Nikolay Padius moved to Dynamo

Chronicle of sporting events

Russian Nikolai Padius will defend the colors of Dynamo Moscow Region next season. Last season, the basketball player became one of the leaders of the finalist of the ULEB Cup of the Greek “Aris”. Padius' average statistics in the 2005/06 ULEB Cup were 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals in an average of 27 minutes of playing time.

Qualifications canceled in figure skating

Next season, qualifications have been canceled at the figure skating championships held under the auspices of the International Skating Union (ISU). This decision was made by the 51st ISU Congress, held in Budapest. Based on the results of the short program, only 24 with the best results will perform a free composition.

It was also decided at the congress that the drawing of lots for judges would be held in October. In each event there will be 16 judges who will work at the main tournaments of the season. Three Russian representatives entered the ISU steering committees at once. Alexander Lakernik headed the technical committee for figure skating, Alexander Gorshkov headed the technical committee for ice dancing, Oleg Vasiliev, the mentor of Olympic champions Totmyanina and Marinin, joined the technical committee for figure skating from coaches. Olga ERMOLINA

The Iraqi Football Association has suspended its activities

In connection with the kidnapping of the President of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq, Ahmed al-Hadiya, and members of the country's NOC, the country's football association announced a temporary cessation of activities until all circumstances regarding the whereabouts of the country's sports official and athletes are clarified. This was officially announced by the president of the country's football association, Hussein Said.

Let us recall that the incident occurred at the end of last week, when during a meeting of the Iraqi NOC, several masked people entered the hall and kidnapped the meeting participants, as well as bodyguards. The head of the Iraqi Football Association is particularly concerned about the upcoming match with the Palestinian national team as part of the qualifying tournament for the 2007 Asian Championship, which is scheduled for August 16. Hussein Said did not hide the fact that at the moment many football players are experiencing a feeling of fear. Olesya KOMAROVA

The Roller Ski World Cup will be held in Yaroslavl

In early August, Yaroslavl will host the World Cup and the European Roller Ski Championships for the first time in Russia. “To date, representatives of 12 countries have sent applications for participation - Italy, France, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Turkey, Latvia. The composition of the Russian team will be the most representative, since it consists of 40 athletes. The program of the three-day competition includes an individual sprint (women’s 20 km, men’s 30 km), a mass start race, as well as team sprint relays,” Viktor Popov, president of the Yaroslavl Ski Racing Federation, told a Vremya Novostei correspondent. He also added that the competition will be held in the central square of the city, where a special track has already been prepared - new asphalt has been laid. It is also known that the head of the International Committee of this sport, Jean Pierre, will come to the tournament in the ancient Russian city. Olga ERMOLINA

Water polo players reached the finals of the world league

The main prize of the semi-final tournament of the World Water Polo League, which ended in the Leningrad region, went to the Italians. In the final match they beat the Russians with a score of 11:10. However, the outcome of this match actually did not decide anything, since the representatives of the Apennine Peninsula automatically qualified for the final as hostesses, and the Russians guaranteed themselves a place in the company of the strongest ahead of schedule. The winners of the third spot were the Dutch, who defeated the Spanish - 9:8. The final round of the World League will be held in Cosenza, Italy, on July 26-30. Olesya KOMAROVA

Pierce extends relationship with Boston

Boston captain, black basketball player Paul Pierce, extended his contract with his club for another three years, until the season. Let us remember that Pierce is famous for his sniper qualities. In terms of performance, he is the eighth sniper in the entire history of the great club. According to foreign media reports, Pierce will earn about $59 million during this time.

The contract amount for Lithuanian forward Darius Songail, who will play in Washington starting next season, is much more modest. For five years of playing for the new team, the Lithuanian will receive $23 million.

It is noteworthy that in 2002, Songaila was selected by Boston in the draft, but then traded to Sacramento. In the 2003/04 season, Songaila made his NBA debut. He spent his first two years in Sacramento, the last in Chicago. Last season, the Lithuanian played 62 matches, of which he was in the starting five in seven, and in total he played 216 matches in the NBA and scored 1,513 points.

Another Russian Pavel Podkolzin performed successfully in the summer league in Las Vegas as part of the Dallas Mavericks club. Podkolzin played all five matches for his club's experimental squad, spending an average of 21.6 minutes on the court. On average, the Russian scored 11.6 points and made 7.2 rebounds per game. At the same time, Podkolzin became the best in his club in fighting under shields. Olesya KOMAROVA

Gabashvili made a successful start in Stuttgart

In the first round of the ATP tennis tournament, which started in Stuttgart, Germany, with a prize fund of $690 thousand, Russian tennis player Teimuraz Gabashvili defeated Czech Jiri Vanek in three sets - 6:3, 4:6, 6:3. In the second round, the Russian will meet with the Belgian Olivier Rochus. Olesya KOMAROVA

Olesya KOMAROVA