Nicoleta Grasu wins silver at EC
Romanian athlete Nicoleta Grasu has won the silver medal in the discus throw event at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona with a 63.48-metre throw. Grasu chalked up a 63.48-metre throw on her first try. Her second and third throws landed at 61.02 metres and 63.07 metres respectively. Croatia’s Sandra Perkovici won the event with a 64.67-metre throw. Poland’s Joanna Wisniewska was third with 62.37 metres. Grasu, 38, hoped to win the first gold medal in her career. Her record includes two bronze medals won at European Championships in 1998 and 2006 as well as a silver medal (2001) and three bronze medals (1999, 2007 and 2009) won at the World Championships.
Tecau/Lindstedt qualify for L.A. quarterfinals
Horia Tecau (Romania) and Robert Lindstedt (Sweden), the top seed 2 pair, qualified on Wednesday for the quarterfinals of the doubles event at the Los Angeles tournament, a tournament with total prizes worth USD 619,500, atpworldtour.com website informs. Tecau/Lindstedt defeated Andre Sa (Brazil)/Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) in the first round, score 7-6 (7/2), 6-1. The two will next play against Eric Butorac (US)/Jean-Julien Roger (Dutch Antilles).
Water Polo WC: Romania 11 – Australia 9
Romania’s national water polo team defeated Australia in a Group A game at the Water Polo World Cup in Oradea, score 11-9 (1-3, 4-3, 2-1, 4-2). On Tuesday Romania defeated Iran, score 26-1 (8-0, 8-0, 6-0, 4-1).
Cycling: Tour champion Contador to leave Astana
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has decided not to renew his contract with Astana and will leave the Kazakh-funded team at the end of the season, the Spaniard said on Wednesday. “Although the position of both parties was not so far from each other, the team wanted to know urgently whether or not (he would renew his contract)”, said a statement from Contador’s press officer. “Alberto Contador has rejected the ultimatum of Astana,” the statement read, adding the team had expected a decision by Tuesday at the latest on their offer to extend his contract for an unspecified number of seasons. “His contract will end at the end of this season.” “With Astana, Contador won the Tour de France twice in 2009 and 2010 as well as the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta (both 2008).
Murray parts company with coach Maclagan
British world number four Andy Murray sacked his coach Miles Maclagan on Tuesday a little more than a month before the final grand slam event of the year. Australian Darren Cahill is widely believed to be Maclagan’s likely successor but Murray said he would review the situation only after the Aug. 30-Sept. 12 U.S. Open. According to Murray’s management team, the Scot made the decision “following a review of his coaching needs” and he was now focused on the U.S. hardcourt season. “I’ve had a great relationship with Miles over the past two-and-a-half years and I want to thank him for his positive contribution to my career,” Murray, 23, said on his official website.