Beijing — Senior Chinese sports officials have leapt to the defense of deputy sports director Yu Zaiqing over his perceived criticism of Olympic short-track speed skating champion Zhou Yang.
 The authorities claim Yu's comments were misunderstood.

ABU DHABI — The world's greatest athletes of 2009 will chase the prestigious Laureus World Sports awards titles tonight (Beijing time).

ABU DHABI — The curtain came down on the Academy Awards on Monday but the Laureus World Sports Awards, dubbed the Oscars of sports, will be well represented by Hollywood notables during its gala ceremony on Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Once again, the San Jose Sharks found themselves facing a third-period deficit against a goalie who kept turning away good scoring chances. And once again, the Sharks found a way to pull out a victory.

LONDON — England flanker James Haskell is being kept prisoner by the Rugby Football Union which refuses to release him to play for his club this weekend, Stade Francais president Max Guazzini said on Thursday.

NEW YORK — When Joshua Clottey steps into the ring against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on March 13 the Ghanaian will imagine he is fighting someone else.