World Sports

In 1997, Luke Dowdney bumped into a young man carrying a Colt AR-15 rifle as he came round a corner in Rocinha, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. “It was an awkwardly polite moment,” Dowdney recalls. “I said sorry and he said sorry and then I walked on.” Related: 13 ways to inspire climate action through culture and sport The sight of a young man, probably 15- or 16-years-old, armed…

Nobody ever called Elzie Wylie Baker Jr. by his real name. To most, he was simply Buddy. Some of his fellow racers nicknamed him “Leadfoot,” for obvious reasons, while he was also dubbed “The Gentle Giant.” But whatever you chose to call him, two things above all else stood out about Buddy Baker: He was a ferocious racer and one of the kindest human beings in all of NASCAR. On…

The city calling itself “Russia’s sports capital” isn’t Moscow, St. Petersburg or even last year’s Winter Olympic host Sochi. Instead it’s Kazan, a provincial city with global ambitions. The venue for U.S. swim phenom Katie Ledecky’s record-breaking exploits at this month’s world championships, Kazan wants to use the event as a springboard to bring the Summer Olympics to Russia for the first time. In this traditionally Muslim city, where minarets…

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As Tim Gibbons digs in at the plate, he measures his stance against the opposing pitcher’s windup. When the pitcher rears back and fires a fastball, Gibbons swings and cracks the ball right back at the pitcher. It’s a scenario played out in ballparks across the country thousands of times every day. But Gibbons isn’t on the field. He’s not even outdoors. Gibbons is at Quinco Sports Academy in Winter…

Wearable technologies and big-data analytics are enabling coaches, trainers and general managers to analyze previously unquantifiable aspects of athletic performance in fine detail. But as more technology gets strapped on to professional athletes, some are beginning to express concern over how such devices could be used to track their diet, sleep patterns and life off the field. “The pros have to be careful,” said Brian Bulcke, a defensive lineman in…

i Frank Gifford arrives at an opening on Broadway in a photo from Oct. 2007. Peter Kramer/AP hide caption itoggle caption Peter Kramer/AP Frank Gifford arrives at an opening on Broadway in a photo from Oct. 2007. Peter Kramer/AP NFL Football Hall of Famer and long-time sports broadcaster Frank Gifford died today at his Connecticut home at age 84. He “died suddenly this beautiful Sunday morning of natural causes,” the…

John Bodette(Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com) Good morning, St. Cloud area. Today we are announcing a set of new high school sports recognition efforts from Times Media. What better time to make the announcements than the day before practice starts for fall prep sports? First, we are expanding the number of our All-Area teams and players of the year. For the first time, we will have All-Area teams in wrestling, swimming,…

Buy Photo The Nashville Predators open the season Oct. 8 against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena.(Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean)Buy Photo Whether you’re a newcomer to Music City or a lifelong resident of the Midstate, the area offers sports fans many opportunities to cheer on their favorite college and professional teams. Here’s a list of 20 sports venues, teams and events you should see around the region….

FOOTBALL GOSSIP Mystery surrounds the non-appearance of Dundee United midfielder Rodney Sneijder – brother of Wesley – prior to kick-off against Motherwell after the Dutchman had allegedly gone AWOL, but the Taysiders’ official line on the midfielder’s vanishing act was that he was back home in the Netherlands recovering from a virus. (Sunday Mail)  Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara says 24-year-old midfielder Rodney…

Wearable technologies and big-data analytics are enabling coaches, trainers and general managers to analyze previously unquantifiable aspects of athletic performance in fine detail. But as more technology gets strapped on to professional athletes, some are beginning to express concern over how such devices could be used to track their diet, sleep patterns and life off the field. “The pros have to be careful,” said Brian Bulcke, a defensive lineman in…

Women could play sport, amass trophies, even be admitted to the hallowed Long Room at Lords by 1999, but it is now, in the 21st century – with a female Sports Minister looking like she means business, women running football clubs, and the Lionesses generating a fascinated following – that we can truly sense the tide turning. A number of factors have converged to make this particular moment in British…

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FOOTBALL GOSSIP Mystery surrounds the non-appearance of Dundee United midfielder Rodney Sneijder – brother of Wesley – prior to kick-off against Motherwell after the Dutchman had allegedly gone AWOL, but the Taysiders’ official line on the midfielder’s vanishing act was that he was back home in the Netherlands recovering from a virus. (Sunday Mail)  Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara says 24-year-old midfielder Rodney…

In September 1984, Sebastian Coe became “sizzling Seb” for two days. The Sun had an exclusive kiss-and-tell story from one of his former girlfriends, who told readers of their passionate affair and focused on a night when “sizzling Seb” had allegedly drunk far too much at the Athletics Writers’ Association’s annual dinner. “She’d claimed that I was drunk and disorderly and throwing food around like some yob,” Coe recalled. Only…

For a list of all the latest deals, check out the transfers page. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has told Real Madrid to match his £35m valuation of goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, as the Spanish giants prepare to make a £25m bid this week. (Mail on Sunday)  With De Gea’s future uncertain, Van Gaal has lined up a bid…

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In September 1984, Sebastian Coe became “sizzling Seb” for two days. The Sun had an exclusive kiss-and-tell story from one of his former girlfriends, who told readers of their passionate affair and focused on a night when “sizzling Seb” had allegedly drunk far too much at the Athletics Writers’ Association’s annual dinner. “She’d claimed that I was drunk and disorderly and throwing food around like some yob,” Coe recalled. Only…

Alabama athletic director Bill Battle is chairing the new College Football Officiating Competition Committee, giving Alabama coach Nick Saban a valuable ally on a diverse group tasked with examining Division I football’s playing rules. The 12-member committee includes three active FBS head coaches: Clemson‘s Dabo Swinney, Stanford‘s David Shaw and Nevada‘s Brian Polian. The group recently held its first conference call and will meet in December after the regular season….

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho criticised his “naive” medical staff for treating Eden Hazard in their draw with Swansea. The Blues, who had keeper Thibaut Courtois sent off, were down to nine men for a period after staff ran on to treat Hazard following a trip, despite him not appearing to be badly injured. If a player receives treatment, they must leave the field. “I…