IOC head Rogge praises Beijing Games
BEIJING, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge praised the Beijing Olympic Games Sunday as a positive for the Olympic Movement.
Rogge said during the closing press conference for the XXIX Olympiad that the Summer Games in China not only brought positive changes to the country but to future Olympic contests, as well, an IOC release said.
"It is clear that China has put the bar very high," Rogge said.
Rogge said among the numerous tangible benefits of staging the Summer Olympics in Beijing were the related venues and improved mass transit options.
"That means that no white elephant has been built and the after-Games use of these venues will be optimal," the IOC official said. "These venues will be used by the students of the universities, by the owners of the different venues, the workers' unions. This is, I believe, a great legacy."
Rogge said the Beijing Games will likely turn out to be the most-watched Olympics in history thanks to digital coverage around the world.
Singh wins Barclays, his 33rd tour title
PARAMUS, N.J., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Vijay Singh birdied the second hole of a playoff Sunday and won The Barclays Golf Tournament in New Jersey, his 33rd PGA Tour title.
Singh closed out Sergio Garcia with a two-putt birdie at the Ridgwood Country Club. Kevin Sutherland, who had tied Singh and Garcia in regulation at 8-under-par 276, was eliminated on the first hole of the playoff.
Singh and Garcia shot 70 in the final round; Sutherland had a 68.
Kevin Streelman, the leader at the beginning of the round, shot a 72 and tied for fourth place with Ben Curtis (68) and Matthew Goggin (67) at 7-under 277.
Singh, a four-time Barclays winner, has two victories on the tour this month. He won the WGC-Bridgestone in Ohio Aug. 3.
Castroneves wins IRL race at Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Helio Castroneves captured Sunday's IndyCar of Sonoma County in Sonoma, Calif., 5.2926 seconds ahead of Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe.
The victory at the Infineon Raceway was the 13th in Catroneves' IRL career and snapped a personal 29-race winless streak.
The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and pole-sitter had not won an IRL race in his Penske Honda-powered Dallara since the 2007 race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The former winner in the "Dancing with the Stars" television event was mobbed by spectators at in the main grandstand after he scaled the 9-foot fence at the finish line.
He moved within 35 of IRL points' leader Scott Dixon with two races left in the season and earned three bonus points by leading the most laps (51 of the 80).
"It's a fantastic opportunity," he said about his battle with Dixon for the title.
Tony Kanaan finished third and Dixon finished 12th, the third time this season he finished outside the top 10.
Knee injury sidelines Umenyiora for season
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The New York Giants announced Sunday that Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora is out for the season with a knee injury.
Umenyiora, the team's four-time sack leader, is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. He injured the knee Saturday in the Giants' 10-7 pre-season loss to the New York Jets.
"I think the number one thing that strikes is frustration, anxiety, knots in your stomach -- all the things that go along with the injury to the players that do not allow your team to function as it is presented on paper," Coach Tom Coughlin said. "Those types of things are very difficult for coaches, no matter what age you are."
