French police have arrested three men for robbing the head of the Mongolian Olympic delegation during a visit to Paris, making off with a bag containing almost 600,000 euros worth of jewels in a drive-by heist, law enforcement sources told AFP. France is preparing to host the Summer Olympics in 2024 and the member of the International Olympic Committee arrived in Paris to attend a security committee meeting ahead of the Games.&nbsp;

The three men were arrested last week in Seine-Saint-Denis,a low-income suburb north of Paris that is to host key Olympic events and the athletes' village, several law enforcement sources, who asked not to be named, told AFP late on Wednesday. On October 11, the Mongolian official, who was not named, and his wife were travelling from Charles de Gaulle Airport when they were robbed in the Landy Tunnel heading to the centre of the capital, according to the prosecutors.

The 1.3 km (0.8 mile) long tunnel is notorious for smash-and-grab thefts. During the heist, a scooter with two men approached the car, with one of the thieves breaking a window and snatching a bag containing jewellery from the back seat, a police source said.

The Mongolian couple estimated the contents of the stolen bag at 570,000 euros ($605,000), prosecutors said. According to the International Olympic Committee, the victim runs several companies in Mongolia.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nfl/news-ny-jets-quarterback-aaron-rodgers-closes-in-on-improbable-early-return-joins-practice-11-weeks-after-surgery-664689">NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers closes in on improbable early return, joins practice 11 weeks after surgery</a>

On October 25, three men aged between 22 and 25 were arrested in Saint-Denis, the sources said. Investigators believe that on October 2 the same team robbed two Saudi travellers, stealing 500,000 euros worth of jewels and other valuables.

During the searches police have not been able to find any valuables but numerous photos of jewellery have been discovered on the suspects' phones, police sources said. The men admitted to having earned 6,000 euros re-selling watches but remained silent on the fate of the Mongolian couple's jewels.&nbsp;The suspects were placed in pre-trial detention, and a court hearing was set to take place on November 30.

French police have arrested three men for robbing the head of the Mongolian Olympic delegation during a visit to Paris, making off with a bag containing almost 600,000 euros worth of jewels in a drive-by heist, law enforcement sources told AFP.

French police have arrested three men for robbing the head of the Mongolian Olympic delegation during a visit to Paris, making off with a bag containing almost 600,000 euros worth of jewels in a drive-by heist, law enforcement sources told AFP. France is preparing to host the Summer Olympics in 2024 and the member of the International Olympic Committee arrived in Paris to attend a security committee meeting ahead of the Games. The three men were arrested last week in Seine-Saint-Denis,a low-income suburb north of Paris that is to host key Olympic events and the athletes' village, several law enforcement sources, who asked not to be named, told AFP late on Wednesday. On October 11, the Mongolian official, who was not named, and his wife were travelling from Charles de Gaulle Airport when they were robbed in the Landy Tunnel heading to the centre of the capital, according to the prosecutors. The 1.3 km (0.8 mile) long tunnel is notorious for smash-and-grab thefts. During the heist, a scooter with two men approached the car, with one of the thieves breaking a window and snatching a bag containing jewellery from the back seat, a police source said. The Mongolian couple estimated the contents of the stolen bag at 570,000 euros ($605,000), prosecutors said. According to the International Olympic Committee, the victim runs several companies in Mongolia. Also Read: NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers closes in on improbable early return, joins practice 11 weeks after surgery On October 25, three men aged between 22 and 25 were arrested in Saint-Denis, the sources said. Investigators believe that on October 2 the same team robbed two Saudi travellers, stealing 500,000 euros worth of jewels and other valuables. During the searches police have not been able to find any valuables but numerous photos of jewellery have been discovered on the suspects' phones, police sources said. The men admitted to having earned 6,000 euros re-selling watches but remained silent on the fate of the Mongolian couple's jewels. The suspects were placed in pre-trial detention, and a court hearing was set to take place on November 30.

French police arrest 3 men for robbing Mongolian Olympic head

Four elite American gymnasts testified about the abuse they had suffered by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and their feelings of betrayal by investigators, including from the FBI which they say let them down.

US: Gymnasts blast FBI, Olympic committee for mishandling Nassar investigation

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto on Tuesday (April 27) visited LGBT advocacy group Pride House Tokyo Legacy as part of the Olympic Committee's mission to promote LGBT equality throughout the Tokyo Games this summer.

Tokyo 2020 president visits Pride House Tokyo to call for LGBT awareness

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat.

Doctors have warned the 2020 Games could see deadly medical emergencies as athletes, volunteers and spectators face the sweltering Tokyo summer where the mercury can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius.

The men's and women's individual triathlon will start one hour earlier at 6:30 am (2130 GMT), while the mixed team relay start time will move up to 7:30 am from 8:30 am, organisers said.

They also said the start time for the cross-country part of the equestrian competition was rescheduled from 8:30 am to between 7:30 am and 8:00 am.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-marathon-race-walk-events-rescheduled-after-sapporo-move-266201">moved the marathon</a> and race-walking to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido over heat concerns.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had repeatedly expressed her opposition but offered her reluctant support last month, saying the city would not stand in the way.

Tokyo 2020 organisers have won widespread praise for their preparations but extreme summer heat and poor water quality have given them a headache at test events.

In August, a French triathlete was taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke after an Olympic test event, despite organisers cutting the run to 5km due to the hot weather.

Also in August, organisers were forced to cancel the swimming section of a para-triathlon test event for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-to-use-radiation-detectors-food-from-home-at-tokyo-game-266181">Tokyo 2020</a> due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

Games officials have unveiled various measures such as mist sprays and cooling agents to beat the heat during next summer's Olympics.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat. Doctors have warned the 2020 Games could see deadly medical emergencies as athletes, volunteers and spectators face the sweltering Tokyo summer where the mercury can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius. The men's and women's individual triathlon will start one hour earlier at 6:30 am (2130 GMT), while the mixed team relay start time will move up to 7:30 am from 8:30 am, organisers said. They also said the start time for the cross-country part of the equestrian competition was rescheduled from 8:30 am to between 7:30 am and 8:00 am. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already moved the marathon and race-walking to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido over heat concerns. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had repeatedly expressed her opposition but offered her reluctant support last month, saying the city would not stand in the way. Tokyo 2020 organisers have won widespread praise for their preparations but extreme summer heat and poor water quality have given them a headache at test events. In August, a French triathlete was taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke after an Olympic test event, despite organisers cutting the run to 5km due to the hot weather. Also in August, organisers were forced to cancel the swimming section of a para-triathlon test event for Tokyo 2020 due to high levels of bacteria in the water. Games officials have unveiled various measures such as mist sprays and cooling agents to beat the heat during next summer's Olympics.

More Tokyo Olympic events rescheduled due to heat concern

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda, who is under investigation for suspected corruption, said on Tuesday he will step down when his term ends in June and resign from the International Olympic Committee.

French prosecutors have questioned Takeda in Paris and placed him under formal investigation in December for suspected corruption in Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Games.

Takeda, who was president of the 2020 bid committee, said during a JOC board of directors meeting in Tokyo he would step down and not seek re-election.

At a news conference later on Tuesday, Takeda said: "I don't believe I've done anything illegal."

When asked why he had not resigned with immediate effect, Takeda said: "It pains me to have created such a fuss, but I believe it is my responsibility to serve out the rest of my term."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it respected Takeda's decision.

"Our respect of this decision is even greater because he took this step to protect the Olympic Movement while the presumption of innocence, on which the IOC insists, continues to prevail," it added in a statement.

Takeda had been head of the JOC since 2001 and his resignation leaves a cloud hanging over both the national committee and the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

"I feel very bad that I'm causing a disturbance to the public like this ahead of next year's Games in Tokyo," said Takeda.

"I thought about the JOC's future and I have come to a conclusion that it is most appropriate to pass the JOC onto younger leaders that will bear the next generation, letting them create Japan's new era through the Tokyo Olympics."

"We are aware of&nbsp;JOC President Takeda's&nbsp;announcement today&nbsp;that he will step down from his position in June. We understand that President Takeda made his own decision," Tokyo 2020 said in an email to Reuters.

"Details have not been made clear yet, so we would like to refrain from making further comments."

Takeda serves on Tokyo 2020's Executive Committee but it remains unclear whether he would also be standing down from this role.

French Investigation

French investigators have led a years-long probe into corruption in athletics and in early 2016 extended their inquiry into the bidding and voting processes for the hosting of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Multi-million dollar payments made by the Tokyo bid committee to a Singapore consulting company are under examination and Takeda is suspected of paying bribes to secure the winning bid.

Takeda has denied any wrongdoing, saying that there was nothing improper with the contracts made between the committee and the consultancy and that they were for legitimate work.

"I'd like to put my efforts into proving my innocence," added Takeda on Tuesday, who will officially step down when his presidency ends on June 27.

Japanese media have reported that former Olympic judo champion Yasuhiro Yamashita and Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima, both JOC Executive Board members, could be in line to take over.

The IOC's ethics commission has opened a file on Takeda, who chairs the body's marketing commission. Takeda has been a member of the IOC since 2012.

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda, who is under investigation for suspected corruption, said on Tuesday he will step down when his term ends in June and resign from the International Olympic Committee.

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda, who is under investigation for suspected corruption, said on Tuesday he will step down when his term ends in June and resign from the International Olympic Committee. French prosecutors have questioned Takeda in Paris and placed him under formal investigation in December for suspected corruption in Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Games. Takeda, who was president of the 2020 bid committee, said during a JOC board of directors meeting in Tokyo he would step down and not seek re-election. At a news conference later on Tuesday, Takeda said: "I don't believe I've done anything illegal." When asked why he had not resigned with immediate effect, Takeda said: "It pains me to have created such a fuss, but I believe it is my responsibility to serve out the rest of my term." The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it respected Takeda's decision. "Our respect of this decision is even greater because he took this step to protect the Olympic Movement while the presumption of innocence, on which the IOC insists, continues to prevail," it added in a statement. Takeda had been head of the JOC since 2001 and his resignation leaves a cloud hanging over both the national committee and the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Games. "I feel very bad that I'm causing a disturbance to the public like this ahead of next year's Games in Tokyo," said Takeda. "I thought about the JOC's future and I have come to a conclusion that it is most appropriate to pass the JOC onto younger leaders that will bear the next generation, letting them create Japan's new era through the Tokyo Olympics." "We are aware of JOC President Takeda's announcement today that he will step down from his position in June. We understand that President Takeda made his own decision," Tokyo 2020 said in an email to Reuters. "Details have not been made clear yet, so we would like to refrain from making further comments." Takeda serves on Tokyo 2020's Executive Committee but it remains unclear whether he would also be standing down from this role. French Investigation French investigators have led a years-long probe into corruption in athletics and in early 2016 extended their inquiry into the bidding and voting processes for the hosting of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Multi-million dollar payments made by the Tokyo bid committee to a Singapore consulting company are under examination and Takeda is suspected of paying bribes to secure the winning bid. Takeda has denied any wrongdoing, saying that there was nothing improper with the contracts made between the committee and the consultancy and that they were for legitimate work. "I'd like to put my efforts into proving my innocence," added Takeda on Tuesday, who will officially step down when his presidency ends on June 27. Japanese media have reported that former Olympic judo champion Yasuhiro Yamashita and Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima, both JOC Executive Board members, could be in line to take over. The IOC's ethics commission has opened a file on Takeda, who chairs the body's marketing commission. Takeda has been a member of the IOC since 2012.

Japan chief Tsunekazu Takeda quits as corruption probe continues

The head of Japan's Olympic Committee has been indicted in Paris for "active corruption" in connection with the awarding of the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo, a French judicial source said Friday.

Tsunekazu Takeda, 71, was indicted on December 10 by investigating magistrates looking into a suspect payment of nearly two million euros ($2.3 million) made before the Japanese capital was chosen to host the Olympics.

Tokyo beat Madrid and Istanbul in the 2013 vote.

Takeda, a former Olympic showjumper who led the country's campaign for the Games, is also an influential member of the International Olympic Committee.

The French investigation, launched in 2016, relates to two payments made to Singapore-based Black Tidings, a firm linked to Papa Massa Diack, son of the Senegalese former head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lamine Diack.

The younger Diack is himself a powerful marketing advisor to the IAAF.

The payments were made in two stages, before and after the IOC vote that decided the host city.

Papa Massa Diack, known as PMD, is suspected of having received several million euros in bribes, either for sponsorship contracts or to favour the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo bids for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.

Massa Diack has been on Interpol's most-wanted list since December 2015 but the Senegalese government refuses to extradite him to France.

Last month, IOC President Thomas Bach formally requested that Senegal cooperate with French authorities investigating the corruption claims.

In a letter sent to Senegalese President Macky Sall on November 16, which AFP has seen, Bach said investigating magistrate Renaud van Ruymbeke "told us of the difficulties he has come up against in the execution of the two investigation letters addressed to the Minister of Justice of Senegal".

Takeda, who is currently the vice-chairman of the 2020 Olympics organising committee, was questioned in 2017 by Japanese magistrates acting on behalf of the French judiciary.

French judges have taken on the case because they argue that the funds involved might have been laundered in France.

Senegal connection

The French investigation was launched in the wake of allegations of wide-scale corruption involving the IAAF, which was initially accused of helping Russian athletes evade sanctions imposed for failing doping tests.

A spokeswoman for the office of the Japanese minister in charge of the Olympics, Yoshitaka Sakurada, on Friday declined to comment about the case.

"We can't comment as we have not been informed about the case," the spokeswoman said.

When Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike was asked to comment on the indictment, she told reporters: "I don't have enough information. I want to collect information. I'm quite surprised."

Asked about any potential impact on the 2020 Olympics, she said: "I want to confirm what has been happening and how. I want to start with that."

Lamine Diack, PMD's father, was head of the governing body of the IAAF from 1999 until he was arrested in France in 2015.

He was charged with accepting millions of dollars to cover up failed Russian doping tests along with two other IAAF officials.&nbsp;

In June, he was also charged with favouring his son in negotiations over sponsorship and TV rights.

The head of Japan's Olympic Committee has been indicted in Paris for "active corruption" in connection with the awarding of the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo, a French judicial source said Friday.

The head of Japan's Olympic Committee has been indicted in Paris for "active corruption" in connection with the awarding of the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo, a French judicial source said Friday. Tsunekazu Takeda, 71, was indicted on December 10 by investigating magistrates looking into a suspect payment of nearly two million euros ($2.3 million) made before the Japanese capital was chosen to host the Olympics. Tokyo beat Madrid and Istanbul in the 2013 vote. Takeda, a former Olympic showjumper who led the country's campaign for the Games, is also an influential member of the International Olympic Committee. The French investigation, launched in 2016, relates to two payments made to Singapore-based Black Tidings, a firm linked to Papa Massa Diack, son of the Senegalese former head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lamine Diack. The younger Diack is himself a powerful marketing advisor to the IAAF. The payments were made in two stages, before and after the IOC vote that decided the host city. Papa Massa Diack, known as PMD, is suspected of having received several million euros in bribes, either for sponsorship contracts or to favour the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo bids for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. Massa Diack has been on Interpol's most-wanted list since December 2015 but the Senegalese government refuses to extradite him to France. Last month, IOC President Thomas Bach formally requested that Senegal cooperate with French authorities investigating the corruption claims. In a letter sent to Senegalese President Macky Sall on November 16, which AFP has seen, Bach said investigating magistrate Renaud van Ruymbeke "told us of the difficulties he has come up against in the execution of the two investigation letters addressed to the Minister of Justice of Senegal". Takeda, who is currently the vice-chairman of the 2020 Olympics organising committee, was questioned in 2017 by Japanese magistrates acting on behalf of the French judiciary. French judges have taken on the case because they argue that the funds involved might have been laundered in France. Senegal connection The French investigation was launched in the wake of allegations of wide-scale corruption involving the IAAF, which was initially accused of helping Russian athletes evade sanctions imposed for failing doping tests. A spokeswoman for the office of the Japanese minister in charge of the Olympics, Yoshitaka Sakurada, on Friday declined to comment about the case. "We can't comment as we have not been informed about the case," the spokeswoman said. When Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike was asked to comment on the indictment, she told reporters: "I don't have enough information. I want to collect information. I'm quite surprised." Asked about any potential impact on the 2020 Olympics, she said: "I want to confirm what has been happening and how. I want to start with that." Lamine Diack, PMD's father, was head of the governing body of the IAAF from 1999 until he was arrested in France in 2015. He was charged with accepting millions of dollars to cover up failed Russian doping tests along with two other IAAF officials. In June, he was also charged with favouring his son in negotiations over sponsorship and TV rights.

Japanese Olympic chief indicted in France for corruption

The Russian Olympic Committee appealed on Thursday against a Moscow court ruling that refused to recognise bobsledder Alexander Zubkov's Olympic ban, saying it could cast doubt on Russia's desire to fight against doping.

Zubkov, who has retired from competition and currently serves as the president of Russia's bobsleigh federation, was stripped of his two gold medals from the 2014 Sochi Olympics over doping.

Yet a Moscow court last month refused to acknowledge a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that confirmed a doping violation against Zubkov.

The judgment has no effect outside the country, leaving the CAS ruling intact.

The Russian Olympic Committee said that the Moscow court ruling "could give reason to doubt that Russia truly recognises the basic principles of the fight against doping".

When contacted by Reuters on Thursday, Zubkov said: "The Russian Olympic Committee has to defend its athletes ... but unfortunately our Olympic leaders don't agree. They are taking the side of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)."

The IOC stripped Zubkov of his two gold medals last year and banned him from the Olympics for life because of doping violations. Zubkov has denied any wrongdoing.

He appealed to the CAS, but the court upheld the IOC decision.

The Russian team was banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from competing at this year's Pyeongchang Winter Games over the systematic manipulation of doping tests at the Sochi Olympics.

The IOC, however, allowed Russians with no history of doping to compete in Pyeongchang at its invitation as neutral athletes.

The Russian Olympic Committee appealed on Thursday against a Moscow court ruling that refused to recognise bobsledder Alexander Zubkov's Olympic ban, saying it could cast doubt on Russia's desire to fight against doping.

The Russian Olympic Committee appealed on Thursday against a Moscow court ruling that refused to recognise bobsledder Alexander Zubkov's Olympic ban, saying it could cast doubt on Russia's desire to fight against doping. Zubkov, who has retired from competition and currently serves as the president of Russia's bobsleigh federation, was stripped of his two gold medals from the 2014 Sochi Olympics over doping. Yet a Moscow court last month refused to acknowledge a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that confirmed a doping violation against Zubkov. The judgment has no effect outside the country, leaving the CAS ruling intact. The Russian Olympic Committee said that the Moscow court ruling "could give reason to doubt that Russia truly recognises the basic principles of the fight against doping". When contacted by Reuters on Thursday, Zubkov said: "The Russian Olympic Committee has to defend its athletes ... but unfortunately our Olympic leaders don't agree. They are taking the side of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)." The IOC stripped Zubkov of his two gold medals last year and banned him from the Olympics for life because of doping violations. Zubkov has denied any wrongdoing. He appealed to the CAS, but the court upheld the IOC decision. The Russian team was banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from competing at this year's Pyeongchang Winter Games over the systematic manipulation of doping tests at the Sochi Olympics. The IOC, however, allowed Russians with no history of doping to compete in Pyeongchang at its invitation as neutral athletes.

Russian Olympic Committee appeals local court doping decision

US Olympic Committee Chief Executive Scott Blackmun is resigning for medical reasons, the organization said on Wednesday, following months of sustained criticism stemming from the sex abuse scandal involving former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

In a statement, the USOC cited Blackmun&#39;s &quot;ongoing health issues&quot; related to prostate cancer, for which he has been receiving treatment. As part of the same press release, the group also outlined new reforms aimed at protecting its athletes from abuse.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USOC, which announced the change less than a week after the Winter Olympic Games ended in Pyeongchang, South Korea, had resisted calls to fire Blackmun over the Nassar case. Blackmun, 60, did not attend the Games.

The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at USA Gymnastics, the sport`s governing body, to resign, along with the president and athletic director at Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked. It also spawned lawsuits and criminal and civil investigations.

A number of critics, including athletes who said they were abused and two US senators - Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen - had called for the ouster of Blackmun and USOC board members, accusing them of failing to promptly act on complaints raised against Nassar and fostering a culture of silence.

&ldquo;Scott Blackmun&rsquo;s resignation as CEO of the US Olympic Committee is long overdue,&quot; John Manly, a lawyer representing 120 of Nassar`s victims, said in a statement.&nbsp;

&quot;Under his leadership, USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat.&quot;

Shaheen also welcomed the resignation, citing Nassar`s years of abuse. &quot;It&#39;s clear that the culture at the US Olympic Committee desperately needs to change,&quot; she said in a statement.

Olympic gold medalist swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an advocate for female athletes and member of the Committee to Restore Integrity to the USOC, said in a Twitter post that Blackmun &quot;didn`t enact basic #ChildProtection policies or educate the membership about how to prevent it.&quot;

&quot;His legacy will be that he failed athletes,&quot; she added.

The USOC statement did not address whether the sexual abuse scandal played a role in Blackmun`s departure. His compensation in 2016 totalled $1.075 million, according to USOC tax filings.

&quot;Given Scott`s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership,&quot; USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in the statement.

Nassar pleaded guilty to molesting female athletes under the guise of medical treatment and was sentenced to life in prison. Authorities say Nassar victimized more than 260 women and girls, including several Olympic gold medalists. Nearly 200 of them offered testimony during a pair of sentencing hearings in Michigan earlier this year.

USOC board member Susanne Lyons, who in January was chosen to head up a working group to address problems that the Nassar case had exposed, will serve as acting CEO while the organization searches for a permanent replacement.

The USOC also said Wednesday it will increase funding for support and counselling for victims as well as investigations into abuse allegations, among other reforms.

Separately, USA Gymnastics said its vice president of development, Luan Peszek, has left the organization after nearly 30 years.&nbsp;

Following a lengthy stint with the team`s communications department, Peszek was the top administrator for the women&#39;s program for two years, before assuming her most recent post in 2015. Her daughter Samantha was a 2008 Olympic silver medalist.

A team spokeswoman, Leslie King, declined to explain the circumstances of Peszek`s departure or say when the exit occurred.

The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at USA Gymnastics

US Olympic Committee Chief Executive Scott Blackmun is resigning for medical reasons, the organization said on Wednesday, following months of sustained criticism stemming from the sex abuse scandal involving former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. In a statement, the USOC cited Blackmun's "ongoing health issues" related to prostate cancer, for which he has been receiving treatment. As part of the same press release, the group also outlined new reforms aimed at protecting its athletes from abuse. The Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USOC, which announced the change less than a week after the Winter Olympic Games ended in Pyeongchang, South Korea, had resisted calls to fire Blackmun over the Nassar case. Blackmun, 60, did not attend the Games. The scandal prompted the entire board of directors at USA Gymnastics, the sport`s governing body, to resign, along with the president and athletic director at Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked. It also spawned lawsuits and criminal and civil investigations. A number of critics, including athletes who said they were abused and two US senators - Iowa Republican Joni Ernst and New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen - had called for the ouster of Blackmun and USOC board members, accusing them of failing to promptly act on complaints raised against Nassar and fostering a culture of silence. “Scott Blackmun’s resignation as CEO of the US Olympic Committee is long overdue," John Manly, a lawyer representing 120 of Nassar`s victims, said in a statement. "Under his leadership, USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat." Shaheen also welcomed the resignation, citing Nassar`s years of abuse. "It's clear that the culture at the US Olympic Committee desperately needs to change," she said in a statement. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an advocate for female athletes and member of the Committee to Restore Integrity to the USOC, said in a Twitter post that Blackmun "didn`t enact basic #ChildProtection policies or educate the membership about how to prevent it." "His legacy will be that he failed athletes," she added. The USOC statement did not address whether the sexual abuse scandal played a role in Blackmun`s departure. His compensation in 2016 totalled $1.075 million, according to USOC tax filings. "Given Scott`s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership," USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in the statement. Nassar pleaded guilty to molesting female athletes under the guise of medical treatment and was sentenced to life in prison. Authorities say Nassar victimized more than 260 women and girls, including several Olympic gold medalists. Nearly 200 of them offered testimony during a pair of sentencing hearings in Michigan earlier this year. USOC board member Susanne Lyons, who in January was chosen to head up a working group to address problems that the Nassar case had exposed, will serve as acting CEO while the organization searches for a permanent replacement. The USOC also said Wednesday it will increase funding for support and counselling for victims as well as investigations into abuse allegations, among other reforms. Separately, USA Gymnastics said its vice president of development, Luan Peszek, has left the organization after nearly 30 years. Following a lengthy stint with the team`s communications department, Peszek was the top administrator for the women's program for two years, before assuming her most recent post in 2015. Her daughter Samantha was a 2008 Olympic silver medalist. A team spokeswoman, Leslie King, declined to explain the circumstances of Peszek`s departure or say when the exit occurred.

US Olympic chief resigns after sex abuse scandal, health cited

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Wednesday called for an investigation into the handling of sexual misconduct allegations by the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics, which have been criticized for not acting on complaints of abuse by former sports doctor Larry Nassar and others.

Nassar molested female athletes under the guise of medical treatment for nearly 20 years and has been given two prison sentences in Michigan of 40 to 125 years and 40 to 175 years. He is also serving a 60-year federal term for child pornography convictions.

The senators&#39; announcement comes two days before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to receive written explanations of the handling of sexual misconduct cases by USA Gymnastics (USAG) and other governing bodies of organized sports.

&quot;There&#39;s now significant bipartisan support for establishing a special committee charged with the sole focus of investigating the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics,&quot; said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who announced the resolution with Republican Senator Joni Ernst as co-sponsor.

Victims and their advocates have criticized the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USAG for not acting on the complaints against Nassar, including a 2015 investigation. USAG&#39;s board resigned under pressure from the USOC.

&quot;There are many disturbing questions that remain unanswered as to how Larry Nassar was able to freely abuse young girls for decades,&quot; Shaheen told reporters.

Six Republicans and 12 Democrats have also signed onto the resolution to investigate the USOC, which operates under a federal charter. The Senate must vote on the resolution before a committee can be formed to hold an investigation.

While the House investigation is focused on sexual abuse in organized sport, the Senate investigation will look into the extent USAG and U.S. Olympics were complicit in the criminal or negligent behavior of their employees relative to sexual abuse.

A spokesman for Senator John Thune, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee that has been investigating Olympic sex abuse claims, said however that a select committee was unnecessary.

The initial results from the House investigation are scheduled to be delivered on Friday.

USAG said on Wednesday it had set up a fund to give financial assistance for counseling for gymnasts who were victims of sexual abuse. The fund, the size of which was not disclosed, will be administered by a third party to ensure confidentiality, the group said.

Nassar molested female athletes under the guise of medical treatment for nearly 20 years and has been given two prison sentences in Michigan of 40 to 125 years and 40 to 175 years. He is also serving a 60-year federal term for child pornography convictions.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Wednesday called for an investigation into the handling of sexual misconduct allegations by the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics, which have been criticized for not acting on complaints of abuse by former sports doctor Larry Nassar and others. Nassar molested female athletes under the guise of medical treatment for nearly 20 years and has been given two prison sentences in Michigan of 40 to 125 years and 40 to 175 years. He is also serving a 60-year federal term for child pornography convictions. The senators' announcement comes two days before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to receive written explanations of the handling of sexual misconduct cases by USA Gymnastics (USAG) and other governing bodies of organized sports. "There's now significant bipartisan support for establishing a special committee charged with the sole focus of investigating the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics," said Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who announced the resolution with Republican Senator Joni Ernst as co-sponsor. Victims and their advocates have criticized the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and USAG for not acting on the complaints against Nassar, including a 2015 investigation. USAG's board resigned under pressure from the USOC. "There are many disturbing questions that remain unanswered as to how Larry Nassar was able to freely abuse young girls for decades," Shaheen told reporters. Six Republicans and 12 Democrats have also signed onto the resolution to investigate the USOC, which operates under a federal charter. The Senate must vote on the resolution before a committee can be formed to hold an investigation. While the House investigation is focused on sexual abuse in organized sport, the Senate investigation will look into the extent USAG and U.S. Olympics were complicit in the criminal or negligent behavior of their employees relative to sexual abuse. A spokesman for Senator John Thune, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee that has been investigating Olympic sex abuse claims, said however that a select committee was unnecessary. The initial results from the House investigation are scheduled to be delivered on Friday. USAG said on Wednesday it had set up a fund to give financial assistance for counseling for gymnasts who were victims of sexual abuse. The fund, the size of which was not disclosed, will be administered by a third party to ensure confidentiality, the group said.

US senators call for Olympic committee probe after Nassar scandal

American swimmer Ryan Lochte has been suspended for 10 months following a scandal at Rio during the Olympic Games 2016 last month. 
 
The US Olympic Committee handed the suspension to Lochte and three other US Olympic swimmers today, US media reported. The three would be suspended for shorter durations. 
 
Lochte, 32, had allegedly &ldquo;exaggerated&rdquo; a story about being robbed and held at gunpoint after a party at Rio. 
 
Brazilian authorities had on their part said that the four swimmers had destroyed public property and demanded that Lochte be charged for false reporting of crime. 
 
The suspension would mean Lochte missing the 2017 swim meet in Budapest. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The US Olympic Committee took the step following Lochte's "exaggerated" narration of a robbery and attack during the Rio Olympics

American swimmer Ryan Lochte has been suspended for 10 months following a scandal at Rio during the Olympic Games 2016 last month. The US Olympic Committee handed the suspension to Lochte and three other US Olympic swimmers today, US media reported. The three would be suspended for shorter durations. Lochte, 32, had allegedly “exaggerated” a story about being robbed and held at gunpoint after a party at Rio. Brazilian authorities had on their part said that the four swimmers had destroyed public property and demanded that Lochte be charged for false reporting of crime. The suspension would mean Lochte missing the 2017 swim meet in Budapest. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US swimmer Lochte handed 10-month suspension

Brazil&#39;s athletes were not subject to dope tests for almost a month before the Rio Olympics, the country&#39;s sports ministry has said while refuting allegations it was a political decision to ensure the games were not plunged further into crisis. 
 
Brazil&#39;s sports ministry confirmed no tests were carried out between July 1 and July 24 due to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspension on a drug testing laboratory in Rio de Janeiro, The Times reported today. 
 
WADA said it was &quot;concerned&quot; and has sent a letter to Brazil&#39;s sports minister asking why the tests had been stopped. 
 
&quot;We sent a letter to the minister of sport and the executive director of the Brazilian national anti-doping agency, pressing our concerns and demanding to know why testing had been stopped in Brazil,&quot; WADA deputy director Rob Koehler told the newspaper. 
 
&quot;The response was not satisfactory... the explanation that it had come about due to the changing of the guard in the ministry and the agency was not acceptable to us. 
 
&quot;We informed the pre-Games task force and we told them to ramp up increased tests. It was unacceptable that it stopped. That was not a good move... the fact no testing was happening was a concern.&quot; 
 
South America&#39;s first Olympics have been mired in a drugs scandal with Russia&#39;s track-and-field athletes and weightlifters barred from the Rio Games over doping offences. 
 
The European country narrowly avoided a complete ban over allegations its government and FSB security service systematically covered up widespread cheating. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not to impose a blanket ban on all Russian athletes but directed sports federations to allow them to compete if they met a set of criteria, including a clean doping past and sufficient testing at international events. 
 
Faced pressure from ministry, alleges Horta&nbsp; 
 
Luis Horta, the former head of Portugal&#39;s anti-doping agency who was given a role as an adviser to Brazil, alleged he faced pressure from the country&#39;s sports ministry and Olympic committee to reduce testing. 
 
A statement from Brazil&#39;s sports ministry refuted the allegations, while adding that three overseas laboratories were approached but were unable to help with the testing of samples. 
 
&quot;The Ministry of Sport and the Brazilian Doping Control Authority strongly refute the accusations made by Mr Horta,&quot; it said. 
 
&quot;With the suspension imposed by WADA to the laboratory on June 22, the tests planned for the period between 1 and 24 July were compromised (the suspension was only lifted on July 20), as analyses could not be submitted. 
 
&quot;Therefore, the planned tests ended up not being done in that period.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

'Brazil's sports ministry confirmed no tests were carried out between July 1 and July 24 due to a WADA suspension on drug testing lab'

Brazil's athletes were not subject to dope tests for almost a month before the Rio Olympics, the country's sports ministry has said while refuting allegations it was a political decision to ensure the games were not plunged further into crisis. Brazil's sports ministry confirmed no tests were carried out between July 1 and July 24 due to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspension on a drug testing laboratory in Rio de Janeiro, The Times reported today. WADA said it was "concerned" and has sent a letter to Brazil's sports minister asking why the tests had been stopped. "We sent a letter to the minister of sport and the executive director of the Brazilian national anti-doping agency, pressing our concerns and demanding to know why testing had been stopped in Brazil," WADA deputy director Rob Koehler told the newspaper. "The response was not satisfactory... the explanation that it had come about due to the changing of the guard in the ministry and the agency was not acceptable to us. "We informed the pre-Games task force and we told them to ramp up increased tests. It was unacceptable that it stopped. That was not a good move... the fact no testing was happening was a concern." South America's first Olympics have been mired in a drugs scandal with Russia's track-and-field athletes and weightlifters barred from the Rio Games over doping offences. The European country narrowly avoided a complete ban over allegations its government and FSB security service systematically covered up widespread cheating. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not to impose a blanket ban on all Russian athletes but directed sports federations to allow them to compete if they met a set of criteria, including a clean doping past and sufficient testing at international events. Faced pressure from ministry, alleges Horta Luis Horta, the former head of Portugal's anti-doping agency who was given a role as an adviser to Brazil, alleged he faced pressure from the country's sports ministry and Olympic committee to reduce testing. A statement from Brazil's sports ministry refuted the allegations, while adding that three overseas laboratories were approached but were unable to help with the testing of samples. "The Ministry of Sport and the Brazilian Doping Control Authority strongly refute the accusations made by Mr Horta," it said. "With the suspension imposed by WADA to the laboratory on June 22, the tests planned for the period between 1 and 24 July were compromised (the suspension was only lifted on July 20), as analyses could not be submitted. "Therefore, the planned tests ended up not being done in that period." (Reuters)

WADA questions why athletes were not dope-tested ahead of Rio 2016

Australia&#39;s number one tennis player Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of Rio Olympics, blaming his country&#39;s Olympic committee for an&nbsp;&nbsp;&quot;unfair and unjust treatment&quot;.

The world number 19 joined Bernard Tomic in withdrawing his name from consideration today, a month after Australia&#39;s chef de mission Kitty Chiller said the pair were among a number of athletes whose behaviour was being monitored.

Tomic, ranked 22nd in the world, ruled himself out in mid-May because of his busy playing schedule, but Kyrgios laid the blame squarely on the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

&quot;It is with a heavy heart that I have had to make a decision not to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,&quot; Kyrgios said.

&quot;Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it&#39;s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.&quot;

Kyrgios said the AOC&#39;s treatment of him over the past month had been &quot;unfair and unjust&quot; and they had made it &quot;crystal clear&quot; their opposition to his being part of the team.

Tennis Australia will nominate the players to take part in the August&nbsp;5-21 Games on June 30,&nbsp;but they must then be ratified by Chiller and the AOC.

&quot;The AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me,&quot; he said.

&quot;The AOC&#39;s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation&#39;s inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports.&quot;

Kyrgios said he did not want the row with the AOC to distract the Australian team from their preparations for Rio and hoped to represent his country in future.

The 21-year-old has become a divisive figure in Australia, particularly after a string of unsavoury incidents over the past 12 months.

He was given a suspended ban by the Association of Tennis Professionals&nbsp;&nbsp;(ATP) last year for an off-colour comment directed at Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss tennis player,&nbsp;and was booed by the crowd at the Australian Open after a running battle with an umpire.

Tennis Australia chief Steve Healy offered Kyrgios his full support today and echoed the player&#39;s disappointment that &quot;he has been put in this position&quot;.

&quot;Nick&#39;s performances this year have improved,&quot; Healy said.

&quot;Nick is a passionate competitor and he&rsquo;s working hard to learn and mature in a highly pressurised environment where he is under constant public scrutiny.&quot;

Chiller has made good behaviour one of her main priorities for Rio after Australia&#39;s disappointing 2012 Olympics was accompanied by a crisis of team culture in the swimming squad, which, a&nbsp;report said had led to &quot;toxicity&quot; in the environment.

&quot;At this point, Nick Kyrgios, or any other tennis athlete, has not been nominated for selection on the Australian Olympic Team,&quot; Chiller said.

&quot;In regard to selection every athlete in contention is treated equally and fairly. We have no further comment on this issue.&quot;

The world number 19, Nick Kyrgios, withdrew his name today, a month after Australia's chef de mission Kitty Chiller said his behaviour was being monitored

Australia's number one tennis player Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of Rio Olympics, blaming his country's Olympic committee for an "unfair and unjust treatment". The world number 19 joined Bernard Tomic in withdrawing his name from consideration today, a month after Australia's chef de mission Kitty Chiller said the pair were among a number of athletes whose behaviour was being monitored. Tomic, ranked 22nd in the world, ruled himself out in mid-May because of his busy playing schedule, but Kyrgios laid the blame squarely on the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). "It is with a heavy heart that I have had to make a decision not to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," Kyrgios said. "Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it's very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans." Kyrgios said the AOC's treatment of him over the past month had been "unfair and unjust" and they had made it "crystal clear" their opposition to his being part of the team. Tennis Australia will nominate the players to take part in the August 5-21 Games on June 30, but they must then be ratified by Chiller and the AOC. "The AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me," he said. "The AOC's unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation's inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports." Kyrgios said he did not want the row with the AOC to distract the Australian team from their preparations for Rio and hoped to represent his country in future. The 21-year-old has become a divisive figure in Australia, particularly after a string of unsavoury incidents over the past 12 months. He was given a suspended ban by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) last year for an off-colour comment directed at Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss tennis player, and was booed by the crowd at the Australian Open after a running battle with an umpire. Tennis Australia chief Steve Healy offered Kyrgios his full support today and echoed the player's disappointment that "he has been put in this position". "Nick's performances this year have improved," Healy said. "Nick is a passionate competitor and he’s working hard to learn and mature in a highly pressurised environment where he is under constant public scrutiny." Chiller has made good behaviour one of her main priorities for Rio after Australia's disappointing 2012 Olympics was accompanied by a crisis of team culture in the swimming squad, which, a report said had led to "toxicity" in the environment. "At this point, Nick Kyrgios, or any other tennis athlete, has not been nominated for selection on the Australian Olympic Team," Chiller said. "In regard to selection every athlete in contention is treated equally and fairly. We have no further comment on this issue."

Kyrgios pulls out of Rio Games, blasts Australian Olympic Committee