OLYMPICS: Russian athlete backs gay law
The rainbow colors two Swedish athletes painted their fingernails in support of gays and lesbians sent a clear message and brought a swift rebuke from a Russian star, perhaps even a glimpse of what’s to come at the Sochi Olympics.
Speaking at the world championships, pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva condemned homosexuality and criticized the Swedes for their gesture critical of Russia’s new anti-gay legislation.
“If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people,” Isinbayeva said in English. “We just live with boys with woman, woman with boys.
“Everything must be fine. It comes from history. We never had any problems … in Russia, and we don’t want to have any in the future.”
TENNIS: Federer falters, but beats Haas
Roger Federer overcome a rough start at the Western & Southern Open, rallying to beat Tommy Haas 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Victoria Azarenka reached the quarterfinals by defeating No. 33 Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-4 at the Western & Southern Open.
Boxing: Cruz proposes to boyfriend
Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz proposed marriage to his partner after announcing last year that he is gay.
Cruz made the proposal on his Facebook page and his boyfriend said yes.
ETC.: Top N.J. RB commits to Rutgers
Rutgers’ red-hot recruiting roll continued when four-star prospect Jonathan Hilliman — considered the top running back in New Jersey — verbally committed to the Scarlet Knights yesterday on the practice field of St. Peter’s Prep.The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Hilliman has been clocked at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and chose Rutgers over Ohio State, whom he’ll face annually when Rutgers moves to the Big Ten his freshman year. He’s ranked the 12th-best prospect in New Jersey according to Rivals.com and the ninth-best by ESPN.—Brian Lewis
The Grizzlies traded forward Donte Greene to the Celtics for center Fab Melo.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux had surgery on his right index finger after getting injured on a golf course. Recovery is expected to take five to six weeks.