Trusted allies: why Putin won’t fire sports minister over doping scandal
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin risks personal humiliation if all Russian competitors are banned from the Rio Olympics over doping, as now seems possible; yet the man on whose watch this may happen, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, is not bein…
China stipulates no-drug pledge, written tests for Rio-bound athletes
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has asked Olympic-bound athletes and coaches to sign a pledge not to use banned drugs and pass a written test, as it seeks to enforce its zero-tolerance stance on doping, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.
Federer to open 20th pro season at Hopman Cup
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Roger Federer will kick off his 20th season as a professional at the Hopman Cup next year, returning to the international team tournament in Perth for the first time since he teamed up with his now wife Mirka in 2002.
Transition puts Schippers on double gold path
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Flying Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers is a strong contender to emulate compatriot Fanny Blankers-Koen’s golden sprint double from 1948 at next month’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics after a dramatic switch from heptathlon to concentrate on t…
Bolt targets third sprint sweep to close Olympic chapter
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Usain Bolt is keenly aware of the narrative of his extraordinary career and, for the fastest man who ever lived, the only fitting way to close its Olympic chapter is with a third sprint sweep at next month’s Rio Games.
London 1500 stakes claim as ‘dirtiest race’
LONDON (Reuters) – The Ben Johnson 1988 Olympic 100 meters final was dubbed “the dirtiest race in history” but there is a new contender for that dubious honor as the fallout continues from the drug-ravaged 2012 women’s 1500 meters in London.
Eatons on a double gold mission like no other
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) – He wears the colors of the United States and she those of Canada, but Ashton Eaton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton will be on a joint mission at the Rio Olympics.
Rudisha struggling for form, gunning for greatness
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – David Rudisha tore up the tactical script at the London Olympics to smash the world record in one of the greatest ever 800 meter runs and emerge as an athletics superstar to rival the sport’s biggest names.
Felix regroups for Rio after lunge ends double dream
EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) – Allyson Felix leaned for the finish line; Jenna Prandini lunged.
Rio double-double still won’t silence Farah critics
LONDON (Reuters) – Mo Farah is seeking to become only the second man to retain the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 meters titles yet even if he achieves the extraordinary double-double he is destined to sit just beyond the lead pack of all-time distance great…
