In brief: U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin blazes at Golden Gala
TRACK AND FIELD: Justin Gatlin came within 0.01 seconds of his world-leading time in the 100 meters, clocking 9.75 at the Golden Gala on Thursday in Rome.
Then the American declared he could approach Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 at the world championships in Beijing in August.
“I feel confident running times around 9.70,” Gatlin said. “9.60 should be possible in summer.”
Running strongly all the way to the finish despite his lead, Gatlin took one tick off the clock from Bolt’s meet record of 9.76 set in 2012.
FIFA gives Ireland $5M over handball
SOCCER: FIFA admitted to giving Ireland $5 million in compensation for missing out on a place at the 2010 World Cup after Thierry Henry’s handball that set up the French winner.
FIFA says it granted the loan “to put an end to any claims against FIFA,” but it would have to be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
• U.S. climbs to 27 in FIFA rankings: Belgium rose above Argentina to No. 2 in the monthly FIFA rankings, which are still topped by World Cup winner Germany.
Costa Rica rose one to No. 14 and leads CONCACAF nations. The United States climbed one spot to No. 27.
The July rankings will decide seedings for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw on July 25 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Chiellini out of Champions final: Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini was ruled out of Saturday’s Champions League final against Barcelona because of a left calf injury, robbing the Italian side of one of its most important players.
Matsuyama, Van Pelt tied at Memorial
GOLF: Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama ran off four straight birdies on the back nine for an 8-under-par 64 to share the lead at the Memorial at Dublin, Ohio, with rejuvenated Bo Van Pelt.
Tiger Woods had a 73 and was nine shots behind.
• Woods’ niece, two others match course record: Cheyenne Woods, Cristie Kerr and P.K. Kongkraphan matched the course record at 9-under 63 to share the first-round lead in the Manulife LPGA Classic at Cambridge, Ontario.
Woods, Tiger Woods’ niece, and Kerr tied the Whistle Bear Golf Club record set by Matt Bettencourt and Jon Mills in the Web.com Tour’s 2005 Canadian PGA Championship.
UFC announces landmark drug tests
MISCELLANY: The UFC is partnering with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a landmark drug testing program in the mixed martial arts promotion.
USADA will independently administer multiple year-round, unannounced tests to the UFC’s fighters when the program begins July 1, the promotion announced.
• Man who scored record 113 points dies: Clarence “Bevo” Francis, who scored a record-setting 113 points in an NCAA basketball game in 1954 and put Rio Grande College in Ohio on the sports map, died at 82 at Highlandtown, Ohio.