Newsmakers

Repaired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is going to start the offseason training program with a surgically repaired left ankle. The Giants announced that Manning had arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to relieve some lingering discomfort in the ankle he sprained in the regular-season finale against Washington.

Manning expects to be able to run in six weeks.

• Former UFC champion Georges St. Pierre has undergone knee surgery and plans to spend the next three months rehabbing in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old mixed martial arts star from Montreal tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training.

Banned Former 100-meter world record holder Asafa Powell has been banned for 18 months. The 31-year-old sprinter tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrone at Jamaica’s national trials last June. He’s been suspended from competition since his doping case was disclosed in July.

Extended Utah State football coach Matt Wells has agreed to a contract extension through the 2018 season. Athletic director Scott Barnes said Wells’ deal could pay over $800,000 annually with incentives and includes guaranteed step increases in each year of his contract.

Transferred Duke says versatile senior quarterback Brandon Connette is transferring closer to his home in California. Coach David Cutcliffe made the announcement, adding that Connette’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in December and Cronnette was granted a leave of absence from the team before its bowl game to be with her.

Hired The U.S. ski team has brought in Stefan Abplanalp to take over as the women’s speed coach. The Swiss-born coach spent the last two seasons with the Norwegian women’s program. Before that, he was with the Swiss squad for eight seasons. Abplanalp replaces Chip White, who left last month after being involved with the program for 18 years.

Admitted Former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian has been admitted to a Las Vegas hospital. Relatives said he was feeling weak and having trouble breathing. Tarkanian was inducted last year into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. He took three schools to the NCAA tournament but is best known for his teams at UNLV that made four Final Four appearances and won it all in 1990.

Died Long-time New York trainer Joe Aquilino, whose 58-1 longshot Badge finished third at the 1999 Preakness, has died. He was 76.