U.S. stuns in steeplechase
On a night of even more upsets, Dafne Schippers restored some normalcy yesterday when she proved again she is the fastest woman over 200 meters at the world championships in London.
The Dutchwoman dipped at the line just ahead of Marie-Josee Ta Lou in another extremely close race to defend her title in 20.05 seconds.
“I really had to fight for it today,” Schippers said. “It is not an easy life but it can be beautiful.”
The most jaw-dropping result in a week of upsets at the Olympic Stadium came in the women’s steeplechase, where the United States clinched an unlikely 1-2 finish at the expense of the Kenyans.
Emma Coburn took the lead for good at the final water jump and kicked for home to finish in a championship record of 9:02.58.
“Oh my goodness, what a race to be part of,” Coburn said. “I never expected to win in that time but I kept pressing. It is pretty amazing to get a championship record.”
American teammate Courtney Frerichs finished second by outkicking defending champion Hyvin Jepkemoi of Kenya in a sprint for silver.
Soccer: Arsenal regroups
Olivier Giroud completed an exhilarating comeback as Arsenal beat Leicester, 4-3, in London, to ensure Arsene Wenger’s side opened the English Premier League with a victory for only the second time in eight seasons.
After Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey evened things in the 83rd minute, Giroud sealed the three points within two minutes. …
Neymar is expected to make his much-awaited debut for Paris SaintGermain tomorrow in the small Brittany town of Guingamp after French football authorities finally received his international transfer certificate.
The French Football Federation received the document from its Spanish counterpart, more than a week after PSG signed the Brazilian. …
Manchester United is in talks with Zlatan Ibrahimovic about the striker playing again for the club.
The 35-year-old Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals before a serious knee injury brought his first season at Old Trafford to a halt in April.
NCAA: Louisville fires back
Louisville says the NCAA “abused” its authority when it disciplined the school for a sex scandal that could result in the loss of its 2013 national basketball championship.
The school also says in a 68-page appeal that the governing body imposed “draconian” penalties and ignored the school’s self-imposed discipline. Louisville banned itself from the 2016 postseason after its investigation uncovered violations.
This is the latest step in a case that began nearly two years ago. Escort Katina Powell alleged in a book that former Cardinals staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers for sex parties with recruits and players from 2010 to 2014.
The NCAA said Louisville must vacate up to 123 victories in which ineligible players received improper benefits. It also suspended Louisville coach Rick Pitino five games for failing to monitor McGee. …
A judge ordered Baylor University to turn over information —including interview recordings and documents — provided to a law firm hired amid a sexual assault scandal that rocked the nation’s largest Baptist school.
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in Austin ruled materials must be provided to attorneys representing women suing Baylor because the university had waived attorney-client privilege protections when it made public a summary of the law firm’s investigation.
Names: Keselowski on pole
Brad Keselowski won the pole for tomorrow’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, putting himself in good position to try for an elusive victory at his home state’s track.
Keselowski is winless in 16 career Cup races at Michigan. He does have eight top-10 finishes.
Keselowski’s pole was his 14th on the Cup Series and first at Michigan. It was his second this year.
Joey Logano qualified second.