MOTORING: The final obstacle to the takeover of Ducati has now been finally removed, with the Italian motorbike firm due to become part of Audi next week. Although the deal was effectively com-pleted in April, Audi were required to finalise matters through the anti-trust authorities. That prompted Audi CEO Rupert Stadler to visit the Ducati factory in Bologna to address the 1,000-strong workforce on Thursday. “What is true in every romance also applies to two com-panies – a good start is half the battle,” said Stadler.
BASKETBALL: Kevin Durant scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the US Olympic team beat the Dominican Republic 113-59 in their first tune-up for the London Games. Durant, the three-time NBA scoring leader whose Oklahoma City Thunder fell to Miami Heat in the NBA championship series last month, boasts an international pedigree as the Most Valuable Player of the basketball World Championships two years ago. He came off the bench and shot nine of 11 from the field, including five of six three-point attempts.
CRICKET: Brett Lee (picture) revealed a loss of desire to compete at the highest level led to his decision to retire from international cricket. Lee, 35, was forced to return home early from Australia’s one-day tour of England this month with a calf injury. And his appearance in the fourth match of the series in Durham proved to be his last for his country. Lee had been hopeful of playing in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup team in August and September. But after his latest injury setback, the paceman decided enough was enough.
ATHLETICS: Asafa Powell has insisted he will be fit to run at the Olympics after with-drawing from the London Grand Prix. Powell was due to face Tyson Gay over 100m at Crystal Palace last night but pulled out of the event. “I’ve been carrying some soreness in my groin since the Olympic trials and have been unable to train at 100 per cent,” the 29-year-old Powell said. “I need to ensure I’m ready for the Games and cannot take any risks.”
RUGBY UNION: The International Rugby Board is reportedly investigating a verbal broadside from Samoa’s prime minister in which he accused “idiot” referees of racial bias in a Test loss to Scotland. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, took issue with a disallowed Samoan try in last month’s one-off Test against Scotland in Apia, which the hosts lost 17-16.