Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Time for France to step up their game as U.S. clash looms
France are admittedly far from their best at the women's World Cup, and with a likely quarter-final clash against world champions the United States looming, Les Bleues need to improve if they are to win their maiden title on home soil. France scraped into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Brazil after extra time on Sunday, their technical shortcomings being compensated by their mental resources as the squad is drawing a lot of attention in the country.
Early Australia exit heaps pressure on embattled FFA
A calamitous penalty shootout loss to Norway was a fitting end to a chaotic women's World Cup campaign for an Australia team haunted by the shock sacking of former coach Alen Stajcic. The Matildas, ranked sixth in the world, had been viewed as one of the top contenders in France but their last 16 exit was their worst performance at the tournament since 2003.
China Mengniu Dairy, Coca-Cola sign Olympic deal
China Mengniu Dairy and Coca-Cola have signed a global Olympic deal as joint beverages and dairy sponsors starting from 2021 until 2032, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday. Coca-Cola's previous deal ran to 2020. Mengniu is China's top milk products manufacturer.
New world number one Barty out of Eastbourne with arm injury
New world number one Ashleigh Barty has suffered a pre-Wimbledon injury scare, withdrawn from this week's Eastbourne grasscourt tournament with a recurrence of a right arm injury. The 23-year-old became the first Australian woman to reach the top of the WTA rankings for 43 years on Sunday when she won the Birmingham Classic and will be top seed at Wimbledon.
France to try former IAAF chief Diack for corruption, money laundering: source
Disgraced former IAAF chief Lamine Diack will be tried in France on charges of corruption and money laundering, a judicial source said, after a four-year investigation into doping cover-ups, extortion and bribe-taking in world athletics. The judges' decision comes a month after financial prosecutors formally accused Diack and his son Papa Massata of a host of illicit practices over a period of years with the active involvement of international athletes and their federations.
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo awarded the 2026 Winter Games
Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on Monday were awarded the 2026 Winter Olympic Games after a vote by the International Olympic Committee membership. Milan beat Stockholm for the right to host the Games in seven years' time.
Cameroon face inquiry and possible action after England defeat
Cameroon face an inquiry and possible disciplinary action from soccer authorities after a 3-0 loss to England in the last 16 of the women's World Cup on Sunday when they reacted furiously to two VAR decisions, initially refusing to restart the game. After England's second goal was ruled offside then allowed after a VAR review, several Cameroon players remonstrated with the referee and for a long time refused to restart the match.
Halep will not play Fed Cup if format changes
Former world number one and Romanian stalwart Simona Halep says she loves the current format of the Fed Cup and would boycott the competition if the 'home and away' format changes. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will make a "major announcement" about the women's competition later this week with the likelihood that it could follow the revamped Davis Cup and become a multi-nation event hosted in one city.
MLB roundup: Pinch-hit HR lifts Braves over Nats in 10
Johan Camargo hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the top of the 10th inning to give the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the host Washington Nationals on Sunday. The Braves took two of three from the Nats to win the series.
New top dog Barty plays down Goolagong Cawley comparisons
Ashleigh Barty is honored to become Australia's first women's world number one since Evonne Goolagong Cawley but feels she has a lot more to do to be worthy of comparison with the indigenous great. The 23-year-old Queenslander was crowned the new number one on Monday a day after beating Germany's Julia Goerges 6-3 7-5 in the final of the Birmingham Classic on Sunday.
