AFP - National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant, who sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals, smiled when asked about his summer plans following the playoffs.
AP - Beijing will set up specially designated zones for protesters during next month's Olympics, a security official said Wednesday, in a sign China's authoritarian government may allow some demonstrations during the games.
AP - Carlos Sastre of Spain won the 17th stage of the Tour de France, taking the overall lead Wednesday from CSC teammate Frank Schleck on the hardest ride up three huge Alpine climbs.
AP - The WNBA is watching replays of the skirmish involving the Detroit Shock, Los Angeles Sparks and former Pistons Bad Boy Rick Mahorn. -- read full article
AP - NASCAR tried to even out the competition in the Nationwide Series on Wednesday by ordering all teams using Toyota motors to squeeze down their horsepower before this weekend's race in Indianapolis. -- read full article
AFP - Second-seeded Serena Williams withdrew from the 600,000-dollar WTA hardcourt tournament here with a left knee injury, hoping to be fit in time for the Beijing Olympics.
AFP - Michael Essien insisted Chelsea were the Premiership favourites after Manchester United's Alex Ferguson kicked off the pre-season mind games by casting doubt on their ageing squad.
AP - Kenny Rogers pitched six strong innings and Placido Polanco homered and drove in two runs to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 Tuesday night.
AFP - Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James sprained his right ankle on Tuesday in practice with the US Olympic basketball team, US media reported.
AP - Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka continued his masterful pitching away from Fenway Park, and J.D. Drew's first inning homer helped the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Tuesday night.
AP - Bobby Abreu hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth and drove in three runs, leading the surging New York Yankees past the Minnesota Twins 8-2 on Tuesday night, their ninth consecutive victory at home.
AP - Bill Hall homered to snap a late-inning tie for the second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers also caught up with Kyle Lohse, beating the St. Louis Cardinals and their surprise ace 4-3 for their sixth straight victory Tuesday night.
