Digest

MOTOR SPORTS

Shanghai undecided on F1 double-header

Formula One is hoping to stage two races in Shanghai this year, according to authorities in the city.

This year's annual Shanghai Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 19, was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, before the pandemic eventually shut down the start of the F1 season in March. However, with F1 now pushing ahead with plans to stage eight races in Europe－starting with a double-header in Austria in early July－the championship is now eyeing races in Asia later in the year.

"F1 has officially announced the resumption of the eight races in Europe, Asia not included. The Shanghai race has been postponed to the second half of the year. FOM (Formula One Management) asked us if it is possible for Shanghai to hold two races," Xu Bin, director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports said on Monday.

"We have not made the final decision, depending on potential changes to the epidemic situation."

The epidemic has been well controlled in Shanghai, and Xu said that numerous international sports organizations have been in contact about staging events in the city in recent months.

BASKETBALL

CBA restart to feature wonder-kid Zhang

One-armed wonder-kid Zhang Jiacheng will participate in the CBA's resumption ceremony on Friday, according to several media reports on Monday.

The 13-year-old, who lost his right arm in an accident at the age of 5, has become a global internet sensation after his dazzling basketball skills went viral to catch the attention of hoops superstars Stephen Curry and Yi Jianlian.

The teenager hails from Guangdong province, where the city of Dongguan will host the CBA's restart this weekend.

As a special guest of the CBA in Dongguan, Zhang will be invited to help the referees conduct the tipoff ceremony on Saturday as Yi's league-leading Guangdong Southern Tigers take on the Shanxi Loongs behind closed doors.

Qingdao in Shandong province is also staging CBA games without spectators to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Sharks list McCallum as lone foreign player

Ray McCallum will be the Shanghai Sharks' lone foreign player for the CBA league's restart this weekend, the club said on Monday.

The Sharks last week confirmed that American Jared Cunningham and Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas had parted ways with the team, leaving former NBA player McCallum as Shanghai's solitary foreign representative.

The league has adjusted its import policy to limit teams to having one foreigner on the court against opponents who are fielding all-Chinese lineups. Otherwise, the original rule of two foreigners on court per game will be observed.

McCallum has played 18 games for Shanghai this season, averaging 21.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists.

The Sharks rank 16th in the league table, with a 9-21 win-loss ratio. They will face the Zhejiang Golden Bulls on Sunday.

Durant buys stake in Philly's MLS franchise

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.

Durant, a 10-time NBA All-Star, has a 5 percent stake, with an option for 5 percent more in the near future, the Union announced on Monday.

"I've always been a soccer fan and have wanted to get into it in a meaningful way. My team and I felt an instant connection with the Philadelphia Union ownership and staff and their vision for a partnership," Durant said in a statement.

"While you won't get to see me at games for now, my team and I will be taking an active role in the community where I can help give back to Chester (Pennsylvania) and Philadelphia."

The Union and Durant's Thirty Five Ventures, a firm the NBA star runs with sports executive Rich Kleiman, will partner to grow the team's profile and community outreach through the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation.

GOLF

No spectators for PGA's Minnesota stop

The PGA Tour will keep the 3M Open in Minnesota on schedule, but the event will be played without spectators on site.

Tournament officials announced on Monday that the state's health guidelines currently in place for public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic will keep the galleries empty throughout the weekend of July 23-26. Attendance at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine, a suburb north of Minneapolis, will be limited to players, caddies, staff, media and other personnel deemed essential to the operation.

The PGA Tour resumed last week after a three-month hiatus because of the virus outbreak. No spectators were admitted at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas, and the next three events will also be held without fans.

The Memorial tournament in Ohio, rescheduled for mid-July right before the 3M Open, has received state approval for a limited amount of spectators.

Xinhua - Agencies