Short-track skater suspended for doping

The first doping case of the Pyeongchang Olympics was announced.

Officials said Japanese short-track speedskater Kei Saito tested positive for acetalozamide, a diuretic that also is a masking agent that can disguise the use of other banned substances.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Saito “accepted on a voluntary basis to be provisionally suspended and to leave the Olympic Village.”

Saito did not race in any event before the test result from a pre-competition sample was confirmed. His official blog said he’s 21 and was competing in his first Olympics.

CAS said its judging panel handling Olympic doping cases will issue a final verdict after the games are complete.

The highest court in world sports handles the prosecution of doping cases, and the International Olympic Committee is responsible for testing athletes.

American duo could be Nhl-bound

The next flights Brian Gionta and James Wisniewski take could land them back in the NHL.

As the longtime NHL veterans try to win a medal for the United States, their agents are talking to teams about getting them contracts once the tournament is over.

Gionta, 39, and Wisniewski, 33, will have about a day and a half to sign between the end of the Olympics and the deadline to be eligible for the playoffs. They said they are ready to jump back in.

Gionta and Wisniewski are drawing interest to sign for the rest of this season. Gionta could give a contending team scoring in a top-nine role on right wing. Wisniewski is a right-shooting power-play defenseman.

Gionta played the most recent of his 15 seasons in 2016-17 and has been practicing with the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans. Wisniewski was limited to 15 NHL games since March 2015 because of knee injuries and has since played in the minors, Russia and Germany.

Curler’s slip doesn’t derail Russia

A curler falling hard on her backside didn’t stop Russia from beating Norway 8-4 in the bronze medal match.

Anastasia Bryzgalova was standing with teammate Aleksandr Krushelnitckii and strategizing over where to send their last rock of the third round.

Suddenly, Bryzgalova lost her footing. She recovered, but seconds later, her foot went flying out from under her. She promptly landed on her backside.

The fall drew gasps from the stunned crowd. A curler rarely falls in professional curling.