Girma sets 3,000-meters record
LIEVIN, France — Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma broke a 25-year-old indoor world record in the 3,000 meters on Wednesday at the Meeting Hauts-de-france Pas-de-calais.
Girma, who won the silver medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics, covered the distance in 7 minutes, 23.81 seconds at the World Athletics event.
The previous record of 7:24.90 was set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in Budapest in 1998.
Spain’s Mohamed Katir ran faster than the previous record, too, and finished second behind Girma in a European record of 7:24.68.
Marshall crash memorial day set
CHARLESTON, W.VA. — A bill has won final legislative approval in West Virginia that would establish an annual day of recognition for the worst sports disaster in U.S. history, a plane crash that killed most of Marshall University’s football team.
On Nov. 14, 1970, the chartered jet crashed in fog and rain into a hillside upon approach to an airport near Huntington as the team was returning from a game at East Carolina, killing all 75 on board.
The victims included 36 football players and 39 school administrators, coaches, fans, spouses and flight crew. Marshall decided to continue the football program. But for the university and the entire community, it left a huge void.
The bill establishes that Nov. 14 will become a “special memorial day” in remembrance of the crash.
Hockey director’s pact extended
COLORADO Springs, Colo. — USA Hockey has given executive director Pat Kelleher a multiyear contract extension. President Mike Trimboli on Wednesday announced the extension, which keeps a hockey lifer in charge of the day-to-day operations of the organization.
French soccer boss denounced
PARIS — Noël Le Graët no longer has legitimacy to remain as French soccer federation president because his management style and behavior toward women are “incompatible with the exercise of his functions,” a government audit released Wednesday found.
The 81-year-old Le Graët is currently under judicial investigation for alleged sexual and “moral” harassment as part of a probe being carried out by a special police unit dedicated to crimes against individuals.
An audit by the General Inspectorate of Education, Sport and Research concluded that Le Graët’s behavior toward women was inappropriate.
Brazil picks interim soccer coach
SAO PAULO — Ramon Menezes will serve as Brazil’s interim coach while the search continues for a permanent successor to Tite, who stepped down after the World Cup.
The 50-year-old Menezes guided Brazil’s Under-20 team to the South American championship title on Sunday and will be in charge for a friendly against World Cup semifinalist Morocco in Tangier on March 25, the Brazilian Football Confederation said Wednesday.