OLYMPICS

International Olympic Committee extends sanctions on Russia over doping allegations

Two days before the release of a new report on Russian doping, the IOC on Wednesday extended the provisional sanctions imposed on the country over allegations of systematic cheating and cover-ups.

The International Olympic Committee executive board said the measures imposed on July 19 have been extended “until further notice.”

The sanctions, originally designed to apply until the end of this year, were put into place following the first report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren that alleged state-sponsored doping in Russia.

Under the measures, the IOC will not organize or “give patronage” to any sports events or meetings in Russia. In addition, the IOC urges all Olympic winter sports federations to “freeze their preparations for major events in Russia,” including world championships and World Cups and “to actively look for alternative organizers.”

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The IOC executive board released a statement that set out its position ahead of Friday’s release in London of McLaren’s second and final report on the Russian scandal.

The Canadian lawyer’s first report, issued in July, led WADA to recommend Russia’s exclusion from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The IOC rejected the call, instead allowing international federations to decide which Russians could compete.

Friday’s report is expected to focus on evidence of organized Russian doping centered on the Sochi Games, including allegations that tainted samples of Russian athletes – including medalists – were swapped for clean ones through a concealed hole in the wall of the drug-testing lab.

GOLF

CADDIE DEATH: A caddie was pronounced dead after he collapsed at the Dubai Ladies Masters, forcing the suspension of the first round and shortening the Ladies European Tour event to 54 holes.

The tour said play was suspended at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday after the caddie, who was not identified, collapsed on the 13th fairway. It said the caddie was immediately attended to by an on-site medical team and was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

SKIING

WORLD CUP: Men’s races canceled in Canada last month have been rescheduled for Italy and Norway. A super-G will be held in Santa Caterina, Italy, on Dec. 27 and a downhill will be contested on Feb. 24 in Kvitfjell, Norway. Both races have been added on to existing race programs.


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