JE NE PARLE PAS L’ANGLAIS
The negative response from lawmakers and sponsors was enough to convince the LPGA to forgo the suspending of players who did not meet the English speaking requirement. Aimed at “supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every tour player,” commissioner Carolyn Bivens said, the unwritten policy has been criticized as discriminatory, particularly against Asian players. Bivens and the LPGA will look for different and non-discriminatory ways to achieve the objective of increased business and profit for the organization.
Quentin’sfist pump
ChiSox left fielder Carlos Quentin’s frustration got the best of him in last week’s game against Cleveland as he potentially sidelined himself for what could be the rest of the season. After fouling off a pitch, Quentin pounded his right wrist into his bat, hitting the bone almost perfectly. A screw will be placed into his wrist, during the upcoming surgery, and he claims there will be no lasting negative effects from this injury. Quentin will be reevaluated for play in two or three weeks.
A pairof dopes
Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers released apologies to the NBA and their respective teams after being kicked out of the league’s rookie transition program for supposed marijuana use and the presence of women found in their program’s hotel room. NBA commissioner David Stern threw the two out of the program and will force them to attend the 2009 session, which he told the other rookies in a speech last week.
High jumper on the rocks
Rival track and field starts accused Russian high jumper Ivan Ukhov of drinking Red Bull and vodka during the Athletissima meet in Switzerland. Meet organizers refused to pay the athlete’s expenses after asking Ukhov to stop competing as he failed to clear the bar at every attempt. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) asked meet organizers to supply video evidence to investigate the allegations. Alcohol is not formally prohibited in competition, as it is not classified as a performance-enhancing substance.
Speedy probation
Marion Jones left federal prison last week after competing the majority of her six-month sentence for lying about her steroid use. Jones gave back her three gold and two bronze medals from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and the International Olympic Committee officially removed her name from the record books after she admitted last October to using performance enhancing drugs. Jones admitted to using a designer steroid known as “the clear” during a nine-month period between 2000 and 2001. She will remain on probation.
