Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: WADA reinstates drug testing lab

Connecticut’s Chiney Ogwumike looks to pass the ball in traffic. (Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

Olympics: The World Anti-Doping Agency said Wednesday it has reinstated the laboratory that will carry out drug testing for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, which start in just over two weeks.

The lab was shuttered last month for what WADA called “nonconformity with International Standard for Laboratories.”

WADA said the Rio laboratory “has successfully complied with the ISL’s requirements for reinstatement and no further suspension is required.”

The statement will be a relief for local organizers and the International Olympic Committee, which would have been forced to send thousands of samples abroad for testing.

The Rio Olympics have faced myriad problems: the Zika epidemic, soaring crime and security worries, slow ticket sales and severe water pollution in venues for sailing, rowing, canoeing, triathlon and distance swimming.

“Athletes can be confident that anti-doping sample analysis has been robust throughout the laboratory’s suspension, and that it will also be during the Games,” Olivier Niggli, director general of WADA, said in a statement.

Lynx beat Dream

with sharp shooting

Wnba: Seimone Augustus scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Atlanta Dream 83-65 in Minneapolis for their fifth straight victory.

Defending champion Minnesota (20-4) has won at least 20 games in six consecutive seasons, tying the Los Angeles Sparks (1999-2004) for the longest streak in WNBA history.

Liberty edge Mystics: Reserve Rebecca Allen hit four 3-pointers and finished with 19 points helping New York defeat Washington 88-81 in Washington.

Brittany Boyd had 17 points and seven assists, Amanda Zahui B. added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Shavonte Zellous had 14 points for the Liberty (18-7).

Suns hold off Wings: Chiney Ogwumike had career bests with 26 points, four steals and seven blocked shots and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds in Connecticut’s 89-78 victory over Dallas in Arlington, Texas.

Ogwumike was 9 of 15 from the field and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

WNBA fines for uniform violations: The WNBA has fined the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever and their players for wearing black warm up shirts in the wake of recent shootings by and against police officers.

All three teams were fined $5,000 and each player was fined $500.

NFL to hire full-time chief medical officer

NFL: The NFL will be hiring a full-time chief medical officer to work with team medical staffs, the players’ union and league committees.

In a letter sent to the 32 team presidents and obtained by The Associated Press, Commissioner Roger Goodell said the chief medical officer also would work with “the broader independent scientific and medical communities.”

NCAA donates in honor of Summitt

NCAA: The NCAA has donated $50,000 to the Pat Summitt Foundation in memory of the late Tennessee coach.

The money will go toward the Summitt Foundation’s goal of raising $2.5 million for the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, which is scheduled to open in December.

NCAA committee backs proposals: The NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has endorsed seven proposals to improve an athlete’s college experience.

One measure calls for allowing educational exceptions to the five-year eligibility rule. The committee believes it would provide players with more opportunities to study abroad and work at internships.

Seong advances in

US Girls’ Junior

Golf: Defending champion Eun Jeong Seong of South Korea won her opening match in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in Paramus, New Jersey, topping Katherine Muzi of Walnut, California, 5 and 4.

Seong will face Taiwan’s Yu Chiang Hou, a 3-and-2 winner over Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, California, in the second round at Ridgewood Country Club.

Vick advances in US Junior: Stroke-play medalist Travis Vick held off Patrick Welch 2 and 1 in Ooltewah, Tennessee, in the first round of match play in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

The 16-year-old Vick, from Houston, lost three of four holes to take a 1-up lead to the par-5 17th, then hit a 4-iron approach to set up a winning two-putt birdie.

Larson rallies from lap down to win at Eldora

Miscellany: Kyle Larson rallied from a lap down to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

The 23-year-old Sprint Cup driver had a flat right rear tire while leading about a third of the way through NASCAR’s lone dirt race in its top three series. He got back on the lead lap with a free pass on a caution and quickly worked his way to the front.

Ex-WADA president says Russia should not go: Former World Anti-Doping Agency president John Fahey says it should be a “clear-cut” decision: Russia should not be allowed to compete at the Olympics in Rio.

Fahey told The Associated Press that Russia should “definitely not be going” to Rio and said the integrity of the 2016 Olympics and future games is in jeopardy.