Rio Olympics: Athletes risk serious illness from dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria in sewage-contaminated waters at the swimming and boating venues being prepared for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Tests conducted by the AP found levels of disease-causing viruses as much as 1.7 million times the level that would be considered hazardous on a Southern California beach. Levels of raw sewage, the AP reported, contradict statements by Olympic organisers that the water-sports venues will be safe.

Athletics: Olympic 200 metres gold medallist Allyson Felix has chosen to run the 400 metres at next month’s world championships, her coach said. “We wanted to do both (the 200m and 400m) but the schedule will not allow it, so it’s the 400,” Bob Kersee said. “It’s more of a challenge for us,” Kersee added when asked why the longer race. Had the 29-year-old American attempted both races, as she did at the 2011 worlds, she would have had to run the semi-finals of the 200m an hour before the 400m final on Aug. 27.

Cricket: Steven Finn’s five-wicket haul put England on the brink of a 2-1 Ashes series lead over Australia yesterday with the tourists facing a desperate battle to avoid a humiliating third test defeat. Australia hold a lead of 23 with three wickets remaining and three days to play after Finn ran amok. After capitulating to 136 all out on Wednesday and then facing a deficit of 145 after England made 281, Australia had no answer to Finn’s pace. He followed up his two wickets in the first innings with figures of 5-45 from 13 excellent overs as only a defiant 77 from David Warner and an unbeaten 37 from Peter Nevill held up England’s victory bid inside two days as Australia closed on 168-7.­

Waterpolo - BOV leagues

This weekend’s fixtures:
Today: 18.15 Ta’ Xbiex vs Otters; 19.30 Marsascala vs Marsaxlokk.
Tomorrow: 18.15 Sirens vs Valletta; 19.30 San Ġiljan vs Neptunes.

Premier League

Division One