NFL/Broncos
Chicago–The long-awaited return of all-pro quarterback Peyton Manning in a Bronco uniform will take place tonight in Chicago. The Broncos take on the Bears in the first pre-season game. Manning sat out all of his final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2011 after neck surgery and was signed by the Broncos as a free agent. Manning says he’s excited to finally step on the field wearing blue and orange. Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on KMTS with pre-game coverage beginning at 4:30.
Los Angeles–The Colorado Rockies lost to the Dodgers in Los Angeles last night 6 to 4. The Rockies travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants tomorrow night.
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) – It’s Tebow Time. Finally.
After months of hype, a summer highlighted by a shirtless jog through the rain and constant media scrutiny, Tim Tebow is set to make his playing debut for the New York Jets in their preseason opener against the Bengals on Friday night in Cincinnati.
Coach Rex Ryan plans to have Mark Sanchez and the rest of the starters play about one quarter, and Tebow could play about two quarters with the backups. Tebow has worked mostly with the second-team offense throughout training camp, but took two snaps with the starters Wednesday. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and the Jets have kept their plans for Tebow in their wildcat-style package mostly under wraps, unveiling only a brief look at a play or two in camp.
LONDON (AP) – Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi scored 14 points apiece and the U.S. women’s basketball team cranked up its defense in the second half to beat Australia 86-73 on Thursday and advanced to a fifth straight gold medal game. The Americans, who had cruised through their first six Olympic games, were challenged by the Australians and 6-foot-8 Liz Cambage. Australia went right at the U.S. behind its budding star, but once again the Americans depth and pressure defense wore down another opponent.
LONDON (AP) – Trey Hardee has cut Ashton Eaton’s lead to 99 points after seven events in the decathlon. The two-time world champion closed the gap with better performances in the 110-meter hurdles and discus.
World-record holder Eaton had a 220-point advantage over his U.S. teammate after the first five events Wednesday.
With the pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters to go, Eaton had 6,409 points and Hardee had 6,310.
Eaton broke the decathlon world record at U.S. trials in June when he finished with 9,039 points.
Oscar Pistorius (pihs-TOHR’-ee-uhs) will get another chance to run at the Olympics. South Africa has won an appeal to advance to the 4×400-meter relay final despite a crash in the heat.
The double-amputee runner was on the track but didn’t get to run because a teammate tumbled out after a collision with a Kenyan runner.
The Kenyan team was later disqualified for impeding.
Also on the track today in London, Usain (yoo-SAYN’) Bolt will attempt to defend his gold medal in the men’s 200. If he wins, he’ll be the first Olympian to repeat the so-called sprint double of 100 and 200-meter golds.
OPEN WATER SWIMMING
So close
LONDON (AP) – After nearly two hours of racing, American Haley Anderson had to settle for the silver medal in a grueling Olympic open water marathon at Hyde Park. She missed grabbing the gold by just four-tenths of a second.
SOCCER
Hoping to exact some revenge
LONDON (AP) – The U.S. women’s soccer team takes on Japan in today’s final. The Americans will be out to avenge a shutout loss to Japan in last year’s World Cup.
They’ll play the game in London’s cathedral of soccer, Wembley Stadium.
Earlier today, about 100 miles to the northwest in Coventry, England, Diana Matheson scored in injury time to give Canada a 1-0 victory over France in the bronze-medal game.
BASKETBALL
U.S. looking to extend winning streak
LONDON (AP) – The U.S. women’s basketball team takes on Australia in a basketball semifinal.
The Americans are two wins away from a fifth straight gold medal.
WATER POLO
U.S. going for gold in the pool
LONDON (AP) – The United States women’s water polo team is getting ready for today’s gold medal game. They’ll take on Spain in the finale.
BOXING
An Olympic first
LONDON (AP) – The first Olympic gold will be awarded in women’s boxing today. American Claressa Shields will slug it out with a Russian challenger.
CYCLING
Hamilton accepts inevitable
LONDON (AP) – The IOC is set to formally strip American cyclist Tyler Hamilton of his gold from the 2004 Athens Games after his admission of doping. That’s what an Olympic official familiar with the case tells the AP.
The official says the IOC executive board will meet Friday to readjust the standings from the road race time trial and award the gold to retired Russian rider Viatcheslav Ekimov (vee-AH’-cheh-slahv EHK’-ih-mawf). American Bobby Julich (JOO’-lihk) will be moved up from bronze to silver
After years of denials, Hamilton told CBS’s “60 Minutes” last year that he had repeatedly used performance-enhancing drugs.
IN OTHER SPORTS:
GOLF-PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Fast star for defending champ
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) – The PGA Championship got under way this morning on a rain-softened Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.
Keegan Bradley began his defense of his title in impressive fashion. He carded a birdie and an eagle on his first two holes.
Bradley is playing in a group with Tiger Woods, who is aiming for his 15th major title but first since 2008. Woods was 1 under after three holes.
Bradley rallied to beat Jason Dufner in a playoff last year at last year’s PGA Championship. He’s coming off a victory last weekend at Firestone.
Skies were mostly clear when the first groups teed off but more thunderstorms are possible later in the day and throughout the tournament.
