TOKYO — The British men will have to take the long route to the London Olympics.
China finished a surprising third in qualifying at the world gymnastics championships Monday night, the first time they’ve finished anywhere but first at a major competition since the 2004 Olympics. Still, it was enough to bump Britain’s men down to 10th place — and out of the running for the eight spots at next summer’s London Olympics that are available here.
Japan finished first in qualifying with 364.291 points, followed by the United States (361.583) and China (359.126). Germany, last year’s bronze medalists, were fourth and Russia fifth.
Britain will now have to wait until the January test event at the O2 Arena to try to qualify for the London Olympics. Britain has not qualified to send a full men’s team to an Olympics since 1992.
• Beijing Olympic captain Alicia Sacramone had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. A timetable for her recovery isn’t known.
Calvillo sets CFL’s passing mark
MONTREAL — Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo became the CFL’s career passing leader, surpassing Damon Allen‘s record with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Richardson against the Toronto Argonauts.
Calvillo broke the record on the final play of the third quarter in the Alouettes’ 29-19 victory. Calvillo, who played for Utah State, was 26-of-38 for 305 yards to bring his career total to 72,429 yards.
Allen passed for 72,381 yards.
Klinsmann says MLS must have longer season
HARRISON, N.J. — New U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann said Major League Soccer must have a longer season to become competitive.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s friendly against Ecuador, the former Germany striker said MLS players do not get enough games in their season, which lasts from mid-March until late November, including the playoffs. European seasons run from mid-August until mid-May.
“The big challenge is for MLS overall, how can they stretch that season into a format that is kind of competitive with the rest of the world. Right now it’s not competitive. If you have a seven-, eight-month season, that’s not competitive with the rest of the world.”
• Former England goalkeeper Chris Woods was named goalkeeper coach for the U.S. national team.
Footnotes.
Indiana junior guard Maurice Creek, who averaged 8.3 points last season, will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg.
• Rutgers forward Kadeem Jack is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right foot this week and likely will be out three to four months.
• Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and his wife Lupe have given the school $1 million, with most of the money earmarked to go to the Spartans’ football program.
• Austrian Hans Grugger has been cleared by doctors to get back on skis Wednesday for the first time since his near-fatal crash during downhill training in Kitzbuehel almost nine months ago.
