Olympics News
WADA reports breakthrough in gene doping tests (AP)
Two groups of scientists have developed tests for gene doping in what the World Anti-Doping Agency hailed Friday as a major breakthrough in fighting the next frontier in cheating in sports. Scientists in Germany said they have come up with a blood test that can provide "conclusive proof" of gene doping, even going back as far as 56 days from when the doping took place.
Rio picks 2016 Olympics logo for NY Eve unveiling (AP)
Rio organizers have chosen the logo for the 2016 Olympics, but it won't be unveiled until an official ceremony on New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach. The logo's design was picked from eight finalists on Thursday and will now be sent to the International Olympic Committee for approval. Rio 2016 committee president Carlos Arthur Nuzman says "a historic" phase of the games has
Figure staking: Lysacek won't compete in 2010 (AP)
Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek is taking some time off. How much time off, he hasn't decided. Lysacek said Thursday he won't compete the rest of this year, meaning he will skip the Grand Prix season. But he still wants to skate, and hasn't ruled out the U.S. championships in mid-January.
Rogge: Cricket scandal highlights bigger problem (AP)
IOC president Jacques Rogge believes the cricket match-fixing scandal shows that illegal betting has become as big a blight on sports as doping. Without taking any stand on the fixing allegations against three Pakistan cricketers, Rogge said Thursday the main problem for sports across the globe was illegal companies betting on incremental parts of a game.
Ducks beware: 2012 triathlon heads to Hyde Park (AP)
Triathletes at the 2000 Olympics had to negotiate Sydney's shark-infested harbor, so the ducks and geese of London's Hyde Park seem unlikely to cause much fear in 2012. Revealing their plans for the first "downtown" triathlon since the event's debut at the Sydney Games, the London 2012 Olympic organizers also promised that the park's thriving wildlife would not be unduly
Munich 2018 board says bid chief illness no obstacle (Reuters)
Munich's bid to stage the 2018
Winter Olympics will not be derailed by bid chief Willy Bogner's
illness, the head of Munich's supervisory board said on
Thursday.
Blair: Berlusconi helped London win 2012 Olympics (AP)
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair credits Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi with helping London secure the 2012 Olympics. Blair also says in his new autobiography that he was dubious about bidding for the games, never thought London would win and feared being "humiliated" by losing to the French.
Ashley chosen new USOC chief of sport performance (AP)
The U.S. Olympic Committee has picked Alan Ashley as its new chief of sport performance, part of a restructuring after a six-month internal review by CEO Scott Blackmun. Ashley, who was the managing director of sport performance, takes over for Mike English, who will move into a position that oversees the Olympic Training Centers and other USOC facilities.
Key critic during time of USOC turmoil steps down (AP)
One of the key critics of the U.S. Olympic Committee during its CEO switch has left his job as the leader of USA Triathlon. The federation announced the departure of executive director Skip Gilbert in a brief news release, offering no explanation. Gilbert also leads the council of America's national governing bodies, though his future role there was not explained.