Amateur golfer from China ANDY ZHANG, who is 14 years old, will become the youngest golfer on record to play in the U.S. Open. Zhang made the field as an alternate when English golfer PAUL CASEY withdrew yesterday because of a shoulder injury (BLOOMBERG, 6/12). ... MLB Chicago Cubs signed 20-year-old Cuban defector JORGE SOLER to a nine-year deal worth at least $30M. CBSSports.com's JON HEYMAN reported the contract, which is the longest in Cubs history, surpassing ALFONSO SORIANO's eight-year, $136M deal after the '06 season (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/11). ... Former Cuban heavyweight boxer TEOFILO STEVENSON, who won three Olympic gold medals, has died at the age of 60. State media said that he suffered a heart attack. In the '70s, U.S. boxing promoters offered Stevenson $5M to turn professional and fight then world heavyweight champion MUHAMMAD ALI. But Stevenson stayed loyal to the Cuban revolution, which outlawed professional sports, and refused. He said, "I prefer the affection of eight million Cubans" (BBC, 6/12). ... The sprint cyclist MARK CAVENDISH will be featured on a set of stamps "celebrating his sporting achievements." The stamps, produced by the Isle of Man Post Office, include images of the 27-year-old winning the 2011 UCI Road World Championships and the Green Jersey in the 2011 Tour de France (GUARDIAN, 6/12). ... DAVID BECKHAM was among the "star-studded crowd" who watched the NHL L.A. Kings crowned league champions after a convincing 6-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils (London DAILY MAIL). ... The Race of Champions will be held at Rajamangala Stadium from Dec. 15-16 as part of the celebrations of His Majesty the King's birthday. Big time F1 racers SEBASTIAN VETTEL, MICHAEL SCHUMACHER and JENSON BUTTON along with rally driver SEBASTIEN OGIER are expected to attend (BANGKOK POST, 6/12). ... Euroleague basketball welcomed Chinese Basketball Association reigning champion head coach MIN LULEI of the Beijing Ducks to its headquarters in Barcelona.While in town to watch the FC Barcelona Regal and Real Madrid game, he was given a tour of Euroleague Basketball headquarters (EUROLEAGUE, 6/6). ...The Russian delegation's flag-bearer during the London Olympic ceremony will be MARIA SHARAPOVA. The Russians have broken tradition by choosing the tennis star. In the past, the honor was only given to famous athletes who had won numerous Olympic titles (TIMES OF INDIA, 6/12).
