Nadal tests Rio court and wrist

RIO DE JANEIRO— Tennis star Rafael Nadal, Spain’s flag bearer for Friday’s opening ceremonies, is ready to play in the Olympics after being sidelined with a wrist injury for more than two months. The 14-time major champion hit for two hours with fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Monday on a practice court at the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro. Nadal hasn’t played since pulling out of the French Open on May 27 before his third-round match because of an injured left wrist. He won a singles gold medal for Spain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but missed the 2012 London Games with a knee injury.

RUSSIAN RULING: Russia’s sports minister says a decision is expected in the next two days on which athletes will be allowed to compete in Rio. Vitaly Mutko spoke during a visit to Paris-based UNESCO on Monday where he presented a report on what is being done in Russia to fight doping — after the World Anti-Doping Agency accused the Russian government of directing a vast coverup. Mutko insists “there is no state system of doping in Russia.”

RAMPING UP: The head of World Sailing is promising a launching ramp that collapsed a few days ago will be ready on Friday — three days before the sailing competition starts. The launching ramp, one of two being used at the Marina da Gloria venue, broke apart on Saturday. Organizers are blaming strong waves and poor design.

POWER FORWARD: The United States will have a second member on the IOC executive board. Former Olympic hockey gold medallist Angela Ruggiero was elected as chair of the athletes’ commission on Monday, a position which automatically gives her a seat on the policy-making board.