Swimming: Women’s 100m butterfly (Heats)

Brazil and superstar Neymar were booed off as their quest for a maiden Olympic football gold medal began with a 0-0 draw against 10-man South Africa on Thursday.

It would be easy for the US team of NBA stars to overlook China in today’s opening game of the Rio Olympics after routing the Asians twice in pre-Games exhibitions.

Swimmers Noah al-Khulaifi and Nada Arakji pose with Qatar Swimming Association president Khalil al-Jaber at the Rio Olympic Village.

After losing the final game of the Olympic basketball tournament to the United States for the past two Olympics, Spain’s star player and six-time NBA all-star Pau Gasol hopes to break his team’s runners-up streak in Rio de Janeiro.

A luxury cruise ship called the Silver Cloud is anchored in Rio de Janeiro, serving as the temporary Olympic home of the US basketballers, and as a reminder that the team outshines its rivals in every aspect.

All-star point guard Russell Westbrook signed a three-year, $85mn contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday, one month after the team lost Kevin Durant to Golden State.

American journeyman Vaughn Taylor, making a long-awaited return to form, birdied five of his last seven holes to rocket into a tie for the lead in Thursday’s opening round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, elected in February to lead the global soccer body into calmer waters after a series of corruption scandals, was himself cleared of possible ethics violations yesterday.

Silvio Berlusconi agreed yesterday to sell AC Milan to Chinese investors under a deal set to end his trophy-laden three decades in charge of the Italian giants by the end of this year.

One of world football’s most intense and bitter rivalries will be resurrected in this season’s Scottish Premiership as Rangers return to challenge old foes Celtic, now managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

West Bromwich Albion have agreed to sell the club to Chinese investment group Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Limited, the Premier League side announced yesterday.