IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Swimming

Japan races Speedo

TOKYO: A Japanese fabric maker says it has the secret to make the world's fastest-ever swimsuit as the country races against time to catch Speedo's hi-tech, record-breaking LZR Racer suit.

Japan's Olympic swimmers, obliged to wear their own country's products, have been in uproar over the LZR Racer, going as far as to liken its use to doping because of the advantage it gives wearers.

Now Japan's Yamamoto Corp, which has supplied a super-fast synthetic rubber fabric to wetsuit makers around the world, has come to the rescue with the Olympic Games just three months away.

The company has offered material, called the Biorubber Swim-SCS Fabric, to challenge Britain's Speedo, saying it is the "the world's fastest swimwear material".

Baseball

New charges against Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO: Federal prosecutors filed 15 felony charges against US baseball's all-time home-run king Barry Bonds here Tuesday in a new indictment featuring 14 perjury counts and one of obstructing justice.

The 43-year-old former San Francisco Giants star outfielder, who broke Hank Aaron's Major League Baseball all-time homer mark last year, is expected to be arraigned at a hearing on June 6.

The US Attorney's office returned only five charges against Bonds in its original indictment last November.

Francona to miss series

BALTIMORE, Maryland: Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona will miss a two-game Major League Baseball series starting here on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles following the death of his mother-in-law.

Bench coach Brad Mills will guide the Red Sox for the two-game trip with Francona expected to rejoin the reigning World Series champions on Friday when they play host to the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park.

Soccer

Lee released in clear-out

MIDDLESBROUGH, England: South Korea striker Lee Dong-Gook was released by Middlesbrough on Tuesday as Gareth Southgate started a clear-out that also saw Fabio Rochemback and Gaizka Mendieta leave the Premier League club.

Lee, 29, struggled to break into the first team at the Riverside Stadium after his free transfer from Pohang Steelers in January 2007.

He scored only twice in 29 appearances and hadn't played for Southgate's side since February, making his exit inevitable.

Nedved signs extension

ROME: Veteran Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved has signed a one-year contract extension with Juventus, the club said on Tuesday.

The news is a welcome boost to Juventus, which will play in the Champions League next season after ensuring it will end this Serie A campaign in third place.

Nedved's contract will now last until the end of June 2009.

"This contract extension is the best way to reinforce the squad ahead of next season," said Juve administrator Jean-Claude Blanc.

"Pavel has been an integral part of Juventus' story and will continue to add character and quality to the team."

CYCLING

Cavendish wins fourth stage

CATANZARO, Italy: British cyclist Mark Cavendish, riding for the High Road team, prevailed in a sprint for the fourth stage honors of the Tour of Italy here on Tuesday.

Liquigas' Italian rider Franco Pellizotti retained the leader's pink jersey after the 183 km run to this seaside resort on the Giro's first day on the Italian mainland.

This was Cavendish's first win in the event and he achieved it by proving too strong in the final push for the line from Germany's Robert Forster and third stage winner, Daniele Bennati of Italy.

NHL

Sharks dump coach Wilson

SAN JOSE, California: Ron Wilson was fired as coach of the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks after failing to guide the club past the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third time in a row.

The Sharks, who were eliminated by Dallas in the second round, dumped Wilson on Monday despite his record of regular-season success, which included a Pacific Division crown for the second time in four years this season.

(China Daily 05/15/2008 page22)