Digest

Swimming

Efimova wants to fight accusation

Olympic swimming medalist Yulia Efimova of Russia faces a possible lifetime ban after being provisionally suspended for a second doping violation, but her US-based coach said Efimova wants to fight the accusation.

The 23-year-old breaststroke specialist who has won four world titles and an Olympic bronze medal is the latest high-profile name caught up in the series of doping scandals that have dogged Russia over the past two years. She owns the world's fastest time in the 100-meter breaststroke and the second quickest in the 200 breast this year.

Motor Sports

Aston Martin, Red Bull team up

Aston Martin and Red Bull will build a new 'hypercar' fast enough to make James Bond feel like a grand prix racer while bringing the British firm's brand back to Formula One for the first time since 1960.

Both parties announced the partnership on Thursday at the championship opening Australian Grand Prix, where Aston Martin's logo will appear on the team's RB12 cars as part of a season-long deal.

Cricket

Dilshan powers Sri Lanka to win

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan smacked an unbeaten 83 off 56 balls to steer defending champion Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over a spirited Afghanistan in the World Twenty 20 on Thursday.

Dilshan, 39, hit three sixes and eight fours as Sri Lanka overpowered Afghanistan's 153-7 with seven balls to spare in their opening group match at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. Afghanistan, the only non-Test team left in the fray, paid the price for some sloppy fielding after an impressive effort with the bat that saw skipper Asghar Stanikzai make a fine 47-ball 62.

Athletics

Kenyan could run for Israel in Rio

A Kenyan runner might race for Israel in this summer's Olympics after being granted Israeli citizenship on Thursday.

Lonah Chemtai, a 27-year-old who moved to Israel in 2011, had been fighting for citizenship. Her case received national media attention when she won the Tel Aviv Marathon in February, breaking the qualification time for the Olympics in the process. Chemtai is married to an Israeli, Dan Salpeter, who is also her coach.

NFL

Ravens' Walker listed as critical

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker was listed in critical condition in Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital after a serious motorcycle accident in southeast Florida on Thursday, the NFL team announced.

Walker, a fourth-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, played in eight games for the Ravens last season, competing mostly on special teams kicking plays. He contributed one solo tackle from scrimmage.

Agencies

(China Daily 03/19/2016 page12)