Cycling: The Malaysian cyclist who competed in gloves bearing the motif ‘Save Gaza’ at the Chris Hoy Velodrome has announced he has avoided expulsion from the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games Federation was looking into Azizulhasni Awang’s apparent political protest, which saw him hold his gloves up to a camera on Thursday to show ‘Save’ written across the right one and ‘Gaza’ on the left. The CGF seeks to avoid its competitions being used for political means, and Glasgow 2014 officials might have imposed a heavy punishment on the 26-year-old. However, it appears a warning not to wear the gloves again will be the limit of his punishment.
Formula One: Azerbaijan’s Formula One debut, originally planned for next year, has been delayed to 2016 with a ‘Grand Prix of Europe’ scheduled for Baku, local organisers said yesterday. “I am delighted to officially announce that we have signed a contract to bring Formula One racing to Baku in 2016,” Azad Rahimov, the country’s minister for youth and sport, said in a statement issued at the Hungarian Grand Prix. “The deal to bring Formula One racing to Baku is a very significant new chapter in our ongoing success to attract the world’s largest sporting events to our country.”
Cricket: India’s Ravindra Jadeja has been fined half his match fee for his involvement in an altercation with England quick bowler James Anderson during the drawn first test at Trent Bridge. The clash, which occurred as the players left the field at lunch on the second day, saw Jadeja charged with a level two misconduct charge for allegedly approaching Anderson in a threatening manner. Anderson was charged with a level three offence for having “abused and pushed” his opponent.
Athletics: Welsh 400 metres hurdler Rhys Williams is out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being charged with an anti-doping violation, UK Anti-Doping said yesterday. Williams, 30, won a gold medal at the 2012 European Championships and bronze at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010. He was co-captain of the Wales squad for the multi-sport festival in Glasgow. “UK Anti-Doping can confirm the provisional suspension of athlete Rhys Williams after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules,” UKAD chief executive Andy Parkinson said in a statement in response to an announcement by Team Wales.