More Russian athletes stripped of medals
As four more Russians were disqualified Friday for doping at the Sochi Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach signaled a possible shift toward barring the country’s athletes from the Pyeongchang Games.
Two-time bobsled gold medalist Alexander Zubkov, who carried the Russian flag at the opening ceremony in Sochi, was removed from the 2014 records in the latest round of verdicts from an International Olympic Committee panel in Geneva prosecuting individuals caught in a program to cover up doping and tamper with tainted samples.
Now the president of the Russian bobsled federation, Zubkov was disqualified and banned for life from the Olympics along with speedskater Olga Fatkulina, who won silver in the 500 meters.
“I was working toward those medals for years. All my achievements, all my victories have always been and remain clean,” Zubkov said in a telephone interview. “Sport has turned into politics.”
Russia originally topped the medals table in Sochi, but the latest cases drop it to nine gold medals, fewer than Norway and Canada. In total medals, Russia now has 24, behind the United States, Norway and Canada.
Fourteen Russians have been disqualified this month, with nine medals lost.
Concussion will put Cutler on sidelines
Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler has been ruled out of Sunday’s game at New England because of a concussion, and backup Matt Moore will make his second start of the season.
Cutler practiced Friday, but remains in the concussion protocol. He threw three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay before he left at halftime because of his injury.
Moore threw for 282 yards and a score in the second half.
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has been ruled out for the second straight week with a concussion and won’t play against Tampa Bay.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been fined $24,309 for an illegal crackback block against the Houston Texans last Sunday.
Seattle safety Earl Thomas was also docked $24,309 for his hit on Atlanta’s Levine Toilolo, who caught a touchdown pass to give the Falcons a 31-20 lead in the third quarter last Monday night. Thomas was penalized for hitting Toilolo in the helmet with his shoulder in the end zone.
Kansas City linebacker Terrance Smith was fined the same amount for a blindside helmet-tohelmet hit on Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie.
Rose takes leave from the Cavaliers
Derrick Rose, the former league MVP who has been trying to revive his career with the Cavaliers, left the team earlier this week to handle a personal matter. A team spokesman said Friday that Rose has been excused since Wednesday and there is no timetable for his return.
The team did not offer any other details about Rose’s absence, but coach Tyronn Lue expects Rose to return to the team.
ESPN reported that Rose is taking personal time “to evaluate his future in the NBA.”
The Kings said there is no merit to a lawsuit filed by a former Staples Center employee alleging that Bailey the team mascot had groped him last year.
Maso Griffin said in the lawsuit against AEG, Levy Restaurants, Compass Group and Tim Smith, who plays Bailey, that the costumed mascot had groped him in an elevator.
“The allegations which are the subject of that lawsuit were thoroughly investigated nearly a year ago when they were first raised by this plaintiff,” the team said. “Those allegations were then — just as they are now — without any merit. Mr. Smith is an active figure in this community and a positive representative of our organization. We will vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.”
Jason Day shot a two-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead after three rounds in the Australian Open in Sydney. Jordan Spieth shot a 70 and is eight shots back.
American skaters Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon hold the top spots following the men’s short program at Skate America in Lake Placid, N.Y.