Here is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Denmark joins diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics for human rights
Denmark will not send an official diplomatic delegation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics due to human rights concerns in the host country, Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on Friday. “It’s no secret that we on the Danish side are very concerned about the human rights situation in China,” Kofod said. “The government has decided that we will not attend the Winter Olympics in China.”
NFL-Rams QB Stafford accepts pressure as he shoots for first playoff win
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford said he was determined to perform at a high level every time he took the field and it would be no different when he led the Rams against the Los Angeles Cardinals. Arizona in Monday’s playoff game in Los Angeles. Expectations are high for the 33-year-old after the Rams traded quarterback and former first draft pick Jared Goff to Detroit in exchange for Stafford in the offseason.
Djokovic detained to fight Australian deportation in court
Novak Djokovic was due to surrender to immigration officials for detention on Saturday ahead of a hearing in his battle to overturn new Australian government orders aimed at deporting him from the country. The world’s top-ranked tennis player had to report to authorities in Melbourne for an interview around 8 a.m. Saturday (2100 GMT Friday), according to a court order issued on Friday evening.
Motor racing-Wickens back in the cockpit after near-fatal crash
Robert Wickens, who was left partially paralyzed after a near-fatal crash in IndyCar, will get back into a racing car for the first time since his accident while competing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Cup championship, the Canadian announced on Friday. Wickens will team up with compatriot Mark Wilkins driving a Hyundai prepared by Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) in the series’ season opener on January 28, a four-hour endurance race that is part of the weekend. end of the 24 Hours of Daytona race.
Australian government reaction canceling Djokovic visa again
Here are the reactions to Australia’s cancellation of tennis star Novak Djokovic’s visa for the second time on Friday. If a court rejects his appeal against the annulment, it would end the Serbian player’s bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open from January 17-30. AUSTRALIAN PM SCOTT MORRISON
U.S. Supreme Court to hear dispute over football coach’s on-field prayers
The United States Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear the appeal of a former Christian football coach who was suspended from his job at a Washington state high school for refusing to stop his practice of football. prayer in the middle of the field after games – a case that could extend the religious rights of employees of public institutions. Judges appealed Joseph Kennedy, who served as an assistant football coach in the city of Bremerton, from a lower court ruling that dismissed his claims that the school district’s actions violated his freedom of speech and his religious rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. .
Timbers sign MF Diego Chara to three-year extension
The Portland Timbers have signed midfielder Diego Chara to a three-year extension through the 2024 season, the team announced Friday. The 35-year-old captain is entering his 12th season with Portland. He is the team’s all-time leader with 310 games played.
Melky Cabrera announces his retirement after 15 seasons
Veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera announced Friday that he is retiring after 15 major league seasons. Cabrera, who made his statement on Instagram, played major league games from 2005-19. He signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in 2020, but he did not play for the club. the major league.
Beijing takes steps to reduce traffic and pollution during Winter Olympics
Aiming to reduce road traffic and pollution during the Winter Olympics, host city Beijing announced a series of measures on Friday, including a ban on heavy vehicles transporting construction waste, earth, sand and gravel for nearly two months. In response to any predicted increase in air pollution levels, which often occurs during the winter months, authorities will ban all medium and heavy tankers from the road and the use of government vehicles will be reduced by 80%.
Tennis-ATP, WTA team up with Netflix for a documentary series
Netflix and the production company behind its popular Formula 1 series “Drive to Survive” will document this season’s ATP and WTA tours as well as the four Grand Slam tournaments, the online streaming platform announced on Friday in a statement. Filming is already underway at the Australian Open, the statement said, but the release date and title of the documentary are yet to be confirmed.
(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)