Golfer RORY MCILROY is "angry" at suggestions he must play golf for Ireland at the Olympics. An attempt by Royal & Ancient CEO PETER DAWSON to ease McIlroy's dilemma over which country to opt for in '16 "was firmly dismissed" by McIlroy. McIlroy: "I think Rule 41 in the Olympic Charter states that I still have a choice and -- it's not like they can take it away from me" (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 5/2). ... Women's Chinese Basketball Association Zhejiang Chouzhou has signed U.S. basketball standout BRITTNEY GRINER for the '13-14 season. Griner replaces LIZ CAMBAGE, who led the Bulls to a Finals appearance last year (NIUBBALL, 5/2). ... EPL Tottenham midfielder GARETH BALE "was named England's Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association on Thursday." Bale topped ManU's ROBIN VAN PERSIE, who won the award last year. Chelsea's JUAN MATA was third (REUTERS, 5/2). ... South African cricketer JACQUES KALLIS "will not be part of South Africa's Champions Trophy squad after ruling himself out for personal reasons" (PA, 5/2). ... German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL on Wednesday congratulated Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on the all-German final of the Champions League. Merkel wrote on her Facebook page, "One thing is clear, Germany has won" (MARCA, 5/2).
PICTURE PERFECT: The photographer "behind some of the most memorable sports photographs over the last 50 years" will share his work at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. NEIL LEIFER will share some of his most memorable images -- some famous boxing photos of MUHAMMAD ALI among them -- during an exhibition of his work in the Rick Faries Gallery at the Botanical Gardens (CARIBBEAN SPORTS NETWORK, 5/1).
ADMITTING GUILT: Longtime BBC football commentator STUART HALL "has admitted indecently assaulting" 13 girls, the youngest being a 9-year-old. Hall, 83, "entered the guilty pleas" last month at Preston Crown Court, but they were revealed Thursday "after reporting restrictions were lifted." The sex offences took place between '67 and '86 (London DAILY MAIL, 5/2).
NOTABLE DEATHS: Swedish football side AIK goalkeeper IVAN TURINA died on Thursday at the age of 32, leaving players and officials "in shock." Turina "was known to have a congenital heart problem which he told the club about when he signed for them" in '10 (REUTERS, 5/2). ... Belgian cyclist WOUTER DEWILDE died as a result of a crash following a race in Veldegem, Belgium on Wednesday (EL CONFIDENCIAL, 5/2).
