OLYMPICS

Report finds over 1,000 involved in Russian doping

Russia’s sports reputation was ripped apart again Friday when a new report investigating systematic doping detailed a vast “institutional conspiracy” that covered more than 1,000 athletes in over 30 sports and corrupted the drug-testing system at the 2012 and 2014 Olympics.

The findings were handed over to the International Olympic Committee, which will be under pressure to take action against the Russians ahead of the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“It is impossible to know just how deep and how far back this conspiracy goes,” World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren said. “For years, international sports competitions have unknowingly been hijacked by Russians. Coaches and athletes have been playing on an uneven field. Sports fans and spectators have been deceived.”

McLaren’s second and final report said the conspiracy involved the Russian Sports Ministry, national anti-doping agency and the FSB intelligence service, providing further details of state involvement in a massive program of cheating and cover-ups that operated on an “unprecedented scale” from 2011-15.

The Canadian law professor described the Russian doping program as “a cover-up that evolved over the years from uncontrolled chaos to an institutionalized and disciplined medal-winning strategy and conspiracy.”

The findings confirmed much of the evidence contained in McLaren’s first report issued in July, while expanding the number of athletes involved and the overall scope of the cheating program in the sports powerhouse.

GOLF

PGA: Harris English and Matt Kuchar shot a 6-under 66 in modified alternate shot play to take the second-round lead in the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Naples, Florida.

English and Kuchar were at 21 under at Tiburon after opening with a 57 on Thursday in the scramble round.

Wisconsin friends Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly shot 68 and were a stroke back entering the better-ball finale Saturday. Charles Howell III-Rory Sabbatini (69) and Kevin Chappell-Kevin Kisner (68) were 16 under.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Rafa Cabrera Bello extended his lead to three shots at the Hong Kong Open after a 5-under 65.

Cabrera Bello was at 11-under 129 overall. Sam Brazel was second after a second consecutive 66.

Masters champion Danny Willett (66) had six birdies, moving into a four-way tie for third place, five strokes behind the leader.

Justin Rose (69) was 1-under for the tournament.

COLLEGES

FOOTBALL: North Carolina junior Nazair Jones will enter the NFL draft. The defensive tackle has a career-high 62 tackles with a sack, a forced fumble and three pass breakups this season.

FIGURE SKATING

GRAND PRIX FINAL: Defending champion Evgenia Medvedeva began the defense of her title in emphatic style, thrilling the crowd with a world record score in the short program.

The 17-year-old world champion landed all of her jumps cleanly as she recorded 79.21 points, beating three-time world champion Mao Asada’s 78.66 at the 2014 worlds.

Earlier, Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov earned their season-best score in the free skate to win the pairs event for the first time. The Russians scored 135.25 to win with a total of 213.85.