MINTENKO IS FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD U.S. NATIONAL SWIM TEAM

Two-time Olympian Lindsay Mintenko was appointed Wednesday to lead the U.S. national swimming team, becoming the first woman to hold the title.

Mintenko replaces Frank Busch, who retired Oct. 1 as managing director of the national team. Mintenko has been a member of the national team staff since 2006.

During her swimming career, Mintenko won gold medals as a U.S. team captain at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in the 800-meter freestyle relay, in addition to a silver on the 400 freestyle relay in 2004.

“With Lindsay’s 10-plus years of experience at USA Swimming, her role as a two-time Olympic team captain and time on deck as a coach, she is a tremendous fit for this position,” said Tim Hinchey, the new president and CEO of USA Swimming. “Lindsay is well respected by our athletes and coaches, and USA Swimming is looking forward to continued competitive success by the national team under her direction.”

Gymnast Maroney alleges sex abuse by team doctor.

Two-time Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney says she was molested for years by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor, abuse she said started in her early teens and continued for the rest of her competitive career.

Maroney posted a lengthy statement on Twitter Wednesday that described the allegations of abuse against Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent three decades working with athletes at USA Gymnastics but now is in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. Nassar also is awaiting trial on separate criminal sexual conduct charges and has been sued by more than 125 women alleging abuse.

Nassar has pleaded not guilty to the assault charges, and the dozens of civil suits filed in Michigan are currently in mediation.

Bulls suspend Portis for fighting.

CHICAGO» The Bulls suspended forward Bobby Portis for the first eight games for injuring teammate Nikola Mirotic during a fight at practice.

Mirotic suffered multiple broken bones in his face as well as a concussion Tuesday. He will probably need surgery and is out indefinitely.

A 2015 first-round pick, Portis has averaged 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds. He will be allowed to practice with the team while he is suspended.

NCAA says schools will play to aid disaster relief.

The NCAA said at least two dozen Division I basketball programs are taking advantage of a waiver that allows teams to play an extra exhibition game if the proceeds go to disaster relief.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn told The Associated Press via email that the governing body is aware of 24 programs that have elected to take part in one of the games. Many of the games are benefiting people affected by recent Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria, while at least one is helping people affected by the California wildfires and the Las Vegas mass shooting.

Footnotes.

Louisville trustees fired athletic director Tom Jurich in the wake of its involvement in a national federal investigation of college basketball. The Board of Trustees voted 10-3 to fire former Colorado State athletic director Jurich after 20 years as Louisville’s AD. Jurich, 61, had been placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 27 by interim university president Greg Postel. Louisville’s Athletic Association fired men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino on Monday. … The PGA Tour is bringing a regular tournament to Kentucky for the first time in nearly 60 years. The Barbasol Championship is leaving Alabama next summer for the Keene Trace Golf Club just outside Lexington. The tournament is July 19-22 and is held the same week as the British Open. — The Associated Press