ROME — It appears unlikely Colorado Springs will replace Japan as host of the world figure skating championships.
Six countries put in bids to replace Japan as host of the event after the earthquake and tsunami likely killed more than 18,000 people.
International Skating Union president Ottavio Cinquanta on Tuesday said the bids are from the United States (Colorado Springs or Lake Placid, N.Y.), Russia (Moscow), Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia), Finland (Turku), Croatia and Austria. The Croatian offer is likely Zagreb, while Cinquanta believes Graz is Austria’s offer.
Russia appears to be the likely pick, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin saying, “This is not a very expensive event and we are capable of taking care of all the expenses.”
The ISU council will vote today or Thursday on the site and determine the dates in late April or early May.
Blackhawks lose Sharp to injury
CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, who leads the team with 34 goals, is expected to miss at least the next two weeks with an injured left knee.
• Kings right wing Justin Williams will miss at least three to four weeks with a dislocated shoulder, leaving Los Angeles without its second-leading scorer (22 goals).
Mayor: Kings in “final weeks”
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson said the Kings’ possible relocation to Anaheim, Calif., “feels like a slow death” and this “will likely be the Kings’ final weeks in Sacramento after 26 years.”
The NBA has granted the Kings an extension until April 18 to decide if it will file a request to move the franchise for next season.
• Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay needs surgery on his injured left shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.
NFL great Taylor gets probation
NEW CITY, N.Y. — The teenage girl at the center of the sex-crimes case against football great Lawrence Taylor made a surprise appearance at his sentencing, eager to declare he should be behind bars.
She was denied the chance to speak in court, and Taylor was sentenced to six years’ probation, as agreed when he pleaded guilty in January to sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute.
The former New York Giants linebacker must register as a sex offender, but a hearing on exactly how that will affect him was postponed to April 12.
• NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the Miami Dolphins and four other teams have been fined or been told the league is investigating them for violating offseason rules prohibiting contact with players.
Footnotes.
Russian gymnast Nikolai Andrianov, whose 15 medals rank second to Michael Phelps‘ 16 for the most-decorated male athlete in Olympic history, died Monday in Vladimir, Russia. He was 58.
• Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov increased his stake in Premier League club Arsenal, going from 26 percent to “over 27 percent.” American investor Stan Kroenke remains the largest individual shareholder in Arsenal with 29.9 percent.
The Associated Press
