Digest

FIGURE SKATING

Cup of China canceled due to pandemic issues

The Chinese leg of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating was canceled on Monday because of coronavirus restrictions.

The Cup of China was scheduled to take place from Nov 4-7 in Chongqing.

"Unfortunately, in view of the very limited international flights in all inbound cities in China and the relevant prevention restrictions for COVID-19, the concept of a 'competition bubble' cannot be realized," the International Skating Union said.

The ISU invited members who were interested in being a replacement host to make an application.

Six events make up the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. They lead to the Grand Prix final, which will take place in Japan from Dec 9-12.

SOCCER

Legend Lloyd retiring after decorated career

Carli Lloyd

US forward Carli Lloyd is retiring after a decorated career that included a pair of World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals, as well as a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, known for her dramatic hat-trick in the 2015 World Cup final, will play four as-yet unannounced friendly matches this fall with the US, and finish out the season with her club team, Gotham FC.She hinted for more than a year that she was nearing the end of her career and made it official Monday.

"Through all the goals, the trophies, the medals and the championships won, what I am most proud of is that I've been able to stay unapologetically me," said Lloyd, whose international career has spanned some 16 years.

The 39-year-old Lloyd scored a pair of goals in the United States' 4-3 victory over Australia in the bronze-medal game in Japan earlier this month. She became the first American to score in four different Olympic Games, and her total of 10 goals in the event set a new record among US players.

She ranks second on Team USA's all-time list with 312 appearances, and fourth with 128 goals.

Bayern struggling to find new signings

Bayern Munich is having a difficult time finding players to sign because of the current economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, coach Julian Nagelsmann said Monday.

"We could not spend all the money we would like to spend," Nagelsmann said ahead of his team's German Super Cup game at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. "In the end, we have a good squad, but it's always about injuries."

The Bayern coach was referring to French fullback Benjamin Pavard's ankle injury, which meant reserve player Josip Stanisic played in the Bundesliga opener at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday, a 1-1 draw. Alphonso Davies and Lucas Hernandez were also injured.

David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Douglas Costa and Javi Martinez were among the players to leave Bayern in the offseason, while defenders Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards arrived to replace them.

Despite the pandemic preventing fans from attending games last season, Bayern recorded a profit of 17 million euros ($20 million) before tax for the 2019-20 campaign. The club reported turnover of 698 million euros ($823 million).

BASKETBALL

Clippers land Bledsoe in multi-player trade

Eric Bledsoe

The Los Angeles Clippers on Monday made official their acquisition of guard Eric Bledsoe in exchange for three players.

The Clippers sent guards Patrick Beverley and Rajon Rondo, and center Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Bledsoe, who returns after playing his first three NBA seasons in Los Angeles.

Bledsoe, 31, originally was drafted in the first round (18th overall) out of Kentucky in 2010 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who immediately traded him to Los Angeles. He returns with 11 seasons of NBA experience with four teams.

Bledsoe played with the New Orleans Pelicans last season and was moved to the Grizzles on Aug 7 in the three-team trade that also included Oklahoma City. He has averaged 14 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds over 702 career games (539 starts) and has also played for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

Haslem signs for 19th season with Miami

Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem is officially back with the Miami Heat.

Haslem signed another contract－the 10th of his career－with the Heat on Sunday, assuring that he will return for a 19th season with Miami. It is a one-year deal worth about $2.8 million.

The 41-year-old would become only the fifth player to spend an entire career spanning at least 19 years with one franchise. Dirk Nowitzki spent all 21 of his NBA seasons with Dallas, Kobe Bryant spent 20 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Tim Duncan spent 19 with San Antonio and John Stockton spent 19 with Utah.

Haslem has a unique role for the Heat. He barely plays, with just five appearances in the last two seasons－just one last season. But Heat coach Erik Spoelstra considers him essential for several reasons, including the example he sets in practice for other players and how much the Miami native values the role of being the captain of his hometown team.

Agencies