More than 38,000 people took part in the London Marathon, making it the "biggest in the event's 35-year history." Organizers said the number of competitors this year surpassed the previous record of 37,227 in '12. Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa won her first London Marathon title in the women's race, and in the men's race Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge finished first (BBC, 4/26). ... Int'l Cricket Council High Performance Manager Richard Done is "receptive to the idea of Hong Kong using the Guangzhou cricket stadium in the short term to host matches in the Intercontinental Cup as well as one-day internationals." Done: "From what I have heard of the venue, I think it is a feasible option for Hong Kong to solve their short-term problems of not having an international-sized ground. I will be going on Monday to have a look, but it seems the perfect venue" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 4/24). ... Japan and Singapore have
agreed to "switch venues for their two home and away World Cup qualifiers
after the first match clashed" with the Southeast Asian Games. Singapore was due to host Japan at the "glitzy new National Stadium on June 16 in the second round of Asian qualifiers." But the stadium had "already been booked that same night to host the closing ceremony of the SEA Games" (REUTERS, 4/24). ... Wimbledon has "banned selfie sticks." The All England Lawn Tennis Club has "added the devices to the list of items banned from its annual grass court championships." An AELTC spokesperson said, "It is in common with everyone else. It
is partly the nuisance value but primarily so it doesn't interfere with spectators' enjoyment" (SUNDAY TIMES, 4/26).
