Digest

FIGURE SKATING

'Sad' Sui sorry to see worlds canceled

Two-time world pairs figure skating champion Sui Wenjing said on Thursday it was "sad" news that this month's world championships in Montreal, Canada, have been canceled due to coronavirus concerns.

"Han Cong and I just practiced one more time this morning the free skating routine we prepared for the worlds," said the 24-year-old, who has paired with Han to win the worlds twice in 2017 and 2019 and finished second in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

"I had hoped to perform at the worlds. I wanted to bring more courage to our compatriots, and we even planned to express our gratitude to the doctors and nurses fighting against the coronavirus.

"But I also fully understand the decision. I wish everybody to keep healthy," added Sui, who burst into tears when she learned of the event's cancellation.

The International Skating Union made the announcement late on Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland. The ISU also shut the door on the possibility of postponing the worlds, originally scheduled for March 16-22, to a later date.

BADMINTON

Super Dan digs deep to topple teenager

Lin Dan boosted his slim hopes of qualifying for his fifth Olympics by edging an opponent half his age in the first round of the All England Open in Birmingham on Wednesday.

China's 36-year-old two-time Olympic champion overcame Thailand's three-time world junior champ Kunlavut Vitidsarn 13-21, 22-20, 21-10.

Lin, a six-time winner of the prestigious All England Open, had to draw on all his experience to overcome the 18-year-old and set up a second-round encounter with compatriot Chen Long.

Reigning Olympic champion Chen had an easier opener, ousting India's Skrikanth Kidambi 21-15, 21-16.

In the women's singles, defending champion Chen Yufei saw off South Korea's world No 9 An Se-young 14-21, 21-14, 21-15.

"A win here would definitely be great for the people of China," said world No 1 Chen. "I'm a little bit worried about my family and friends in China, but I've had plenty of time to prepare for the game here."

OLYMPICS

Tokyo schedule to begin with softball

Tokyo 2020 organizers said on Thursday that Japan's softball game against Australia on July 22 would be the first event on the schedule.

The announcement came as concerns mount about the potential impact on the Games from the coronavirus outbreak.

The game will begin at 9 am local time (8am Beijing time) at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium. Two further fixtures, Italy vs. United States and Mexico vs. Canada, will be played later in the day.

The games will mark the first day of action at the Games, which officially begin with the opening ceremony on July 24.

An organizing committee member said late on Wednesday that any decision to delay the Olympics should be made before May, but on Thursday Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said there was no change in planning for the Games.

SKIING

Shiffrin denied chance to defend Cup crown

Mikaela Shiffrin will not get a chance to defend her overall ski title.

The last races of the women's Alpine skiing World Cup season were canceled on Wednesday amid public health concerns related to the spread of the new coronavirus, handing Federica Brignone the overall title ahead of Shiffrin.

The decision to call off the three-day event in Are, Sweden, means Brignone becomes the first Italian women's overall champion in the 53-year history of the World Cup.

Shiffrin, the defending overall champion, had announced earlier on Wednesday that she would compete at the event after taking a six-week break from the sport following the death of her father.

During her absence, Shiffrin lost her lead in the overall standings to Brignone, who is 153 points ahead of the American. There would have been a total of 300 points up for grabs in the last three races.

CRICKET

Fist-pumps to suffice for England players

England players have been told to fist-pump instead of shaking hands with their Sri Lankan rivals in Tests that start next week, over coronavirus fears.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said players in Sri Lanka for the two-Test series will limit public engagements and contacts with fans in a bid to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19.

"England players and staff are also being instructed to avoid shaking hands where a fist-pump or a personal greeting will suffice," said an ECB statement.

England captain Joe Root said it was a disappointment to have to avoid fans' selfies and giving autographs, but the team had been told to limit unnecessary contact.

"It is against our nature as a team, we quite like to socialize and interact with fans and take selfies, autographs and stuff. But it means that we can't do that on this trip," Root said.

BASKETBALL

Knicks overcome more Trae-mendous scoring

Mitchell Robinson scored five of his 16 points in overtime to help the visiting New York Knicks defeat the Atlanta Hawks 136-131 on Wednesday, before the league was shut down over the coronavirus pandemic.

Robinson converted a three-point play off an alley-oop slam with 1:13 remaining in overtime to give the Knicks a 131-124 lead. Robinson was 7-for-7 from the field and helped New York avoid blowing a 23-point lead.

Julius Randle led New York's scoring with 33 points and 11 rebounds, his 30th double-double of the season. Rookie RJ Barrett had 26 points, while Mo Harkless added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Atlanta was led by Trae Young with 42 points, 27 of them in the fourth quarter, and 11 assists. It was the 11th time this season that Young has scored 40-plus points.

If the remainder of the regular season is canceled, the game will be the last in the career of Atlanta's Vince Carter. The 22-year veteran scored five points in 13 minutes. Carter was reinserted in the lineup with 19.5 seconds left and made a 3-pointer on perhaps his final shot.

Xinhua - Agencies