Putin won’t block Russian Olympians
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday his government will allow Russians to compete as neutral athletes at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The International Olympic Committee banned the Russian team from the Games as punishment for doping violations at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The IOC plans to invite individual Russians to compete under the Olympic flag.
“We will not block our Olympians from taking part, if any of them wish to take part as individuals,” Putin said. “They have been preparing for these competitions for their whole careers, and for them it’s very important.”
Putin said Russia still did not accept accusations that it ran a state-backed doping system around the Sochi Olympics. He called the IOC ruling “politically motivated” and unfair “collective punishment.”
Giants optimistic on Stanton trade
San Francisco Giants general manager Bobby Evans said the club has reached the parameters of a potential trade for Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Evans said Giants executives gathered with the National League most valuable player and his representatives in “a good meeting ” last week. He would not discuss the specifics.
Derek Jeter, the Marlins’ chief executive, said the club has not decided whether to trade Stanton, who led the majors with 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in last season and is owed $295 million over the final decade of his record $325-million, 13-year contract.
Left-hander Mike Minor and the Texas Rangers finalized a $28-million, threeyear contract.
Minor was 6-6 with a 2.55 earned-run average in 65 relief appearances last season with the Kansas City Royals.
The Oakland Athletics’ proposed site for a new ballpark near Laney College has fallen through because the Peralta Community College District, which owns the land, backed out . ... Rafael Palmeiro, 53, told The Athletic he is considering a comeback. One of only five players with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, his career ended with the Baltimore Orioles in 2005 amid a suspension for performanceenhancing drugs.
Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon has been accused of sexual harassment by an assistant for his sports marketing firm, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Orange County Superior Court. Wendy Haskell alleges Moon made “unwanted and unsolicited” sexual advances. The Washington Post first reported on the lawsuit Wednesday.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Isaiah Thomas played four on four, a significant step in his recovery from a hip injury . ... Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol was fined $15,000 by the NBA for using a profanity during a live television interview and Brooklyn Nets guard-forward Allen Crabbe was fined the same amount for violating a rule prohibiting players from throwing any item, including the game ball, at the basket stanchion. ... Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks because of a groin injury . ... Dallas Mavericks forward Nerlens Noel will have surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb . ... Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford, 56, is taking a leave because of an unspecified health issue.
Chad Morris signed a six-year contract worth $3.5 million annually to coach the Arkansas football team. Morris was 14-22 in three seasons at Southern Methodist. ... Pittsburgh signed football coach Pat Narduzzi to a new contract through the 2024 season. Financial details were not disclosed. He is 21-17 in three seasons with the Panthers . ... Mike Bloomgren received a five-year deal to coach at Rice. He was Stanford’s associate head coach and offensive coordinator in 2017, and was with the program for seven seasons.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Stanford running back Bryce Love and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson are the finalists for the Associated Press college football player of the year.
The winner will be announced Thursday.
Mayfield leads the nation in passer efficiency rating and has thrown for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns, Love is second in the nation in rushing at 164.2 yards per game on 8.32 yards per carry and Jackson, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, leads the nation in total offense at 411 yards per game.