SHARKS BRING BACK 40-YEAR-OLD MARLEAU FOR SECOND STINT

Patrick Marleau is returning to San Jose. General manager Doug Wilson announced Tuesday that the Sharks’ all-time leader in games, goals and points is returning to his original team with a one-year, $700,000 contract after spending the past two seasons in Toronto.

Wilson said the Sharks remain committed to integrating their young players into the organization. But suspensions, injuries and San Jose’s slow start changed the plan.

“This is an opportunity to add a veteran into our group to give use some veteran depth that’s versatile, understands how we play, and is very accepting of the role that (coach) Pete DeBoer may need on different nights,” Wilson said.

U.S. relaxes sponsorship rules for Olympic athletes.

COLORADO

SPRINGS» U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be able to thank personal sponsors, appear in advertisements for those sponsors and receive congratulatory messages from them during next year’s Tokyo Games under guidance released Tuesday by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The loosening of marketing rules gives athletes more freedom to benefit from sponsors they deal with directly, rather than limiting advertising to official partner companies of the USOPC, International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

Russia sends response to doping data tampering claims.

Russia has sent a formal response to the World Anti-Doping Agency after signs of tampering were found in data it handed over regarding past performance-enhancing drug cases.

Russia had until Wednesday to explain to the World Anti-Doping Agency why data it handed over appears to have been doctored, with some key evidence missing or altered.

Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov said the response addressed 31 questions from WADA and was compiled with the help of “independent Russian experts in the field of information technology.”

More men allege sexual misconduct by Ohio State team doctor.

More men are stepping forward with allegations about sexual misconduct by the former Ohio State athletics doctor now accused of abusing students between 1979 and 1997.

The addition of two lawsuits filed late last week means a total of about 200 men are suing the university over its failure to stop the now-deceased doctor, Richard Strauss, despite employees knowing about concerns. Lawyers involved say they represent even more men who aren’t listed plaintiffs, bringing the number of accusers above 300.

Ericsson to move into 3rd IndyCar entry for Ganassi.

Chip Ganassi Racing will field a third IndyCar next season for Marcus Ericsson, a former Formula One driver who just completed his first year in the American open-wheel series.

Ericsson spent his rookie year with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, but the team expressed little interest in retaining him after it formed an alliance for next season with McLaren. At Ganassi, he will drive the No. 8 alongside five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and fellow Swede Felix Rosenqvist, the 2019 series rookie of the year.

Racing officials approve Churchill Downs purchase of Turfway.

» The Kentucky Horse LEXINGTON, KY.

Racing Commission has approved the sale of Turfway Park to Churchill Downs. News outlets report the commission on Tuesday unanimously approved Churchill Downs’ bid to buy Turfway Park for $46 million.

Churchill President Kevin Flanery says the purchase is a $150 million investment in Kentucky racing. That figure includes the purchase price.