The Riverside Press-Enterprise
USADA, horse racing deal falls apart
A deal for the U.S. Anti-doping Agency to police drugs in horse racing cratered Thursday after months of negotiations that the agency’s CEO said did not give it “a reasonable chance to put in place a credible and effective program.”
The USADA was set to become the regulator for anti-doping and medication control for thoroughbred racing under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which is set to go into effect next July. But in a surprising announcement, CEO Travis Tygart said the deal stalled.
“While we desperately tried to reach an agreement to implement the program, without compromising our values, we have always said the passing of the legislation and the finalization of uniform, robust rules are huge victories for the horses and the equine industry,” he said.
Tygart did not offer specifics about the disagreements that scuttled the deal.
The lack of uniform rules across the nation came into focus after Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned substance after the Kentucky Derby. One key issue was the length of time it would take to corroborate the test with a “B” sample, which was needed to confirm the positive.
Medina Spirit ended up racing, and finishing third, in the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, even though his victory in the Kentucky Derby was in dispute.
Earlier this month, Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout at Santa Anita.
• The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation has become the latest signatory to the World Anti-doping Code, the World Anti-doping Agency said.
The IMMAF’S application to become a WADA signatory had initially been rejected in 2018, prompting the sport’s governing body to file a lawsuit.
A WADA signatory status is required for all sports federations wishing to become members of the Global Alliance of International Sports Federations, which helps secure funding as well as being recognized as an Olympic sport.
NCAA VOLLEYBALL Penn State’s Rose retires
Russ Rose retired as Penn State’s women’s volleyball coach, ending a 43-year run that featured seven NCAA titles, 109 straight wins from 2007-10 and the Division I career victory record.
The 68-year-old Rose will remain in an advisory role within the athletic department. Katie Schumacher-cawley will serve as interim head coach.
Rose finished with a 1,330-229 record, the most victories in Division I history. He led Penn State to national titles in 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 and 25 conference championships — 17 in the Big Ten and eight in the Atlantic 10.
FIGURE SKATING
Reigning Olympic champ Hanyu healthy, ready
Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu said he plans to compete at next year’s Beijing Games, a day after his absence from practice at the national championships fueled fears over the fitness of the reigning Olympic figure skating champion.
The 27-year-old, who won Olympic gold in the men’s singles at both Sochi and Pyeongchang, missed the Grand Prix season because of a right ankle injury.
Hanyu indicated he would incorporate the quadruple axel into his free skate program at nationals, attempting to become the first skater to execute the jump in competition.
Japan’s world No.3 Rika Kihira will miss out on her Olympic debut after sustaining a stress fracture.
SOCCER Pele out of hospital
Brazilian soccer great Pele was released from a Sao Paulo hospital but will continue being treated for a colon tumor.
Pele, 81, was hospitalized at the start of December for sessions of chemotherapy. He was also previously hospitalized for almost a month after having surgery to remove the tumor.
Pele posted a picture on social media from his younger days and said, “the smiling photo is not for nothing. As I promised you, I will spend Christmas with my family. I’m coming back home. Thanks for all the kind messages.”
• The New England Revolution re-signed free-agent goalkeeper Brad Knighton to a oneyear contract.
He will return for his 15th MLS campaign and his 12th in a Revolution uniform, the most in club history.
Knighton, 36, has 81 regularseason appearances with 78 starts and a 32-26-20 record with the Revolution (2007-09, 2014-21), Philadelphia (2010) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2012-13).