RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has "received a formal warning from World Snooker after failing to fulfil media obligations at the World Championship in Sheffield." He "refused to speak to reporters" after his first-round win over DAVID GILBERT (BBC, 4/19). ... NICK BLACKWELL announced his retirement from boxing after "sustaining serious injuries against CHRIS EUBANK JR. in the British middleweight title fight last month that left him in an induced coma with bleeding in his brain." After being asked on social media "if he would be making a comeback," Blackwell tweeted, "No that's me done" (REUTERS, 4/19). ... Olympic hurdles champion SALLY PEARSON "has given her stamp of approval to the new Australian competition uniforms as she steps us her preparations for Rio."
Pearson "was one of several Rio hopefuls to model the competition uniforms at an unveiling in Sydney on Tuesday."
Manufacturer adidas stated the Australian team would be "lighter, faster and more energy efficient" due to new technologies used for the uniforms and Pearson said the outfits looked "amazing" (ABC, 4/19).
SNOWBOARDING DEATH: Swiss police said that snowboarder ESTELLE BALET "has been killed in an avalanche." Police said that the 21-year-old Swiss athlete was "struck early on Tuesday morning while filming above Orsieres, near Switzerland's southern border with France and Italy." She had been following another snowboarder, "who wasn't caught in the avalanche." Valais state police said in a statement that "rescuers were able to free Balet, who had been wearing special safety equipment, but she died at the scene." Balet "recently won" the Freeride World Tour. She was a member of watchmaker Swatch's professional team (AP, 4/19).
