Sports Briefs

Gymnast says settlement covered up sex abuse

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney says the group that trains U.S. Olympic gymnasts forced her to sign a confidential settlement to keep allegations of sexual abuse by the team's doctor secret.

Maroney filed a lawsuit yesterday in Los Angeles against the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics. The suit also seeks damages from Michigan State University, where the team's doctor, Larry Nassar, worked for decades.

The lawsuit alleges that the settlement was illegal and "for the purpose of silencing a known victim of Nassar."

Maroney says she accepted the settlement in December 2016 after "years of psychological trauma" and sexual abuse. The terms weren't disclosed in court papers.

Nassar has admitted to sexually assaulting female gymnasts, possessing child pornography and molesting girls who sought treatment.

Turkey seeks jail term for NBA player

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's state-run news agency says prosecutors are seeking more than four years in prison for NBA player Enes Kanter on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Anadolu Agency says an indictment prepared by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office accuses the New York Knicks player of insulting the president in a series of tweets he posted in May and June 2016.

Kanter said he wasn't concerned and continued his criticisms of Erdogan, saying, "That dude is a maniac."

"That stuff really don't bother me because I'm used to it," Kanter said after the Knicks practised yesterday in New York.

Jaguars increase lead at Xmas break

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Guyana Jaguars enter the Christmas break of the Regional Four-Day Championship with a near 43-point lead while Barbados Pride have stormed into second place, after both sides pulled off convincing wins in the seventh round of matches last weekend.

The three-time reigning champions Jaguars crushed Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 10 wickets in Georgetown, to move to 118 points and stretch their lead at the top.

Jaguars remain the only unbeaten side in the championship, having won five of their seven outings.

Pride, meanwhile, began the last round fifth but leapfrogged several teams following their impressive 207-run victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Runners-up for the last three seasons, Pride are now in a familiar spot in the standings on 75.2 but just narrowly ahead of Red Force on 71.6.

Jamaica Scorpions, who lost to Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in the last round, are on 71.4 points.