Calif. organizations must protect athletes
LOS ANGELES » Sports organizations governing youth activities from soccer to swimming to gymnastics to baseball have a duty to protect athletes from sexual and other abuse, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a case involving girls aspiring to be Olympians who were molested by their martial arts coach for years, the court held that USA Taekwondo could be held liable. But the court cleared the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee from liability because it did not have a close enough relationship with the coach or athletes.
The decision clarifies legal standards for California courts after numerous sex abuse scandals have rocked the highest levels of amateur sport since the doctor for the U.S. gymnastics team was accused — and later convicted — of molesting scores of girls.
Barty returns to Miami Open final
MIAMI » In her first match at this year’s Miami Open, Ash Barty was one point from elimination. Now she’s one win from becoming a repeat champion. The top-ranked Barty returned to the final by beating No. 5-seeded
Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-3.
Barty has gained momentum after starting the tournament by saving a match point against qualifier Kristina Kucova. That was Barty’s first match outside her native Australia since February 2020.
Barty, who is assured of retaining her No. 1 ranking next week, will play for the title Saturday against the winner of the second semifinal between No. 8 Bianca Andreescu and No. 23 Maria Sakkari.
On the men’s side, Hubert Hurkacz of Poland earned his first semifinal berth in a toplevel ATP event by rallying past No. 2-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Wie West, Feng on leaderboard
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. » Michelle Wie West was back on a major championship leaderboard at the ANA Inspiration. So was Shanshan Feng in her first tournament in 14 months.
Playing for the second straight week after a 21-month break, Wie West shot a 2-under 70, leaving her four strokes behind leader Patty Tavatanakit after the morning wave.
Feng birdied three of her last five holes for a bogey-free 67.