Briefs | Football: Ronaldo signs long-term deal with Nike

Nike and Cristiano Ronaldo have extended their long-term sponsorship deal. The Portuguese soccer star has had a contract with Nike since 2003 and wears its Mercurial cleats. In a video released by the Beaverton, Oregon-based apparel maker, he suggested the deal was “for life,” although terms weren’t released. Ronaldo said in a statement released by the company: “I have a great relationship with this brand, I have great friends here in the company. We work as a family, too. This is my brand.” Ronaldo, a three-time world player of the year, is captain of the Portuguese national team that won the European Championship this year. Earlier this week, the 31-year old signed a new five-year contract with Real Madrid that runs through June 2021. Ronaldo has scored 372 goals in 360 matches for Real Madrid, helping the team to two Champions League titles and the La Liga crown since joining it in 2009.

Mediterranean Games postponed a year, will be held in 2018

The Mediterranean Games have been postponed until 2018 because of funding problems caused by Spain’s political situation. Spanish officials say the games originally scheduled for next year in the northeastern region of Tarragona will now be held in 2018 from June 22 – July 1. The decision was made to give organizers and officials more time to get the event properly funded. Spain endured 10 months of political impasse following two inconclusive elections, hurting the government’s ability to approve budgets. The political deadlock ended last month but Tarragona Mayor Josep Felix Ballesteros said this week the lack of a stable government “hindered the financing that had been originally planned” for the event. It will be the 18th edition of the Mediterranean Games, with about 4,000 competitors from 26 countries.

Olympics: Double rowing champion Stanning retires

One of rowing’s great modern-day partnerships has ended after two-time Olympic champion Heather Stanning announced her retirement from the sport. The 31-year-old Stanning won the gold medal with Helen Glover in the women’s pair at the last two Olympics, extending their unbeaten record that dates to 2011. They were the first British women rowers to win Olympic gold. They also earned two world championships. Stanning will continue to serve in the British Army. Stanning and Glover were “one of the most exceptional crews that world rowing has ever seen,” said David Tanner, performance director at British Rowing. Glover is set to continue her rowing career.