacs (USA)/Christina Schwanitz (GER) ttitleitle fforor hihiss quarter-final berth as the Olympic 200m champion. When I demandindemandingg 25-year-old Romanian keeps broke the record I didn’t know how to 110/100m hurdles: Discus throw: seven-seven-year-oldyear-old her focus on building her react.” Sergey Shubenkov (RUS)/Danielle Williams (JAM) Piotr Malachowski (POL)/Denia Caballero (CUB) son Jace.Jace. game for the US Open that And he insisted that motivation starts on August 28 in New was not lacking despite having devoted 400m hurdles: Hammer throw: Justin Gatlin York. his life to the track since the age of 10. Nicholas Bett (KEN)/Zuzana Hejnova (CZE) Pawel Fadjek (POL)/Anita Wlodarczyk (POL) “Every year you find something 3000m steeplechase: Javelin throw: else to motivate you,” he said. “I love Ezekiel Kemboi (KEN)/Hyvin Jepkemoi (KEN) Julius Yego (KEN)/Katharina Molitor (GER) Sock pulls off competition, I thrive on competition, 20km race walk: Decathlon/heptathlon: and I want people to run fast to push Miguel Angel Lopez (ESP)/Liu Hong (CHN) Ashton Eaton (USA)/Jessica Enis-Hill (GBR) me. win despite Hawkeye No anthem or colours, but Russians are back blunder Zhukovsky Decked out in an electric blue London when the IAAF holds a whole doping controversy. “I after World Anti-Doping Agency Washington AP Russia tracksuit at his national string of ceremonies re-award- don’t want to waste my emotions investigator Richard McLaren Reuters championships last Friday, he ing medals from past on that. I need them for the com- alleged a conspiracy of drug use hey won’t hear their anthem lamented he still can’t “take this championships after doping cases. petition,” she said. and cover-ups stretching back ighth seed Jack Sock if they win. Their national beautiful, awesome uniform to Some originally belonged to There’s a return for Russia’s years. An apparent cover-up of overcame a temporary Tcolors — even on nail var- the worlds and flaunt it.” Russians, including Tatyana Cher- only track and field Olympian of suspicious drug tests on the Rus- EHawkeye breakdown, nish — are strictly forbidden. Keen to head off any Russian nova, who beat Britain’s Jessica 2016, long jumper Darya Klishina, sian track team before the 2014 and a subsequent emotional Regardless, a group of Russian celebrations, the International Ennis-Hill to heptathlon gold at while some younger athletes world indoor championships is of outburst, to edge 90th-ranked athletes is back at the track and Association of Athletics Federa- the 2011 championshipsa but was could be medal threats too. particular interest. Romanian Marius Copil 7-6(2), field world championships. tions has issued its 19 neutrals later stripped of that medal and Sergei Shirobokov, an While Russian President 7-6(6) in the second round at Almost two years after a blan- with strict codes of conduct. others. 18-year-old racewalker, has Vladimir Putin admitted in March the Citi Open in Washington ket suspension for widespread The Russian flag and national The Russians certainly looked promise but would be a contro- the previous anti-doping system on Tuesday. doping, and a year after just one colours are banned, so uniforms like a team as they met Prime versial champion given his links “did not work,” there’s been no At 5-5 and 15-all in the Russian was allowed to compete in neutral colors must be Minister Dmitry Medvedev last to a training centre where more rush to investigate what exactly first set, Sock became highly on the Olympic track in Rio de approved by IAAF officials. Red, week at their national titles. than 25 athletes have been went wrong, at least not publicly. irritated when the technology Janeiro, 19 will compete at the white and blue are forbidden, Their world championship banned for doping. Several officials resigned last year used to check disputed line world championships starting on even on hairbands or bandages preparation is subsidized by the Still, it’s far from a full team. in unclear circumstances, but the calls failed to work after he Friday. or accessories. Russian state, while entry papers Among the absentees are 2012 then-Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko challenged a call. In London, they’ll officially be If the neutrals win, the IAAF’s were submitted by the still-sus- Olympic high jump champion was promoted. Sock looked incredulous “neutral athletes,” individuals not anthem will play. Under the rules, pended national track federation, Ivan Ukhov and former world Russian law enforcement has when chair umpire Fergus representing any country. an athlete who sings the Russian whose head coach Yuri Borzak- indoor triple jump champion sought to present McLaren’s key Murphy announced the line- Sergei Shubenkov, who won anthem faces a fine, though any ovsky expects between five and Lyukman Adams. Russian media witness, former drug-test lab sperson’s call would have to the 110-metre hurdles at the 2015 legal tussles could prove embar- seven podium finishes. reported both were refused neu- director Grigory Rodchenkov, as stand in view of the break- world championships but had to rassing for the IAAF. Besides Shubenkov, another tral status by the IAAF. unreliable. The government con- down. Realising his appeal sit out the Olympics last year The rules “seem tough and a medal contender is reigning world Dozens more are serving tinues to deny any role in doping was futile, Sock returned to because Russia was banned from bit ridiculous,” said Shubenkov. high jump champion Maria Lasi- bans, including former Olympic cover-ups, frustrating the IAAF, action and eventually pre- international competition, said “Bringing a bear on a leash, would tskene, who won every round of champions. which wants Russia to either vailed, if only barely in a “I’ve got back almost all the rights that count?” the Diamond League this season. The IAAF is retesting samples accept or disprove McLaren’s match in which neither player I had.” The Russians will be in She just wants to block out the from previous championships findings. faced a break point. SPORT

Thursday 3 August 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 LA gets Olympics wwithith Qatari female athleteses Justin Gatlin an 11-year wait target medals at gunning for final and risks Ashgabat Games Bolt duel Neymar set for $260m PSG move

Barcelona “It was a huge pleasure hav- Liga to free the player from the Winning the Champions in football history with Messi which brought him to AFP ing shared all those years with contract he signed last year and League for a first time is the and Luis Suarez over the past from Santos in 2013. you, my friend @neymarjr,” runs until 2021. dream driving PSG’s owners three seasons. He and his parents as well eymar could be pre- Messi posted on Instagram However, La Liga President Oryx Qatar Sports Investments Together they have won two as Barca president Josep Maria sented as a Paris alongside a montage displaying Javier Tebas has threatened not (QSI) to fund a deal that could La Liga titles, a Champions Bartomeu face charges of fraud Saint-Germain some of the pair’s finest to accept PSG’s money over herald the start of a new era at League and three Spanish Cups, and corruption in an ongoing player as early as moments together. what he perceives as a failure the elite level of European whilst Neymar has scored 105 case brought by DIS, a Brazilian this weekend for a “I wish you lots of luck in on the French side’s part to football. goals and provided 80 assists in investment company. Nworld record fee as Barcelona this new stage in your life. See comply with UEFA’s financial Since QSI’s takeover in 2011, just 186 games. DIS owned 40 percent of the admitted defeat in convincing you soon tkm,” he added. “Tkm” fair play rules (FFP). PSG have failed to make it However, Neymar’s four- players’ rights at the time of the the Brazilian to stay at the Camp stands for “te quiero mucho” (I Clubs can be sanctioned byy beyondyq the quarter-final stage g ypyear spell in Spain p deal and believe theyy were Nou yesterday. love you loads). UEFA forr makingmaking a lossloss ofof more iinn recent seasons - most notanota-- hashas alsoalso beenbeen over- deliberatelydeliberately cheatedcheated out ooff Wagner Ribeiro, an advisor Neymar has also been given than €30m00mm overover a three-yearthreethree-y yeaear blblyy blblowingowing a 4-0404-0 firstfirst legleg leadlead shadowedshadowed byby theirtheir rerealal ssharehare ddueue ttoo to the player, claimed PSG permission to stay away from period. to lose 6-1 to a Neymar-inspired tthehe murky the complex struc- would pay his €222m ($260m) training until the deal is com- “We will not acceptaccept this BarcelonaBarcelona in thethe lastlast 1616 ofof lastlast ttransferransfer tureture ooff tthehe buyout clause in the “coming plete after making a brief money fromrom a club like PSG,” season’sseason’s ccompetitionompetition in March. ddeale al transfer.transfer. hours” to more than double the appearance at Barca’s training Tebas toldld MadMadridrid sports ddailyaily PrisingPrising Neymar frofromm ththehe current transfer record set by ground on Wednesday morning AS yesterdayrday. “Especially“Especially whenwhen ggriprip ooff BaBarcarca wouldwowould trulytruly Paul Pogba’s £89.3m ($111m, to say goodbye to his this club is infringinginfringing rulesrules andand announceannounu ce PPSG’sSGG’’ss ppresencereresennce asa a €105.2m) move to Manchester teammates. laws.” contendercoontn ennded r forfor thethe likeslikes ofo Barca,Bara ca, United last year. Presuming both clubs don’t RealReal MMadridadrid and BaBayernyeern MMunichunu icch Earlier, Barcelona ended come to a late agreement, the to ffear.eae r. weeks of speculation by publicly buyout clause would have to be NeymarNeN ymmar hashasas formedfoormed ononene of confirming for the first time the paid to Barcelona via Spain’s La thethhe deadliestdeaddlliest strikesttrir ke ppartnershipsarrtnt errshipps 25-year-old’s wish to leave after four years at the Camp Nou. “Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and representative, communicated to FC Barcelona this morning his decision to leave the club,” Barca said in a statement. “The club have informed them that the buyout clause in his contract, that from July 1 is €222m, must be paid in full.” Neymar has been tempted to Paris by an astronomical offer that would reportedly see his wages tripled to €30m a year after tax. However, on the field he also faces the challenge of step- ping out of the shadow of Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar drives into the parking lot at the Sports Center FC five-time World Player of the Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona yesterday, following rumour that Year Lionel Messi to try and Neymar is considering a move to Qatari-owned French club PSG for which the club would prove himself as the world’s have to shell out some €222m, enough to trigger the 25-year-old’s transfer release clause. best. Tayf wins Qatar International Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

The Peninsula (Gr1PA), run at Chantilly in October, and the Emir’s Sword (Gr1PA) to be run in Doha t was a Qatari one-two at Qatar Good- in February 2018. This series links together wood Festival yesterday as Tayf fought three of the most prestigious international Ihard to just edge out Ebraz by a nose on racing events and also carries a $1,000,000 the line in the Qatar International Stakes bonus to any horse who can win all three (Gr1PA). Owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin stages. Khalifa Al Thani and trained by Alban De Qatar’s Ambassador to the United Mieulle, Tayf had been beaten by HE Sheikh Kingdom, HE Yousef bin Ali Al Khater, said Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz that the Qatar Goodwood Festival has when they last met in the Emir’s Sword in become a hallmark in horseracing in the Doha in February. In a photo-finish, it was United Kingdom. Speaking during the sec- Tayf who came out on top. ond day of the Festival, he said: “The While both horses are trained in France Festival is now a destination for horse fans in the summer months, this was certainly and lovers in general especially with the Qatar’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom HE Yousef bin Ali Al Khater presenting the Qatar International the worst weather and underfoot condi- strong presence of the best horses and the Stakes (Gr1PA) trophy to Alban De Mieulle, trainer of winning horse Tayf, during the presentation tions either horse had faced in their careers. desire of owners and trainers to win the ceremony on the second day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival in West Sussex, England yesterday. Qatar Speaking after the race De Mieulle said: Festival’s prizes. The Festival is also held Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) chairman Issa Al Mohannadi (left) is also present. RIGHT: Qatar “Both horses are good, and I know Tayf is regularly every year without change, Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (QIPCO) Director Sheikh Fahad Bin Abdulla Al a nice horse and Olivier Peslier rode him which confirms the Qatar’s commitment Thani presenting the winners’ trophy to the owner of Qatar Sussex Stakes winner Here Comes When. very well today. We did not know if he of sponsorship and adds a positive effect would handle the ground. He’s done very to the Qatari-English relations in the sports well and I am pleased with him.” field, which is one of the many areas that Tayf had not been seen out since the see close cooperation between the two Doha race, however Ebraz had the bene- countries. fit of a European run, winning a Group 3 Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, in France last month. De Mieulle contin- Chairman of the Qatar Racing and Eques- ued: “Yes, we don’t want to push him too trian Club (QREC), expressed his satisfaction much because the season is long, coming with the quality of the Qatar Goodwood Fes- from Qatar to Europe, so we will wait now tival, also known as the Glorious Goodwood, and go straight to Chantilly for the Qatar on the first two days of the event, especially World Cup.” as QREC is keen to maintain the achieve- Gemma Cobb, Arabian Racing Organ- ments of the first two editions of the Festival. isation (ARO) Racing Operations Executive “This year and for the first time, Qatari com- said: “That was a really exciting finish with panies are participating in the Festival to two of the world’s best Arabian horses show the roles they fulfil in their respective fighting it out to the line in desperate con- fields of business”, he said. Tayf, owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin ditions. We congratulate both sets of The G3 Bombay Sapphire Molecomb Khalifa Al Thani, centre, on its way to connections and also those of Prada T who Stakes saw Havana Grey make all under win the Qatar International Stakes has now been placed in this race three the stands’ rail to triumph by a length and (Gr1PA) on the second day of the times.” three-quarter for trainer Karl Burke, who, Qatar Goodwood Festival in West The second and third stages of the Tri- ahead of racing, had cast worries about the Sussex, England yesterday. ple Crown are the Qatar Arabian World Cup state of the soft ground aside.