The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today decided not to hit Russia with a blanket ban for the Rio Games over state-run doping, but said each sports federation needed to establish a competitor&#39;s individual eligibility.&nbsp; 
 
Federations &quot;should carry out an individual analysis of each athlete&#39;s anti-doping record, taking into account only reliable adequate international tests, and the specificities of the athlete&#39;s sport and its rules, in order to ensure a level playing field,&quot; the IOC said in a statement. 
 
It comes after the IOC held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping that sparked the Olympic movement&#39;s worst crisis in decades. 
 
The Russian athletics team was already banned from Rio for state-sponsored doping. 
 
An independent report last week for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Russia&#39;s sports ministry directed a vast doping programme with support from the state intelligence agency that saw thousands of tainted urine samples destroyed or swapped for clean ones.&nbsp; 
 
The cheating affected 30 sports and went on during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and other major Olympic and international events, according to the WADA report last week by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren.&nbsp; 
 
The Games begin on August 5. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

This comes after the International Olympic Committee held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today decided not to hit Russia with a blanket ban for the Rio Games over state-run doping, but said each sports federation needed to establish a competitor's individual eligibility. Federations "should carry out an individual analysis of each athlete's anti-doping record, taking into account only reliable adequate international tests, and the specificities of the athlete's sport and its rules, in order to ensure a level playing field," the IOC said in a statement. It comes after the IOC held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping that sparked the Olympic movement's worst crisis in decades. The Russian athletics team was already banned from Rio for state-sponsored doping. An independent report last week for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Russia's sports ministry directed a vast doping programme with support from the state intelligence agency that saw thousands of tainted urine samples destroyed or swapped for clean ones. The cheating affected 30 sports and went on during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and other major Olympic and international events, according to the WADA report last week by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren. The Games begin on August 5. (AFP)

No blanket ban for Russia for Rio games: IOC

To those who dip into swimming only when the Olympic Games come around, it may seem odd to hear a pool described as &#39;fast&#39; when it looks much like any other large rectangle filled with water.

And while coaches hammer into their young charges that fast swimmers make fast pools, like swimmers, some pools are faster than others, and even Michael Phelps goes quicker with the application of science.

In 2013, after British swimmers had flopped at the London Games and that year&#39;s world championships, head coach Bill Furniss suggested Sheffield&#39;s Ponds Forge Olympic standard pool was hampering their development because it was too fast.&nbsp;Cue jokey headlines suggesting swimmers were training in the &quot;wrong kind of water&quot; -&nbsp;an echo of the &quot;wrong kind of snow/rain/sunshine&quot; excuses familiar to downtrodden commuters when Britain&#39;s weather halts the trains.

At the international level, however, the biggest waves are the ones given by the swimmers to the crowd as they climb out.&nbsp;Rio&#39;s new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari among functional family runabouts.

The technology in such a pool, from energy-absorbing lane dividers and wave-swallowing drainage to the depth and temperature, is all designed to help the world&#39;s best swimmers go faster than ever.

&quot;Years and years ago, when pools had gutters on the side and walls, if you were on the outside lane then the waves were splashing back and hitting you,&quot; Britain&#39;s 4x100 mixed medley world gold medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn told Reuters at an Adidas event.

&quot;That was what I perceived as a slow pool back then.&nbsp;Everything we race in now, it (the water) runs off the edge into a drain so you are at no more disadvantage being in lane eight than you are in lane four, other than not being in the middle of the race.&quot;

Beijing&#39;s &#39;Water Cube&#39; was dubbed the fastest pool in the world, when 25 world records were broken at the 2008 Olympics and various factors contributed to that.

 
The now-banned drag-reducing high-tech suits, with Phelps using Speedo&#39;s LZR bodysuit to win eight golds, were a huge factor, but the pool was also wider and significantly deeper than the one used in Athens in 2004.&nbsp;Unlike Athens, it was also indoors.

That uniform three metre depth, now recommended by world body FINA and considered the norm since Beijing, makes the water more buoyant and less turbulent.&nbsp;The temperature of the water,&nbsp;all 3.7 million litres of it,&nbsp;is kept between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Too warm, and the body can over-relax, Too cold, and muscles may tighten.

 
The Rio Aquatics Stadium, a temporary structure, has had 15,000 strategically positioned holes drilled into it as part of a natural ventilation system.&nbsp;The lighting, the crowd, the acoustics also all help create an atmosphere that crackles with anticipation and plays into the mental side. In Rio, the front-row seats will be just 10 metres from the action.

British swimmer Adam Peaty, who set a 100 metres breaststroke world record of 57.92 seconds in London last year, said the psychological factor of swimmers going fast because they know the pool is state-of-the-art was not to be underestimated.

&quot;It&#39;s more of an idea than a thing; The idea of performing at an Olympics and being one of the best in the world, and that pool is the idea,&quot; Peaty said after this year&#39;s European championships.&nbsp;&quot;It sounds very metaphorical, but every time I see that (London) pool I just want to be the best in the world.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Rio's new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari

To those who dip into swimming only when the Olympic Games come around, it may seem odd to hear a pool described as 'fast' when it looks much like any other large rectangle filled with water. And while coaches hammer into their young charges that fast swimmers make fast pools, like swimmers, some pools are faster than others, and even Michael Phelps goes quicker with the application of science. In 2013, after British swimmers had flopped at the London Games and that year's world championships, head coach Bill Furniss suggested Sheffield's Ponds Forge Olympic standard pool was hampering their development because it was too fast. Cue jokey headlines suggesting swimmers were training in the "wrong kind of water" - an echo of the "wrong kind of snow/rain/sunshine" excuses familiar to downtrodden commuters when Britain's weather halts the trains. At the international level, however, the biggest waves are the ones given by the swimmers to the crowd as they climb out. Rio's new 50-metre Olympic pool, where records may be set as dreams and duels play out, should stand out like a gleaming Ferrari among functional family runabouts. The technology in such a pool, from energy-absorbing lane dividers and wave-swallowing drainage to the depth and temperature, is all designed to help the world's best swimmers go faster than ever. "Years and years ago, when pools had gutters on the side and walls, if you were on the outside lane then the waves were splashing back and hitting you," Britain's 4x100 mixed medley world gold medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn told Reuters at an Adidas event. "That was what I perceived as a slow pool back then. Everything we race in now, it (the water) runs off the edge into a drain so you are at no more disadvantage being in lane eight than you are in lane four, other than not being in the middle of the race." Beijing's 'Water Cube' was dubbed the fastest pool in the world, when 25 world records were broken at the 2008 Olympics and various factors contributed to that. The now-banned drag-reducing high-tech suits, with Phelps using Speedo's LZR bodysuit to win eight golds, were a huge factor, but the pool was also wider and significantly deeper than the one used in Athens in 2004. Unlike Athens, it was also indoors. That uniform three metre depth, now recommended by world body FINA and considered the norm since Beijing, makes the water more buoyant and less turbulent. The temperature of the water, all 3.7 million litres of it, is kept between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Too warm, and the body can over-relax, Too cold, and muscles may tighten. The Rio Aquatics Stadium, a temporary structure, has had 15,000 strategically positioned holes drilled into it as part of a natural ventilation system. The lighting, the crowd, the acoustics also all help create an atmosphere that crackles with anticipation and plays into the mental side. In Rio, the front-row seats will be just 10 metres from the action. British swimmer Adam Peaty, who set a 100 metres breaststroke world record of 57.92 seconds in London last year, said the psychological factor of swimmers going fast because they know the pool is state-of-the-art was not to be underestimated. "It's more of an idea than a thing; The idea of performing at an Olympics and being one of the best in the world, and that pool is the idea," Peaty said after this year's European championships. "It sounds very metaphorical, but every time I see that (London) pool I just want to be the best in the world." (Reuters)

Technology in pools makes Olympic athletes swim faster

The International Olympic Committee reported 45 new doping failures today from the 2008 Games in Beijing and London 2012, bringing the total number of positive drug test to 98 since a retesting programme was launched. The IOC, facing one of its worst-ever doping crises that could see sporting powerhouse Russia banned from the Rio Games, has reanalysed more than 1,200 samples, with the emphasis on medal winners. 
 
Reporting results from its second wave of retests, the IOC said there were 30 &quot;Provisional Adverse Analytical Findings&quot; from competitors in Beijing 2008 and 15 &quot;Adverse Analytical Findings&quot; among London 2012 Olympians. Within the Beijing group, 23 were medallists, the IOC said. The 30 positive results came from eight countries and four sports. 
 
The second wave of retests from London included 138 samples. The 15 positive tests were from nine countries and two sports. The IOC said it was not able to identify the athletes concerned, citing legal reasons. &quot;The new reanalysis once again shows the commitment of the IOC in the fight against doping,&quot; Olympics president Thomas Bach said in a statement. 
 
The IOC has said the retesting programme followed &quot;intelligence-gathering&quot; that began last year. The new results may pile more pressure on the IOC as it faces making the unprecedented move of banning an entire country from a Games over doping. 
 
Two reports from the World Anti Doping Agency have detailed rampant, state-run drug cheating by Russia, affecting 30 sports. Russia&#39;s track and field team has already been banned from Rio by governing body IAAF.&nbsp; 
 
A dozen global anti-doping agencies and several national Olympic committees have urged the IOC to take exemplary action and rule all Russian competitors ineligible for the Rio Games, which start in two weeks. The IOC said a decision could be made on Sunday. 
 
(AFP)

These results may pile pressure on the IOC to make the unprecedented move of banning an entire country from the 2016 Games for doping

The International Olympic Committee reported 45 new doping failures today from the 2008 Games in Beijing and London 2012, bringing the total number of positive drug test to 98 since a retesting programme was launched. The IOC, facing one of its worst-ever doping crises that could see sporting powerhouse Russia banned from the Rio Games, has reanalysed more than 1,200 samples, with the emphasis on medal winners. Reporting results from its second wave of retests, the IOC said there were 30 "Provisional Adverse Analytical Findings" from competitors in Beijing 2008 and 15 "Adverse Analytical Findings" among London 2012 Olympians. Within the Beijing group, 23 were medallists, the IOC said. The 30 positive results came from eight countries and four sports. The second wave of retests from London included 138 samples. The 15 positive tests were from nine countries and two sports. The IOC said it was not able to identify the athletes concerned, citing legal reasons. "The new reanalysis once again shows the commitment of the IOC in the fight against doping," Olympics president Thomas Bach said in a statement. The IOC has said the retesting programme followed "intelligence-gathering" that began last year. The new results may pile more pressure on the IOC as it faces making the unprecedented move of banning an entire country from a Games over doping. Two reports from the World Anti Doping Agency have detailed rampant, state-run drug cheating by Russia, affecting 30 sports. Russia's track and field team has already been banned from Rio by governing body IAAF. A dozen global anti-doping agencies and several national Olympic committees have urged the IOC to take exemplary action and rule all Russian competitors ineligible for the Rio Games, which start in two weeks. The IOC said a decision could be made on Sunday. (AFP)

IOC finds 45 new doping failures from Beijing, London Games

Russia insisted today that it expects to avoid a blanket ban from the IOC on its competitors at the Rio Olympics despite its track and field squad losing an appeal over a suspension for state-sponsored doping. 
 
&quot;All sportsmen who have not been convicted or are not under suspicion of doping should have the right to compete. That is the decision we are counting on,&quot; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 
 
The International Olympic Committee&#39;s executive board are to hold a conference call on Sunday to discuss banning Russia from the Rio Games starting on August 5. 
 
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday ruled against Russia&#39;s athletes in a decision seen as a key indicator as the IOC debates whether to kick out the whole Russian team. 
 
The IOC is facing international pressure to act tough on Russia and ban the entire team over bombshell revelations of a state-run doping system that has seen the country cheat its way to victory. 
 
Fourteen national anti-doping agencies including the United States, Canada and Germany sent a joint letter to IOC President Thomas Bach on Thursday urging him to ban Russia from Rio. 
 
Officials in Moscow have slammed the decision by CAS to reject its appeal against a ban from the world athletics body IAAF, calling it part of a broader political campaign by the West against Russia. 
 
The suspension of the track and field team already means that star athletes like pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and hurdler Sergey Shubenkov will not be in Rio. 
 
Isinbayeva who has threatened to call time on her career over the ban slammed the CAS ruling as a &quot;funeral for athletics.&quot; 
 
Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko who has clung on despite the scandal said Moscow now hopes the IOC will defer to individual international sporting federations to decide whether other Russian squads can compete. 
 
Cold War 
 
The CAS ruling has been the focus of Olympic attention since an independent WADA report this week said Russia ran a &quot;state-dictated failsafe system&quot; of drug cheating in 30 sports at the 2014 Sochi Games and other major events. 
 
But Russia has found support from some international sports bodies, with the International Judo Federation (IJF) insisting all clean athletes should be allowed to take part in Rio. 
 
&quot;We hope that by allowing participation of Russian athletes in Rio 2016, we will send out a positive message to all the young people who deserve to be given examples of friendship instead of examples of Cold War,&quot; said IJF president Marius Vizer. 
 
Individual Russian federations said they were now looking nervously ahead for the IOC to make its next move. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re all in suspense waiting for the IOC decision,&quot; wrestling federation president Mikhail Mamiashvili told AFP. 
 
&quot;I hope that the common sense and personal responsibility of those who will take the decision will prevail.&quot; 
 
The IAAF banned all of the Russian track and field team over allegations of state-sponsored doping but said athletes who prove they were not tainted by their country&#39;s corrupt system could be cleared. 
 
The IAAF has only gave permission for one Russian team member to compete as a neutral is US-based long jumper Darya Klishina to compete in Rio. 
 
The IOC has appeared to back the principle that international sporting federations could clear individual athletes in case of a blanket ban but with just two weeks to go until Rio time is slipping away. 
 
The Russian press had widely predicted that CAS would decide against Moscow and reaction was a mixture of soul-searching and criticism over systemic failings. 
 
&quot;They accused us of setting up a system in the country based on doping and we didn&#39;t react at all to these accusations,&quot; wrote daily Sovietsky Sport. &quot;That&#39;s why they&#39;re banning us.&quot; 
 
&quot;Alas, everything that is happening with our sports is the fruit of our own errors,&quot; a column in usually pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda said, citing years of mismanagement. 
 
&quot;It is far from certain that even the current apocalyptic storm will force us to change our sport. Maybe only if the IOC buries our team on Sunday.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

International Olympic Committee's executive board are to hold a conference call on Sunday to discuss banning Russia from the Rio Games

Russia insisted today that it expects to avoid a blanket ban from the IOC on its competitors at the Rio Olympics despite its track and field squad losing an appeal over a suspension for state-sponsored doping. "All sportsmen who have not been convicted or are not under suspicion of doping should have the right to compete. That is the decision we are counting on," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The International Olympic Committee's executive board are to hold a conference call on Sunday to discuss banning Russia from the Rio Games starting on August 5. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday ruled against Russia's athletes in a decision seen as a key indicator as the IOC debates whether to kick out the whole Russian team. The IOC is facing international pressure to act tough on Russia and ban the entire team over bombshell revelations of a state-run doping system that has seen the country cheat its way to victory. Fourteen national anti-doping agencies including the United States, Canada and Germany sent a joint letter to IOC President Thomas Bach on Thursday urging him to ban Russia from Rio. Officials in Moscow have slammed the decision by CAS to reject its appeal against a ban from the world athletics body IAAF, calling it part of a broader political campaign by the West against Russia. The suspension of the track and field team already means that star athletes like pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and hurdler Sergey Shubenkov will not be in Rio. Isinbayeva who has threatened to call time on her career over the ban slammed the CAS ruling as a "funeral for athletics." Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko who has clung on despite the scandal said Moscow now hopes the IOC will defer to individual international sporting federations to decide whether other Russian squads can compete. Cold War The CAS ruling has been the focus of Olympic attention since an independent WADA report this week said Russia ran a "state-dictated failsafe system" of drug cheating in 30 sports at the 2014 Sochi Games and other major events. But Russia has found support from some international sports bodies, with the International Judo Federation (IJF) insisting all clean athletes should be allowed to take part in Rio. "We hope that by allowing participation of Russian athletes in Rio 2016, we will send out a positive message to all the young people who deserve to be given examples of friendship instead of examples of Cold War," said IJF president Marius Vizer. Individual Russian federations said they were now looking nervously ahead for the IOC to make its next move. "We're all in suspense waiting for the IOC decision," wrestling federation president Mikhail Mamiashvili told AFP. "I hope that the common sense and personal responsibility of those who will take the decision will prevail." The IAAF banned all of the Russian track and field team over allegations of state-sponsored doping but said athletes who prove they were not tainted by their country's corrupt system could be cleared. The IAAF has only gave permission for one Russian team member to compete as a neutral is US-based long jumper Darya Klishina to compete in Rio. The IOC has appeared to back the principle that international sporting federations could clear individual athletes in case of a blanket ban but with just two weeks to go until Rio time is slipping away. The Russian press had widely predicted that CAS would decide against Moscow and reaction was a mixture of soul-searching and criticism over systemic failings. "They accused us of setting up a system in the country based on doping and we didn't react at all to these accusations," wrote daily Sovietsky Sport. "That's why they're banning us." "Alas, everything that is happening with our sports is the fruit of our own errors," a column in usually pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda said, citing years of mismanagement. "It is far from certain that even the current apocalyptic storm will force us to change our sport. Maybe only if the IOC buries our team on Sunday." (AFP)

Russia braces for IOC ruling after CAS bans athletics squad

Australian top seed Samantha Stosur, defending Washington Open champion Sloane Stephens and German teen star Alexander Zverev are setting aside Zika virus fears to compete at the Rio Olympics. 
 
But Sam Querrey, who upset world number one Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, isn&#39;t going to Brazil because it just isn&#39;t that big a deal to him. 
 
Differing views over the mosquito-carried Zika virus and the rash of recent tennis withdrawals from Rio came out Monday on day one of the ATP and WTA event, the first hardcourt stop on the path to the US Open. 
 
&quot;It`s not something you want to take lightly,&quot; Stosur said after beating Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-0. 
 
&quot;Other people say there are going to be far worse things going on than Zika. It`s about being smart, following all the guidelines. I`ve had all the vaccinations. It certainly has entered my mind this time around.&quot; 
 
Several top NBA players, more than 20 men&#39;s golfers and several top tennis players have withdrawn from Rio, many but not all citing the potential for contracting Zika, which causes severe illness and has been linked to birth defects. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m kind of scared but I`m not having any kids any time soon so I should be OK,&quot; said Stephens, a 23-year-old American set to make her Olympic debut. 
 
&quot;Some people are way more sensitive and some people aren`t. It just depends on the person.&quot; 
 
Canada&#39;s seventh-ranked Milos Raonic, who lost the Wimbledon men&#39;s final to Britain&#39;s Andy Murray earlier in July, eighth-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych and Austria&#39;s ninth-rated Dominic Thiem all said no to Rio. 
 
So did 16th-ranked John Isner, the Washington men&#39;s top seed, and Querrey, who doesn&#39;t see tennis or golf as true Olympic sports. 
 
&quot;For tennis and golf, the Olympics isn&#39;t a top priority,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;We have four other Grand Slams. Those are the main focus. 
 
&quot;Some sports in the Olympics, (tennis) and golf, I feel like maybe shouldn`t be in there. It just wasn&#39;t a priority of mine at all.&quot; 
 
That&#39;s a stark contrast to 19-year-old Zverev, who at 27th in the world has become the youngest man to crack the top 30 since Djokovic in 2006. 
 
And Zverev has even suffered severe illness after a bug bite. 
 
&quot;I was at the US Open and something bit me,&quot; Zverev said. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m going to be very careful because of that. I only won one match the rest of the year. My leg got a lot swollen. I was really sick with fever, lost a lot of weight, couldn`t eat. 
 
&quot;You think about it, that&#39;s quite a serious thing. You don&#39;t want to get something but the Olympics is a very big event. 
 
&quot;I`m a little bit worried about the Zika virus. A lot of people have pulled out. But it&#39;s going to be a lot of fun.&quot; 
 
Isner has a first-round bye and a round-two date with Australian qualifier James Duckworth, who ousted American Tim Smyczek 7-5, 6-1. 
 
Aussie John Millman, Rio bound as well after Olympic pullouts by Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, advanced to a second-round match with Cypriot Marcus Bagjdatis by downing American Denis Kudla 7-5, 6-0. 
 
(AFP)

Alexander Zverev as become the youngest man to crack the top 30 since Djokovic in 2006

Australian top seed Samantha Stosur, defending Washington Open champion Sloane Stephens and German teen star Alexander Zverev are setting aside Zika virus fears to compete at the Rio Olympics. But Sam Querrey, who upset world number one Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, isn't going to Brazil because it just isn't that big a deal to him. Differing views over the mosquito-carried Zika virus and the rash of recent tennis withdrawals from Rio came out Monday on day one of the ATP and WTA event, the first hardcourt stop on the path to the US Open. "It`s not something you want to take lightly," Stosur said after beating Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-0. "Other people say there are going to be far worse things going on than Zika. It`s about being smart, following all the guidelines. I`ve had all the vaccinations. It certainly has entered my mind this time around." Several top NBA players, more than 20 men's golfers and several top tennis players have withdrawn from Rio, many but not all citing the potential for contracting Zika, which causes severe illness and has been linked to birth defects. "I'm kind of scared but I`m not having any kids any time soon so I should be OK," said Stephens, a 23-year-old American set to make her Olympic debut. "Some people are way more sensitive and some people aren`t. It just depends on the person." Canada's seventh-ranked Milos Raonic, who lost the Wimbledon men's final to Britain's Andy Murray earlier in July, eighth-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych and Austria's ninth-rated Dominic Thiem all said no to Rio. So did 16th-ranked John Isner, the Washington men's top seed, and Querrey, who doesn't see tennis or golf as true Olympic sports. "For tennis and golf, the Olympics isn't a top priority," he said. "We have four other Grand Slams. Those are the main focus. "Some sports in the Olympics, (tennis) and golf, I feel like maybe shouldn`t be in there. It just wasn't a priority of mine at all." That's a stark contrast to 19-year-old Zverev, who at 27th in the world has become the youngest man to crack the top 30 since Djokovic in 2006. And Zverev has even suffered severe illness after a bug bite. "I was at the US Open and something bit me," Zverev said. "I'm going to be very careful because of that. I only won one match the rest of the year. My leg got a lot swollen. I was really sick with fever, lost a lot of weight, couldn`t eat. "You think about it, that's quite a serious thing. You don't want to get something but the Olympics is a very big event. "I`m a little bit worried about the Zika virus. A lot of people have pulled out. But it's going to be a lot of fun." Isner has a first-round bye and a round-two date with Australian qualifier James Duckworth, who ousted American Tim Smyczek 7-5, 6-1. Aussie John Millman, Rio bound as well after Olympic pullouts by Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, advanced to a second-round match with Cypriot Marcus Bagjdatis by downing American Denis Kudla 7-5, 6-0. (AFP)

No Zika bite fright for Rio-bound Stosur, Zverev

Brazil said on Friday that it will bolster security for next month&#39;s Olympics in Rio following the truck attack in the French city of Nice. 
 
Brazil&#39;s interim president Michel Temer held an emergency meeting with his intelligence chief and members of his cabinet late Friday to weigh the next steps after the Nice attack, which killed at least 84 people. 
 
As he left the meeting, intelligence chief Sergio Etchegoyen said new security measures would include extra checkpoints, barricades and traffic restrictions. 
 
Brazil had already planned to deploy 85,000 police and soldiers to provide security for the Olympics, running August 5-21, which is double the number used in the 2012 London Games. 
 
Heightened fears, heightened security 
 
Etchegoyen said fears over security at the Rio Games had &quot;gone up a notch&quot; &nbsp;after the attack in Nice, where a Tunisian-born man drove a 19-tonne white truck into a huge crowd gathered to watch the annual Bastille Day fireworks display on Thursday, leaving a gruesome trail of bodies in his wake. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re trading a little comfort for a lot more security,&quot; he told a press conference at the presidential offices. 
 
Brazilian intelligence officials met with French counterparts for a briefing on the Nice attack, he said. 
 
Defense Minister Raul Jungmann expressed &quot;worries&quot; over the Nice attack. 
 
&quot;This worry will translate to more checkpoints, security, staff and procedures being put in place,&quot; he told reporters at an air force base near the Rio international airport. 
 
Jungmann said Brazil is corresponding with all 106 countries sending representatives to the event&#39;s international intelligence center. 
 
&quot;As of now, none of these countries have informed us of a potential or concrete threat of a terrorist attack in Brazil,&quot; Jungmann said. 
 
Brazil is already on alert after the French military intelligence chief said France had been informed of a planned terror attack on its team at the Rio Olympics. 
 
In June, Brazil&#39;s intelligence service said it had detected Portuguese-language messages linked to the Islamic State group on an online forum. 
 
An even more explicit warning came after bloody attacks in Paris in November, when a French jihadist tweeted that Brazil was the &quot;next target.&quot; 
 
Jungmann said officials will supervise the Olympic delegations based on the security threat they face, with countries including the United States and France labeled as high-risk. 
 
&quot;The dozen or so countries in that group will have special accompaniment,&quot; Jungmann said. 
 
Simulation exercises&nbsp; 
 
Security services staged simulation exercises in Rio to test counterterrorism response plans. 
 
Another exercise on &quot;confronting external threats&quot; is planned for today at the railway station in Deodoro, one of four Olympic zones in Rio along with Maracana, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca. 
 
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and Olympic organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman met with federal and regional government officials to assess plans, notably discussing a potential increase in street blockades. 
 
(AFP) 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The country had already planned to deploy 85,000 cops, soldiers, double the number used in 2012 London Games

Brazil said on Friday that it will bolster security for next month's Olympics in Rio following the truck attack in the French city of Nice. Brazil's interim president Michel Temer held an emergency meeting with his intelligence chief and members of his cabinet late Friday to weigh the next steps after the Nice attack, which killed at least 84 people. As he left the meeting, intelligence chief Sergio Etchegoyen said new security measures would include extra checkpoints, barricades and traffic restrictions. Brazil had already planned to deploy 85,000 police and soldiers to provide security for the Olympics, running August 5-21, which is double the number used in the 2012 London Games. Heightened fears, heightened security Etchegoyen said fears over security at the Rio Games had "gone up a notch" after the attack in Nice, where a Tunisian-born man drove a 19-tonne white truck into a huge crowd gathered to watch the annual Bastille Day fireworks display on Thursday, leaving a gruesome trail of bodies in his wake. "We're trading a little comfort for a lot more security," he told a press conference at the presidential offices. Brazilian intelligence officials met with French counterparts for a briefing on the Nice attack, he said. Defense Minister Raul Jungmann expressed "worries" over the Nice attack. "This worry will translate to more checkpoints, security, staff and procedures being put in place," he told reporters at an air force base near the Rio international airport. Jungmann said Brazil is corresponding with all 106 countries sending representatives to the event's international intelligence center. "As of now, none of these countries have informed us of a potential or concrete threat of a terrorist attack in Brazil," Jungmann said. Brazil is already on alert after the French military intelligence chief said France had been informed of a planned terror attack on its team at the Rio Olympics. In June, Brazil's intelligence service said it had detected Portuguese-language messages linked to the Islamic State group on an online forum. An even more explicit warning came after bloody attacks in Paris in November, when a French jihadist tweeted that Brazil was the "next target." Jungmann said officials will supervise the Olympic delegations based on the security threat they face, with countries including the United States and France labeled as high-risk. "The dozen or so countries in that group will have special accompaniment," Jungmann said. Simulation exercises Security services staged simulation exercises in Rio to test counterterrorism response plans. Another exercise on "confronting external threats" is planned for today at the railway station in Deodoro, one of four Olympic zones in Rio along with Maracana, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and Olympic organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman met with federal and regional government officials to assess plans, notably discussing a potential increase in street blockades. (AFP)

Brazil to bolster Olympics security to quell concerns after Nice attack

Amid increasing speculation surrounding his participation at the Rio Olympics, the Spanish Olympic Committee chief has confirmed that 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will represent his nation at the global spectacle. 
 
The 30-year-old, who is chosen as Spain&#39;s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony in Rio on August 5, still awaits the nod from the International Tennis Federation after he failed to meet qualifying criteria. 
 
Alejandro Blanco stated that he had no doubts over Nadal&#39;s participation while insisting that the Spanish maestro was training regularly to secure a medal in Rio, Sport24 reported. 
 
Nadal won the Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but missed the London Games with a knee injury four years later. 
 
The Spaniard&#39;s participation at the Rio Games was thrown into turmoil when he suffered a wrist injury which forced him to pull out of the French Open prematurely and ruled him out of the Wimbledon. 
 
He is due to play singles and also the mixed doubles with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza at Rio. 
 
(ANI)

Rafael Nadal awaits the nod from the International Tennis Federation after he failed to meet the qualifying criteria

Amid increasing speculation surrounding his participation at the Rio Olympics, the Spanish Olympic Committee chief has confirmed that 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will represent his nation at the global spectacle. The 30-year-old, who is chosen as Spain's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony in Rio on August 5, still awaits the nod from the International Tennis Federation after he failed to meet qualifying criteria. Alejandro Blanco stated that he had no doubts over Nadal's participation while insisting that the Spanish maestro was training regularly to secure a medal in Rio, Sport24 reported. Nadal won the Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but missed the London Games with a knee injury four years later. The Spaniard's participation at the Rio Games was thrown into turmoil when he suffered a wrist injury which forced him to pull out of the French Open prematurely and ruled him out of the Wimbledon. He is due to play singles and also the mixed doubles with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza at Rio. (ANI)

Nadal will be ready for Rio, insists Spanish Olympic chief

Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February and had surgery in March, will take part in her fourth Olympics after being named on Tuesday in a 17-strong squad for next month&#39;s Rio Games. 
 
The 30-year-old, who won a 4x100 metre freestyle relay gold in Beijing in 2008 as well as bronze in 2004 and silver in 2012, missed the European championships in London in May as she continued her recovery. 
 
The Dutch women won relay silver at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, last year with triple Olympic gold medallist Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Femke Heemskerk, Maud van der Meer and Marrit Steenbergen. 
 
More than four swimmers are often included in relay teams, with reserves slotted in for the heats before the top four compete in the final. 
Dekker was also down for the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly.&nbsp; 
 
The seven men in the squad, who will train in Sardinia before flying to Brazil, will be led by European 200m freestyle champion Sebastiaan Verschuren. Ten of the 17 are Olympic debutants. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s good to see the mix of experienced Olympic swimmers and young talents,&quot; said Dutch swimming managing director Jan Kossen.&nbsp;&quot;The number of novices at these Games also gives confidence to the more distant future.&quot; 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Inge Dekker will take part in her fourth Olympics in a 17-strong squad for next month's Rio Games

Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in February and had surgery in March, will take part in her fourth Olympics after being named on Tuesday in a 17-strong squad for next month's Rio Games. The 30-year-old, who won a 4x100 metre freestyle relay gold in Beijing in 2008 as well as bronze in 2004 and silver in 2012, missed the European championships in London in May as she continued her recovery. The Dutch women won relay silver at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, last year with triple Olympic gold medallist Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Femke Heemskerk, Maud van der Meer and Marrit Steenbergen. More than four swimmers are often included in relay teams, with reserves slotted in for the heats before the top four compete in the final. Dekker was also down for the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly. The seven men in the squad, who will train in Sardinia before flying to Brazil, will be led by European 200m freestyle champion Sebastiaan Verschuren. Ten of the 17 are Olympic debutants. "It's good to see the mix of experienced Olympic swimmers and young talents," said Dutch swimming managing director Jan Kossen. "The number of novices at these Games also gives confidence to the more distant future." (Reuters)

Dutch swimmer Dekker wins race to Rio after cancer surgery

Gymnast Simone Biles on Monday described her excitement at having made the US Olympics team after she recorded yet another crushing victory at the US Olympic women&#39;s gymnastics trials a day earlier. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s still unreal at the moment, but it&#39;s still very exciting &#39;cause I know that I am on the team but it&#39;s still sinking in,&quot; Biles told journalists in San Jose. 
 
The three-time reigning world all-around champion, who has not lost a major competition since 2013, will lead a powerhouse US squad into Rio that includes London Olympic gold medalists and Fierce Five team mates Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, 16-year-old Lauren Hernandez and Madison Kocian, the reigning world champion on uneven bars. 
 
Already in the discussion as the greatest gymnast of all-time, Biles punched her ticket to Rio in what has become typically ruthless style outdistancing the rest of the elite 14 women field by a whopping 2.100 points. 
 
With the formality of making the US team out of the way Biles has set her sights on the games in Rio where she is expected to challenge for five gold medals. 
 
(Reuters)

Simone Biles, the three-time reigning world champion, has not lost a major competition since 2013

Gymnast Simone Biles on Monday described her excitement at having made the US Olympics team after she recorded yet another crushing victory at the US Olympic women's gymnastics trials a day earlier. "It's still unreal at the moment, but it's still very exciting 'cause I know that I am on the team but it's still sinking in," Biles told journalists in San Jose. The three-time reigning world all-around champion, who has not lost a major competition since 2013, will lead a powerhouse US squad into Rio that includes London Olympic gold medalists and Fierce Five team mates Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, 16-year-old Lauren Hernandez and Madison Kocian, the reigning world champion on uneven bars. Already in the discussion as the greatest gymnast of all-time, Biles punched her ticket to Rio in what has become typically ruthless style outdistancing the rest of the elite 14 women field by a whopping 2.100 points. With the formality of making the US team out of the way Biles has set her sights on the games in Rio where she is expected to challenge for five gold medals. (Reuters)

Gymnast Biles wins US Olympic trials, targets Rio gold

Sprint king Usain Bolt was named to the Jamaican Olympic team in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m races despite an injury that kept him from qualifying at trials, the Jamaican Olympic Association said on Monday. 
 
The six-time Olympic gold medallist was forced to withdraw from his country&#39;s trials earlier this month with a hamstring injury but was allowed on Jamaica&#39;s team headed to the Rio Summer Games after applying for a medical exemption. 
 
The inclusion of the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m on the Rio-bound Jamaican team came a day after Bolt posted a photograph from Germany of himself back in training. 
 
Unlike in the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica&#39;s selection policy allows medical exemptions. 
 
The Jamaican roster was submitted ahead of the July 18 deadline for preliminary entries but final changes to the track and field team can be made up to August 10. 
 
Since Bolt was granted a medical exemption that allows him to be added to the team, he still needs to prove his fitness by the next Diamond League meeting in London on July 22, where he recently said he would run the 200m. 
 
The full 63-member Jamaican contingent consists of 59 track and field athletes, including two-time defending Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, two swimmers, one gymnast and one diver. 
 
Others receiving medical exemptions are Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment, world 200m bronze medallist Elaine Thompson, and 400m hurdler Janeive Russell. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Usain Bolt is named to the Jamaican team despite having dropped out of the trials because of a hamstring injury

Sprint king Usain Bolt was named to the Jamaican Olympic team in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m races despite an injury that kept him from qualifying at trials, the Jamaican Olympic Association said on Monday. The six-time Olympic gold medallist was forced to withdraw from his country's trials earlier this month with a hamstring injury but was allowed on Jamaica's team headed to the Rio Summer Games after applying for a medical exemption. The inclusion of the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m on the Rio-bound Jamaican team came a day after Bolt posted a photograph from Germany of himself back in training. Unlike in the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions. The Jamaican roster was submitted ahead of the July 18 deadline for preliminary entries but final changes to the track and field team can be made up to August 10. Since Bolt was granted a medical exemption that allows him to be added to the team, he still needs to prove his fitness by the next Diamond League meeting in London on July 22, where he recently said he would run the 200m. The full 63-member Jamaican contingent consists of 59 track and field athletes, including two-time defending Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, two swimmers, one gymnast and one diver. Others receiving medical exemptions are Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment, world 200m bronze medallist Elaine Thompson, and 400m hurdler Janeive Russell. (Reuters)

World's fastest man will run in the Olympics

A Court of Arbitration for Sport decision on the two-year doping ban for Maria Sharapova has been put back two months to September, the court said today, ruling the tennis superstar out of the Rio Olympics. 
 
The 29-year-old Russian, one of the biggest names in tennis, tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January`s Australian Open, in a severe blow to her reputation. 
 
&quot;Maria Sharapova and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have agreed to defer the CAS decision until September 2016,&quot; said a CAS statement. 
 
&quot;Due to the parties requiring additional time to complete and respond to their respective evidentiary submissions, and several scheduling conflicts, the parties have agreed not to expedite the appeal. A decision is expected to be issued by September 19, 2016.&quot; 
 
The original ruling was expected by July 18, with Sharapova hoping that a successful appeal would have allowed her to spearhead the Russian tennis team in Rio. 
 
Russia&#39;s participation at the Games, which begin on August 5, is already under fierce scrutiny after its track and field team was banned for separate state-sponsored doping. 
 
Sharapova&#39;s ban was backdated to January 26 this year, when she tested positive for the prohibited substance. 
 
Meldonium was added to the world anti-doping WADA list on January 1. Sharapova said she had been taking it for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency. 
 
Sharapova has previously blasted the ban as &quot;unfairly harsh&quot;. 
 
The CAS statement added: &quot;In her appeal to the CAS, Ms Sharapova seeks the annulment of the (ITF) tribunal`s decision to sanction her with a two-year period of ineligibility further to an anti-doping rule violation.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Ms Sharapova submits that the period of ineligibility should be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced. The final decision will be announced and published by CAS when it is available.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Maria Sharapova, one of the biggest names in tennis, tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January's Australian Open

A Court of Arbitration for Sport decision on the two-year doping ban for Maria Sharapova has been put back two months to September, the court said today, ruling the tennis superstar out of the Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old Russian, one of the biggest names in tennis, tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January`s Australian Open, in a severe blow to her reputation. "Maria Sharapova and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have agreed to defer the CAS decision until September 2016," said a CAS statement. "Due to the parties requiring additional time to complete and respond to their respective evidentiary submissions, and several scheduling conflicts, the parties have agreed not to expedite the appeal. A decision is expected to be issued by September 19, 2016." The original ruling was expected by July 18, with Sharapova hoping that a successful appeal would have allowed her to spearhead the Russian tennis team in Rio. Russia's participation at the Games, which begin on August 5, is already under fierce scrutiny after its track and field team was banned for separate state-sponsored doping. Sharapova's ban was backdated to January 26 this year, when she tested positive for the prohibited substance. Meldonium was added to the world anti-doping WADA list on January 1. Sharapova said she had been taking it for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency. Sharapova has previously blasted the ban as "unfairly harsh". The CAS statement added: "In her appeal to the CAS, Ms Sharapova seeks the annulment of the (ITF) tribunal`s decision to sanction her with a two-year period of ineligibility further to an anti-doping rule violation. "Ms Sharapova submits that the period of ineligibility should be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced. The final decision will be announced and published by CAS when it is available." (AFP)

Sharapova out of Rio as CAS delays doping decision

United States-based long jumper Darya Klishina became the first Russian athlete today to be cleared to compete at the Rio Olympics, but the fate of pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva was still up in the air. 
 
The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), which has suspended the Russian track and field team over state-sponsored doping, said it had given the go-ahead for Klishina to compete in international competition as a &#39;neutral&#39;, ahead of the Rio Games next month. 
 
&quot;The IAAF Doping Review Board has today agreed that Russian long jump athlete Darya Klishina meets the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as a neutral athlete,&quot; the IAAF said in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Doping Review Board received a total of 136 applications from Russian athletes seeking exceptional eligibility to compete in an individual capacity,&quot; the statement said.&nbsp; 
 
The Russian Olympic Committee said that of the 136 who applied to the IAAF to compete, only Klishina had been accepted.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Rejections have come for everyone, except for Klishina,&quot; Alexandra Brilliantova, the head of the Olympic Committee&#39;s legal department, told state-run TASS news agency.&nbsp; 
 
Among those rejected were gold medallist pole vaulter Isinbayeva and world champion hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, trainers for the two athletes both based in Russia confirmed. 
 
Russian track and field stars, including Isinbayeva, still hoping to go to Rio now hope that the Court of Arbitrations for Sport (CAS) will overturn the blanket ban. 
 
Russia, last month, had its suspension over allegations of institutionalised and pervasive doping upheld by the IAAF, athletics ruling body. 
 
But it left the door ajar to some Russian competitors not tainted by doping to compete as neutrals in Rio.&nbsp; 
 
CAS said Monday it will decide whether to overturn the ban by July 21, two weeks before the start of the Rio Games.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

The Russian Olympic Committee said that of the 136 who applied to the IAAF to compete, only Darya Klishina had been accepted

United States-based long jumper Darya Klishina became the first Russian athlete today to be cleared to compete at the Rio Olympics, but the fate of pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva was still up in the air. The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), which has suspended the Russian track and field team over state-sponsored doping, said it had given the go-ahead for Klishina to compete in international competition as a 'neutral', ahead of the Rio Games next month. "The IAAF Doping Review Board has today agreed that Russian long jump athlete Darya Klishina meets the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as a neutral athlete," the IAAF said in a statement. "The Doping Review Board received a total of 136 applications from Russian athletes seeking exceptional eligibility to compete in an individual capacity," the statement said. The Russian Olympic Committee said that of the 136 who applied to the IAAF to compete, only Klishina had been accepted. "Rejections have come for everyone, except for Klishina," Alexandra Brilliantova, the head of the Olympic Committee's legal department, told state-run TASS news agency. Among those rejected were gold medallist pole vaulter Isinbayeva and world champion hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, trainers for the two athletes both based in Russia confirmed. Russian track and field stars, including Isinbayeva, still hoping to go to Rio now hope that the Court of Arbitrations for Sport (CAS) will overturn the blanket ban. Russia, last month, had its suspension over allegations of institutionalised and pervasive doping upheld by the IAAF, athletics ruling body. But it left the door ajar to some Russian competitors not tainted by doping to compete as neutrals in Rio. CAS said Monday it will decide whether to overturn the ban by July 21, two weeks before the start of the Rio Games. (AFP)

Darya?Klishina only Russian athlete to be cleared to compete as 'neutral' at Rio 2016

World number two Dustin Johnson, who won his first major title at the US Open Golf Championship in June, won&#39;t play in the Rio Olympics because of concerns over the Zika virus. 
 
In a statement released to the Golf Channel on Friday by his agent, David Winkle of Hambric Sports Management, Johnson said his hopes of expanding his family with fiancee Paulina Gretzky meant it would be &quot;irresponsible&quot; to risk contracting the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects. 
 
&quot;As an athlete, I can think of no greater honour than representing the United States in the Olympic Games,&quot; Johnson&#39;s statement said. &quot;However, after much careful consideration and discussion with both my family and my team, I have made the decision to withdraw from the 2016 Olympic Games. 
 
&quot;This was not an easy decision for me, but my concerns about the Zika Virus cannot be ignored,&quot; added Johnson, who has a one-year-old son, Tatum. 
 
&quot;Paulina and I plan to have more children in the near future, and I feel it would be irresponsible to put myself, her or our family at risk. I believe I am making the right decision for me and most importantly, my family.&quot; 
 
Johnson joined an exodus of top golfers from the Games which has taken the sheen off the sport&#39;s return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. 
 
World number one Jason Day, Northern Ireland&#39;s Rory McIlroy, Australian Adam Scott and Japan&#39;s 17th-ranked Hideki Matsuyma have all mentioned Zika as a consideration in opting out of Rio. 
 
Johnson, who indicated last week that he expected to play in Rio, is the first eligible US golfer to pull out, but he might not be the last. 
Former world number one Jordan Spieth has also voiced interest in playing but has yet to confirm that he will. 
 
(AFP)

The world number two had said he expected to play in Rio. Now he's the first eligible US golfer to pull out, but might not be the last

World number two Dustin Johnson, who won his first major title at the US Open Golf Championship in June, won't play in the Rio Olympics because of concerns over the Zika virus. In a statement released to the Golf Channel on Friday by his agent, David Winkle of Hambric Sports Management, Johnson said his hopes of expanding his family with fiancee Paulina Gretzky meant it would be "irresponsible" to risk contracting the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects. "As an athlete, I can think of no greater honour than representing the United States in the Olympic Games," Johnson's statement said. "However, after much careful consideration and discussion with both my family and my team, I have made the decision to withdraw from the 2016 Olympic Games. "This was not an easy decision for me, but my concerns about the Zika Virus cannot be ignored," added Johnson, who has a one-year-old son, Tatum. "Paulina and I plan to have more children in the near future, and I feel it would be irresponsible to put myself, her or our family at risk. I believe I am making the right decision for me and most importantly, my family." Johnson joined an exodus of top golfers from the Games which has taken the sheen off the sport's return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. World number one Jason Day, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Australian Adam Scott and Japan's 17th-ranked Hideki Matsuyma have all mentioned Zika as a consideration in opting out of Rio. Johnson, who indicated last week that he expected to play in Rio, is the first eligible US golfer to pull out, but he might not be the last. Former world number one Jordan Spieth has also voiced interest in playing but has yet to confirm that he will. (AFP)

Dustin Johnson pulls out of Olympics over Zika concerns

India&#39;s Anirban Lahiri has targeted a top 10 finish at next week&#39;s British Open at Royal Troon as the reigning Asian Tour number one gears up for a bumper month of golf that ends with the Rio Olympics in August. 
 
Lahiri, who turned 29 last week, finished tied for 31st in his British Open debut in 2012 and will make his fourth appearance at the championship at the Scottish links from July 14-17. 
 
&quot;The Open is truly a special tournament,&quot; Lahiri told the Asian Tour. &quot;I&#39;ve had a couple of decent outings but feel like I missed out both times on a top-10 finish. 
 
&quot;Hopefully Troon suits my eye and I can play consistently throughout the week. A top-10 or better would be my goal this year. 
 
&quot;I like playing links courses,&quot; Lahiri added. &quot;You have to be creative and strategically efficient to play well on them. Also I am comfortable flighting down my ball-flight, which is a must in windy conditions. 
 
Lahiri, whose tied fifth finish at the PGA Championship last year is the best by an Indian golfer, feels consistency has been lacking from his game in his first full season on the PGA Tour. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s been a very slow and sluggish season. I have been inconsistent and have got off to good starts on a few occasions only to have a disappointing weekend. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s frustrating when your &#39;A&#39; game feels right around the corner but does not show up as frequently as you would like. 
 
&quot;In any case the first season on a new tour is always the toughest and I&#39;m satisfied that I am in a good position to keep my playing privileges for next year.&quot; 
 
While a number of top-ranked male golfers have withdrawn from the Rio Games due to Zika fears, Lahiri, ranked 62nd in the world, is excited at the prospect of representing India at the Aug. 5-21 Games, which will see the sport return to the Olympics after a 112-year gap. 
 
&quot;Managing energy levels and conditioning are a big challenge this season,&quot; Lahiri added. &quot;I will look to skip a few events leading up to the big ones if I feel like I need to take a break. 
 
&quot;My coach will be here in America for two weeks to work on all aspects of the game and sharpen it up for the majors and the Olympics. 
 
&quot;Hopefully I can pace myself just right to peak during the majors and Olympics. That&#39;s the goal.&rdquo; 
 
(Reuters)

Lahiri finished tied for 31st in his British Open debut in 2012 and will make his fourth appearance at the championship

India's Anirban Lahiri has targeted a top 10 finish at next week's British Open at Royal Troon as the reigning Asian Tour number one gears up for a bumper month of golf that ends with the Rio Olympics in August. Lahiri, who turned 29 last week, finished tied for 31st in his British Open debut in 2012 and will make his fourth appearance at the championship at the Scottish links from July 14-17. "The Open is truly a special tournament," Lahiri told the Asian Tour. "I've had a couple of decent outings but feel like I missed out both times on a top-10 finish. "Hopefully Troon suits my eye and I can play consistently throughout the week. A top-10 or better would be my goal this year. "I like playing links courses," Lahiri added. "You have to be creative and strategically efficient to play well on them. Also I am comfortable flighting down my ball-flight, which is a must in windy conditions. Lahiri, whose tied fifth finish at the PGA Championship last year is the best by an Indian golfer, feels consistency has been lacking from his game in his first full season on the PGA Tour. "It's been a very slow and sluggish season. I have been inconsistent and have got off to good starts on a few occasions only to have a disappointing weekend. "It's frustrating when your 'A' game feels right around the corner but does not show up as frequently as you would like. "In any case the first season on a new tour is always the toughest and I'm satisfied that I am in a good position to keep my playing privileges for next year." While a number of top-ranked male golfers have withdrawn from the Rio Games due to Zika fears, Lahiri, ranked 62nd in the world, is excited at the prospect of representing India at the Aug. 5-21 Games, which will see the sport return to the Olympics after a 112-year gap. "Managing energy levels and conditioning are a big challenge this season," Lahiri added. "I will look to skip a few events leading up to the big ones if I feel like I need to take a break. "My coach will be here in America for two weeks to work on all aspects of the game and sharpen it up for the majors and the Olympics. "Hopefully I can pace myself just right to peak during the majors and Olympics. That's the goal.” (Reuters)

India's Anirban Lahiri targets British Open top 10

Zimbabwe&#39;s Brendon de Jonge added his name to the list of golfers withdrawing from the Olympics today, as Spain&#39;s Sergio Garcia confirmed he will compete in Rio. 
 
While world number one Jason Day of Australia and Northern Ireland`s Rory McIlroy are among the golfers skipping the Rio Games because of concerns over the Zika virus, de Jonge said his was a &quot;truly a business decision&quot;. 
 
&quot;The reason for my decision is not my concern about the Zika virus. It is truly a business decision,&quot; De Jonge said in a statement to GolfChannel.com. &quot;It would have been a great honour to play for my country.&quot; 
 
De Jonge is currently 160th on the FedEx Cup points list and needs to finish in the top 125 at the end of the season to keep full playing rights. Competing in the Rio Games from August 5-21 would mean missing two PGA Tour events. 
 
&quot;I am truly disappointed, but my current position on the FedEx Cup points list does not allow me the luxury to skip the John Deere Classic or the Travelers Championship,&quot; the 35-year-old added. 
 
&quot;I must finish in the top 125 to gain entry into our FedEx Cup play-offs. This has to be a priority for me and my family.&quot; 
 
De Jonge`s withdrawal means that Zimbabwe will not be represented in Rio, but Spain&#39;s Garcia said he will take up his place as golf returns to the Games for the first time since 1904. 
 
Garcia, 36, wrote on Twitter: &quot;I know there r some dangers but representing Spain, trying to make golf grow &amp; becoming an Olympian r too important so I`ll be at @Olympics.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Spain's Sergio Garcia said he will take up his place as golf returns to the Games for the first time since 1904

Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge added his name to the list of golfers withdrawing from the Olympics today, as Spain's Sergio Garcia confirmed he will compete in Rio. While world number one Jason Day of Australia and Northern Ireland`s Rory McIlroy are among the golfers skipping the Rio Games because of concerns over the Zika virus, de Jonge said his was a "truly a business decision". "The reason for my decision is not my concern about the Zika virus. It is truly a business decision," De Jonge said in a statement to GolfChannel.com. "It would have been a great honour to play for my country." De Jonge is currently 160th on the FedEx Cup points list and needs to finish in the top 125 at the end of the season to keep full playing rights. Competing in the Rio Games from August 5-21 would mean missing two PGA Tour events. "I am truly disappointed, but my current position on the FedEx Cup points list does not allow me the luxury to skip the John Deere Classic or the Travelers Championship," the 35-year-old added. "I must finish in the top 125 to gain entry into our FedEx Cup play-offs. This has to be a priority for me and my family." De Jonge`s withdrawal means that Zimbabwe will not be represented in Rio, but Spain's Garcia said he will take up his place as golf returns to the Games for the first time since 1904. Garcia, 36, wrote on Twitter: "I know there r some dangers but representing Spain, trying to make golf grow & becoming an Olympian r too important so I`ll be at @Olympics." (AFP)

Golf: De Jonge out, Garcia confirms for Olympics

Russian doping whistleblower Yulia Stepanova&#39;s application to compete as an individual athlete has been accepted, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said today. 
 
The former drugs cheat&#39;s revelations helped to expose the massive doping problem in her country and the middle-distance runner left Russia and went into hiding after disclosing the issue. 
 
Stepanova could now make a comeback as soon as July 6 in the 800m after European Athletics approved her participation at the continental championships in Amsterdam. 
 
The IAAF said its doping review board unanimously accepted Stepanova&#39;s application and that they had received more than 80 formal requests from Russian athletes seeking exceptional eligibility to compete in an individual capacity. 
 
&quot;Stepanova is now eligible to compete in international competitions as an independent neutral athlete,&quot; the IAAF said in a statement. 
 
European Athletics reiterated the IAAF&#39;s views and said it recognised Stepanova&#39;s &quot;exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of clean athletes&quot; and cleared her to compete in Amsterdam next week. 
 
&quot;If Stepanova takes her place in Amsterdam, she will compete under the European Athletics flag and is scheduled to compete in the first round of the women&#39;s 800m on Wednesday 6 July,&quot; European Athletics said in a statement. 
 
It was still unclear, however, if the middle distance runner would now be eligible to compete at the Rio Olympics, with the IAAF saying it was up to organisers to decide. 
 
&quot;Ms Stepanova&#39;s participation as a neutral athlete in international competition is still subject to acceptance by the organiser of the competition in question, in accordance with the rules of that competition,&quot; the IAAF said. 
 
Russian track and field athletes are suspended from competing anywhere after a series of reports, triggered by Stepanova&#39;s revelations, painted a picture of systematic doping in the country and led to the launch of several investigations. 
 
The IAAF has said only some Russian track and field athletes fulfilling exceptional criteria, including repeated drugs testing outside Russia, can take part in the Rio Games under a neutral flag. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, insists any Russian track and field athlete cleared to compete in the Games starting on Aug. 5 would do so under the country&#39;s flag, appeasing Moscow in the run-up to the Rio Games. 
 
More than 65 Russian athletes have since filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, saying they should not be punished along with drugs cheats. 
 
Earlier this month, the IOC said while it was the international federation that was in charge of determining eligibility, it was the Olympic committee of each country that called up the team, overruling the IAAF over the flag issue. 
 
(Reuters)

Stepanova's revelations exposed massive doping in the country, leading to suspension of several Russian athletes

Russian doping whistleblower Yulia Stepanova's application to compete as an individual athlete has been accepted, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said today. The former drugs cheat's revelations helped to expose the massive doping problem in her country and the middle-distance runner left Russia and went into hiding after disclosing the issue. Stepanova could now make a comeback as soon as July 6 in the 800m after European Athletics approved her participation at the continental championships in Amsterdam. The IAAF said its doping review board unanimously accepted Stepanova's application and that they had received more than 80 formal requests from Russian athletes seeking exceptional eligibility to compete in an individual capacity. "Stepanova is now eligible to compete in international competitions as an independent neutral athlete," the IAAF said in a statement. European Athletics reiterated the IAAF's views and said it recognised Stepanova's "exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of clean athletes" and cleared her to compete in Amsterdam next week. "If Stepanova takes her place in Amsterdam, she will compete under the European Athletics flag and is scheduled to compete in the first round of the women's 800m on Wednesday 6 July," European Athletics said in a statement. It was still unclear, however, if the middle distance runner would now be eligible to compete at the Rio Olympics, with the IAAF saying it was up to organisers to decide. "Ms Stepanova's participation as a neutral athlete in international competition is still subject to acceptance by the organiser of the competition in question, in accordance with the rules of that competition," the IAAF said. Russian track and field athletes are suspended from competing anywhere after a series of reports, triggered by Stepanova's revelations, painted a picture of systematic doping in the country and led to the launch of several investigations. The IAAF has said only some Russian track and field athletes fulfilling exceptional criteria, including repeated drugs testing outside Russia, can take part in the Rio Games under a neutral flag. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, insists any Russian track and field athlete cleared to compete in the Games starting on Aug. 5 would do so under the country's flag, appeasing Moscow in the run-up to the Rio Games. More than 65 Russian athletes have since filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, saying they should not be punished along with drugs cheats. Earlier this month, the IOC said while it was the international federation that was in charge of determining eligibility, it was the Olympic committee of each country that called up the team, overruling the IAAF over the flag issue. (Reuters)

IAAF: Russian doping whistleblower Stepanova eligible to compete as independent neutral in Rio

Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal is better equipped to win a medal in Rio in August than she was when she claimed a bronze at the London Olympics four years ago, according to former All England champion Prakash Padukone. 
 
Hopes that the former world number one can turn bronze into a first Olympic gold medal in the sport for her country were raised when Nehwal won the 2016 Australian Superseries title. 
 
Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who beat former world champions Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and Wang Yihan before overpowering China&#39;s Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. 
 
&quot;Saina has a lot more variety now,&quot; former men&#39;s world number one Padukone said in an interview. &quot;I think she plays a lot more at the net now. Earlier her game was more or less predictable. She had a few strokes, she used to keep playing them and there were not many variations. Now she has developed a lot more strokes, specially at the net. She is much more confident and that has made a big difference.&quot; 
 
The victory in Australia came at just the right time for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China, and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. 
 
Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980 long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the 26-year-old&#39;s game just needed a bit of tweaking. 
 
&quot;Tactically she can do a little bit more. Maybe a plan A and plan B, which I&#39;m sure she already has,&quot; said Padukone. &quot;Maybe if something doesn&#39;t work, then she has to have a different plan. It&#39;s just the question of a little bit of polishing. She definitely has everything otherwise she wouldn&#39;t have been where she is.&quot; 
 
China has long been the dominant force in the sport, sweeping all five titles at London four years ago, but their shuttlers no longer top the world rankings heading to Rio. While Malaysian Lee Chong Wei tops the men&#39;s singles rankings, Carolina Marin of Spain leads the women&#39;s list with Nehwal in sixth place. 
 
World Badminton has also limited each nation to two singles entrants in each event, down from the three at London and previous Games. Padukone feels that makes a Chinese sweep of badminton gold in Rio less likely. 
 
&quot;They are no longer the dominating force going by the results we have seen in the last 12 to 24 months,&quot; Padukone said. &quot;Earlier when the draw used to come, everybody used to hope there are no Chinese. That&#39;s no longer the case, that fear is not there anymore. That&#39;s good for the game. For the Indians, though they wouldn&#39;t say it, but it used to be a mind-block.&quot; 
 
India&#39;s best chance of medals will come in the women&#39;s singles, Padukone said, where as well as Nehwal they have PV Sindhu ranked 10th in the world. 
 
Padukone said the most important thing for the Indian shuttlers was to peak during the Rio Games. 
 
&quot;When you go there it doesn&#39;t matter if in the last two months you have beaten all the top players and you have been the world number one,&quot; Padukone said. &quot;It&#39;s important that you reach the peak and play your best during that particular week. That&#39;s what will count ultimately and will be the key.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980, said the 26-year-old's game just needed a bit of tweaking

Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal is better equipped to win a medal in Rio in August than she was when she claimed a bronze at the London Olympics four years ago, according to former All England champion Prakash Padukone. Hopes that the former world number one can turn bronze into a first Olympic gold medal in the sport for her country were raised when Nehwal won the 2016 Australian Superseries title. Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who beat former world champions Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and Wang Yihan before overpowering China's Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. "Saina has a lot more variety now," former men's world number one Padukone said in an interview. "I think she plays a lot more at the net now. Earlier her game was more or less predictable. She had a few strokes, she used to keep playing them and there were not many variations. Now she has developed a lot more strokes, specially at the net. She is much more confident and that has made a big difference." The victory in Australia came at just the right time for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China, and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. Padukone, who won the All England title in 1980 long before badminton was admitted to the Olympics in 1992, said the 26-year-old's game just needed a bit of tweaking. "Tactically she can do a little bit more. Maybe a plan A and plan B, which I'm sure she already has," said Padukone. "Maybe if something doesn't work, then she has to have a different plan. It's just the question of a little bit of polishing. She definitely has everything otherwise she wouldn't have been where she is." China has long been the dominant force in the sport, sweeping all five titles at London four years ago, but their shuttlers no longer top the world rankings heading to Rio. While Malaysian Lee Chong Wei tops the men's singles rankings, Carolina Marin of Spain leads the women's list with Nehwal in sixth place. World Badminton has also limited each nation to two singles entrants in each event, down from the three at London and previous Games. Padukone feels that makes a Chinese sweep of badminton gold in Rio less likely. "They are no longer the dominating force going by the results we have seen in the last 12 to 24 months," Padukone said. "Earlier when the draw used to come, everybody used to hope there are no Chinese. That's no longer the case, that fear is not there anymore. That's good for the game. For the Indians, though they wouldn't say it, but it used to be a mind-block." India's best chance of medals will come in the women's singles, Padukone said, where as well as Nehwal they have PV Sindhu ranked 10th in the world. Padukone said the most important thing for the Indian shuttlers was to peak during the Rio Games. "When you go there it doesn't matter if in the last two months you have beaten all the top players and you have been the world number one," Padukone said. "It's important that you reach the peak and play your best during that particular week. That's what will count ultimately and will be the key." (Reuters)

Former badminton great Padukone pins Olympic medal hopes on India's Saina Nehwal

Twice major winner Jordan Spieth is still undecided about whether to participate in August&#39;s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games or opt out because of the Zika virus like several of his fellow professionals. 
 
The American world number two is the highest-ranked golfer left in the field after number one Jason Day withdrew on Tuesday, citing concerns over Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas. 
 
&quot;Right now, I&#39;m uncertain,&quot; Spieth told reporters ahead of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. 
 
&quot;I have not received enough information to make an informed decision either way or not so as we gather more information I will be able to make a decision one way or the other. 
 
&quot;When I feel confident, I will make a decision either side.&quot; 
 
Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but the Games have already been hit by several high-profile withdrawals. 
 
Ireland&#39;s Shane Lowry, the world number 25, also withdrew on Tuesday, saying his decision was based on firm medical advice. 
 
World number four Rory McIlroy pulled out this month, saying the risk of contracting Zika was one he was &quot;unwilling to take&quot;. 
 
Fiji&#39;s Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, have also withdrawn because of the virus, along with Australia&#39;s Marc Leishman. 
 
World number eight Adam Scott has confirmed he will not travel to Rio because of his busy schedule. 
 
The Zika virus can cause crippling defects in babies and has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre in adults. 
 
(Reuters)

Jordan Spieth, the world number two is the highest-ranked golfer left in the field after number one Jason Day withdrew on Tuesday

Twice major winner Jordan Spieth is still undecided about whether to participate in August's Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games or opt out because of the Zika virus like several of his fellow professionals. The American world number two is the highest-ranked golfer left in the field after number one Jason Day withdrew on Tuesday, citing concerns over Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas. "Right now, I'm uncertain," Spieth told reporters ahead of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. "I have not received enough information to make an informed decision either way or not so as we gather more information I will be able to make a decision one way or the other. "When I feel confident, I will make a decision either side." Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but the Games have already been hit by several high-profile withdrawals. Ireland's Shane Lowry, the world number 25, also withdrew on Tuesday, saying his decision was based on firm medical advice. World number four Rory McIlroy pulled out this month, saying the risk of contracting Zika was one he was "unwilling to take". Fiji's Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, have also withdrawn because of the virus, along with Australia's Marc Leishman. World number eight Adam Scott has confirmed he will not travel to Rio because of his busy schedule. The Zika virus can cause crippling defects in babies and has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre in adults. (Reuters)

Golfer Spieth unsure about taking part in Rio

India&#39;s pistol ace Jitu Rai clinched the silver medal at the ISSF Shooting World Cup after posting a score of 199.5 in the finals of the 10m air pistol event today. 
 
The 28-year-old, who won his sixth World Cup medal, finished second behind Brazillian Felipe Almeida Wu, who shot 200 to claim the gold medal. 
 
Jin Jongoh of South Korea settled for bronze with a score of 178.8.With the silver podium finish, Jitu has reaffirmed faith that he is in good shape ahead of the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil starting from August 5. 
 
On Friday, the world number one in 50m pistol had finished tenth in the qualification round of the event in Baku. Last September, he had become the first Indian shooter to earn a Rio quota with a second place finish at the World Championships in Spain. 
 
(ANI)

The 28-year-old won his sixth World Cup medal, finished second behind Brazillian Felipe Almeida Wu

India's pistol ace Jitu Rai clinched the silver medal at the ISSF Shooting World Cup after posting a score of 199.5 in the finals of the 10m air pistol event today. The 28-year-old, who won his sixth World Cup medal, finished second behind Brazillian Felipe Almeida Wu, who shot 200 to claim the gold medal. Jin Jongoh of South Korea settled for bronze with a score of 178.8.With the silver podium finish, Jitu has reaffirmed faith that he is in good shape ahead of the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil starting from August 5. On Friday, the world number one in 50m pistol had finished tenth in the qualification round of the event in Baku. Last September, he had become the first Indian shooter to earn a Rio quota with a second place finish at the World Championships in Spain. (ANI)

Indian shooter Jitu Rai bags silver in Baku World Cup

LeBron James reportedly joined an NBA All-Star lineup of talent Thursday that will not play for the United States at the Rio Olympics, while Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant will try to bring the Americans a third consecutive gold medal. 
 
A flurry of reports ahead of next week&#39;s announcement of the final US roster for Brazil was topped when Cleveland.com said James has told USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he will not play in August. 
 
&quot;I could use the rest,&quot; James told the website. 
 
James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the greatest-ever NBA Finals comeback to dethrone the Golden State Warriors, cited the grind of having logged so much court time through six consecutive trips to the finals. 
 
NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring leader Stephen Curry of Golden State said during the finals that he would not play in Rio. 
 
Star guards Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and James Harden of Houston also have backed out of consideration, as have San Antonio forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Washington forward John Wall, Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis of New Orleans. 
 
Joining that group Thursday were Portland&#39;s Damian Lillard, who wants to rehabilitate a plantar fascitis injury; Utah forward Gordon Hayward and San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard. 
 
The pullout brings back memories of 2004, when security worries were a concern in the Athens run-up and many top names withdrew. Those who played could only muster bronze. 
 
The roster to be named next week by USA Basketball is expected to include Oklahoma City star Durant and New York playmaker Anthony plus Indiana&#39;s Paul George, Golden State&#39;s Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento&#39;s DeMarcus Cousins, Chicagos Jimmy Butler, the Clippers&#39; DeAndre Jordan, and Toronto&#39;s Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Two other available spots could include Cleveland star guard Kyrie Irving, who played a key role alongside James in bringing the first sports title to Cleveland since 1964. 
 
A source told the website a desire to rest his body from the title run to better prepare his bid to defend the crown was his only reason for not playing in Rio, the Zika virus not playing a role in his decision. 
 
James, 31, sparked the US squad of NBA stars to gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. He is the US team&#39;s all-time scoring leader with 273 points and second in total rebounds with 95. 
 
He was also a reserve on the 2004 US team that settled for bronze at Athens and on the US team that finished third at the 2010 world championships in Japan. 
 
&quot;King&quot; James is one of three men to play on three Olympic basketball teams and in 2012, he became one of the select few to win an NBA crown and Olympic gold in the same year. 
 
(AFP)

Cleveland.com said James has told USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he will not play in August

LeBron James reportedly joined an NBA All-Star lineup of talent Thursday that will not play for the United States at the Rio Olympics, while Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant will try to bring the Americans a third consecutive gold medal. A flurry of reports ahead of next week's announcement of the final US roster for Brazil was topped when Cleveland.com said James has told USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he will not play in August. "I could use the rest," James told the website. James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the greatest-ever NBA Finals comeback to dethrone the Golden State Warriors, cited the grind of having logged so much court time through six consecutive trips to the finals. NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring leader Stephen Curry of Golden State said during the finals that he would not play in Rio. Star guards Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and James Harden of Houston also have backed out of consideration, as have San Antonio forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Washington forward John Wall, Clippers forward Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis of New Orleans. Joining that group Thursday were Portland's Damian Lillard, who wants to rehabilitate a plantar fascitis injury; Utah forward Gordon Hayward and San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard. The pullout brings back memories of 2004, when security worries were a concern in the Athens run-up and many top names withdrew. Those who played could only muster bronze. The roster to be named next week by USA Basketball is expected to include Oklahoma City star Durant and New York playmaker Anthony plus Indiana's Paul George, Golden State's Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Chicagos Jimmy Butler, the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan, and Toronto's Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Two other available spots could include Cleveland star guard Kyrie Irving, who played a key role alongside James in bringing the first sports title to Cleveland since 1964. A source told the website a desire to rest his body from the title run to better prepare his bid to defend the crown was his only reason for not playing in Rio, the Zika virus not playing a role in his decision. James, 31, sparked the US squad of NBA stars to gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. He is the US team's all-time scoring leader with 273 points and second in total rebounds with 95. He was also a reserve on the 2004 US team that settled for bronze at Athens and on the US team that finished third at the 2010 world championships in Japan. "King" James is one of three men to play on three Olympic basketball teams and in 2012, he became one of the select few to win an NBA crown and Olympic gold in the same year. (AFP)

LeBron out, Carmelo in for US team at Rio Olympics

Tokyo officials have scrapped plans to attend the Rio Olympics in a bid to cut spending after a financial scandal cost the city governor,&nbsp;Yoichi Masuzoe,&nbsp;his job, local media said today. 
 
The decision comes just days after Masuzoe resigned for spending public money intended for political campaigns on lavish hotels and spa trips, the latest embarrassing gaffe on the city&#39;s troubled road to hosting the 2020 Olympics. 
 
The Tokyo metropolitan assembly has cancelled plans for 27 of its members to view operations at this summer&#39;s Rio Games as costs for the trip have sky-rocketed from initial estimates of 62 million yen (around $600,000), the Nikkei business daily reported. 
 
The U-turn comes after citizens lobbied the assembly to reconsider, although some officials are said to be looking into paying their own way to Rio, citing the need to be there as organisers of the next Summer Olympics. 
 
Masuzoe stepped down last week hours before facing a no-confidence vote, becoming the city&#39;s second governor to quit since Tokyo was named host of the 2020 Games. 
 
His predecessor Naoki Inose -- who led the capital&#39;s successful Olympic bid -- bowed out in late 2013 after also becoming embroiled in a personal finance scandal. 
 
Masuzoe&#39;s woes began in April when reports emerged he was using his official car to be driven at the weekends to a cottage south of Tokyo. 
 
Further allegations emerged that Masuzoe had travelled overseas in first class, bought art online and spent public money on family outings and accommodation in Japan. 
 
An election for a new governor is expected as early as next month. 
 
Masuzoe&#39;s humiliating departure is the latest in a string of embarrassing gaffes that have plagued Olympic preparations. 
 
Last year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tore up the blueprints for the main Olympic stadium because of ballooning costs, before the official Games logo was also ditched after the designer was accused of plagiarism. 
 
Those fiascos have since been overshadowed by allegations of corruption and French prosecutors have launched an investigation into $2 million in alleged bribes linked to Tokyo&#39;s bid to host the Games. 
 
(AFP)

27 officials from the host of the 2020 Summer Games won't attend Rio 2016 amid improper spending and ballooning costs

Tokyo officials have scrapped plans to attend the Rio Olympics in a bid to cut spending after a financial scandal cost the city governor, Yoichi Masuzoe, his job, local media said today. The decision comes just days after Masuzoe resigned for spending public money intended for political campaigns on lavish hotels and spa trips, the latest embarrassing gaffe on the city's troubled road to hosting the 2020 Olympics. The Tokyo metropolitan assembly has cancelled plans for 27 of its members to view operations at this summer's Rio Games as costs for the trip have sky-rocketed from initial estimates of 62 million yen (around $600,000), the Nikkei business daily reported. The U-turn comes after citizens lobbied the assembly to reconsider, although some officials are said to be looking into paying their own way to Rio, citing the need to be there as organisers of the next Summer Olympics. Masuzoe stepped down last week hours before facing a no-confidence vote, becoming the city's second governor to quit since Tokyo was named host of the 2020 Games. His predecessor Naoki Inose -- who led the capital's successful Olympic bid -- bowed out in late 2013 after also becoming embroiled in a personal finance scandal. Masuzoe's woes began in April when reports emerged he was using his official car to be driven at the weekends to a cottage south of Tokyo. Further allegations emerged that Masuzoe had travelled overseas in first class, bought art online and spent public money on family outings and accommodation in Japan. An election for a new governor is expected as early as next month. Masuzoe's humiliating departure is the latest in a string of embarrassing gaffes that have plagued Olympic preparations. Last year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tore up the blueprints for the main Olympic stadium because of ballooning costs, before the official Games logo was also ditched after the designer was accused of plagiarism. Those fiascos have since been overshadowed by allegations of corruption and French prosecutors have launched an investigation into $2 million in alleged bribes linked to Tokyo's bid to host the Games. (AFP)

Tokyo scraps plans to travel to Rio Olympics after embarassing finance scandal

Cameron McEvoy has that rare ability to bend water to his will and the sprinter could help Australia to a bumper haul of swimming medals at the Rio Games, five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has told Reuters. 
 
McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia&#39;s Olympic trials in April, the fastest recorded since synthetic suits were banned at the end of 2009. 
 
That put the 22-year-old among the favourites for Rio&#39;s blue riband sprint in August and to Thorpe was evidence that being a champion swimmer is about more than just physique. 
 
&quot;He is one of the most exciting swimmers I have seen,&quot; Thorpe, who won five gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, told Reuters in an interview. 
 
While McEvoy, at 1.85m, is still towered over by many of his rivals, Thorpe said his technique and afinity with the water set him apart. 
 
&quot;I think people who are very successful in swimming are those that can capture the water, they learn how the water moves and how you can move within it,&quot; he added. 
 
&quot;A lot of people look to physical characteristics to explain people&#39;s brilliance and it really has very little to do with this. 
 
&quot;And with someone like Cameron McEvoy&#39;s stature, it shows those people &#39;I want to master the water.&#39;&quot; 
 
Thorpe, who will act as a panellist for India&#39;s Star Sports during the Olympics, also has high hopes for the Campbell sisters, Cate and Bronte, in Rio and said their sibbling rivalry can only bode well for the country&#39;s medal prospects. 
 
At the April trials, sprint queen Cate set the second fastest 50m freestyle of all time in 23.84 seconds, just 0.11 seconds shy of Britta Steffen&#39;s 2009 world record set in a synthetic swim-suit. 
 
She also set the year&#39;s fastest time of 52.38 seconds in the 100 freestyle, edging her sister and world champion Bronte, who was a runner-up despite carrying a shoulder injury. 
 
The sisters are set to clash in the 50 and 100 freestyle in Rio while teaming up in the women&#39;s 4x100m relay and 4x100m medley relays. 
 
&quot;I think the match-up between the Campbell sisters is very interesting,&quot; said Thorpe. &quot;Those two girls have swam so well and they are the best of friends. And number one and two in the world, which looks very good for our relay ...&quot; 
 
Australia has long relied on its swimmers to provide a bulk of medals at Olympics but won only a single relay title in London four years ago. 
 
The worst medal haul in 20 years led to a series of reviews that found evidence of bullying, drunkenness and the abuse of prescription drugs by some team members. 
 
Thorpe said the swim team would be out to redeem themselves at Rio. 
 
&quot;Australia has a very strong team. It&#39;s the best team that we have fielded for a decade I think when it comes to swimming,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;I feel we will win a number of gold medals. I am hesitant to say an exact number but I think it will be between four and six gold medals. 
 
&quot;We have more people that are ranked world number one than we did going into the London and we are very strong in a number of events .We will win some of the higher profile Olympic gold medals.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia's Olympic trials in April

Cameron McEvoy has that rare ability to bend water to his will and the sprinter could help Australia to a bumper haul of swimming medals at the Rio Games, five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has told Reuters. McEvoy posted a time of 47.04 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle at Australia's Olympic trials in April, the fastest recorded since synthetic suits were banned at the end of 2009. That put the 22-year-old among the favourites for Rio's blue riband sprint in August and to Thorpe was evidence that being a champion swimmer is about more than just physique. "He is one of the most exciting swimmers I have seen," Thorpe, who won five gold, three silver and a bronze medal at the Sydney and Athens Olympics, told Reuters in an interview. While McEvoy, at 1.85m, is still towered over by many of his rivals, Thorpe said his technique and afinity with the water set him apart. "I think people who are very successful in swimming are those that can capture the water, they learn how the water moves and how you can move within it," he added. "A lot of people look to physical characteristics to explain people's brilliance and it really has very little to do with this. "And with someone like Cameron McEvoy's stature, it shows those people 'I want to master the water.'" Thorpe, who will act as a panellist for India's Star Sports during the Olympics, also has high hopes for the Campbell sisters, Cate and Bronte, in Rio and said their sibbling rivalry can only bode well for the country's medal prospects. At the April trials, sprint queen Cate set the second fastest 50m freestyle of all time in 23.84 seconds, just 0.11 seconds shy of Britta Steffen's 2009 world record set in a synthetic swim-suit. She also set the year's fastest time of 52.38 seconds in the 100 freestyle, edging her sister and world champion Bronte, who was a runner-up despite carrying a shoulder injury. The sisters are set to clash in the 50 and 100 freestyle in Rio while teaming up in the women's 4x100m relay and 4x100m medley relays. "I think the match-up between the Campbell sisters is very interesting," said Thorpe. "Those two girls have swam so well and they are the best of friends. And number one and two in the world, which looks very good for our relay ..." Australia has long relied on its swimmers to provide a bulk of medals at Olympics but won only a single relay title in London four years ago. The worst medal haul in 20 years led to a series of reviews that found evidence of bullying, drunkenness and the abuse of prescription drugs by some team members. Thorpe said the swim team would be out to redeem themselves at Rio. "Australia has a very strong team. It's the best team that we have fielded for a decade I think when it comes to swimming," he said. "I feel we will win a number of gold medals. I am hesitant to say an exact number but I think it will be between four and six gold medals. "We have more people that are ranked world number one than we did going into the London and we are very strong in a number of events .We will win some of the higher profile Olympic gold medals." (Reuters)

Water whisperer McEvoy will lead Australia charge: Thorpe

Russia&#39;s weightlifters face being banned from the Rio Olympics, subject to confirmation by the International Olympic Committee, in another collective doping punishment to hit the country. 
 
Five days after its track and field team&#39;s suspension from the 2016 Games was upheld, Russia&#39;s weightlifters are now also set to be suspended from the 2016 Olympics. 
 
Belarus and weightlifting superpower Kazakhstan were also banned over failed retests from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics on Wednesday by the sport&#39;s governing body, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), which also punished other nations by reducing the number of available athlete slots in Rio. 
 
Retrospective doping tests carried out by the IOC have led to 17 positives from 2008 and 2012, said the IWF. The governing body added there may be more cases to come. 
 
The IWF is awaiting confirmation of those failures and a final tally from the IOC, who were not immediately available when contacted late on Wednesday by Reuters. 
 
Earlier this week the IOC supported the IAAF&#39;s decision to continue its ban on all Russian track and field athletes as a collective punishment for the country&#39;s systematic doping problems, saying that such a decision was for each sport&#39;s federation. 
 
Because of those results, and an unprecedented 24 positives at the weightlifting world championships in Houston, Texas, last November, a special meeting was called for this week in Tbilisi, host of this weekend&#39;s youth world championships. 
 
The IWF, stressing its &ldquo;zero tolerance&rdquo; towards dopers, said it had taken 11 places away from teams who had committed four or more doping offences in 2015. Two of those teams were Russia and Kazakhstan, so the sanctions could yet be overtaken by a team ban. The others were Azerbaijan, North Korea and Moldova (two places each) and Belarus (one). 
 
As for the banning of entire teams, the IWF said in a statement: &ldquo;The IWF Executive Board has decided that national federations confirmed to have produced three or more anti-doping rule violations in the combined re-analysis process of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games shall be suspended for one year.&nbsp;Countries thus subject to suspension are Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus.&quot; 
 
Because the tests were not carried out by the IWF, the sport&#39;s administrators are seeking formal confirmation from the IOC that the positives are not subject to appeal or amendment. 
 
The executive board also castigated the European Weightlifting Federation for its recent appointment of Sergey Systsov, president of the Russian Federation, as chair of its anti-doping commission. 
 
&quot;Given the current environment, the IWF Executive Board strongly suggests that Mr Syrtsov and the European Weightlifting Federation reconsiders the appointment,&rdquo; said a statement. 
 
The IWF has set up an independent commission to investigate the nations who returned three or more positives from the retesting of 2008 and 2012 samples, which was carried out after advances in science enabled better detection of prohibited substances. 
 
The worst offender was Kazakhstan. Ilya Ilyin, the world&rsquo;s most popular weightlifter, is expected to lose his gold medals from Beijing and London, while three Kazakh women who won in 2012 also tested positive. 
 
The IWF also vowed to toughen its anti-doping policy in future, threatening to ban nations who had the worst doping record during an Olympic qualifying period. It also said it would set up a task force and aimed to test every athlete, before the Games, who will be competing in Rio. 
 
The situation as of now indicates that four nations will not be allowed to compete in Rio. Bulgaria had been excluded last year, after 11 lifters at a training camp tested positive. Romania and Uzbekistan had already lost one quota place each. 
 
(Reuters)

Five days after its track and field team's suspension was upheld, Russia's weightlifters are now also set to be suspended from the Games

Russia's weightlifters face being banned from the Rio Olympics, subject to confirmation by the International Olympic Committee, in another collective doping punishment to hit the country. Five days after its track and field team's suspension from the 2016 Games was upheld, Russia's weightlifters are now also set to be suspended from the 2016 Olympics. Belarus and weightlifting superpower Kazakhstan were also banned over failed retests from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics on Wednesday by the sport's governing body, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), which also punished other nations by reducing the number of available athlete slots in Rio. Retrospective doping tests carried out by the IOC have led to 17 positives from 2008 and 2012, said the IWF. The governing body added there may be more cases to come. The IWF is awaiting confirmation of those failures and a final tally from the IOC, who were not immediately available when contacted late on Wednesday by Reuters. Earlier this week the IOC supported the IAAF's decision to continue its ban on all Russian track and field athletes as a collective punishment for the country's systematic doping problems, saying that such a decision was for each sport's federation. Because of those results, and an unprecedented 24 positives at the weightlifting world championships in Houston, Texas, last November, a special meeting was called for this week in Tbilisi, host of this weekend's youth world championships. The IWF, stressing its “zero tolerance” towards dopers, said it had taken 11 places away from teams who had committed four or more doping offences in 2015. Two of those teams were Russia and Kazakhstan, so the sanctions could yet be overtaken by a team ban. The others were Azerbaijan, North Korea and Moldova (two places each) and Belarus (one). As for the banning of entire teams, the IWF said in a statement: “The IWF Executive Board has decided that national federations confirmed to have produced three or more anti-doping rule violations in the combined re-analysis process of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games shall be suspended for one year. Countries thus subject to suspension are Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus." Because the tests were not carried out by the IWF, the sport's administrators are seeking formal confirmation from the IOC that the positives are not subject to appeal or amendment. The executive board also castigated the European Weightlifting Federation for its recent appointment of Sergey Systsov, president of the Russian Federation, as chair of its anti-doping commission. "Given the current environment, the IWF Executive Board strongly suggests that Mr Syrtsov and the European Weightlifting Federation reconsiders the appointment,” said a statement. The IWF has set up an independent commission to investigate the nations who returned three or more positives from the retesting of 2008 and 2012 samples, which was carried out after advances in science enabled better detection of prohibited substances. The worst offender was Kazakhstan. Ilya Ilyin, the world’s most popular weightlifter, is expected to lose his gold medals from Beijing and London, while three Kazakh women who won in 2012 also tested positive. The IWF also vowed to toughen its anti-doping policy in future, threatening to ban nations who had the worst doping record during an Olympic qualifying period. It also said it would set up a task force and aimed to test every athlete, before the Games, who will be competing in Rio. The situation as of now indicates that four nations will not be allowed to compete in Rio. Bulgaria had been excluded last year, after 11 lifters at a training camp tested positive. Romania and Uzbekistan had already lost one quota place each. (Reuters)

Russia faces another Rio ban over dope tests

World athletics federation IAAF has&nbsp;come closer to destroying sport in Russia than helping it develop by suspending the country&#39;s track and field team over doping offences, the Russian sport minister said. 
 
First imposed in November, the IAAF ban was extended on Friday and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday. 
 
&quot;I have written an open letter to (the IAAF)... If you are an organisation whose aim is to develop athletics then you have done everything to destroy it,&quot; Vitaly Mutko told Reuters in an interview. 
 
Russian track and field athletes had not participated in international competitions in January. 
 
&quot;I, on behalf of the state, cannot finance the country&#39;s national team. That means all this is falling apart. Next, I cannot finance the training centre, all these are closing down. The young athletes do not have any motivation,&quot; Mutko said. 
 
Individual Russian track and field athletes assessed as clean will be able to compete for their country in Brazil, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Tuesday, diluting the IAAF&#39;s ban. 
 
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach also said all competitors from both Russia and Kenya would, given their countries&#39; recent history of doping, have to be screened individually before being allowed to participate in the Games. 
 
He did not elaborate on what the evaluation would include. 
 
The Russian track and field team remains suspended from Rio de Janeiro after the IOC supported the ban, for systemic doping, which world athletics federation IAAF had extended on Friday. 
 
But Bach, speaking at the end of a summit on doping, offered a limited number of Russian athletes the chance to race under their flag. 
 
In a decision welcomed by the sports ministry in Moscow, he said those cleared by the IAAF or the Court of Arbitration for Sport as clean and eligible would be able to compete in Brazil. 
 
The unsatisfactory record of anti-doping bodies in Russia, as well as Kenya, had put &quot;very serious doubts on the presumption of innocence&quot; of their athletes, Bach said. 
 
But they had the right of appeal and &quot;if there are (Russian) athletes qualified then they will compete as members of the Russian Olympic Committee team,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
The IAAF had said on Friday that any Russian athlete would have to compete under a neutral flag, a recommendation it reiterated on Tuesday following Bach&#39;s comments. 
 
&quot;This decision has been unequivocally supported across sport and the IOC Summit today unanimously agreed to fully respect the IAAF decision,&quot; the federation said in a statement. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

However, Russia's sports minister has said that the suspensions are destroying sport in the country

World athletics federation IAAF has come closer to destroying sport in Russia than helping it develop by suspending the country's track and field team over doping offences, the Russian sport minister said. First imposed in November, the IAAF ban was extended on Friday and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday. "I have written an open letter to (the IAAF)... If you are an organisation whose aim is to develop athletics then you have done everything to destroy it," Vitaly Mutko told Reuters in an interview. Russian track and field athletes had not participated in international competitions in January. "I, on behalf of the state, cannot finance the country's national team. That means all this is falling apart. Next, I cannot finance the training centre, all these are closing down. The young athletes do not have any motivation," Mutko said. Individual Russian track and field athletes assessed as clean will be able to compete for their country in Brazil, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Tuesday, diluting the IAAF's ban. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach also said all competitors from both Russia and Kenya would, given their countries' recent history of doping, have to be screened individually before being allowed to participate in the Games. He did not elaborate on what the evaluation would include. The Russian track and field team remains suspended from Rio de Janeiro after the IOC supported the ban, for systemic doping, which world athletics federation IAAF had extended on Friday. But Bach, speaking at the end of a summit on doping, offered a limited number of Russian athletes the chance to race under their flag. In a decision welcomed by the sports ministry in Moscow, he said those cleared by the IAAF or the Court of Arbitration for Sport as clean and eligible would be able to compete in Brazil. The unsatisfactory record of anti-doping bodies in Russia, as well as Kenya, had put "very serious doubts on the presumption of innocence" of their athletes, Bach said. But they had the right of appeal and "if there are (Russian) athletes qualified then they will compete as members of the Russian Olympic Committee team," he told reporters. The IAAF had said on Friday that any Russian athlete would have to compete under a neutral flag, a recommendation it reiterated on Tuesday following Bach's comments. "This decision has been unequivocally supported across sport and the IOC Summit today unanimously agreed to fully respect the IAAF decision," the federation said in a statement. (Reuters)

IOC offers Rio lifeline to Russian track and field athletes

Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal eschews the &quot;natural talent&quot; tag thrust upon her by the media in her country. Nehwal, who won an Olympic bronze medal four years ago in London, feels that it&#39;s her hard work and grit that&#39;s allowed for her to be seen as a serious contender for gold at the Rio games later this year.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Whatever I am today, it&#39;s because of my coaches,&quot; Nehwal told Reuters in an email interview following her victory at the Australian Open last week. &quot;They taught me smash, dribble and net game in copybook style and I trained five to six hours daily to master them.&quot; 
 
&quot;I am a worker and my coaches know how to get the best out of me,&quot; added the 26-year-old, who became the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal in 2012. 
 
While winning a medal in London was celebrated back home in success-starved India, her rise to the top of the world singles rankings in April last year was no less significant. 
 
It marked the first time a non-Chinese shuttler sat atop the women&#39;s singles rankings since Denmark&#39;s Tine Baun in late 2010. 
 
Nehwal, who will be 30 by the time the 2020 Olympics come around in Tokyo, believes Rio is her best chance to win gold. 
 
&quot;For 2020?, it depends on my progress and health conditions. Rio is an ideal place to showcase my game,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;You can&#39;t predict results. You need hard work and God&#39;s blessing, apart from support from the fraternity,&quot; the world number six said. 
 
Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who is hitting a rich vein of form at exactly the right time. 
 
Her second Australian Open title saw her beat world champions Ratchanok Intanon (2013) and Wang Yihan (2011) before overpowering China&rsquo;s Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. 
 
&quot;It is wonderful to win Australian Open prior to the Olympics. It is very satisfying to beat two world champions and a junior world champion (Malaysian Goh Jin Wei) in one tournament,&quot; she said. 
 
It was a welcome win for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. 
 
&quot;The injury was a big jolt to me ... I missed South Asian Games, Indian Grand Prix and the (badminton) Asian team championship. 
 
&quot;It was mid-May when I felt I was good enough to play tournament. It was a horror, looking at my condition those three months.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who is hitting a rich vein of form at exactly the right time

Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal eschews the "natural talent" tag thrust upon her by the media in her country. Nehwal, who won an Olympic bronze medal four years ago in London, feels that it's her hard work and grit that's allowed for her to be seen as a serious contender for gold at the Rio games later this year. "Whatever I am today, it's because of my coaches," Nehwal told Reuters in an email interview following her victory at the Australian Open last week. "They taught me smash, dribble and net game in copybook style and I trained five to six hours daily to master them." "I am a worker and my coaches know how to get the best out of me," added the 26-year-old, who became the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic medal in 2012. While winning a medal in London was celebrated back home in success-starved India, her rise to the top of the world singles rankings in April last year was no less significant. It marked the first time a non-Chinese shuttler sat atop the women's singles rankings since Denmark's Tine Baun in late 2010. Nehwal, who will be 30 by the time the 2020 Olympics come around in Tokyo, believes Rio is her best chance to win gold. "For 2020?, it depends on my progress and health conditions. Rio is an ideal place to showcase my game," she said. "You can't predict results. You need hard work and God's blessing, apart from support from the fraternity," the world number six said. Rio will mark a third Olympics for Nehwal, who is hitting a rich vein of form at exactly the right time. Her second Australian Open title saw her beat world champions Ratchanok Intanon (2013) and Wang Yihan (2011) before overpowering China’s Sun Yu in the final in Sydney. "It is wonderful to win Australian Open prior to the Olympics. It is very satisfying to beat two world champions and a junior world champion (Malaysian Goh Jin Wei) in one tournament," she said. It was a welcome win for Nehwal, who had failed to reach a World Superseries final since last November in China and was returning from an Achilles injury she sustained at the end of last year. "The injury was a big jolt to me ... I missed South Asian Games, Indian Grand Prix and the (badminton) Asian team championship. "It was mid-May when I felt I was good enough to play tournament. It was a horror, looking at my condition those three months." (Reuters)

Hard-working Nehwal senses golden Rio opportunity

Malaysia&#39;s badminton association (BAM) has pulled world number one Lee Chong Wei out of this month&#39;s Taiwan Open to let him recover from a leg injury and regain full fitness ahead of this summer&#39;s Rio Olympics. 
 
The 33-year-old suffered the injury on the way to claiming his sixth Indonesian Open title earlier this month and later pulled out of the Australian Open. 
 
&quot;We pulled him out because we&#39;re not completely sure if he&#39;s ready to play after his injury in Australia,&quot; BAM technical director Morten Frost said. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s getting on with the training programme and that&#39;s a good sign for us. We&#39;re also having a nice relaxed atmosphere in our preparations for the Olympics. It certainly helps Chong Wei in his mental preparation.&quot; 
 
Lee, who lost the last two Olympic singles finals to China&#39;s Lin Dan, returned to action in May last year after a backdated eight-month doping ban for testing positive for dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, at the 2014 world championships. 
 
The 2016 Olympics take place from August 5 to 21 in Brazil. 
 
(Reuters)

The world number one decides to recover from a leg injury ahead of the Rio Olympics

Malaysia's badminton association (BAM) has pulled world number one Lee Chong Wei out of this month's Taiwan Open to let him recover from a leg injury and regain full fitness ahead of this summer's Rio Olympics. The 33-year-old suffered the injury on the way to claiming his sixth Indonesian Open title earlier this month and later pulled out of the Australian Open. "We pulled him out because we're not completely sure if he's ready to play after his injury in Australia," BAM technical director Morten Frost said. "He's getting on with the training programme and that's a good sign for us. We're also having a nice relaxed atmosphere in our preparations for the Olympics. It certainly helps Chong Wei in his mental preparation." Lee, who lost the last two Olympic singles finals to China's Lin Dan, returned to action in May last year after a backdated eight-month doping ban for testing positive for dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, at the 2014 world championships. The 2016 Olympics take place from August 5 to 21 in Brazil. (Reuters)

Malaysia's Lee ruled out of Taiwan Open badminton tournament

The Australian Olympic Committee has demanded Rio de Janeiro immediately ramps up security in the city after a Paralympic sailor and team official were robbed at gunpoint over the weekend while training for the Games. 
 
Australia&#39;s Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said the incident was a &quot;light warning&quot; and that she had written to the Rio organising committee and mayor demanding action. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re demanding that the level of security forces, which number about 100,000, is reviewed and also we are also asking that they are deployed earlier prior to Games time, especially around training and competition venues,&quot; she told reporters in Sydney. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s not an isolated incident,&quot; she added. &quot;It&#39;s got to a point now that steps and measures are taken to ensure that all our team members who go to Rio for the Olympic Games next month are safe.&quot; 
 
Paralympic sailor Liesl Tesch and physiotherapist Sarah Ross said they were taking a bike ride in a park near their hotel at Flamengo Beach early on Sunday when they were confronted by two men, one of whom was carrying a pistol. 
 
Tesch, who won a sailing gold at the London Paralympic Games and has also competed in wheelchair basketball, told Australian television that the armed man pointed the gun at her and then shoved her to the ground. 
 
&quot;It was absolutely horrific, I can see it clear as day in my own head. We are both shaken, but physically we&#39;re both okay,&quot; said Tesch, who trained on her boat later that day. 
 
Chiller said the &quot;extremely concerning and disturbing&quot; incident was all the more worrying because it took place in broad daylight close to the training venue. 
 
The AOC, Chiller said, had decided to engage a private security firm in Rio and were considering extending their existing ban on athletes entering favelas to other areas of the city. 
 
Olympic organisers plan to deploy in excess of 85,000 security personnel for the Games, double the number used in London in 2012. 
 
&quot;It doesn&#39;t seem that 100,000 is enough,&quot; said Chiller. &quot;It&#39;s a lot more than we had in London, but Rio is not London and in my opinion we need to make sure all the competition and training venues are safe. If we take 750 people over in that team, we want 750 people to come back safe and secure.&quot; 
 
Security issues are just one of the concerns facing Rio, which on Friday declared a state of financial emergency to help fulfil obligations for public services during the Olympics. 
 
Emergency measures are needed to avoid &quot;a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management,&quot; a decree in the state&#39;s Official Gazette said. 
 
The financial pinch resulted in a 30 percent cut in the state&#39;s security budget, just as Rio has seen a jump in homicides and assaults in recent months, raising concerns about safety ahead of the Olympics. 
 
The September 7-18 Paralympics follow the Aug. 5-21 Olympic Games. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Paralympic sailor Liesl Tesch and physiotherapist Sarah Ross were robbed at gunpoint over the weekend

The Australian Olympic Committee has demanded Rio de Janeiro immediately ramps up security in the city after a Paralympic sailor and team official were robbed at gunpoint over the weekend while training for the Games. Australia's Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said the incident was a "light warning" and that she had written to the Rio organising committee and mayor demanding action. "We're demanding that the level of security forces, which number about 100,000, is reviewed and also we are also asking that they are deployed earlier prior to Games time, especially around training and competition venues," she told reporters in Sydney. "It's not an isolated incident," she added. "It's got to a point now that steps and measures are taken to ensure that all our team members who go to Rio for the Olympic Games next month are safe." Paralympic sailor Liesl Tesch and physiotherapist Sarah Ross said they were taking a bike ride in a park near their hotel at Flamengo Beach early on Sunday when they were confronted by two men, one of whom was carrying a pistol. Tesch, who won a sailing gold at the London Paralympic Games and has also competed in wheelchair basketball, told Australian television that the armed man pointed the gun at her and then shoved her to the ground. "It was absolutely horrific, I can see it clear as day in my own head. We are both shaken, but physically we're both okay," said Tesch, who trained on her boat later that day. Chiller said the "extremely concerning and disturbing" incident was all the more worrying because it took place in broad daylight close to the training venue. The AOC, Chiller said, had decided to engage a private security firm in Rio and were considering extending their existing ban on athletes entering favelas to other areas of the city. Olympic organisers plan to deploy in excess of 85,000 security personnel for the Games, double the number used in London in 2012. "It doesn't seem that 100,000 is enough," said Chiller. "It's a lot more than we had in London, but Rio is not London and in my opinion we need to make sure all the competition and training venues are safe. If we take 750 people over in that team, we want 750 people to come back safe and secure." Security issues are just one of the concerns facing Rio, which on Friday declared a state of financial emergency to help fulfil obligations for public services during the Olympics. Emergency measures are needed to avoid "a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management," a decree in the state's Official Gazette said. The financial pinch resulted in a 30 percent cut in the state's security budget, just as Rio has seen a jump in homicides and assaults in recent months, raising concerns about safety ahead of the Olympics. The September 7-18 Paralympics follow the Aug. 5-21 Olympic Games. (Reuters)

Australia demands extra Rio security after armed robbery

Park In-Bee&#39;s chances of playing at the Rio Olympics golf tournament dimmed further on Tuesday after the South Korean world number three pulled out of an international team event due to a lingering thumb problem. 
 
The seven-times major champion, who was inducted into the LPGA&#39;s Hall of Fame earlier this month, has been plagued by injury this season and is without a victory in 10 starts. 
 
She has missed two cuts, withdrawn after the first round in three events, and posted her worst ever score as a professional, 12-over-par 84, in the first round of the LPGA Volvik Championship in May. 
 
Her management company said on Tuesday she would skip the July 22-24 International Crown event, which pits eight countries against each other at Merit Club, Illinois. 
 
&quot;Park In-bee notified the LPGA that she will be unable to attend the International Crown due to her left thumb injury,&quot; her management company, Galaxia SM, told Reuters. 
 
The 27-year-old, who has raked in almost $13 million in career earnings on the LPGA Tour, said before the Women&#39;s PGA Championship this month that she would not go to Rio if she was not fully recovered from the injury. 
 
&quot;At the Olympics, you play for your country, not for individual honour. If I&#39;m not in top condition, I&#39;d rather give the opportunity to another player,&quot; she said. 
 
Park missed the cut at the event, carding an 8-over 79 in the second round. 
 
The top 15 players in the world rankings as of July 11 qualify automatically for the Rio Games, where golf is making its return to the Olympic programme after a 112-year absence. Each country can send a maximum of four players. 
 
Currently, Kim Sei-Young, Chun In-Gee and Amy Young make up the other three places, but there are five more South Koreans in the top 20 battling for Olympic spots. 
 
(Reuters)

The 27-year-old said before the Women's PGA Championship this month that she would pull out of Rio if she hadn't recovered from injury

Park In-Bee's chances of playing at the Rio Olympics golf tournament dimmed further on Tuesday after the South Korean world number three pulled out of an international team event due to a lingering thumb problem. The seven-times major champion, who was inducted into the LPGA's Hall of Fame earlier this month, has been plagued by injury this season and is without a victory in 10 starts. She has missed two cuts, withdrawn after the first round in three events, and posted her worst ever score as a professional, 12-over-par 84, in the first round of the LPGA Volvik Championship in May. Her management company said on Tuesday she would skip the July 22-24 International Crown event, which pits eight countries against each other at Merit Club, Illinois. "Park In-bee notified the LPGA that she will be unable to attend the International Crown due to her left thumb injury," her management company, Galaxia SM, told Reuters. The 27-year-old, who has raked in almost $13 million in career earnings on the LPGA Tour, said before the Women's PGA Championship this month that she would not go to Rio if she was not fully recovered from the injury. "At the Olympics, you play for your country, not for individual honour. If I'm not in top condition, I'd rather give the opportunity to another player," she said. Park missed the cut at the event, carding an 8-over 79 in the second round. The top 15 players in the world rankings as of July 11 qualify automatically for the Rio Games, where golf is making its return to the Olympic programme after a 112-year absence. Each country can send a maximum of four players. Currently, Kim Sei-Young, Chun In-Gee and Amy Young make up the other three places, but there are five more South Koreans in the top 20 battling for Olympic spots. (Reuters)

Thumbs down for South Korean golfer Park's Rio dream

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