In Brief

Salazar in hospital over heart

Champion American marathon runner Alberto Salazar collapsed at the Nike World campus in Portland, Oregon and had to be hospitalised with a heart problem. Salazar did not have a heart attack, but the 48-year-old did have to have a stent inserted to open up an artery. Salazar was awake and alert when he arrived at the hospital. He won three consecutive New York City Marathons and the 1982 Boston Marathon. He has set six US records and one world record. Salazar is a longtime Nike employee and consultant who trains elite distance runners. AP

Sakata retains flyweight title

Japan's Takefumi Sakata won a unanimous verdict over Roberto Vasquez of Panama to successfully defend his WBA flyweight title in Tokyo yesterday. Vasquez had held the crown on an interim basis after he overcame Sakata on a split decision last December while then-champion Lorenzo Parra was injured. Sakata then won the title from Venezuelan Parra in March, prompting the unification bout in Tokyo. 'I didn't want to accept there being two champions at the same weight,' Sakata said after improving his record to 31 wins with four defeats and one draw. Reuters

Frustrated Killy quits

Ski icon Jean-Claude Killy has resigned as chairman of the organising committee for the 2009 World Championships in his home resort of Val d'Isere. 'I'm stepping down because I can't speed things up,' the triple Olympic gold medallist said. 'For months, I have been asking for swift progress and nothing has been done. I hope my resignation will be an electric shock which will lead the people of Val d'Isere to realise it's time to order a state of emergency.' Reuters

Japanese win Gold Coast race