WADA reforms met with some skepticism

The World Anti-doping Agency approved a series of reforms designed to give athletes a bigger voice in decision-making, though the changes were roundly criticized by activist groups that said they didn’t go far enough.

At its board meeting Thursday, WADA announced it was adding two seats to its executive committee, one of which will go to an athlete representative. It approved creation of an independent ethics board and reformed the athletes council to give a wider group of athletes a say in appointing its 20 members.

WADA also approved a pilot athlete ombudsman program, which is supposed to provide independent advice for athletes in dealing with doping issues.

A number of athlete groups put out statements deriding the changes as little more than cosmetic. One major complaint is that the key decision-making bodies are still populated with members of the International Olympic Committee, which accounts for half of WADA’S funding. World governments supply the other half.

College basketball: A.J. Hoggard hit the go-ahead FTS with 30.3 seconds left and Michigan State scored the final nine points to push past No. 22 Connecticut 64-60 in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Gabe Brown scored 16 points to lead the Spartans (5-1). They will face No. 6 Baylor (6-0), which beat VCU 69-61, in Friday’s championship game.

NFL: The Steelers activated two-time All-pro S Minkah Fitzpatrick off the COVID-19 list and he’s expected to play Sunday against the Bengals. Fitzpatrick tested positive for the virus Nov. 15.

Tennis: In Davis Cup group play, brothers Elias and Mikael Ymer won singles matches to give Sweden an upset victory over 2019 runner-up Canada. Andre Goransson and Robert Lindstedt won their doubles match for Sweden.