CAS to rule on Russia's athletes by July 21

GENEVA • The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday that it will decide whether to overturn the ban on Russia's athletics programme by July 21.

The International Association of Athletics Federations banned Russia's entire track and field federation following revelations of massive, state-sponsored doping.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Smalling faces big scare with food poisoning

LONDON • Manchester United footballer Chris Smalling was taken to hospital on Sunday with food poisoning after fainting in Bali, although a picture of the player posted on Twitter with a bandage around his head, a brace on his neck and a drip coming out of his arm suggested a more serious problem.

The 26-year-old has now fully recovered.

REUTERS

Ning assures fans that he is Rio-bound

SHANGHAI • Chinese swimmer Ning Zetao has said his Olympic preparations are in full swing and has assured fans he will be going to Rio, following social media reports that he will be dropped for undertaking too many commercial engagements.

The 23-year-old from Henan last year became the first Asian 100m freestyle world champion.

REUTERS

Japan's athletes told to sing anthem loud & proud

TOKYO • Standing before 300 Japanese athletes about to leave for the Rio Olympics, the head of the organising committee for the Tokyo Games in 2020 issued a stark warning: Sing the national anthem with gusto or consider yourselves unfit to represent your country.

Yoshiro Mori launched his tirade on Sunday just after the athletes delivered an apparently lacklustre rendition of Kimigayo, Japan's national anthem.

THE GUARDIAN