Russian weightlifters banned from Rio for doping

NOTES Russians from competing in Rio.

To replace the eight Russian lifters, five countries were offered places in the men’s competition: Belarus, Croatia, El Salvador, Mongolia and Serbia. For the women, Albania, Georgia and Moldova became eligible.

In justifying its actions against Russia, the IWF said retests of samples from seven Russian weightlifters who took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics or 2012 London Olympics resulted in positive tests, and more were expected.

■ SECURITY ISSUES — Brazil’s federal government has severed its contract with a security firm that was supposed to operate X-ray machines during the Olympics.

Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes says the Artel company didn’t deliver the 3,400 workers supposed to perform the task and will be replaced by retired policemen — who still are to be trained.

Moraes said Artel will be sued for not delivering and that the contract was worth about $6 million.

There are expected to be 85,000 military personnel and police across the city, double the number on the streets in London in 2012.

■ BETTING MONITORED — The International Olympic Committee has set up a special unit to monitor any illegal betting, match-fixing or other illegal activity during the Rio Games.

The IOC said the Joint Integrity Intelligence Unit will work with experts from the Rio organizing committee in the athletes village and “behind the scenes” at the games. An existing betting monitoring system also has been reinforced.

The program will be supported by Brazil’s Department of Federal Police, the national secretariat for security at major events, and Interpol.

■ FIRE CAUSES STIR — Australian Olympic team members returned to their building at the athletes village in Rio after smoke from a small fire in the basement prompted an evacuation.

According to a team spokesman, 50-60 athletes and staff had to leave the building for about 20 minutes. A spokesman for the Rio organizing committee said cardboard caught fire in the basement area.

This comes after a tension-filled week in which Australia refused to occupy its building, citing gas and plumbing leaks, electrical shorts and general filth.

■ FELIX ON MEND — United States runner Allyson Felix said she expects to be close to 100 percent when 400-meter qualifying begins on Aug. 13.

Felix, 30, who hurt her right ankle during training this spring, was at less than 100 percent earlier this month when she ran in the U.S. Olympic trials.

She failed to qualify for her favorite race, the 200 meters, and will not have a chance to defend her Olympic title at that distance.