Digest

OLYMPICS

COC Youth Camp draws around 60 participants

A great platform for young sports practitioners to strengthen friendship, learn from each other and showcase their talents, the ninth Youth Camp of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) opened on Monday at the Beijing Sport University.

This year's camp, which ends on Friday, has welcomed around 60 participants from 18 NOCs, including those of the United States, France, Italy, Japan and South Korea, marking the camp's highest annual attendance to date.

Since its inception in 2013, the COC Youth Camp has attracted nearly 400 participants, playing an important role in spreading and promoting the Olympic spirit and deepening the friendly cooperation among NOCs.

"As a member of the Olympic family, the COC has always adhered to the concept of openness, inclusivity and win-win cooperation, and actively promoted the popularization and development of the Olympic Movement," said Song Xueying, deputy secretary-general of the COC.

China's Winter Olympics gold medalist Sui Wenjing shared with camp participants her understanding of the Olympic spirit, enjoyment of life as an athlete and how, through hard work and scientific methods, she achieved her Olympic success.

TABLE TENNIS

Wang sweeps past Togami in Frankfurt

China's table tennis star Wang Chuqin made a powerful return to the WTT series, defeating Japan's Shunsuke Togami 3-0 on Monday in the first round of the Champions Frankfurt men's singles.

A two-time WTT Champions event winner, Wang secured a straight-game victory over Togami in just 30 minutes, with scores of 12-10,11-3, and 16-14 in the round of 32.

"We started by testing each other in the opening game. Some unforced errors on my part created a tight situation," said Wang, 24.

"After winning that first game, I felt less pressure and could play more to my strengths. I want to keep improving and maintain my level with each win."

Women's world No 2 Wang Manyu of China defeated Thailand's Orawan Paranang in their second meeting this season, prevailing in four games to secure her spot in the round of 16 with scores of 11-9, 11-5,11-13, and 11-6.

BASEBALL

Free agent Kershaw declines $10m option

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw has declined his $10 million player option with the Los Angeles Dodgers, electing to become a free agent.

The MLB Players Association listed Kershaw as a free agent in a statement released on Monday. The left-hander is still expected to re-sign with the Dodgers, the only big league team he has played with throughout his 17-year career.

The 36-year-old was hurt for much of last season, finishing with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA over seven starts.

The Dodgers did exercise a $5 million option for infielder Miguel Rojas and a $3.5 million option for catcher Austin Barnes. Barnes is the second-longest tenured Dodgers player behind Kershaw, playing 10 seasons.

The 35-year-old Rojas just finished one of the best seasons of his 11-year career, batting .283 with six homers and 36 RBIs. Barnes hit .264 with one homer and 11 RBIs.

LA also extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to slugger Teoscar Hernandez, who hit a career-high 33 homers. Players have until 4 pm EST on Nov 19 to accept.

BASKETBALL

Jordan game-worn Bulls jersey goes for $4.68m

A game-worn Michael Jordan jersey from the Chicago Bulls' 1996-97 season has sold for $4.68 million via Sotheby's.

The jersey was worn in at least 17 games during the season, including the game in which rookie sensation Allen Iverson crossed Jordan over.

It's the fourth-most expensive NBA jersey of all time behind Jordan's $10.1 million "Last Dance" jersey; a signed Kobe Bryant jersey worn in his lone MVP season in 2007-08 that sold for just over $5.8 million; and a 1972 NBA Finals jersey worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the Los Angeles Lakers' first NBA title run ($4.9 million).

According to Sotheby's, the jersey has "remained in private hands since its sale from the team."

The "Dream Team" US flag — that Jordan, out of his loyalty to Nike, used to cover his jacket's Reebok logo during the 1992 Olympic medal presentation — prompted a 45-bid battle, eventually selling for $1.8 million.

Agencies