Bolt captures 100 metres at Czech meet
Usain Bolt started the European leg of his final season before retirement with a victory in the 100 metres at the Golden Spike meet on Wednesday in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Bolt reeled in the rest of the field after a trademark slow start to cross the finish line in 10.06 seconds. However, he had to hold off a strong challenge from Yunier Perez of Cuba, edging him by 0.03. Jak Ali Harvey of Turkey was third in 10.26. Bolt’s performance fell short of his season best of 10.03, which was clocked at the 100 and 200 world record holder’s final race in his native Jamaica on June 11. “I’m not happy with the time,” he said. “It wasn’t a good race, it was pretty slow.”
RUGBY U20 groups picked
Canada has been placed in a group with Chile, Japan and Namibia at the World Rugby U20 Trophy. The eight-team tournament, which serves as World Rugby’s second-tier under-20 championship, runs Aug. 29 to Sept. 10 in Uruguay. The winner is promoted to the World Rugby U20 Championship, won by New Zealand earlier this month in Tbilisi, Georgia. Canada qualified for the U20 Trophy by beating the U.S. 71-39 on aggregate over two games this month in Edmonton. The Canadians won the opening leg 46-12 and lost the return match 27-25. The Canadian men open Aug. 29 against Namibia before facing Japan on Sept. 2 and Chile on Sept. 6. Final placement games will go Sept. 10.
BASEBALL Beer tosser gets discharge
A man who threw a beer can onto the field during a dramatic Blue Jays playoff game last fall was given a conditional discharge Wednesday, after his lawyer argued the public humiliation he suffered since being charged in the incident should be taken into account. Ken Pagan pleaded guilty to mischief last month, admitting he tossed a can of beer on the field last October as a Baltimore Orioles player was about to catch a fly ball during the seventh inning of the pivotal wild card game in Toronto. The conditional discharge means Pagan avoids a conviction if he complies with certain conditions for a year, his lawyer said. Those conditions include 100 hours of community service, an order to stay away from the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays play, and a ban on attending all Major League Baseball games for one year.
CYCLING Froome close to new deal
Chris Froome said Wednesday he is close to a contract that would keep the three-time Tour de France champion with Team Sky until 2021. The Briton said he hopes the details will be finalized by the time the 2017 Tour starts Saturday. A deal would give him more chances to catch Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain — who all won five Tours.