Former world number-one golfer Tiger Woods of the United States is back in competition after an 11-week break to heal injuries to his left leg.

Woods teed it up Thursday at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, and finished his first round at 2-under-par-68.  He said he “hit the ball really flush” and that the hardest part was controlling the distance.

Woods is tied for 18th, six shots behind leader Adam Scott of Australia who fired a brilliant 8-under-par 62.

This had been the third-longest layoff of Tiger’s career, during which he fired his longtime caddie, saying it was time for a change  And on Monday he dropped to number-28, his lowest world ranking in 14.5 years.

It has been more than 20 months since Tiger’s last victory, was which at the Australian Masters, shortly before he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs that led to his divorce.

Woods is playing a Firestone course where he has been quite successful.  He has won seven times there, matching the most he has won on any course as a pro.  However, he was at his low point on the course in the Bridgestone Invitational last year when he finished 78th in an 80-man field.  Before that, Woods had never finished out of the top five on the course.

Woods last played May 12 when he withdrew from the Players Championship in Florida after nine holes after aggravating a strained left knee and left Achilles tendon.

While sidelined he missed two majors – the U.S. Open and the British Open.  He called his return “fun” and added that he has missed the competition.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP..

Former German football star Juergen Klinsmann met with the media for the first time Monday since being named head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team last Friday.  

Juergen Klinsmann told the large media gathering in New York City that he will rely on his international experience and his knowledge of American life to help him try to improve the U.S. national team.

Klinsmann has lived with his family in California for 13 years and had been considered previously for the job.  After U.S. Soccer last Thursday fired coach Bob Bradley with three-and-half years remaining on his contract, it turned to Klinsmann, who was able this time to get the terms he wanted.  It was not necessarily salary,  which has not been revealed, but how much control he would have over the development of the men’s national programs below the senior level.

First and foremost, Klinsmann said he needs to get to know the U.S. players. “Obviously, you know, it will take me a couple of weeks or a month to analyze most of the players and also to see what is coming through the ranks in the younger teams and then go from there.  I am extremely happy that I got this opportunity and to move things, hopefully, in the right direction,” he said.

Klinsmann will face an immediate test, as he must select a team to face U.S. arch rival Mexico in a friendly match in Philadelphia next week.  The August 10 game was on the U.S. team’s schedule long before he took over as coach. “It’s going to be a challenge, absolutely.  You know it’s a lot to do, basically calling up the players now, getting a squad together, knowing that it’s not going to be so easy since a lot of players have had their (off-season) breaks.  Some of them haven’t even played a game yet in the new season in Europe, but that’s all just part of the job,” he said.

Klinsmann, who turned 47 on Saturday, said he will rely on U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati, Chief Executive Dan Flynn, former U.S. team players Claudio Reyna and Tab Ramos as well as other advisors. “I also would like really to meet some people here in the U.S. soccer environment that I don’t know yet and see, you know, if there’s maybe some common philosophies, some common ground to work together in future times.  I need that time to make sure that I gather the right people with me,” he said.

Klinsmann said he is pleased with the growth he has seen in the U.S. professional league, Major League Soccer, and said it has the opportunity to help develop the game even more. “It’s been a very busy last 10 or 15 years for soccer in this country and it’s great to see that.  It’s a good foundation that is laid out now from all the people who have worked so hard over the last 10, 15 or 20 years.  Now the question is to analyze, you know, where we are right now and how can we improve it even further, and find ways to get the players even more chances to become better,” he said.

Klinsmann said that since he was named U.S. coach last Friday, the reaction from his home country Germany, from Europe and from the rest of the world has been amazing.  He says there has been an overwhelming number of calls, e-mails and text messages. “A lot of people from overseas are looking toward the United States with interest and with curiosity to see what’s going on there, you know.  And a lot people I’ve talked to throughout the last couple of years they’ve really gotten more into looking at the U.S. as a potential soccer nation.  And that again raises the bar and makes the game even more popular in this country and I think this is great,” he said.

As a player, Klinsmann led Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and to the European Championship in 1996.  As coach, he guided his nation to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup.  His new coaching assignment runs through the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014, and he will begin the task of trying to get the United States there in regional qualifying that begins early next year.

It could have been one of the inspiring and heartwarming stories that make sports so endearing. Instead, the fate of a youth baseball team from Africa is mired in controversy.

The baseball team from Kampala, Uganda, was set to become the first African squad to come to the United States and compete in the Little League World Series. Instead, the players have been called out before ever taking the field.

Little League Baseball Vice President of Operations Patrick Wilson said it was a U.S. State Department decision.

“We were notified today [Friday] that the team would not be issued a visa to travel to the United States,” said Wilson.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the decision is unfortunate.

“I can assure you that Consular officers examined each of these individuals and accorded them every consideration under the law. You know, this is a very difficult situation,” he said.

Toner would not go into specifics about any individual case, but said the decision was made after the players went through the interview process.

“They look at all appropriate data – place of birth, date of birth, etcetera, and take all that into consideration,” he said.

Little League officials say the State Department told them the visas were denied because of discrepancies on the applications. And a State Department official told reporters there were questions about the ages of the players.  

To participate players must be 11 or 12 years old. Little League Baseball’s Patrick Wilson said documents submitted by Uganda’s Reverend John Foundation Little League appeared to be in order.

“It’s an unfortunate occurrence that the team was denied their visas. We’re going to take a couple of steps back and evaluate what happens next,” said Wilson.

Each year, eight teams from the United States and another eight from around the world come to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League World Series.

This year’s tournament is set to start August 18, possibly one team short.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced that Bob Bradley “has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.”

U.S. Soccer said it will have a further announcement on Friday.

Federation president Sunil Gulati said in a press release Thursday that it is always hard to make these decisions but they felt it was the right time to make a change.

U.S. Soccer had rehired Bradley to a second four-year contract only last August, less than two months after the team lost its second round match to Ghana at the World Cup in South Africa.

The Americans struggled as hosts in last month’s Gold Cup regional tournament.  They lost to Panama for the first time ever, beat tiny Guadeloupe by only 1-0, and gave up a 2-0 lead in losing to rival Mexico in the final, 4-2.

Bradley completes his five-year tenure as head coach with a record of 45 wins, 25 losses and 12 draws.  Among his accomplishments were leading the team to the 2007 Gold Cup title and a second place finish in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Britain launched the one-year countdown to the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London Wednesday with a day of festivities in the British capital and other cities around the globe.

A huge countdown clock was unveiled in central London.  International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge issued a formal invitation to all 202 nations with teams to send their athletes to Britain.

World champion swimmer Tom Daley inaugurated the aquatics center with the first dive into the swimming pool.

In New York, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis unveiled a countdown clock at the United Nations.  Countdown clocks were also dedicated in New Delhi and Beijing.

Britons and Canadians in Washington ran a ceremonial Olympic torch relay six kilometers from the Canadian embassy to the British embassy.

In Pakistan, the British High Commission’s tennis team competed in a mixed doubles match with top Pakistani players. The British Embassy in Romania threw a street party in Bucharest.

British diplomats In Uzbekistan staged a mini-Olympics for teenagers, and in Brazil they held a tea party at the official residence in Brazilia.

U.S. Winter Olympics medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police in Salt Lake City, Utah, said the 29-year-old Peterson called Monday night to tell them where he was and that he was going to commit suicide.  He was found dead shortly thereafter in a mountainous area of Utah called Lambs Canyon.

Peterson was arrested last Friday for allegedly speeding and drunk driving on a road in the neighboring state of Idaho.  His attorney filed a not-guilty charge on his behalf for both crimes.

Peterson won the silver medal for aerial skiing at last year’s Vancouver Olympics, performing an extremely difficult move called the “Hurricane” that he invented.  It featured three flips and five twists.

The three-time Olympian had a troubled life.  He was sexually abused as a child, lost his sister to a drunk driver and witnessed a roommate commit suicide.  He was sent home from the 2006 Turin Olympics after an alcohol-fueled bar fight.  The aerial skier had finished seventh at those Games.

He quit the sport after that and did not go through treatment or rehabilitation. But he returned to competition the year before the Vancouver Games, won the second World Cup meet he entered, and again qualified for the Olympics.

World Team Tennis, an innovative, three-week-long professional league in the United States started by legendary women’s player Billie Jean King, is still going strong in its 36th season in the United States. And the team in the nation’s capital, the Washington Kastles – led by Venus and Serena Williams – has been tops in the league this season. Like the others who are competing this month in the league, they not only play but also give back to the game.

When they are not competing for Grand Slam tennis titles, American stars Venus and Serena Williams spend a lot of time giving back to the game, conducting free clinics for young children. That is a regular part of match days in World Team Tennis.

Venus said it gives her a good feeling when she sees the high interest level, especially among ethnic minority children.

“It’s great to see young people playing in general, but also seeing young African-Americans playing tennis is fantastic, too. But I think my main focus is just young people playing and mostly doing positive things with their lives,” she said.

Younger sister Serena agrees.

“You know it’s really cool. You come out and you help the kids or you watch them play, and you never know what one kid or two kids, or however many kids, you can ultimately influence,” said Serena.

World Team Tennis officials say they hope these clinics can spur continued growth of the sport.

Venus and Serena have another sister who lives in Washington, and Serena said playing for the Kastles here in the nation’s capital is a bonus.

“I love playing for the Kastles, and I love playing for the city, and I love the city. And it’s so beautiful, and now we’re right on the water. So it’s just amazing playing in an amazing stadium and it’s great,” said Serena.

After playing downtown in a temporary stadium last year, the Kastles home venue, which features a unique multi-colored court, now is on the Potomac River. And it has been filled to capacity for all of their games this season.

At one match, even first lady Michelle Obama and her two daughters came out to cheer the home team.

World Team Tennis features men and women in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, and has its own scoring rules and regulations.

Venus Williams likes that aspect of the league.

“Every game counts, so even if you don’t win your match, if you get some games for your team, ultimately that can lead to a win for everyone. So everyone has to contribute an equal part, and that’s what really makes it unique,” she said.

Serena Williams said she enjoys being her older sister’s teammate.

“She doesn’t necessarily give me advice. We just go out and do our best and try to play well for the Kastles. We’re both really excited to be playing for the same team,” said Serena.

And the Washington Kastles, which also features doubles specialist Leander Paes of India, has been the best this season in World Team Tennis, becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth by winning their first 13 matches.

Striker Danny Mwanga, 20, is reaching his potential with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.  Mwanga is second on the team in goals with five and ranks in the top 10 in MLS in combined goals and assists.  He is a key reason why Philadelphia – in only its second season – is in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

High Expectations

Success for Danny Mwanga was expected when he was picked first overall in the 2010 MLS Draft.  The then teenager from the Democratic Republic of Congo was the Union’s first-ever draft pick and so far is making the team’s scouting department look like savvy professionals.

As anticipated, the former Oregon State University All-American has carried his collegiate success to the professional level.  Mwanga had seven goals last year in his first professional season and already has five in the 2011 campaign.  After recording only one assist in his first seven appearances this season, the striker has had five goals and two assists in his last 10 matches.  The hot streak has vaulted him among the league’s leading scorers this season.

“I was just trying to do even better than I did last year,” said Mwanga.  “For a rookie [in] my first year, I think I did good, and a lot of people told me I did good.  But at the same time, for me personally, I knew I could do better, and I know that I can still do a lot better than I am doing now.  So just looking at the last year, I just wanted to improve on that year and do even better than I did last year.  I think that was kind of like motivation for me coming into this season.”

Transition to Pro

Mwanga’s growth as a player from the college to the professional ranks has been remarkable. The former Pac 10 Conference Player of the Year while at Oregon State has become a scoring threat who does not shy away from big moments.  And the coaching staff and veteran leadership in Philadelphia have done wonders for his game.

“Yeah, they’ve helped me a lot,” Mwanga added.  “Obviously as a young player there are games where things don’t really go your way.  Sometimes you just tend to – you know – just put your head down and kind of get discouraged, but those are the times that the coaching staff did a good job trying to keep your heads in the game and trying to be focused.  And then some veterans as well do the same thing.  Even if they are not really going to tell you what to do, by just watching what they are doing, you know, watching their mentality during games week in and week out.  Just watching what they are doing and looking at what they are doing is helping me a lot.”

Union head coach Peter Nowak says Mwanga has performed well considering the high expectations.

“I think there was never a question of his form, there was always a question as what we need as a team from the moment.  He’s the guy that can change the game completely from one minute to another.  I think as a young player you always get some, you know, especially after the season he had last year, that you have some pressure on your shoulders that he needs to handle.  In some capacity those expectations, you know, it’s difficult for them to handle it.  So I think it’s important right now for him to just recognize that, you know, listen, sometimes these games are hard and I’m not going to score.  It doesn’t really matter,” Nowak said.

The success that Danny Mwanga has carried over from his rookie season is all the sweeter now that the Union is among the league’s best teams.

“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.  I mean, last year I was scoring a couple goals and the team wasn’t doing so good.  But this year, it’s not just about me and [Sebastien] le Toux.  You can see the whole offense is doing great,” Mwanga noted.  “Everyone is contributing in the team’s success, and then on top of that, we’re sitting at the very top of the Eastern Conference.  So I think it’s a great season so far and I’m really enjoying it.  Right now I’m just trying to work even harder and harder.  I’m trying to get better to help the team do even better than we are doing right now.”

After the mid-season break for the MLS All-Star game, the Philadelphia Union and its Congolese striker Danny Mwanga are hoping to continue their success when they resume their MLS season July 29 against the Chicago Fire.

China’s towering basketball star Yao Ming has announced his decision to retire from the National Basketball Association after a series of injuries made it impossible for him to continue to compete. Yao Ming says he’s not leaving basketball, however, and will continue to work for his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks as well as with his charity group the Yao Foundation. 

At 2.3 meters, Yao Ming’s height was one of his biggest assets. It helped him rise through China’s national sports system to the NBA. But his massive stature was also the cause of the wear and tear on his leg and ankle that forced him to retire.

Yao Ming’s career in photos

Plagued by injuries

Yao Ming spent his entire eight-year NBA career playing for the Houston Rockets, who made him their top draft pick in 2002. Injuries forced him to miss hundreds of games during that period. During his last season, he played only five games after suffering a stress fracture in his left foot for the third time.

Speaking at a farewell news conference on Wednesday that was broadcast live on Chinese national television, Yao said the past six months have been agonizing as he thought through his decision.

“Today I have retired, but as one door closes, another door gradually opens and a brand new life is waiting for me outside that door,” Yao said. “Although I have retired from the court, I will never leave basketball. The Shanghai Oriental Sharks Basketball Club will be the extension of my basketball career. I am running the club with the knowledge that I have learned over the years.”

NBA All-Star

Despite his injuries, Yao Ming averaged 19 points and nine rebounds, leading the Rockets to four post-season playoff appearances. He made the NBA’s All-Star team eight times.

In a video message played at the press conference, NBA Commissioner David Stern called Yao Ming a “transformational player”, adding that he was a testament to the globalization of the game of basketball.

Yao Ming’s success not only made him an international superstar, but helped expand the NBA’s fan base into China and other parts of Asia.

Brook Larmer, author of Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business and the Making of an NBA Superstar“ says the Chinese basketball star was not only a bridge for sports between the U.S. and China but also for business and diplomacy.

“It’s a slightly bittersweet end to really an amazing journey and I think we have to remember how unusual this was when it happened [when Yao Ming made it into the NBA]“, said Larmer. “Yao Ming was born right at the beginning of China’s great expansion in 1980. Really his rise parallels China own rise in the world and certainly from the beginning he was seen as more than just a basketball player.”

Sharing the love

Outpourings of support for Yao Ming came quickly online and at his farewell press conference.

In one posting on the social media site Weibo, a fan of Yao Ming said the player was always an influence in his life and childhood. Another remarked that Yao carried with him the pride of the Chinese people and remarked that he would be a hero even in retirement.

In comments earlier this week, NBA star Kobe Bryant praised Yao for inspiring young Chinese basketball players.

“In terms of opening up doors or for Chinese basketball players to come to the NBA or for the youth here in China to believe that it’s possible to achieve the dream of being an NBA player – all that started from Yao,” said Bryant.

Trailblazer

Larmer says Chinese athletes such as Yao Ming and tennis star Li Na, who recently became the first Chinese tennis player to win a Grand Slam tournament, have managed to be trail blazers who broke free from the rigid mold of China’s national sports system. But that does not mean that others will follow in their footsteps.

“I don’t think in basketball, however, that there will be many other Yao Ming’s,” Larmer said. “I think he is unique and probably the last, the one and only player of his sort that will ever come out of China.”

China’s state-managed sports system still focuses on recruiting exceptionally tall children to put through years of strictly regimented training. Despite the immense interest in basketball in China, Larmer says that until the state system changes, it is unlikely that other players will be able to replicate Yao Ming’s success in the NBA.

“We Got Game.”

That’s what the Women’s National Basketball Association – or WNBA – promised when the league was formed in 1996.

It set out to prove that women play an exciting, team-oriented game – albeit with fewer egocentric chest thumps and high-flying dunks of the basketball than muscular male players deliver.

The WNBA has survived with little television exposure into its 15th summer, thanks to extensive financial help from the male professional league and solid attendance in a few of its markets.

Other cities have not embraced the women’s game so well, however, and several WNBA franchises have folded over the years.

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While the women’s pro game has been especially attractive to female fans – and an inspiration to female players who finally have a place to make a living at the sport – it has also drawn many male spectators, who say they appreciate unselfish play.

But an irritant for some in the league is that half of the 12 WNBA head coaches are men.  Already this year, the Los Angeles Sparks franchise fired its woman head coach and replaced her with a man – the father of Kobe Bryant, the superstar guard of the L.A. Lakers men’s basketball team.

Some of these coaches are former professional players who are using the women’s league as an entrée to coaching.  Others are retreads, having been fired from men’s pro or college teams. They all say they love directing hard-working female players.

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And what do women WNBA coaches think?  

“There are a lot of great women’s coaches who haven’t gotten a chance,” Anne Donovan told the Washington Times newspaper a few years ago when she coached the Seattle Storm.  She was replaced by a man, moved to the New York Liberty team, left for a college job, and was succeeded by yet another male head coach.

League presidents, who have always been women, are appointed by the male National Basketball Association’s commissioner.  

No woman has ever coached a men’s NBA team or a top-level men’s college team. So it’s a sore point for some that a majority of the coaches of women who “got game” – and more than one-third of women’s college teams – have deep voices, facial hair and, in quite a few cases, receding hairlines.