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FINA in turmoil over dope vetting: report
DUBLIN: Swimming’s world governing body FINA is engulfed in a crisis with reports suggesting three of the panel who vetted Russian swimmers for the Rio Games have
DUBLIN: Swimming’s world governing body FINA is engulfed in a crisis with reports suggesting three of the panel who vetted Russian swimmers for the Rio Games have resigned after their advice was ignored.
In a letter, obtained by Irish national broadcaster RTE, to FINA president Julio Maglione the trio – including Professor Andrew Pipe who headed up FINA’s eight member doping control review board (DCRB) – lambast the governing body for wilfully disregarding their recommendations.
“Despite the anti-doping expertise of the individuals who make up the DCRB, FINA chose to ignore our advice,” the resignation letter said. “We learned of FINA’s decisions regarding the eligibility of Russian competitors only by observing the Olympic competition.”
CHAPPELL GRABS ONE-SHOT LEAD
BOSTON: Kevin Chappell, who is hoping to end a string of bridesmaid finishes this season and claim his first PGA Tour title, has a one-shot lead after 36 holes of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
The 30-year-old American took the solo lead with a birdie on number 16 as he emerged from a duel on Saturday with England’s Paul Casey to finished with a seven-under 64.
“There’s no secret that the more I’m smiling, the more I’m having fun, the better I’m playing,” said Chappell, who finished the first two rounds at 11-under 131. “I finished bogey-double bogey and kind of played my way out of the tournament (last Friday at The Barclays). I really was bothered by that and didn’t want to let that happen again.”
Casey parred the last two holes in his 66 to stay one stroke back and even with American Jimmy Walker, who fired a 64.
Brian Harman posted a 65 and is two back in solo fourth.
LEE LEADS MANULIFE CLASSIC BY ONE STROKE
TORONTO: South Korea’s Lee Mi-Hyang led an Asian assault on the leaderboard Saturday by firing a six-under 66 in the third round of the LPGA Tour’s Manulife Classic.
Lee has a one-stroke lead over Korean compatriot Kim Hyo-Joo following 54 holes.
Two Thai golfers, Ariya Jutanugarn (66) and P.K. Kongkraphan (69), are one shot back of the Koreans in a tie for third as Asians command the top four positions heading into the final round on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Ariya, of Bangkok, has won five times this season to rise to a career-high No 2 in the world rankings.
SECURITY FEARS OVER DAVIS CUP MATCH
CARACAS, VENEZUELA: Crisis-wracked Venezuela has been barred from hosting a Davis Cup tie against Peru by the International Tennis Federation over security concerns.
The Venezuelan Tennis Federation considers the decision baseless, and plans to appeal.
“We don’t deny we’re in the worst crisis in our country’s history,” said an angry Luis Contreras, president of the Venezuelan federation, “but that only affects a sector of the population. There no justification for this.”
