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SPORTS Sunday, 28 July, 2013
cAZorlA disMisses Atletico link
We can confirm that the ‘B’ sample analysis of a sample collected from Mr Gay has been completed and that the ‘B’ sample analysis has confirmed the ‘A’ sample findings. –Travis Tygart
peArson Wins
As ennis-hill tests injury
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has quashed speculation that he is heading for the exit door at the Emirates Stadium. The Spain international has been linked with a return to his home country, with Atletico Madrid believed to be prepared to launch a bid for him. Atletico coach diego Simeone has not denied that his side were interested in Cazorla, who joined the Gunners last summer from Malaga for £15million, commenting last week that “anything is possible” when asked about the midfielder. However, the 28-year-old, who is enjoying the final days of his extended summer holiday before joining up with his club for pre-season training, has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsene Wenger’s side. He told reporters: “There has been a lot of speculation about a move to Atletico Madrid but I’m very happy at Arsenal, I have a contract there and I start training on Monday. SPORTS DESK
loNDoN: Australia’s Sally Pearson posted a season’s best time when she returned to the scene of her Olympic gold medal triumph in winning the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the London Anniversary Games diamond League meeting on Saturday. Olympic and world champion Pearson crossed the line first in a time of 12.65 seconds ahead of Britain’s Tiffany Porter in an encouraging performance ahead of next month’s World Championships in Moscow. “Everyone told me to be patient and believe in myself and that’s what I’ve done,” said Pearson after a victorious return to London’s Olympic Stadium. “I haven’t shied away and I’ve come here and worked hard every single competition. “I’m Olympic and world champion and I’m still showing up and getting defeated but here I am today (Saturday) and being patient and waiting for my turn and it came out my way.” Meanwhile the same race saw Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, also back at the scene of her greatest triumph, finish fourth in 13.08sec. The 27-year-old Briton has been struggling to recover form the ankle injury which put back her return to action until earlier this week. It is still touch and go whether she will be fit enough to compete in Moscow and Ennis-Hill, due to take part in the women’s long jump later Saturday, said: “It is really nice to be back in the stadium a year on. Obviously I have really great memories from last time but it is a bit of a different situation to last time. “It’s great to be back in front of a home crowd and in the stadium.” AGENCIES
Wiebe MAkes his MArk At senior open
Mark Wiebe carded a superb secondround 65 to earn a share of the halfway lead with Bernhard Langer in the Senior Open at Royal Birkdale. The 55-year-old American started the day at level par but picked up six birdies in his round, including four on the back nine of the Southport course, to leap to the top of the leaderboard at five under alongside Langer. The German posted a score of 67 on the day to move to five under par, and would have held the outright lead had it not been for a double bogey on the sixth. He told europeantour.com: “I played like the weather today [Friday], pretty good. “I just had one little blemish with a double bogey where I missed the green and double hit my chip shot. Otherwise it was a really good round. “I hit a lot of good shots and putted much better today. [Friday] So I’m very pleased with the position I’m in at the halfway point.” SPORTS DESK
bolt blAsts to victory in london LONDON
AGENCIES
Usain Bolt returned to the scene of his triple Olympic glory and duly delivered for 60 000 camera-flashing fans as he overcame a slow start to win the 100 metres and give the London Anniversary Games the Friday finale it demanded. Ukrainian high jumper Bohdan Bondarenko did briefly threaten to steal the Diamond League show when he went close to beating Javier Sotomayor’s 20-year-old world record but when he brushed the bar, all eyes quickly turned back to London’s favourite Jamaican. Once he got into his running he came through comfortably in 9.85
seconds, his fastest of a somewhat ragged season, as he edges towards top form ahead of next month’s World Championships in Moscow. American Michael Rodgers was second in 9.98 with Jamaican Nesta Carter third in 9.99. A year ago Bolt completed a second successive Olympic sprint clean sweep and, tempted back by the British Government’s easing of his potential tax burden, capped off a night dripping with nostalgia for those two astonishing weeks in 2012. The entertainment began with a video montage of some of the highlights from what is generally agreed to have been an unparalleled Olympic athletics programme. It was a dose of feel-good factor
much-needed in the wake of the recent doping positives that have robbed Moscow of two of the main 100m contenders Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell. And while Bolt was never likely to get close to his 2012 winning time of 9.63 two weeks ahead of his attempt to regain the world title he lost after his 2011 false start, he looked to have plenty in the tank. “My start was poor and I need to work on that,” he said. “To make a perfect race I need to make a good start and just get in to the race. “But I’m so excited to be here in London again. The crowd gives you so much energy. It’s wonderful, I love this, it’s what makes me run fast it’s a brilliant experience to be here again.
EARLY MORNING FIGHT FOR PACQUIAO, RIOS MACAO AGENCIES
Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will strap on his gloves on a Sunday morning when he takes on Brandon Rios in Macau, as promoters cash in on the lucrative US pay-per-view market. In an almost unprecedented move, America’s top promoter Bob Arum announced Saturday that the November 24 fight will begin at 10am, ensuring a prime-time Saturday night audience in America. The unorthodox start time copies
the strategy used back in 1975, when Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in the legendary “Thrilla in Manila”, which kicked off at 10.45am. “November 24 will be an historic occasion. It’s expected this event will reach more people than any event held in China, other than the Olympics,” said Arum, who is striving to penetrate the country of 1.3 billion potential fight fans. “The fight will be live here at about 10am on Sunday, which is 9pm on Saturday night in New York, the usual time to start a pay-per-view
show.” Arum made the announcement at a press conference at Macau’s Venetian resort-hotel, which will play host to the biggest bout in China’s history. Pacquiao, whose record stands at 54-5-2 with 38 knockouts, will be searching for a convincing win if he wants to extend his fight career, following a pair of consecutive losses. In December last year he suffered an excruciating defeat during his fourth meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez, whose hammerblow right at the end of the sixth sent the Filipino crashing to the canvas.
Following the knockout the 34year-old vowed to fight on, despite calls from family, friends and media commentators to call it a day. As the fight’s promotional tour kicked off, Rios (33-1-1 with 23 KOs) confidently told his detractors who “call me a punchbag” that he would secure victory over the former world champion in eight weight divisions. The 27-year-old American told journalists: “I’m very nervous... I’m not nervous about the fight, I’m nervous about being in front of all you people.