WORLD OF SPORT
▷▷▷ Kallstrom to fly to Korea to cover Arsenal game
Former Arsenal midfielder turned TV pundit Kim Kallstrom will have a slightly longer commute to cover Ostersund’s Europa League clash with Arsenal tomorrow evening, as broadcaster Eurosport will have its match studio in South Korea rather than Stockholm. Eurosport has the exclusive rights to broadcast the Winter Olympics in Sweden and has sent more than 100 employees to Pyeongchang, meaning that it is easier for them to fly the former Sweden international to their studios in Korea. “We have a lot of people on site, but we were missing a football expert in our gang, so we’re very glad that Kim is doing this,” Discovery’s head of sport Emir Osmanbergovic said. Kallstrom will also have to do the first overnight shift of his punditry career as the Round of 32 first-leg tie kicks off at 7pm in Sweden, which is 3am in Pyeongchang.
▷▷▷ Statue of Liberty cleared for USA hockey helmets
Two American ice hockey players will keep Statue of Liberty images on their helmets after the International Olympic Committee blamed a “misunderstanding” for reports that they may have to be removed. USA Hockey confirmed the images would remain on the helmets of goaltenders Nicole Hensley and Alex Rigsby for yesteday’s match against the Olympic Athletes from Russia at Kwandong Hockey Centre. But the IOC also said they hadn’t asked for the images to be removed, contradicting American media who reported they may violate the Olympic body’s rules against political symbols. IOC guidelines on authorised identification say no item can have national anthem words or lyrics, motivation words, political messaging or slogans related to national identity. Hensley has a large Statue of Liberty image painted on the left side of her mask. Rigsby has one on the chin of her mask.
▷▷▷ Warne returns to IPL team Royals as mentor
Australian spin legend Shane Warne has been reunited with the Rajasthan Royals, as the Indian Premier League club announced he will mentor the side he once captained to victory. Warne, who lead the Royals as they clinched the IPL title in its inaugural edition in 2008, rejoins the franchise as they return to the lucrative Twenty20 league after a two-year ban for illegal betting. The Royals said in a statement they hope the 48-year-old leg-spinner will “recreate the old magic” he brought to the Royals as captain - and later coach - in the IPL’s first four seasons. “I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the franchise and fans of Rajasthan Royals,” Warne said.