IOC seeks pathway to let Russians compete at 2024 Paris Olympics
The IOC made clear Wednesday it wants Russians to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral athletes, in defiance of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call to exclude them entirely.
Citing a “unifying mission” during a time of war, the International Olympic Committee said no athlete should face discrimination based only on the passport they held.
“A pathway for athletes' participation in competition under strict conditions should therefore be further explored,” the IOC said in a statement published after an executive board meeting. IOC president Thomas Bach did not hold his usual news conference after the meeting.
Russia was not directly condemned in the statement though athletes who have been “actively supporting the war in Ukraine” face being excluded from the Paris Olympics that open in 18 months' time, the IOC said.
The IOC cited the example of Yugoslavians competing at the 1992 Barcelona Games — as “independent athletes” while the nation was under United Nations sanctions during a civil war.
The willingness of Olympic leaders to involve Russia and its military ally Belarus is likely to be met with dismay and anger in Kyiv.
NFL CHIEFS' MAHOMES TO PRACTICE AS USUAL ON SPRAINED ANKLE >>
The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes walked through Arrowhead Stadium as if nothing was amiss Wednesday, his sprained right ankle hardly hampering the AllPro quarterback as he began preparing for the AFC title game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mahomes went through a normal morning walkthrough and then headed out for an afternoon practice with the rest of the Chiefs, four days after a Jacksonville pass rusher landed on his ankle and forced him to hobble off the field in pain.
“AFC championship week,” Mahomes said with a smile. “I'm ready to go.”
MLB BELTRÉ, MAUER ELIGIBLE FOR BASEBALL HALL OF FAME NEXT YEAR >>
Scott Rolen is headed to the Hall of Fame. Next year, make way for another star third baseman.
Adrián Beltré highlights the first-time eligibles for 2024. While Rolen's election Tuesday capped an impressive six-year rise in his vote total, Beltré has a good chance to go in on the first ballot. Although he was never an MVP, he finished his career with 3,166 hits, 477 home runs and five Gold Gloves, remaining productive all the way through his final season at age 39.
Joe Mauer, Chase Utley, David Wright, José Bautista and Matt Holliday are also expected to make their debuts on the ballot next year. Mauer is the only catcher to win three batting titles and was the American League MVP in 2009.
College football WASHINGTON ST'S JAKE DICKERT AGREES TO EXTENSION THROUGH `27 >>
Washington State coach Jake
Dickert has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him tied to the Cougars through the 2027 season.
The school announced Dickert's extension but did not release the financial terms. Dickert's previous deal was reached after the 2021 regular season and went through 2026.
Dickert just completed his first full season in charge of the Cougars, leading Washington State to a 7-6 record and a second straight bowl game.
Skiing SHIFFRIN ADDS TO RECORD TOTAL WITH 84TH WIN IN ANOTHER GS >>
Mikaela Shiffrin didn't wait long to add to her record total of World Cup wins.
A day after securing record victory No. 83, Shiffrin added her 84th win on Wednesday in another giant slalom on the same course.
And like how she did it a day earlier, Shiffrin led from start to finish, dominating the first run down the steep Erta course and then adding to her advantage in the second run.