Basketball
Gold lures Krzyzewski back to USA Basketball
Mike Krzyzewski decided to remain coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team after all.
Krzyzewski will try to lead the Americans to a third cosnecutive gold medal, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday. Originally expected to step down, Krzyzewski will hold a news conference to confirm his return Thursday at Duke, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.
The Hall of Fame coach has led the Americans since 2005, winning gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2010 world basketball championship.
Krzyzewski repeatedly said he planned to end his international coaching career after the Americans’ victory last summer in London. Instead, Krzyzewski, 66, will lead the Americans next summer at the renamed World Cup of Basketball in Spain, where a victory would qualify them for the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil. They are 62-1 over the last seven years.
Cycling
Visconti wins flat Stage 17; Nibali leads Giro d’Italia
VICENZA, Italy – Giovanni Visconti won the 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday to claim another solo victory, and Vincenzo Nibali retained the overall lead.
Visconti attacked near the top of the Crosara to win in 5 hours, 15 minutes, 34 seconds over the mainly flat 133-mile route from Caravaggio to Vicenza.
Nibali, an Italian, maintained his lead of 1 minute, 26 seconds over Cadel Evans.
NFL
After 13 years, Urlacher, 35, retires from the NFL
CHICAGO – Brian Urlacher wasn’t sure how dominant he could be any longer, so he’s calling it a career after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
And what a career it was:
Eight Pro Bowl seasons.
Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
A trip to the Super Bowl as 2006 NFC champion.
And now, it’s over. The eight-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement through social media accounts Wednesday.
Urlacher started 180 games from 2000 to 2012 and made a team-record 1,779 tackles. He has 41½, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles.
NHL
Canucks fire coach Vigneault, move on to next vignette
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Vancouver Canucks fired coach Alain Vigneault on Wednesday.
The Canucks also fired assistants Rick Bowness and Newell Browne.
Vigneault, the Canucks’ all-time leader in coaching wins, led the club to six Northwest Division titles, two Presidents’ Trophy titles and an appearance in the 2011 Stanley Cup final. Vigneault has a 313-170-57 record over seven seasons in Vancouver.
But Vancouver was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the last two seasons, including getting swept by the San Jose Sharks this year. It was the first time in 12 years the Canucks were swept in the postseason.
Tennis
Del Potro and two Americans withdraw from French Open
PARIS – Seventh-ranked Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina pulled out of the upcoming French Open because of a respiratory virus.
Del Potro said in a statement Wednesday he has not fully recovered and not fit to play.
American players Brian Baker and Mardy Fish also pulled out. Baker has not recovered from a right knee operation, and Fish is unfit because of heart problems.
U.S. Open champion Andy Murray pulled out Tuesday because of a chronic back injury and will be replaced by a lucky loser.
Also, Australian wild-card entry John Millan withdrew because of a shoulder injury and will be replaced by Nick Kyrgios of Australia.
Associated Press
