Lochte suspended 14 months
The social media post seemed harmless enough: swimmer Ryan Lochte sharing a photograph of himself hooked to an intravenous bag, writing “athletic recovery with some #ivdrip.”
But when officials noticed the photo in May, they launched an investigation that resulted in Lochte being suspended just days before the national championships in Irvine.
“This is devastating,” Lochte told the Associated Press.
The 14-month sanction has nothing to do with the substance in the IV bag, which was permitted, but rather the amount Lochte received. Athletes, who often take infusions of vitamins and other dietary supplements, are allowed 100 milliliters every 12 hours. The 12-time Olympic medalist exceeded that limit.
Lochte said he took the IV because his wife and his son were ill and he didn’t want to get sick.
This marks the second time he has been suspended. He received a 10-month ban after a drunken incident with three other American swimmers in Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Olympics. — David Wharton
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ohio State fires assistant
Ohio State fired receivers coach Zach Smith, who was charged last week with misdemeanor criminal trespass after a dispute with his ex-wife.
The move came after multiple media outlets reported that Smith’s ex-wife filed for a protective order against him.
Smith was on the staff since coach Urban Meyer arrived in 2012, and worked as a graduate assistant for Meyer at Florida.
Four-star defensive end Stephen Herron Jr., who committed to Michigan, announced he will attend Stanford instead.
The New York Giants agreed to terms with former All-Pro edge rusher Connor Barwin, who played for the Rams last year and had five sacks in 14 games . ... Troubled Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon, suspended several times in the past six years for drug violations, said he won’t be with the team at the start of camp as he continues to treat addictions. “I have every intention of being ready and available to join my teammates soon,” he wrote on Twitter . ... San Francisco signed firstround draft pick Mike McGlinchey toa four-year deal . ... New England signed first-rounder Sony Michel.
ETC. Merritt wins Barbasol
Troy Merritt shot a five-under 67 to win the rain-delayed Barbasol Championship by one stroke in Nicholasville, Ky.
Merritt led or shared the lead after each round for his second career PGA Tour victory, and it earned him a spot in the PGA Championship.
Billy Horschel (67), Richy Werenski (66) and Tom Lovelady (68) were second.
The Los Angeles Football Club will visit the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 8, as U.S. Open Cup semifinal pairings were announced Monday. — Kevin Baxter
The Colorado Rapids acquired midfielder Kellyn Acosta from FC Dallas for forward Dominique Badji and an international roster spot. The teams also will swap first-round picks in the 2019 draft.
The Clippers acquired Johnathan Motley from Dallas, and the 6-foot-10 former Baylor big man will join L.A. on a twoway contract to play for its development league team in Ontario. — Broderick Turner
The Dallas Wings acquired guard Tayler Hill and a second-round pick in next year’s WNBA draft from Washington for guard Aerial Powers. The trade includes the right to swap first-round picks. ... The WNBA suspended Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi one game for getting her seventh technical foul of the season . ... Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time scoring and rebounding leader, has died. She was 58.
The New York Islanders agreed to terms with forward Brock Nelson on a one-year, $4.25-million contract.
Roger Federer withdrew from the Rogers Cup in Toronto next month to be in peak condition for the U.S. Open.
Victor Espinoza’s agent tweeted that the Hall of Fame jockey’s condition was stable and he was walking in the hospital after he fractured a vertebra in his neck in a training accident at Del Mar. He will miss the rest of the summer meet.