HOCKEY

The national ice-hockey team lost to Canada 4–3 in overtime May 6 at the World Championship in Russia, but still qualified for the playoff round scheduled to kick off May 9. The Czechs were expected to next face either Russia or Sweden.

Lukáš Pešek became the first Czech to win a race in the Moto GP series after he won the 125cc race in Shanghai, China, May 6. Pešek leads the 125cc category’s overall standings after four events.

Two champion athletes announced their retirement this month. Runner Ludmila Formanová, who in 1999 won both the outdoor and indoor World Championship in the 800-meter, called it quits May 2, citing ongoing health problems. A day later, freestyle skier Aleš Valenta, who won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics, announced this season would be his last. He cited chronic back problems.

U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras made an impressive debut on the veteran tennis circuit, routing Czech Petr Korda 6–1, 6–2 in the opening round of the Champions Cup in Boston May 3. It was Sampras’ first major match since his retirement at the 2002 U.S. Open.

Tomáš Enge confirmed his comeback to racing in the American Le Mans series a month and a half after his crash during a March 31 race in St. Petersburg, Florida. Enge suffered multiple injuries and had to undergo surgery. Enge is set to race in Salt Lake City May 19.

On May 3, The French soccer league’s disciplinary committee suspended striker Milan Baroš of Olympique Lyon for three games. The suspension came in response to a controversial gesture Baroš made at Rennes’ Stéphane Mbia in a league game in April. Baroš pinched his nose and waved his hand as if repelling an offensive odor. Baroš received a mild punishment as his behavior because was not considered racist.

AC Milan defender Marek Jankulovski is set to become the fourth Czech to make an appearance in the Champions League final. Jankulovski secured a spot with his team in the final match against Liverpool May 23 after AC Milan demolished Manchester United 3–0 this month.