TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 SPORTS

CYCLING Statesman Froome has ridden above controversy: Boardman

LONDON: has emerged as Yet despite the controversies, ed corticosteroid triamcinolone ahead about what I’m looking at and how I feel sation). What we need are experts in a shining light from the anti-doping Froome’s reputation has been enhanced, of his 2012 Tour de win to treat about that.” managing people and big business.” controversies that have engulfed Team according to former tech- asthma. Froome also reportedly dis- With Brailsford battling to uphold Of far greater concern to Boardman is Sky and British Cycling over the past nical advisor Boardman, who wore the tanced himself from Dave Brailsford Team Sky’s reputation and the British safe cycling in Britain and making year, former Olympic champion Chris yellow jersey in three separate Tours. after the Team Sky boss was grilled by Cycling reeling from the resignations of cycling part of everyday life. Boardman says. “What I’ve found interesting about British lawmakers in December about head coach Shane Sutton, CEO Ian Drake It is a subject especially close to his Team Sky, with whom Froome has the last few months is that Froome has the contents of the package delivered to and chairman Bob Howden in the space heart after his mother was knocked off won three of the last four become more of a statesman for the Wiggins. of nine months, the sport is facing test- her bike and killed. races, has been dogged for months by a sport,” Boardman told Reuters at the “I think people have tried to infer ing times. Boardman said there was too “We have stalled,” he said. “The gov- row over Therapeutic Use Exemptions London Cycle Show. things, spin what (Froome) said, which I much negativity though. ernment says it wants to double the (TUEs) and a package that was delivered “He is more comfortable in that role think is unfair,” Boardman said of a per- “Over the past two Olympic cycles amount of cycling by 2025. Well that’s to Froome’s former team mate Bradley now. He’s clear on what he thinks and ceived cooling in the relationship the sport has been the most successful two percent to four percent which is Wiggins in 2011. doesn’t contradict himself. I think Chris between Froome and Team Sky. for Britain,” he said. “Half the medals are hardly ambitious. “They are ignoring it. Wiggins consistently denied any Froome has handled himself very well.” “But what he has said has been bang coming from women. Yet everyone There are 10 million people in London wrongdoing but the episode brought a Froome has insisted “there are ques- on.” Boardman said the sooner questions seems willing to shoot at it. and they have to move around. Cycling sour postscript to a stellar career and is tions” to answer about Wiggins’s use of are answered the better. “I think people “People are riding bikes, it’s on main- is a logical solution but the acid test is part of an ongoing UK anti-doping TUEs after leaked World Anti-Doping are going to have to come up with stream TV. I like the new chairman. We providing spaces to ride that are attrac- investigation in the sport. Agency (WADA) data revealed he inject- answers,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent don’t need more cyclists (in the organi- tive and safe.” —Reuters ‘This ship has sailed’, Budapest 2024 bid chief tells radio

BUDAPEST: The Hungarian capital has likely he saw no chance for a Hungarian Games in lost its chance to organise Summer Olympic 2024. “The Mayor is right, this issue belongs Games in 2024, the bid’s chief told local radio to all of us,” he said. “The Hungarian Olympic late on Sunday after a nascent political move- family, the capital, Parliament, and the gov- ment collected a quarter million signatures to ernment have all made unified decisions. force a referendum on the bid. Now I see that cause ran aground, even Budapest was considered a long-shot can- though a 120-year-old Hungarian dream had didate next to powerhouses Los Angeles and a palpable chance of coming true.” Paris but the eastern European city pinned He said Agenda 2020 and internal political high hopes on the International Olympic unity were both necessary to allow any Committee’s new frugal bid concept, known chance for a small, poorer country like as Agenda 2020. Hungary to host the Games. A political accord behind the bid once “Now that unity has gone up in the air, and included most parties, the government and lacking that we stand no chance against Paris Parliament, which voted to support the can- or Los Angeles. This ship has sailed, it seems. didacy in 2015. That broad unity evaporated The Budapest Olympics can soon wrap it in, as the new political group, called Momentum, although now it would have really had a tapped into popular dissent. chance.” He said even a favourable referen- Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos flagged he dum result would not save the situation now. might withdraw from the 2024 race but “I would have been the first to propose a rejected responsibility for allowing the bid to referendum had it not been for the complete fall apart, saying it was always a national mat- unity that formed in the Budapest city council ter in Hungary. and a decisive majority in Parliament,” he said. Balazs Furjes, a government commissioner “With no unity the Budapest bid suffers such for special projects and the chief organiser of a blow that a referendum to heal that would the 2024 bid, told Inforadio on Sunday that be too little too late.” — Reuters

Pelicans acquiring DeMarcus NEW ORLEANS: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with the 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy after the 2017 NBA All- Star Game at Smoothie King Center on Sunday in New Orleans, Louisiana. — AFP Cousins in multi-player deal BASKETBALL NEW ORLEANS: DeMarcus Cousins is on Denver for the eighth and final playoff his way out of Sacramento - and right into seeding in the Western Conference. an All-Star frontcourt pairing with Anthony Cousins, like Davis a former collegiate Davis. The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to star at Kentucky, is averaging 27.8 points Davis scores 52, West acquire Cousins from the Kings on Sunday, and 10.6 rebounds this season. But he is the same night the center was playing in due to become a free agent in 2018 unless the All-Star Game in their arena. the Pelicans can sign him to an All-Star cal- The Kings dealt one of the most talent- iber extension. New Orleans will also have ed but temperamental big men in the to hope Cousins can dial back some of his tops East 192-182 game along with Omri Casspi to New after-the-whistle intensity and antics. He Orleans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, 2016 leads the NBA in technical fouls with 17, first-round draft pick Buddy Hield, putting him one away from another one- NEW ORLEANS: Move over, Wilt. After 55 years, er broke into celebration. Players jumped and seven. ... Isaiah Thomas scored 20 for the East. Langston Galloway and first- and second- game suspension. one of your records is no more. threw hands skyward, Curry tossing a cupful of Kyle Lowry scored 19 points and DeMar round draft picks this summer, a person While Davis said after the All-Star Game Anthony Davis took care of that. At the ice water onto a smiling Durant amid it all. DeRozan added 16. ... No East player logged familiar with the situation said. that he wasn’t aware of an impending defense-free dunkfest that now serves as the “It was a nice give-and-go, man,” Westbrook more than 24 minutes. West: Curry took cover in The person spoke to The Associated trade, he said he admired Cousins as a play- NBA’s All-Star Game, Davis scored a record 52 said. Added Durant: “It was a great basketball the third quarter, comically hitting the deck Press on condition of anonymity because er. “He’s a great player, dominant in this points and led the Western Conference past the play. He was open so I threw him the lob. He can face-first as Antetokounmpo went in for yet the trade is not official and has not been league, of course, with all the numbers he Eastern Conference, 192-182 on Sunday night. jump really high so yeah, good play.” another dunk. So later in the quarter, announced by either team. puts up,” Davis said. “Of course, DeMarcus is He made 26 of 39 shots, scored 20 points in the Kerr said that set the West up for the rest of Antetokounmpo went over Curry for a rebound The deal pairs the 6-foot-11 Cousins, a an elite player in this league.” But the Kings fourth quarter and became the first player since the night. “I guess that’s kind of the beauty of slam - one that left Curry staring at the score- frontcourt All-Star from nearby Mobile, decided to move on without him, having Kobe Bryant in 2011 to win MVP honors on his the game,” Kerr said. “You just let the game break board for a replay. Alabama, with the 6-11 Davis, who on not made the playoffs since taking Cousins home floor. the ice, and that play, I thought, broke the ice.” Sunday night was the All-Star Game MVP with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft. “It was amazing,” Davis said. “That’s what I Westbrook scored 12 points - all on 3s - in a CELEB WATCH after scoring 52 points, breaking Wilt The Kings get a player with a lot of wanted to do ... get the MVP for this crowd, for 63-second span late in the third quarter, coming A huge roar greeted Jon Batiste, who per- Chamberlain’s 1962 record of 42. potential in the 6-4 Hield, although he has this city. This one definitely means a lot to me.” off the bench and firing over and over and over formed “The Star-Spangled Banner” pregame, The move also sends a message that the been inconsistent during his rookie season Davis was the star of stars in a game where again. And then he opened the fourth quarter when he started the song. It wasn’t for him. Pelicans are more concerned with making a out of Oklahoma, where as a senior he was the teams combined for more points than in any with another 3, giving him 34 points in just That happened to be the moment when John 25-game push for the playoffs this spring one of the best players in the nation. other All-Star contest. It came on a night when under 14 minutes played to that point. Legend - the halftime performer - and Chrissy then where they’ll be drafting next offsea- Hield is averaging 8.6 points but has Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant provided a It looked like he was a cinch for MVP honors, Teigen were shown at their sideline seats on the son. The deal was still in the works when been explosive at times, with a season high glimpse of the past, Giannis Antetokounmpo until Davis scored 20 points in the fourth. video screens around the arena. And a louder Cousins spoke with reporters after the All- of 21 points. The 6-6 Evans, who can play had more dunks - 12 - than his name has conso- “He did a good job,” Westbrook said, “and got cheer came not long afterward when Beyonce Star Game, when he played just two min- point guard, shooting guard or small for- nants and LeBron James became the first player it done.” and Jay Z got on-screen. Among the other utes as trade rumors swirled. ward, will be entering a second stint in to eclipse 300 points in an All-Star career. celebs in the seats: Guy Fieri, Dave Chappelle, He said he was happy with the Kings, Sacramento, where he was drafted in 2009 Being linked to Wilt Chamberlain, who had 42 TIP-INS Julius Erving, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russell, but would also be happy playing closer to and went on to be Rookie of the Year. points in the 1962 game, only made it more spe- East: Irving also led the East in rebounds with Oscar Robertson and The Roots. — AP home and alongside Davis. Galloway has been a solid reserve, providing cial, Davis said. “If I’m blessed enough to have a job scoring punch from the perimeter. The 6-9 “The next one I’m going to try to do is 100 here, absolutely,” Cousins said. “If that’s Casspi has been playing about 19 minutes points,” Davis said. He even outdid Westbrook, OLYMPICS what happens.” New Orleans (23-34) went per game for the Kings this season, averag- who had 41 points in just 20 minutes - which into the All-Star break 2 1/2 games behind ing 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. —AP ordinarily would have been enough to merit him what would have been a third straight MVP Admit women or lose Tokyo award. Not this time. It was Davis hoisting the trophy, thanks to his West teammates deferring Games golf, IOC tells club to their host time and again. “It shows our guys recognize what the weekend is about,” West SAPPORO: The club scheduled to host the “There’s plenty of time to move to another coach Steve Kerr said golf at the 2020 Tokyo Games must allow golf course if we have to.” Durant had a triple-double with 21 points, 10 women to have full membership or organis- rebounds and 10 assists. Stephen Curry added ers will have to find another venue, REVISED BUDGET 21 points for the West. And after the game, word International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice Tokyo 2020 organisers unveiled a revised came that Sacramento is trading All-Star center president John Coates told Reuters yesterday. budget of $16.8 billion in December and DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans as part of a The private Kasumigaseki Country Club in vowed to seek further savings in cooperation deal that will involve five players and two draft Saitama prefecture, which is set to host both with the IOC. Coates said the budget issue picks. Cousins played only two minutes. The New men’s and women’s tournaments in July and should be resolved some time this year and Orleans fans will see much more of him soon August 2020, forbids women from playing on the final figure would be nowhere near the enough. Antetokounmpo had 30 points for the Sundays and excludes them from becoming 3.0 trillion yen ($26.52 billion) that a Tokyo East. James scored 23 - including a 3-pointer full members. Coates, who is head of the city government panel forecast last year. from the midcourt logo - while Cleveland team- coordination commission which oversees “The costs that were being speculated mate Kyrie Irving added 22 points and 14 assists. preparations for the Games, said he had only were vastly over-speculated,” he said. “There were a few too many transition bas- become aware of the issue on his last visit to “We haven’t yet accepted a final budget. kets allowed,” East coach Brad Stevens dead- Tokyo at the end of last year and that organ- (It should be worked out) on this forthcom- panned. “But I think that was strictly coaching.” isers were now aware of the IOC’s stance. ing visit or the one after.” Davis became the story that overshadowed “We made quite clear that there has to be Budget worries could put paid to The Story coming into this game, that being the gender equality,” Coates told Reuters in an Budapest’s bid for the 2024 Games after a Durant-Westbrook whatever. interview at the Asian Winter Games in the political movement collected a quarter mil- If any animus remains between Durant and northern city of Sapporo. lion signatures to force a referendum on the Westbrook, it was hidden. They passed each oth- “If they can’t achieve the gender equality proposal. The city’s mayor conceded on er the ball in the pregame layup line, and not then we have to get another course, but the Friday he might be forced to withdraw the long after Westbrook checked into the game the organisers are very confident that they will.” bid, leaving only Paris and Los Angeles in a former Oklahoma City teammates provided one Japanese media reported that members of race which at one stage involved six cities. of the game’s top highlights - a give-and-go, the club had met on Sunday to hear an expla- “On the technical side and everything capped by Durant lobbing the ball to set nation of the situation. The club was closed else, I’ve been very impressed (and) I’d be Westbrook up for a dunk. yesterday and nobody was available to com- very disappointed if, as a result of a referen- NEW ORLEANS: Western Conference forward DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento ment. Coates said he was aware that discus- dum, they didn’t proceed,” said Coates. “It’s a Kings (15) plays during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game in New GAME BREAK THE ICE sions were underway. very strong bid technically, and they have a Orleans, Sunday. The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to acquire Cousins from the Kings ‘Oh My God! What Just Happened?’ Curry “They either will or they won’t,” he said. large number of existing venues.”—Reuters on Sunday, the same night the center was playing in the All-Star Game in their arena. — shouted on the West bench, which moments lat-