‘Fresh look’ at Russian doping
The leader of the IOC pledged that he supports reopening the Russian doping case, promising “a fresh look” at the new evidence after allegations that critical lab data was manipulated before it was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
IOC president Thomas Bach said Friday at the world track and field championships in Doha, Qatar. Track’s international federation (IAAF) earlier this week extended the suspension of the organization that oversees Russia’s track program.
Russians are at the worlds as neutral athletes without their flag.
WADA gave Russia three weeks to explain the manipulation of data from the Moscow lab, which was being used to pursue cases against cheaters at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and other events. Russia’s antidoping agency could face suspension again if tampering is confirmed.
Russia’s track federation has been banned by the IAAF since 2015.
Auto racing: William Byron and Alex Bowman led Hendrick Motorsports to a sweep of the front row in qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series elimination playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
College football: Stanford senior QB K.J. Costello will miss Saturday’s road game against Oregon State with a hand injury. Costello has been hampered by injuries this season. Junior Davis Mills likely will start.
Golf: Northern California native Bryson DeChambeau shot an 8under 64 to take a two-stroke lead midway through the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif. ... Matthew Jordan of England shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead midway through the Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland. ... MiJung Hur of South Korea shot a 2-under 70 to take a two-stroke lead midway through the the Indy Womenin Tech Championship in Indianapolis. ... In his PGA Tour Champions debut, Rod Pampling, 50, shared a one-stroke lead with Joey Sindelar after the first round of the Pure Insurance Championship in Pebble Beach, Calif.
NHL: The Jets and RW Patrik Laine, 21, agreed to a two-year, $13.5 million contract. ... Flyers F Nolan Patrick will miss the start of the season as he continues to deal with migraines. He’s week to week.
Tennis: No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia fell to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, 6-4 in the semis of the Wuhan Open in China. Sabalenka faces Alison Riske in Saturday’s final.