South Korean golfer LEE BO-MEE was "named an honorary ambassador for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics on Tuesday." In a ceremony held in Seoul, Lee "joined a slew of other sporting stars as the latest goodwill spokesperson for South Korea's first Winter Games" (YONHAP, 6/27). ... Football agent JORGE MENDES appeared in a Spanish court which is "investigating a potential tax fraud" by Ligue 1 side Monaco striker RADAMEL FALCAO. Mendes gave evidence on Tuesday in front of judge MONICA GOMEZ FERRER, "who is also overseeing the case" which sees Real Madrid's CRISTIANO RONALDO, another Mendes client, due in the same court on July 31 to answer charges of an alleged €14.7M ($16.7m) tax fraud (ESPN.com, 6/27). ... Ligue 1 side Lille player FRANCK BÉRIA announced his retirement and joined his former club as adjunct football director. Béria, 34, played for Lille for 10 seasons (Lille). ... ALEXANDER IVLEV was named chair of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) supervisory board, replacing two-time Olympic pole vault champion YELENA ISINBAYEVA, who stepped down in May. Ivlev served as deputy chair under Isinbayeva and was interim chair "after she stepped down from the position" (RT, 6/27). ... SUH YUN-BOK, who won the 1947 Boston Marathon with a world record time, died Tuesday, aged 94. The Korea Association of Athletics Federations said that Suh died of natural causes. Suh became the first Asian champion of the Boston Marathon in '47, "setting the then-world record with 2:25.39" (YONHAP, 6/27). ... Eight-time Olympic champion USAIN BOLT said that "he may carry on running after the 2017 World Championships -- but this will definitely be his final season." The 30-year-old Jamaican had previously said that "he would run his final race at the London Stadium in August." Bolt revealed he spoke to coach GLEN MILLS about whether to end his final "emotional" season after competing in London. Bolt said, "We haven't fully made up our mind on what we're doing yet" (BBC, 6/26). ... Premiership Rugby side Harlequins player MARK REDDISH "retired from rugby for medical reasons after suffering a concussion." Reddish joined the club from Super Rugby side Highlanders in November, "but made only five appearances" (BBC, 6/27).
SOUTH AFRICA RUGBY: RASSIE ERASMUS could reportedly be director of rugby with the Springboks as early as August. Last week, Erasmus "triggered the six-months' notice clause in his contract" and according to a report in Afrikaans weekly newspaper Rapport, he will bring JACQUES NIENABER with him to act as a defense coach. According to the report, current Springbok head coach ALLISTER COETZEE would "remain in place but would report to Erasmus" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 6/27).
FAKE NEWS: Mercedes Motorsport Dir TOTO WOLFF blasted media personality EDDIE JORDAN for "perpetuating a rumor about Mercedes' future in Formula 1." Jordan, 69, "often makes wild predictions about the future in F1," but Wolff said in Baku that he is "no longer laughing." Wolff: "I'm ready for any banter with Eddie. But I stop laughing when it comes to 1,500 employees who are worried about their future. I told him that this is very serious for me. We are not leaving F1, none of our sponsors are leaving F1 and we are very happy where we are. He should stop reporting these rumors, this fake news" (GMM, 6/26).
