IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Cycling

Evans plays down chances

ADELAIDE, Australia: Australian world champion Cadel Evans yesterday played down his chances of a rousing Tour Down Under win and said he was content to play second fiddle to legend Lance Armstrong.

Evans, returning to his home country's signature race for the first time since 2005, said he did not begrudge Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, the enormous popularity that has eclipsed his fellow riders here.

"Lance has won seven Tours - I've only lost five," he said.

Evans has kept a low-profile in the race's build-up compared to Armstrong, who has attracted intense media interest and drew about 5,000 amateur cyclists to an impromptu ride announced on Twitter.

Ice hockey

Czech star Elias OK

DENVER, Colorado: New Jersey Devils left wing Patrik Elias was carried off on a stretcher on Saturday after a hard hit in a National Hockey League game but tests showed no injury for the Czech Olympian.

Elias was checked high by Colorado defenseman Ryan Wilson just 38 seconds into the second period of the Avalanche's 3-1 victory over New Jersey, with no penalty being called on the play.

After staying on the ice for about five minutes, Elias was carried off on a stretcher, waving to the crowd as he departed.

Neither X-rays nor a CT scan could find any injury, a relief for Czech Olympic hockey fans and the Devils.

Skiing

Heil outclasses McPhie

PARK CITY, Utah: Reigning Olympic moguls gold medalist Jennifer Heil of Canada edged Heather McPhie of the US for her third straight win at Deer Valley and fourth straight World Cup triumph, two days after tying the Park City native for top spot.

France's Guilbaut Colas won the men's event for the third time in his past four tries.

In the thick of internal team competition, US women were second through fifth, stacking the podium until they were upended by Heil in the night's final run.

Boxing

Unanimious win for Olympian

LAS VEGAS: Undefeated super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan earned a unanimous desicion over former world champion Kassim Ouma on Saturday night.

Martirosyan, a former Olympian and current NABF and NABO champion, used his speed and length to neutralize Ouma's aggression. The three judges scored the fight 97-93, 97-93, 97-92.

NFL

Keenan fired by Browns

CLEVELAND: The Cleveland Browns have fired Mike Keenan, the team's president before Mike Holmgren was hired earlier this month.

Team spokesman Neal Gulkis confirmed Keenan's dismissal on Saturday. Keenan had joined the Browns in 2006 after serving on the NFL management council. He was promoted to president in 2008.

Keenan was demoted to chief financial officer when Holmgren joined the team Jan 5.

One of Keenan's primary roles was to represent owner Randy Lerner at league meetings. He also worked on contract negotiations and salary-cap matters.

Keenan's future with the Browns became clouded with the arrival of Bryan Wiedmeier, who was hired away by Holmgren from the Miami Dolphins. Wiedmeier became Cleveland's president of business administration on Monday.

(China Daily 01/18/2010 page24)