German biathlon website biathlon-online reported that German biathlon talent JULIA PIEPER "has died." The "cause of her death is yet unknown." The 19-year-old "competed for ski club WSV Oberhof and represented Germany at the 2013 IBU Youth/Junior World Championships" in Obertilliach, Austria (BILD, 2/24). ... Queensland teenager JACK BARRIE "has signed a lucrative deal with Major League Baseball outfit the Minnesota Twins on his 18th birthday." The contract, confirmed on Monday, "is believed to be worth six figures" (AAP, 2/24). ... Jamaican sprinter VERONICA CAMPBELL-BROWN's American-based lawyer HOWARD JACOBS said that she "has been cleared to resume her career" by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The two-time Olympic 200m Gold Medalist "was suspended by her country's national federation last year following a positive test for a banned diuretic" (REUTERS, 2/24).
GUO RETURNS: Chinese Basketball Association side Liaoning Flying Leopards coach GUO SHIQIANG "will return" in the playoffs and "will remain at the helm next season." Guo's resignation "was triggered by a foul" from KORAMBEK MAKHAN which was not penalized by the referee. The referee of the game, ZHENG JUN, was on Friday "sentenced to a 15-game ban by the CBA" (GLOBAL TIMES, 2/24). ... Belgian side KRC Genk has fired Manager MARIO BEEN "ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Russian side Anzhi." Genk said that assistant Managers PIERRE DENIER and HANS VISSER "would lead the training while the club was looking for a replacement for Been" (REUTERS, 2/24). ... Serie B side Pescara has "confirmed the appointment" of SERSE COSMI as its new coach (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 2/24).
