Reuters Sports News Summary

07/25/2016 3:56

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Griffey, Piazza inducted into baseball Hall of Fame

With his distinctive style and ear-to-ear smile, Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame on Sunday along with former slugger Mike Piazza. Nicknamed "The Kid," Griffey's timeless swing and grace in the outfield made him one of the most exciting and popular players in baseball history, and he once again thrilled fans during his ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.

Russia escapes IOC blanket ban for Rio Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected clarion calls for Russia to be banned from next month's Rio Olympics over the nation's doping record, offering athletes a lifeline by ruling that decisions on individual competitors will be left to the international sports federations. The IOC's decision on Sunday, less than two weeks before the Rio Games opens on Aug. 5, follows the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) call for a blanket ban in response to the independent McLaren report that found evidence of state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Chris Froome seals Tour great status with third title

Briton Chris Froome cemented his status as one of the greatest Tour de France riders when he secured his third title on Sunday after a three-week rocky ride. Germany's Andre Greipel won the 21st and last stage, a 113-km ride from Chantilly ending on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

India wrestler Yadav says foul play behind failed test

India's Narsingh Yadav has claimed his supplements and water had been "sabotaged" after the wrestler due to represent his country in the 74kg category at next month's Rio Games tested positive for a banned steroid. The 26-year-old's samples from an out-of-competition test returned positive and the wrestler attended a hearing to present his case before an anti-doping disciplinary panel on Saturday.

New Zealand satisfied with Rio Village after remedial work

New Zealand's Olympic team said they were satisfied with their accommodation for the Rio de Janeiro Games on Sunday, despite their trans-Tasman Sea neighbors Australia refusing to move in. The Australian Olympic team have declined to take up their apartments in the village with Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller saying the accommodation was "not safe or ready."

Rio scrambles to be ready as athletes, soldiers arrive

Tens of thousands of armed troops fanned out across Rio de Janeiro and local organizers faced a rebellion by Australia about unfinished living accommodations as athletes began to move in Sunday for the first Olympics ever in South America. Australia's Olympic team, complaining about uninhabitable rooms in the Olympic Village, refused to check in. Kitty Chiller, the head of the country's delegation, complained of "blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring."

Long jumper Rutherford blasts 'spineless' IOC decision

Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford has branded the International Olympic Committee's decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russia at next month's Rio Games as "spineless" and expressed surprise that more athletes were not speaking out. The IOC rejected calls for Russia to be banned from the Rio Games over its doping record on Sunday, putting the onus on international sports federations to decide whether individual athletes should be allowed to compete.

Seahawks GM Schneider signs contract extension

The Seattle Seahawks have reached a contract extension with general manager John Schneider, the NFL team announced on Sunday. The new deal extends through 2021, according to the NFL's website, and is expected to make Schneider one of the highest paid general managers in the NFL. "Seahawks extend top GM John Schneider, key architect of ourroster....Congrats!" Seahawks owner Paul Allen said on Twitter.

White Sox pitcher Sale suspended for 'insubordination'

The Chicago White Sox suspended All-Star left-hander Chris Sale for five days due to a pregame incident on Saturday in which he reportedly cut up some of the team's uniforms, the club announced Sunday. Sale was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home after allegedly expressing his displeasure over having to wear the team's 1976 throwback uniforms. He also got into a confrontation with a member of the front office in addition to destroying the uniforms.

Monfils ends title drought with Citi Open win

Gael Monfils ended a 2 1/2-year title drought by overcoming Ivo Karlovic 5-7 7-6(6) 6-4 in the final of the Citi Open in Washington, D.C on Sunday. The win was Monfils' first victory since February 2014 in Montpellier, France, and came at a place where two of the players he looked up to - Yannick Noah and Arthur Ashe - had won before him.

07/25/2016 3:56