Competition in Sochi begins Thursday

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Competition at the Sochi Olympics has begun, 32 hours before the opening ceremony.

Early starts are needed because of 12 men’s and women’s medal events added since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Men’s snowboard slopestyle qualifying runs ”“ without American star Shaun White, who withdrew Wednesday ”“ got underway Thursday 10 a.m. (0600 GMT) at X-Treme Park in the mountains above Sochi.

Women’s qualifying runs were following in the afternoon, and women’s moguls qualifying was scheduled to start freestyle skiing events at 6 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Men’s slopestyle and women’s moguls are among the first medals to be awarded Saturday.

Down in Sochi, the new team figure skating competition begins 7.30 p.m. (1530 GMT) at the Iceberg Skating Palace.

The men’s short program is to be followed by the pairs.

Beckham uses option to own MLS team

MIAMI (AP) — David Beckham has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami, and the deal will be finalized the former English national team captain he can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium.

The latest development in the pursuit of a Miami team was announced by MLS Commissioner Don Garber at a news conference Wednesday. Beckham and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also attended.

Beckham has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with startup costs such as construction and player acquisitions. Among those who might become involved is Beckham’s friend LeBron James, who has had recent conversations with the retired soccer star about bringing a team to Miami.

Magic Johnson’s group buying LA Sparks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Magic Johnson is part of a group buying the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

The former Lakers great will take over a franchise that’s been looking for new ownership the past six weeks. Johnson was a part owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers for a decade before selling his share of the team in 2011.

Johnson and Mark Walter teamed with a group of investors to buy baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 for a record $2 billion. It will be the same group owning the Sparks, minus Peter Guber, who owns a stake in the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Olympic rugby chooses qualifying process

DUBLIN (AP) — The International Rugby Board says the top four countries at the end of next season’s rugby world sevens series will qualify for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

A further six of the 12 teams in each of the men’s and women’s events will come from regional qualifiers, with one last place available at a final playoff tournament.

Host Brazil has an automatic place in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Rugby’s 15-a-side version was a medal sport at four Summer Games in the early 1900s, and the United States was the last Olympic champion. Sevens will make its debut in Rio.

South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji and England are currently the top four in this season’s men’s world series. Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Canada lead the women’s standings.