Home > Sports > Baseball

2015.11.4 SPORTS BRIEFS

Published: 04 Nov. 2015, 04:51

SPEED SKATING

Lee picked to join national team despite armband error

Two-time Olympic gold medalist speed skater Lee Sang-hwa has been selected as a national team member for the International Skating Union (ISU) Speed Skating World Cup despite her disqualification at the national team selection trial last month.

The Korea Skating Union (KSU) on Tuesday named 20 national team members for the 2015-16 season of the ISU World Cup series, which starts in Canada next week.

Lee was disqualified from the second race of the women’s 500-meter on Oct. 28 at the national team selection trial in Seoul after she removed her armband during the race, which violates the racing rules.

However, the KSU made the recommendation and the board approved the decision to select Lee on Wednesday. As the world record holder in 500 meters, Lee will represent Korea along with Jang Mi, who topped the selection trial. Lee will also race in the women’s 1,000-meter after she topped the qualifiers.

?

OLYMPICS

Kuwait pulls out of games
in Rio after suspension

KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait’s government decided on Monday to terminate its agreement with the Olympic Council of Asia. ?

The state-run KUNA news agency quoted Minister of Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah as saying the decision came after the International Olympic Committee suspended Kuwait for political interference last week.

This is Kuwait’s second suspension in the past five years, barring the tiny oil-rich country’s athletes from participating in next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. ?

Last week, FIFA also suspended Kuwait after it failed to change its sports law by Oct. 15.?

FOOTBALL

Toure, Aubameyang vie
for African player of year

CAIRO - Yaya Toure and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are among 10 nominees for the African player of the year award.

Toure led the Ivory Coast to their first African Cup of Nations title in 23 years in February. The Manchester City midfielder has won the last five awards. Aubameyang, a Borussia Dortmund forward, was runner-up to Toure in the last two votes.?

The winner will be announced on Jan. 7.

AP