WORLD OF SPORT

TWENTY-EIGHT Russian athletes have had their requests to compete as neutrals rejected by the IAAF ahead of August’s World Championships in London. Russia were banned from international competition in 2015 over claims of state-sponsored doping. Only three Russians were given permission to compete yesterday — Vera Rebrik, Kseniya Aksyonova and Vera Rudakova — taking the total to 15. EUROPE’S Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has named Sweden’s Robert Karlsson as his first vice-captain for the 2018 edition in Paris. Karlsson twice represented Europe against the United States, as part of the winning team in 2006 and in the side defeated two years later. LOUIS PICAMOLES has rejoined Top 14 club Montpellier after an impressive year with Northampton. Saints have accepted a ‘significant transfer fee’, up to £1million, for the France No 8, who has moved to boost his international hopes.