Reuters Sports News Summary

07/28/2016 0:59

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Torrance named Europe's fifth Ryder Cup vice-captain

European Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke named Sam Torrance on Wednesday as his fifth vice-captain for September's match against the United States. The 62-year-old Torrance, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups as a player and the winning captain in 2002, will work alongside Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie and Ian Poulter in Clarke's support team.

No thanks for the London memories, says Campbell

Australian swimming has moved on from the debacle in the London pool four years ago and it's 'disrespectful' to keep reminding the Olympic team about it in the leadup to Rio de Janeiro, 100 meters freestyle world record holder Cate Campbell has said. Swimming superpower Australia's proud Olympic record was tarnished at London where they won just a solitary relay title and slumped to their worst medal haul in 20 years.

Wiggo, Cav back but British supremacy faces test

Big guns Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will bolster the British team for next month's Olympic track cycling program but the powerhouse nation will have its work cut out repeating the supremacy of four years ago in London. Wiggins, 36, has returned to his track roots and will be a key cog in Britain's team pursuit squad, four years after that glorious summer when he won the Tour de France and the Olympic time trial in a matter of weeks.

Fitzpatrick, Jets agree on a new one-year deal

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick agreed on a new one-year contract with the New York Jets on Wednesday, ending a long off-season standoff between the two sides. Fitzpatrick will sign a new deal for $12 million with a chance to make $3 million in incentives, according to the NFL's website which reported the deal.

Patriots shoot down possibility of quarterback controversy

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick ended a quarterback controversy before one could even begin as he said on Wednesday that Tom Brady will be the team's starter when he returns from a suspension. Belichick said the Patriots are focused on getting backup Jimmy Garoppolo ready for the team's Sept. 11 season opener but that Brady, banned four games as a result of the "Deflategate" scandal, will not lose his starting role.

Olympic ban on Russian athletes result of political campaign: Putin

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the exclusion of Russian track-and-field athletes from the Rio Olympics over doping allegations was discrimination and that a political campaign had been waged against Russian sportspeople. Putin, who was addressing members of Russia's Olympic team in the Kremlin, said that the absence of some Russian sportspeople from the Olympics would damage international sport as well as the Olympics.

Namesake Russia coaches groom synchro stars for more gold

Two namesake coaches who have propelled Russian synchronized swimming to one medal after another hope to blow rivals out of the water once again at the Rio Olympic Games. Head team coach Tatyana Pokrovskaya and duets coach Tatiana Danchenko have crafted creative and explosive routines ranging from a jaunty Marilyn Monroe-inspired performance to a Metallica-themed one.

Doping tsunami leaves number one sport on brink

A year of unrelenting misery, of corruption, cover-ups, bans, appeals and doping, doping, doping, has ripped the heart and soul out of athletics, the sport that likes to think of itself as the heart and soul of the Olympics. There is not a doping cloud hovering above the track and field program at the Rio Games, there is a dense, filthy smog that has enveloped every corner and left the sport teetering on the edge of the abyss.

Djokovic dumps Mueller to reach third round in Toronto

Novak Djokovic opened his North American hardcourt season with a 7-5 7-6(3) victory over Luxembourg's Gilles Mueller on Wednesday to reach the third round of the Rogers Cup. Djokovic, playing his first match since his shock third-round Wimbledon loss to American Sam Querrey, won 73 percent of his service points and wrapped up the win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Despite problems, Olympic city of Rio still something to see

You have seen the postcards. And you have probably read the headlines.

07/28/2016 0:59