Sports

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Aly Raisman on Monday spoke out against USA Gymnastics’ choice for its interim president and chief executive, saying survivors of sexual abuse “deserve better.”

The criticism from Raisman, one of the athletes sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, comes three days after the sport’s governing body in the United States named Mary Bono as its interim leader.

Raisman, in a series of posts on Twitter, took aim at former Republican congresswoman Bono over her previous employment at a law firm that worked for USA Gymnastics when sex abuse allegations against Nassar were being reported.

Nassar received a prison sentence of up to 175 years after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct.

“My teammates and I reported Nassar’s abuse to USAG in 2015,” Raisman wrote. 

“We now know USOC and lawyers at Faegre Baker Daniels [Mary Bono’s firm] were also told then, yet Nassar continued to abuse children for 13 months!? Why hire someone associated with the firm that helped cover up our abuse?

“Clearly this is not a “new” USAG. Same corrupt decisions. Perhaps it’s because true accountability is less likely if authority is placed in the hands of someone similarly motivated to avoid it.

“Survivors, current gymnasts, families, coaches, gymnastics community and fans deserve better.”

Bono will fill the role while USA Gymnastics searches for a permanent successor to Kerry Perry, who took over last November after predecessor Steve Penny resigned following a review into how USA Gymnastics handled allegations of sexual abuse.

When asked by Reuters to comment on the criticism surrounding the choice for interim president, USA Gymnastics Board of Directors said Bono’s work was not related to any investigation.

“Mary Bono worked at Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting, the legislative strategies and policies branch in Washington, DC.,” the board said in a statement.

“Faegre Baker Daniels is a large, global firm that has a number of divisions and areas, and Mary was not involved in FBD’s work with USA Gymnastics as counsel of record.” 

Bono also faced criticism over the weekend after it emerged she had posted a photo on Twitter of someone using a black marker pen to colour over the Nike logo on a pair of shoes.

The photo, posted last month, was an apparent reference to Nike’s advertising campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a national controversy by kneeling during the national anthem.

Nike-sponsored gymnast Simone Biles, another victim of Nassar, was stunned by Bono’s post.

“*mouth drop*,” she wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “Don’t worry, it’s not like we needed a smarter usa gymnastics president or any sponsors or anything.”

Bono has since deleted the photo and apologised.

“I deeply regret posting the Tweet because I respect everyone’s views and their fundamental right to express them,” Bono in a statement on Saturday.

“This in no way reflects how I will approach my position at USA Gymnastics. I will do everything I can to help change the culture and to work with the entire community to build an open, safe and positive environment.”

MILAN — The despair which followed Italy’s defeat by Portugal a month ago has suddenly turned to unbridled optimism following Sunday’s 1-0 stoppage-time win away to Poland in the Nations League.

Italian media agreed the performance was one of the best in the last few years as Roberto Mancini’s new-look side dominated the match in Chorzow and created chances almost at will.

It was very different to the mood after Italy were outplayed by Portugal, prompting Gazzetta dello Sport to publish the headline “Italy always going downwards”.

On Monday, the same paper boomed: “This is Italy”.

“Finally, Italy win and convince,” it added.

A headline in Corriere dello Sport, meanwhile, simply read: “Bellissima”.

Mancini was appointed with the job of rebuilding Italy following their failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup, the first time they have missed the tournament in 60 years.

It was never going to be an easy task for the former Manchester City and Inter Milan coach. 

Italy no longer produce world-class players in abundance and teams such Juventus, Napoli and AS Roma are dominated by foreigners, as Mancini pointed out last month. 

But Mancini said there was still enough talent around to make Italy great again, even if it was going to take time.

It was a case, he said, of putting faith in younger and lesser-known players and having patience.

There were certainly some interesting choices in Sunday’s line-up.

Left back Cristiano Biraghi, who scored the winning goal, was relegated with Pescara two seasons ago and was making his third appearance for Italy at the age of 26.

With Italy struggling to break the deadlock, Mancini chose to bring on Kevin Lasagna for his international debut at the age of 26 rather than Lazio’s prolific marksman Ciro Immobile.

Lasagna, whose flick on at the near post set up the goal, has little more than two seasons of Serie A experience.

“Five years ago I was playing in Serie D [the fourth tier] and now, I’m making my debut for Italy,” Lasagna said.

“I put Kevin and not Immobile because he’s stronger in the air and we needed a few centimetres,” said Mancini 

Another surprise choice was Cagliari’s 21-year-old midfielder Nicolo Barella who made his debut in last Wednesday’s 1-1 home draw with Ukraine and excelled on Sunday.

Mancini sent the team out in a 4-3-3 formation with no recognised striker.

Marco Veratti and Jorginho took control of the midfield and the attacking trio of Federico Chiesa, Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne caused Poland many problems.

“I wanted a team that plays at home and away with the same mentality,” Mancini said.

“We are starting a new chapter but, in football, you need time and there are no magicians. We have simply started working and getting to know the players.” 

Novak Djokovic continued his scintillating run of form as he breezed past Croatian Borna Coric 6-3, 6-4 to win the Shanghai Masters title for the fourth time on Sunday.

With a clever mix of groundstrokes, the 31-year-old Serb broke Coric’s serve in the sixth game and made a series of forays to the net as he consolidated his lead.

The Serb grabbed the opening set with a hold to love, having dropped just four points on his serve overall.

The 21-year-old Croatian Coric had his right thigh heavily strapped and had been suffering a stiff neck for what was the biggest match of his young career.

Coric had the extensive thigh strapping changed for the second set, but he was immediately broken when he somehow sent a routine volley out.

He had his first sniff of an opportunity with a break point in the sixth game of the second set, but second seed Djokovic snuffed it out when Coric again fired wide.

Coric, who collected one of the biggest wins of his career by defeating Roger Federer in the semifinals, looked far from his best in his first ATP Masters final as he dropped his serve in the opening game of the second set.

The 21-year-old saved three match points to hold serve in the ninth game before Djokovic served out to clinch his fourth title of the season. 

Djokovic broke the 19th-ranked Coric — his good friend and sometime-training partner — in the sixth game of the first set on the way to another no-nonsense victory.

The end was anti-climactic — Djokovic winning the championship point after a video review, Coric having challenged the call.

Djokovic buried his head in his hand at the absurdity of it.

“This was definitely one of the best service weeks that I’ve had in my career,” Djokovic, who did not drop his serve during the tournament, said.

“I was saying before that I have never played on faster courts here in Shanghai, so this year more than ever I needed a lot of success with the first serves in.”

Djokovic, who has returned to his brutal best this season, will surpass Federer as World No, 2 when the next edition of the ATP rankings are released on Monday.

“Obviously the last three, four months have been terrific for me,” Djokovic added. “Not many holes in the game in general, especially this week. Everything worked perfectly.”

The 14-time Grand Slam champion has been victorious in 18 ATP matches in a row and in recent months won Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Masters, the US Open and now Shanghai as he continues to chase Rafa Nadal’s World No. 1 crown, with the Spaniard skipping the Asian swing to recover from a knee injury.

Djokovic is homing in on a return to No. 1, having fallen as low as 22nd in May as he struggled following elbow surgery in February.

He also missed the second half of 2017 with elbow and off-court issues.

It is nearly two years since Djokovic topped the rankings and he has made it his mission to topple the injured Nadal before the year is out.

Croatia's Borna Coric produced a masterful display of power-hitting to stun holder Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters on Saturday and will face Novak Djokovic in the final.

Coric was quick out of the blocks at the Qi Zhong Stadium as he broke in the opening game against the top seed, and only lost five points on serve to clinch the first set in 34 minutes.

Federer, competing in his first ATP tournament since a shock last-16 exit at the US Open, struggled for control against Coric's bludgeoning returns as the 13th seeded Croat clinched another early break to reach his first ATP Masters final.

The 21-year-old got his second straight win over Federer, having beaten the Swiss to lift the Halle title in June.

Coric, world-ranked 19th, will face one of his toughest tests of the season against Djokovic in Sunday's showpiece.

Three-time Shanghai Open winner Djokovic stormed past German Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1 in Saturday's earlier semifinal and claimed the World No. 2 ranking from Federer.

Djokovic did not face a break point en route to a 59-minute victory as he extended his winning streak to 17 ATP matches.

Second seed Djokovic, who has returned to his brutal best this season with Grand Slam wins at Wimbledon and the US Open, will surpass Federer as World No. 2 when the next edition of the ATP rankings are released on Monday.

"I did everything I intended to do on my end," the 31-year-old Serb, chasing his 32nd Masters title, said.

"It's all working and it's been a couple of perfect matches. There's a lot of positives to take from my matches this week."

Djokovic, who beat South African Kevin Anderson 7-6, 6-3 to reach the last four, knows a fourth Shanghai title would help him trim Rafa Nadal's lead at the top of the rankings. The Spaniard skipped the Asian swing to recover from a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Federer will decide as early as next month whether to return to clay-court action next year, the Swiss great said on Saturday, after losing his semifinal.

The 37-year-old has been managing his schedule and stopped playing the clay-court season, including the French Open, in the past two years to wring the most out of his ageing body.

Quizzed by reporters about his plans for next year, the 20-time Grand Slam winner — fresh from losing — showed a flash of irritation.

“Like I said, I think I will try to take a decision on the clay towards maybe before—well let’s say while I’m on vacation after London [ATP Finals November 11-18].

“So like this I know how to work on my fitness and tennis programme for those sort of four weeks in December.

“That then plays a role for the rest of the season, and that’s it, I still don’t know.

“And please stop asking me, I really don’t know.”

AMMAN — Husam Salem won the 2018 Jordan Speed Test All-wheel Championship on Friday at the Royal Automobile Club.

Mohammed Tayseer came in second, followed by Ghaith Wreikat. In the Rear Wheel category Salim Tuaima came on top, followed by Mohammed Naqawa and Jamal Naqawa.

The Front Wheel category was won by Khaled Juma, followed by Sanad Al Zoubi and Mohammad Al Azzeh.

SHANGHAI — Novak Djokovic enjoyed a measure of revenge as he booked his spot in the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-0 demolition of Marco Cecchinato on Thursday.

The Serbian second seed was stunned by the Italian — ranked 72 in the world at the time — in the French Open quarter-finals earlier this year.

It was part of the wretched run of form Djokovic suffered in the first half of the year after elbow surgery in February.

But the World No. 3 exploded back to life in the northern hemisphere summer, winning Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Masters and US Open.

The 31-year-old, who is now gunning for Rafael Nadal’s No. 1 ranking, says he is back close to the kind of blistering form that has brought him 14 Grand Slams.

And he proved it against Cecchinato, bustling past the 16th seed in just under 70 minutes.

Djokovic will play South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in the quarter-finals.

Rising star Alexander Zverev was similarly emphatic as he brushed aside Australia’s new No. 1, teenager Alex de Minaur, 6-1, 6-4.

The German fourth seed will face 11th seed Kyle Edmund in the last eight.

Edmund, Britain’s No. 1, defeated Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. 

The 21-year-old Zverev was ruthless as he took the first set in just 29 minutes, although his 19-year-old opponent showed more fight in the second.

Zverev has been suffering with a cold but ratcheted up the pressure to grab the all-important break of serve in the ninth game before closing out the match against de Minaur, who this week replaced Nick Kyrgios as Australia’s top-ranked player.

Twice Shanghai Masters champion Roger Federer was far from his best against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut but did enough to reach the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win on Thursday.

The top-seeded Swiss, who is fighting to defend the title and his world number two spot, broke in the fourth game and sealed the opening set with a crisp backhand volley.

But Bautista Agut, the 2016 finalist, was back on song in the second set and won four straight games before forcing a decider courtesy a stunning backhand return.

Having lost a set for the first time in eight meetings with Bautista Agut, Federer cut down his errors before breaking in the ninth game en route to his 38th match win of the season.

In the last four the 37-year-old will face eighth-seeded Japanese Kei Nishikori, who knocked out big-serving American Sam Querrey 7-6(7), 6-4.