Gorbachev calls on IOC not to ban Russia from Rio Olympics (Reuters) Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Friday called on the International Olympic Committee to resist calls to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics in response to doping allegations. In an open letter to committee president Thomas Bach and other IOC members, Gorbachev said he was deeply concerned by the possibility the … [Read more...]

Inbee Park out of Women's British Open with thumb injury Inbee Park will not defend her title at next week’s Women’s British Open as she continues to recovery from a left thumb injury that has nagged her for almost the entire season. In a statement, the seven-time major winner said “this has been an incredibly hard decision for me to make and the reason I’ve left it to the very last … [Read more...]

'YouTube man' Yego, Kenya's self-taught javelin world champ (Yahoo Sports) Julius Yego wanted to be an athlete, only he couldn't run very fast. When it comes to sport, running is just about all that matters in Kenya. With the help of a sharpened stick, an ''elastic'' right wrist, and YouTube videos as a substitute for a coaching manual, he became a javelin world champion instead. … [Read more...]

PGA of America warns N. Carolina's HB2 law could cost state future events The PGA of America is bringing the PGA Championship to Charlotte, N.C., next August. However, the body warns that it may steer clear of the Tarheel State in the future if the state’s controversial House Bill 2 remains law. House Bill 2, also known as The Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, was signed into law … [Read more...]

EU sues Austria for discriminating against foreign ski instructors (Reuters) The European Commission is taking Austria to the Court of Justice of the European Union for discriminating against foreign ski instructors. In the southern province of Tyrol, for example, foreign instructors were not allowed to accept clients who were already in Austria. The Commission also criticized the Styria … [Read more...]

Froome defends yellow jersey in Tour de France Stage 19 (The Associated Press) SAINT-GERVAIS-LES-BAINS, France (AP) -- Tour de France leader Chris Froome remained cautious about his widely-expected victory as the peloton set out Friday for a nervy 146-kilometer (91-mile) ride that features four ascents in the Alps. … [Read more...]

Kremlin: CAS ruling limits room for "legal manoeuvring" to defend Russian athletes (Reuters) The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia had limited time for "legal manoeuvring" to defend the rights of its athletes after a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. "Certainly, the court decision was unpleasant and bad news," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a … [Read more...]

CAS ruling limits room for 'legal maneuvering' to defend Russian athletes: Kremlin (Reuters) The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia had limited time for "legal maneuvering" to defend the rights of its athletes after a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. "Certainly, the court decision was unpleasant and bad news," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a … [Read more...]

Golf returns to the Olympics, minus its best players (Yahoo Sports) A year away from golf's return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence, IOC President Thomas Bach said it would be good if the sport had a wide range of players from as many countries as possible competing for medals. Jordan Spieth will be watching from home, still wondering if he should have set aside his personal … [Read more...]

Summer racing heats up with California Chrome, Songbird (The Associated Press) While the Del Mar meet began last week, Saratoga opens its 148th season on Friday and runs through Sept. 5. California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, comes into the 1 1/16-mile San Diego with a 3-0 record this year. … [Read more...]