Digest

MOTOR SPORTS

Coronavirus puts the brakes on Hamilton

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend.

Hamilton's team, Mercedes, issued a statement saying the Briton returned three negative test results last week for the virus, the last on Sunday afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit where the 35-year-old won the grand prix.

"But he up woke Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive," Mercedes added. "Lewis, therefore, took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest."

Hamilton is now isolating in Bahrain in accordance with local health protocols. "Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery," Mercedes added.

TENNIS

Osaka gets her own comic-book character

Japan's major winner Naomi Osaka has welcomed a new manga comic-book series aimed at teenage girls in which she will star as a cartoon character.

"Unrivaled Naomi Tenka-ichi", which will run in Nakayosi magazine from late December, was produced with the help of Osaka's older sister, Mari. "Tenka-ichi" means "world number one" in Japanese.

"Growing up reading manga/watching anime was something that bonded me and my sister immensely so this is really exciting for both of us," the three-time Grand Slam champion tweeted.

The new character, which depicts a doe-eyed Osaka with pink and purple hair and wearing a yellow visor, follows a storm of controversy over a sponsor's cartoon image of her last year.

Noodle-maker Nissin apologized and withdrew the image, which showed Osaka with pale skin and light brown hair, after being accused of "white-washing" the Japanese-Haitian player.

SOCCER

Germany's federation backs embattled Loew

Joachim Loew will remain in charge of Germany for next year's delayed European Championship despite a series of poor recent results, the German soccer federation (DFB) announced Monday.

"In a conference call, the DFB presidential board unanimously agreed to unequivocally back the direction of Germany coach Joachim Loew in his efforts to rebuild the national team, which have been ongoing since March 2019," the DFB said in a statement, following a meeting with Loew and the federation's top officials.

Loew, 60, has been in charge of Germany since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann following the 2006 World Cup.

He led the nation to a fourth world title, and first since reunification, in Brazil in 2014 when the Germans defeated Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final.

However, Germany is in crisis following a 6-0 defeat to Spain last month and recent draws with Switzerland, twice, and Turkey.

Jimenez 'comfortable' after fracturing skull

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez fractured his skull in a clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz, Wolves confirmed on Monday.

Jimenez, a 29-year-old Mexico international, received treatment on the pitch for 10 minutes during Sunday's English Premier League game at Emirates Stadium before being taken to hospital.

"Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital," read a statement from Wolves, who won the game 2-1 for their first win at Arsenal in 40 years.

"He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery."

Luiz stayed on the pitch with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until halftime.

BASKETBALL

NBA championship winner Bogut retires

NBA championship-winning center Andrew Bogut announced his immediate retirement from basketball on Tuesday after a 15-year career.

The 36-year-old, who was the NBA's top draft pick in 2005 for the Milwaukee Bucks, had been expected to retire after the Tokyo Olympics but said on his Rogue Bogues podcast: "I can't physically and mentally get to 2021 with the way my body has been.

"I could get there with a lot of painkillers and mental anguish but it's just not worth it."

Bogut won his NBA championship ring with the Golden State Warriors in 2015 and finishes his career with the Sydney Kings in his native Australia.

GOLF

PGA, Euro tours join forces as 'partners'

The PGA Tour has acquired a minority stake in the European Tour's media production company.

The deal effectively makes the two leading tours more partners than rivals. The tours said in a statement the alliance would allow them to collaborate on commercial opportunities and global media rights in certain territories.

"The PGA Tour moves from a competitor to a partner," Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said on a conference call.

While seen as a pivotal first step, any notion of a world tour－which golf executives have contemplated for more than a decade－remains some years away.

The immediate goal is to figure out a schedule that keeps the tours from competing against each other and strengthening events on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond.

China Daily - Agencies