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Sports Briefs: French consider boycott of opening ceremonies
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 | No comments posted.
PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggested that a boycott of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was a possibility — making him the first world leader to raise the prospect of punishing China over its ongoing crackdown in Tibet.
The United States, Britain and Germany all condemned China for using force against Tibetan protesters, but they stopped short of threatening to boycott the games or the Aug. 8 opening ceremony.
China, meanwhile, showed no sign of letting up on its crackdown. At least two people were killed in a clash between protesters and police in an area of western China that borders on Tibet, state media and human rights groups reported.
The clashes were the latest in most sustained uprising against Chinese rule in almost two decades — a challenge that has put China’s human rights record in the international spotlight, embarrassing and frustrating a Communist leadership that had hoped for a smooth run-up to the Olympic Games.
BASEBALL
Padres give manager extension
PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres exercised manager Bud Black’s option for the 2009 season.
Black made his managerial debut with the Padres in 2007, leading the club to an 89-74 record. The team fell one win short of a third straight playoff appearance. The 89 wins were the most for the Padres since they won a franchise-record 98 games in 1998.
NBA
Webber ends comeback bid
OAKLAND, Calif. — Chris Webber is ending his comeback attempt with the Golden State Warriors and will retire after 15 seasons in the NBA.
Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder said Webber will make the announcement at a news conference today. The news was first reported by ESPN.com.
Webber played only nine games with the Warriors before being sidelined by a bum left knee that’s hampered him in recent years.
Webber was the most prominent member of the Fab Five at Michigan and played for Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit in his NBA career.
TENNIS
Federer receives honors
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Roger Federer was a winner in more ways than one last year.
The world’s No. 1 player was honored as the ATP Tour’s player of the year for 2007. He also won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the fourth consecutive year and the Fans’ Favorite Award for the fifth consecutive time.
Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States won the Doubles Team of the Year and Fans’ Favorite awards, each for the third straight year. The brothers won 11 titles in 2007.
Novak Djokovic, who’ll defend his title at the Sony Ericsson Open which starts Wednesday in South Florida, won the most improved player award for the second straight year.
Other top award winners included: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, newcomer of the year; Igor Andreev, comeback player of the year; and Ivan Ljubicic, Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Santa Clara coach won’t return
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara will not renew the contract of women’s basketball coach Michelle Bento-Jackson, parting ways with the sixth-year coach in an expected move by the school.
Her contract expired after this season, with the school saying that takes her through the conclusion of this academic calendar. The Broncos (20-11) lost 72-66 in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament earlier this month to eventual champion San Diego.
Santa Clara finished as the WCC’s second-place team in the regular season.
The United States, Britain and Germany all condemned China for using force against Tibetan protesters, but they stopped short of threatening to boycott the games or the Aug. 8 opening ceremony.
China, meanwhile, showed no sign of letting up on its crackdown. At least two people were killed in a clash between protesters and police in an area of western China that borders on Tibet, state media and human rights groups reported.
The clashes were the latest in most sustained uprising against Chinese rule in almost two decades — a challenge that has put China’s human rights record in the international spotlight, embarrassing and frustrating a Communist leadership that had hoped for a smooth run-up to the Olympic Games.
BASEBALL
Padres give manager extension
PEORIA, Ariz. — The San Diego Padres exercised manager Bud Black’s option for the 2009 season.
Black made his managerial debut with the Padres in 2007, leading the club to an 89-74 record. The team fell one win short of a third straight playoff appearance. The 89 wins were the most for the Padres since they won a franchise-record 98 games in 1998.
NBA
Webber ends comeback bid
OAKLAND, Calif. — Chris Webber is ending his comeback attempt with the Golden State Warriors and will retire after 15 seasons in the NBA.
Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder said Webber will make the announcement at a news conference today. The news was first reported by ESPN.com.
Webber played only nine games with the Warriors before being sidelined by a bum left knee that’s hampered him in recent years.
Webber was the most prominent member of the Fab Five at Michigan and played for Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit in his NBA career.
TENNIS
Federer receives honors
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Roger Federer was a winner in more ways than one last year.
The world’s No. 1 player was honored as the ATP Tour’s player of the year for 2007. He also won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for the fourth consecutive year and the Fans’ Favorite Award for the fifth consecutive time.
Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States won the Doubles Team of the Year and Fans’ Favorite awards, each for the third straight year. The brothers won 11 titles in 2007.
Novak Djokovic, who’ll defend his title at the Sony Ericsson Open which starts Wednesday in South Florida, won the most improved player award for the second straight year.
Other top award winners included: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, newcomer of the year; Igor Andreev, comeback player of the year; and Ivan Ljubicic, Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Santa Clara coach won’t return
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara will not renew the contract of women’s basketball coach Michelle Bento-Jackson, parting ways with the sixth-year coach in an expected move by the school.
Her contract expired after this season, with the school saying that takes her through the conclusion of this academic calendar. The Broncos (20-11) lost 72-66 in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament earlier this month to eventual champion San Diego.
Santa Clara finished as the WCC’s second-place team in the regular season.
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