A Rio trip for Gatlin
Felix, Merritt also qualify for Olympics
Justin Gatlin is heading to the Rio Olympics, after posting the year’s best time of 9.8 seconds in track and field’s 100 meters to win the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.
Gatlin will have some familiar company.
Allyson Felix fought through her injured right ankle to secure her spot in the 400 meters (49.68 seconds), and keep alive her hopes of a 200-400 double.
LaShawn Merritt, the 2008 gold medalist at 400 meters, also won (43.97) and said he’ll try to qualify in the 200, as well.
And defending Olympic champion Ashton Eaton was a runaway winner in the decathlon. His 8,750 points were one more than the personal best of anyone else who can qualify in the Olympic field.
Also making it: High jumper Vashti Cunningham, the daughter of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham.
Russia has appealed a ban of its athletics team from next month’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro over doping, the country’s Olympic committee said. . . .
Olympic gold medalist Asli Cakir Alptekin of Turkey has been cleared to race again as the middle distance runn appeals an eight-year suspension for doping.
Jaeger, Weitzeil pool talents
Connor Jaeger used a powerful finishing kick to win the 1,500-meter freestyle, while Abbey Weitzeil claimed victory in the 50 free in Omaha, Neb. Jaeger and Wilimovsky already locked up their berths in Rio before they dove in the pool. Jaeger also won the 400 free, while Wilimovsky had earned a spot for the U.S. in the open-water event at Rio.
Sagan wins stage, yellow
World champion Peter Sagan made the most of a steep, short climb in a frenzied finale to win the second stage of the Tour de France and claim the cycling race’s yellow jersey in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
Sagan used his power on the 1.9-kilometer Cote de la Glacerie leading to the finish line to claim the win ahead of Julian Alaphilippe, who started the final sprint. Spaniard Alejandro Valverde was third.
Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, who hit the ground for the second consecutive day, was dropped in the final climb and lost 48 seconds.
Hamilton clips Rosberg
Lewis Hamilton won the Austrian Grand Prix after colliding with Nico Rosberg on the final lap, an incident he blamed on his German teammate in Spielberg, Austria. Hamilton’s 46th career victory cut the gap to Rosberg in the drivers’ championship to 11 points.
Reilly, Trocheck ink deals
Former Bruins forward Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck signed new NHL deals with the Florida Panthers, becoming the latest beneficiaries of the team’s plan to lock up its young talent long term. Smith got a five-year, $25 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2021-22 season. His deal was announced not long after Trocheck finalized his six-year, $28.5 million contract with the club. . . .
The Stars signed free agent Adam Cracknell to a one-year contract, making Dallas the journeyman forward’s fifth team in four seasons. . . .
Defenseman Nate Guenin has agreed to a one-year, $600,000 contract to return to the Anaheim Ducks.