Delayed decision means Sharapova will miss Rio
LAUSANNE • The Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Monday it has put back its ruling on the two-year doping ban for Maria Sharapova for two months to September, ruling the tennis superstar out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
The Russian, one of the biggest names in the sport, with five Grand Slam titles, tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January's Australian Open, in a severe blow to her reputation.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Spieth pulls out of Olympics over Zika
TROON (Scotland) • Golf's world No. 3 Jordan Spieth has pulled out of next month's Olympics owing to concerns over the Zika virus.
His decision was announced at the British Open. The American will be replaced in Rio by Matt Kuchar.
The latest withdrawal means that the top four men's players - Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Spieth and Rory McIlroy, will not play in Rio de Janeiro as the sport returns to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.
REUTERS
Consortium acquires MMA's UFC for $5.4b
NEW YORK • The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) said yesterday that it is being bought for US$4 billion (S$5.4 billion) by a combination of the sports and arts talent group WME-IMG backed by private equity groups.
The 23-year-old UFC group, which has led the rise of the popularity of mixed martial arts, said the move will help boost the global growth of the organisation and the sport.
WME-IMG, which represents and promotes artists, athletes and sports brands, will take over as operating partner, after having represented UFC for several years.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
