Page 1991 - Sports

Russian whistleblower lives in fear in America

Doping guru Grigory Rodchenkov has emerged from hiding, donning a disguise and reiterating that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to silence him for good. The controversial whistleblower and former head of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory says he is risking his life by exposing Russian doping secrets. In his first televised interview since fleeing his native Russia, Rodchenkov told the American news programme 60 Minutes on Sunday night that he continues to live in fear in the United States. "Kremlin wants me to stop talking," Rodchenkov told interviewer Scott Pelley. Since fleeing to America in November 2015, he has gone into hiding because he says Putin wants him dead -- a claim he has made several times previously. The news magazine programme allowed Rodchenkov to wear a disguise and showed him putting on and walking around in a bulletproof vest. "(The disguise) was done for security reasons," says Rodchenkov, who dyed his hair a different colour and shaved his mustache. "There .

East Bengal face leaders Minerva in crucial I-League clash

I-League leaders Minerva Punjab are set to welcome title-contenders East Bengal in their own backyard at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panch Kula on Tuesday.This match is crucial for both the coaches, Khogen Singh and Khalid Jamil, who were former teammates in Air India and now are vying to outwit each other in what can be termed as a potential title-decider.The game, however, will not be easy considering the weather conditions in Chandigarh where it is raining continuously since yesterday night.It is a must-win for Khalid Jamil's boys, who are sitting on 23 points in 13 matches, six points behind their opponents and title favourites Minerva Punjab who are on 29 points playing as many matches.Minerva Punjab, on the other hand, will be cautious not to drop points which might shake their title-hope and could put cold water on their fairy tale title run.Khalid Jamil praised the home side for their superb run this season."They are playing very good especially, at their home. They have 100% .

Russian Olympic skate captain pays tribute to crash victims

Russian Olympic figure skating team captain Ekaterina Bobrova paid an emotional tribute today to the 71 victims of a plane crash near Moscow, saying that despite securing a silver medal "it's a dark day for us". The 27-year-old led the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) to silver in the team event behind Canada, their second medal of the Games. "For me it's difficult to say the following as we are very happy that we won but in our country there was an air crash last night -- 71 people perished," she said. Her voice cracking she continued: "As team captain and on behalf of all the coaches I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the families, it's a great sorrow for our country. "With this tragedy it's a dark day for us, a day of sorrow." In one of Russia's worst aviation accidents an Antonov An-148 plane went down in the Ramensky district on the outskirts of Moscow on Sunday after taking off from Domodedovo airport in the capital. Sixty-five passengers and six crew members ...

AC Milan, Puma announce long-term partnership

Seven-time European football Champions AC Milan on Monday announced a long-term partnership with Puma which will be effective from July 1.

Smith wins Australia's Border Medal

Australia cricket captain Steve Smith capped off a golden 12 months by winning his second Allan Border Medal in Melbourne today. Smith, hailed as the country's finest batsman since Donald Bradman, polled 246 votes, well ahead of two-time medal winner David Warner (162 votes) and Nathan Lyon (156 votes). Smith, who had earlier been named Australia's Test Player of the Year for his dominant 12 months with the bat, won his first Border Medal in 2015. The skipper was the hot favourite to take the award following a year in which he played 24 international games across limited overs and Test cricket and scored 1754 runs at 67.46 with seven centuries. He captained a hard-fought series loss in India, a drawn series in Bangladesh and a triumphant 4-0 Ashes victory over England at home in which he was also named man of the series. Smith, 28, is also the reigning ICC Test Cricketer of the Year after earning that accolade last month. He joins Ricky Ponting (2004, 2006-07, 2009), Michael Clarke ...

I-League: Laggards Gokulam Kerala FC stun Mohun Bagan 2-1

Laggards Gokulam Kerala FC virtually knocked Mohun Bagan out of the I-League title race by pulling off a 2-1 upset at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Monday.

Olympic chief Bach to visit North Korea

Olympics chief Thomas Bach will visit North Korea after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee said today. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Bach had been invited by the North Koreans during talks between the IOC and the two Koreas on January 20. No dates have yet been confirmed, Adams told AFP, adding that the visit was part of the January agreement which confirmed North Korea's participation at the Games.

170mn hits for SonyLiv in 4 India-Proteas ODIs

SonyLiv, the digital platform of Sony Pictures Networks, saw a total of 170 million hits during the first four matches of the ongoing six-match One-Day International (ODI) cricket series between South Africa and India, it was revealed on Monday.

Maharashtra men down Haryana at kabaddi tournament

National champions Maharashtra maintained their unbeaten record in the group stage of the Federation Cup Kabaddi tournament with a 32-24 victory over Haryana here today. Both the teams had already booked their semi-final berths by winning the earlier two encounters and the hosts once again showed their prowess with a domineering performance. Vishal Mane opened Maharashtra's account by catching the Haryana raider in the very first raid and after that the hosts did not look back. They registered their first all-out in the 16th minute and took a 20-10 lead at half-time. Haryana did fight back after the break but the strong defensive unit of Mane (6 points), Krishna Madne and Viraj Landge ensured that there were no hiccups. Tushar Patil was the star raider for the winners, bagging 11 points from 17 raids, while Nilesh Salunkhe chipped in with seven points. In the semi-finals, Maharashtra will take on Karnataka, while Haryana will face Services in what is a repeat of the ...

ROC chief lauds Russian figure skaters' results at 2018 Winter Olympics

The silver medals clinched by Russian figure skaters in a team competition event at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Koreas PyeongChang is a well-deserved result, President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Alexander Zhukov said.

Neymar will play for Madrid one day, predicts Marcelo Viera

Real Madrid defender Marcelo Viera has expressed confidence that star striker Neymar will play for Real Madrid one day.Neymar moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain 2017 in a transaction worth 222 million euros, making him the world's most expensive player.He signed a deal with PSG until 2022.Speaking ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Marcelo said that it would be great if Neymar returns to the Santiago Bernabeu."I think Neymar will play for Real Madrid one day. Would Neymar fit at Real Madrid? He would fit, for sure. It would be great if he came to Real Madrid. In my opinion, the great players have to play at this club," Sport24 quoted Marcelo, as saying.Real Madrid will take on PSG in a last-16 encounter on Thursday, when they face off against the Brazilian legend, who has smashed 19 goals in 18 Ligue 1 matches he played this season.The Zinedine Zidane-led side are currently standing at the second spot in Group H, having clinched four ...

Kohli-led India aim to create history in 5th ODI (Preview)

Failing to maintain their triumphant run after a defeat in the fourth One-Day International (ODI), India will aim to clinch their maiden bilateral 50-overs series against the Proteas in South African conditions in the fifth encounter here on Tuesday.

Figure skaters win Canada 1st gold medal at PyeongChang Olympics

Canada grabbed its first gold medal at PyeongChang Winter Olympics in the figure skating team event on Monday with strong and balanced performances.

Bayern extend contract with goalkeeper Ulreich

Record German football champions Bayern Munich and goalkeeper Sven Ulreich have agreed on a contract extension until June 2021.

Barcelona's lead cut to 7 points in La Liga, Valencia third

FC Barcelona's lead at the top of Spain's La Liga table was reduced to seven points as they were held to a goalless draw by Getafe at home, while Valencia CF defeated Levante 3-1 in the Valencia football derby to regain the third spot.

Brazil's Thiago Silva itching for World Cup chance

Former Brazil captain Thiago Silva has not given up hope of reclaiming a starting berth for the national football squad during this year's FIFA World Cup in Russia.

PSV, Ajax book narrow wins in Eredivisie

Dutch football league leaders PSV Eindhoven and number two AFC Ajax both won in the 23rd match round of the Eredivisie.

'Determined' Canada turn Olympic silver into gold

Ice dance stars Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir inspired Canada to the figure skating team title to secure the Winter Games heavyweights' first gold at Pyeongchang 2018 today. The Russians, with their teenage ice starlets Evgenia Medvedeva and Alina Zagitova, took their first silver of the Games. The USA team was third. The Canadian, featuring dual 2014 silver medallist Patrick Chan, fulfilled their promise as favourites to beat Olympic Athletes from Russia, after coming second to the 2014 Games host nation in Sochi. They took command on Friday, despite Chan tumbling in his men's short programme. Competing in their third Olympics, Virtue and Moir earned a maximum 10 points for their short programme, and matched that in the concluding free with an exhilarating four-and-a- half minute performance to the music of Moulin Rouge. Canada finished on 73 points, with OAR on 66 and the USA a further four points behind. Three-time ex world champion Chan said "determination" was the ...

Neymar would fit at Real Madrid, feels Marcelo

Real Madrid defender Marcelo feels his Brazil teammate Neymar will one day jump ship from Paris Saint-Germain to the record-holding European football champions.

2002 FIFA World Cup winner Lucio ready to play on into 40s

Lucio, a member of Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, has cited force of habit for his decision to return to football at the age of 39.