PARIS STOPS SHORT OF CLAIMING VICTORY AFTER L.A. DECISION
PARIS» After failing three times in recent bids, sheer joy was expected from Paris officials when Los Angeles ceded the 2024 Olympics to the City of Lights.
Paris bid leaders, however, opted for a diplomatic approach, stopping short of claiming the 2024 Games were guaranteed to be organized in their city.
“Paris 2024 is proud to be working together with the IOC and our friends in Los Angeles to reach a positive solution for both cities, the Games and the whole Olympic movement for 2024 and 2028,” bid committee co-chairman Tony Estanguet said. “(The) announcements are a sign of the progress being made and the delivery of a good solution to the IOC members in September in Lima.”
Paris bid leaders remained cautious in their official reactions. That attitude is consistent with their position since launching the bid a little but more than two years ago, which contrasted with the perceived arrogance in previous bids for the 1992, 2008 and 2012 Games.
The last time it bid, Paris was considered the favorite in the race for the 2012 Olympics, only to lose out to London in a close vote in 2005 following a poor lobbying campaign.
Miami wants to be included.
MIAMI» If the World Cup returns to the U.S., Miami wants to be involved.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the county will submit a bid by September to host games in the 2026 World Cup, a move that comes with David Beckham possibly on the cusp of getting approval to bring an expansion Major League Soccer franchise to Miami and following a week where more than 110,000 fans attended two high-profile exhibition matches in South Florida.
Halep victorious in straight sets.
Top-seeded Simona Halep defeated Sloane Stephens 7-6 (3), 6-0 in her opening match at the Citi Open.
After beating Stephens, the 2015 Citi Open champion, Halep will face Mariana Duque-Marino in the second round. Stephens played her second match of the season after missing nearly a year with a stress fracture in her foot.
Warriors bringing back McGee.
The Golden State Warriors are keeping all three of their centers from a championship season, re-signing 7-footer JaVale McGee to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of about $2.3 million.
McGee emerged as a reliable option off the bench in Steve Kerr’s three-center rotation featuring starter Zaza Pachulia and reserve David West, both of whom also received new contracts.
Wild signs Granlund for 3 years.
MINNEAPOLIS» The Minnesota Wild agreed to terms with standout forward Mikael Granlund on a threeyear, $17.25 million contract.
The Wild announced the deal with the restricted free agent, whose 69 points last season ranked tied for fourth in franchise history. The 25year-old Granlund led the Wild in points, assists and multi-point games. He set career highs in nine stat categories.
Footnotes.
A judge set a Dec. 4 trial date for a former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor accused of molesting several female athletes. … Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said he wants to sell his team for about $500 million. … Kansas State basketball coach Bruce Weber agreed to a contract extension Tuesday that could keep him with the Wildcats through the 2020-21 season. … Tyler Johnson was found 75 percent liable for the 2013 death of lacrosse teammate Kevin Figaniak. A federal jury awarded $3 million to the family of 21-year-old Figaniak, had been knocked unconscious in a fight with two pipeline workers. — The Associated Press