The Tribune

MOTOR RACING

TOKYO (AP) - Formula One driver Jules Bianchi, pictured, is in “serious but stable condition” following emergency surgery for a severe head injury following a crash during the Japanese Grand Prix, the sport’s governing body announced yesterday.

Bianchi’s parents, Philippe and Christine, arrived in Japan to see their son, who lost control of his Marussia car, travelled across the run-off area and hit the back of a trackside recovery tractor that was being used to remove Adrian Sutil’s car.

Four-time world champion Alain Prost questioned the presence of the tractor on the track and said Bianchi’s accident could have been avoided. “A fundamental mistake has been made,” Prost told TV channel Canal Plus. “It’s been 20 years since we have seen a crash as serious as this one. This was not a race incident. It was obvious that the track was becoming dangerous.”

SWIMMING

Michael Phelps’ comeback suffered a major blow yesterday, with USA Swimming suspending the 18-time Olympic champion for six months and forcing him to withdraw from next year’s world championships in Russia.

Phelps also lost six months of funding from the sport’s national governing body as a result of his second arrest for drunken driving. The 29-year-old is banned from participating in USA Swimming-sanctioned meets until April 6, 2015.

BASKETBALL

THE Catholic Board of Education Primary boys and girls basketball season started on Friday at Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road, and the results of the opening day are:

Shockers 15, Strikers 3: Johneisha Nixon scored six points and Nivantae Joseph added four for St Francis/Joseph. Brenae Sherman and Onelle Johnson scored two and one respectively for St Cecilia’s.

Sparks 8, Giants 4 (overtime): Tae Mullings scored six points and Tanisha Seymour added two for St Thomas More. Asia Bullard had four for Xavier’s.

Strikers 19, Shockers 6: Michael Albury scored 10 points and Diego Simmons added three for St Cecilia’s. James Francis scored five and Shimar Bain had one for St Francis/Joseph.

Sparks 24, Giants 14: Brian Carey scored 10 points and Andre Arthur chipped in with 10 for St Thomas More. Otto Laing scored three for Xavier’s.

The league will resume play today, starting at 3.30pm with St Thomas More taking on St. Francis/Joseph in both the girls and boys games.

VOLLEYBALL

THE New Providence Volleyball Association continued its regular season on Sunday at the DW Davis Gymnasium with two matches.

In the ladies opener, the Johnson Cherry Bombs, led by Tia Charlow and Davia Moss, were too much to handle for the College of The Bahamas Lady Caribs. The Cherry Bombs won in straight sets 25-16, 25-22 and 25-18. The Caribs were led by Crystal Delancy.

In men’s action, Dellan Brown and Carlos Rolle defeated the Warriors in four sets 25-18, 20-25, 25-19 and 25-22. Prince Wilson led the Warriors in the loss.

Games will continue tomorrow.

BANQUET HONOUR FOR KNOWLES

The 50th anniversary of the Bahamas first Olympic gold medal is to be celebrated on Thursday, October 23, from noon to 3pm, in recognition of Sir Durward Knowles and the late Cecil Cooke winning the Star class sailing in Tokyo in 1964.

Sir Durward, the skipper, is 96 and is expected to be present at the gala celebrationalong with the family of the late Cecil Cooke to share in this milestone tribute.

A special lifetime commemorative book, which also highlights the Olympic bronze medal in 1956 and the World Championships in 1947 that was won by Sir Durward and Sloane Farrington, will be published.

The event is being organised by the Bahamas Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Interested persons can contact the BOC office at 394-8143 or president Wellington Miller at 357-7327.

BOWLING

THE Bahamas Bowling Federation’s monthly handicap tournament will be held on Saturday, October 18, starting at 12.30pm at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre. The entry fee is $40. The monthly tournament is held to raise funds to assist the federation.