Reuters Sports News Summary

08/11/2016 12:59

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Basketball: Unbeaten U.S. survive Australia scare

Carmelo Anthony came to Team USA's rescue with a record-breaking effort on Wednesday as the defending Olympic basketball champions beat Australia 98-88 in a thrilling encounter to extend their overall winning streak to 20 games. Trailing the Boomers 72-70 early in the fourth quarter, Anthony tied the game from inside the paint then hit two big three-pointers to put the U.S. ahead for good as they remained top of the Group A standings with a 3-0 record.

Athletics: Isinbayeva to run for ARAF chief

Yelena Isinbayeva is to run for president of the Russian athletics federation (ARAF), the double Olympic pole vault champion said. Isinbayeva, who is unable to compete at the Rio Olympics due to a doping ban on Russia's athletics team, said on Thursday in an interview with the ARAF's official website that she wanted to help her country's athletes return to elite competition.

Hingis and Mirza call time on doubles partnership

The leading women's doubles team of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza have opted to end their partnership after suffering a slump in form following a trophy-laden 16 months together, the players confirmed on Thursday. "After three grand slam victories and 11 WTA doubles titles together, we have mutually agreed that we would each be open to playing with other players for the remainder of the season," the pair said in a statement.

Beach Volleyball: Brazil's Franca back from retirement to go for gold

Brazil beach volleyball great Larissa Franca had retired from the game when countrywoman Talita Rocha made her a offer in 2014 she could not refuse - playing in a home Olympics. "I asked if she would play in this magical event ... an Olympics at home, an opportunity few athletes have," Rocha told Reuters after crushing Poland in straight sets in front of a cheering crowd at Copacabana beach on Thursday.

Biles lights up Rio, Instagram and the Kardashians

She has ratcheted up a million Instagram followers, exchanged tweets with reality star Kim Kardashian and been splashed on the cover of major American magazines. Teenage gymnastics phenomenon Simone Biles has vaulted herself to stardom with her bubbly personality and savvy use of social media - in parallel to propelling the American women's team to Olympic gold in Rio.

Baseball: Neck injury forces Fielder into retirement

Texas Rangers power-hitter Prince Fielder bid an emotional goodbye to baseball on Wednesday due to neck ailments. Wearing a neck brace and joined by his two young sons and Rangers team mates, the six-time All Star Fielder said his body would no longer allow him to play.

Swimming: Night of individual firsts in Rio pool

First time Olympic winners, including Australian teen Kyle Chalmers in the 100 meters freestyle, plundered three of the four golds in the Rio pool on Wednesday but there was no getting past Katie Ledecky. On a night of novelty, with Mireia Belmonte becoming Spain's first women's Olympic swimming gold medalist and Dmitry Balandin winning Kazakhstan's first medal and title in the sport at a Games, freestyle phenomenon Ledecky provided consistency.

DeLaet leads and Rose hits ace as golf returns

Canada's Graham DeLaet fired a five-under-par 66 to grab the early clubhouse lead but Justin Rose drew the cheers for a hole in one on golf's return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. Taking advantage of ideal morning scoring conditions, DeLaet opened defense of the gold medal won by Canada's George Lyon at the 1904 Summer Games, mixing six birdies with a bogey to sit one in front of Belgian Thomas Pieters on the clubhouse leaderboard.

Police patrols beefed up at Rio Games as security concerns mount

Rio Olympics organizers stepped up police patrols on Wednesday as security concerns mounted over the threat posed by street violence, with a Games bus being hit by stones and a security patrol coming under fire near Rio's international airport. In the latest incident, gunmen fired on a military police car which strayed into the entrance of a slum near the airport, off a highway used by visitors traveling between there and the Olympic Park, security sources and the country's justice minister said.

Ledecky gets third gold, Franklin a first in Rio

Freestyle queen Katie Ledecky won her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics by anchoring the U.S. women to victory in the 4x200 meters freestyle relay on Wednesday while struggling Missy Franklin opened her account without being in the water for the final. Australia, who led until Ledecky dived in and turned the race around, took silver and Canada the bronze.

08/11/2016 12:59