German official wants Russia ban

The president of the German Olympic Committee has called for Russia to be banned from the 2018 and 2020 Olympics if sports bosses there are found to have known about statesponsored doping.

Alfons Hoermann told Die Welt newspaper that bans from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo would provide a “clear signal” of zero tolerance for doping. Twelve Russian medalists from the 2014 Sochi Olympics were accused of benefiting from a massive doping coverup scheme.

World Anti-Doping Agency investigations have accused Russian government officials and anti-doping leaders of running the scheme, but not the Russian Olympic Committee.

Hoermann says if further investigations confirm statebacked doping and show ROC involvement, it would be reasonable for the International Olympic Committee to ban Russia from the 2018 and 2020 games. IOC President Thomas Bach was Hoermann’s predecessor as head of the German Olympic body.

“If someone breaches the IOC charter in such a clear way, then they must face the harshest form of punishment,” Hoermann said in comments published Sunday.

Also Sunday, German TV channel ARD broadcast a documentary alleging that suspended Russian coach Vladimir Kazarin has continued working with an Olympiclevel runner and that other unnamed coaches continue to give their athletes steroids despite ongoing investigations and a ban on Russian teams in international track and field competitions. Horse racing: Santa Anita canceled Sunday’s eight-race card because of safety concerns amid heavy rain and wind. Track officials say nearly 14½ inches of rain have fallen at the racetrack since Dec. 10.