Reuters Sports News Summary

08/11/2016 3:55

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Basketball: Unbeaten U.S. survive Australia scare

Carmelo Anthony came to Team USA's rescue with a record-breaking effort on Wednesday as the defending Olympic basketball champions beat Australia 98-88 in a thrilling encounter to extend their overall winning streak to 20 games. Trailing the Boomers 72-70 early in the fourth quarter, Anthony tied the game from inside the paint then hit two big three-pointers to put the U.S. ahead for good as they remained top of the Group A standings with a 3-0 record.

Swimming: From injury to come-from-behind gold for Spain's Belmonte

A year ago, Mireia Belmonte was injured and unsure whether she would even be able to compete at the Rio Olympics. Now, after a come-from-behind victory in the 200 meters butterfly, the 25-year-old is the first female swimmer to win a gold medal for Spain and a contender for a fifth career medal if she qualifies on Thursday for Friday's 800 freestyle final.

Athletics: Isinbayeva to run for ARAF chief

Yelena Isinbayeva is to run for president of the Russian athletics federation (ARAF), the double Olympic pole vault champion said. Isinbayeva, who is unable to compete at the Rio Olympics due to a doping ban on Russia's athletics team, said on Thursday in an interview with the ARAF's official website that she wanted to help her country's athletes return to elite competition.

Hingis and Mirza call time on doubles partnership

The leading women's doubles team of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza have opted to end their partnership after suffering a slump in form following a trophy-laden 16 months together, the players confirmed on Thursday. "After three grand slam victories and 11 WTA doubles titles together, we have mutually agreed that we would each be open to playing with other players for the remainder of the season," the pair said in a statement.

Athletics: Walker Schwazer loses appeal, banned for eight years

Italy's 2008 Olympic 50km race walk champion Alex Schwazer has lost his appeal against a provisional ban for a doping violation and was suspended for eight years, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Thursday. Schwazer, who returned from a previous doping ban to lead Italy to the 50km world race walking team title in Rome this year, tested positive in May for a steroid that he said he had not knowingly taken.

Swimming: Move over Leonidas, here comes Michael Phelps

Leonidas of Rhodes would recognize a kindred spirit in Michael Phelps of Baltimore. After 2,160 years of history, give or take a decade, the greatest athlete of ancient Greece is no longer alone on his pedestal.

Haryanto to stay with Manor F1 team as reserve

Indonesian Rio Haryanto will stay with Manor as a reserve driver after being dropped from the race seat, the Formula One team said on Thursday. The decision came a day after the team announced that Frenchman Esteban Ocon was taking Haryanto's place from this month's Belgian Grand Prix due to contractual issues.

Baseball: Neck injury forces Fielder into retirement

Texas Rangers power-hitter Prince Fielder bid an emotional goodbye to baseball on Wednesday due to neck ailments. Wearing a neck brace and joined by his two young sons and Rangers team mates, the six-time All Star Fielder said his body would no longer allow him to play.

Police patrols beefed up at Rio Games as security concerns mount

Rio Olympics organizers stepped up police patrols on Wednesday as security concerns mounted over the threat posed by street violence, with a Games bus being hit by stones and a security patrol coming under fire near Rio's international airport. In the latest incident, gunmen fired on a military police car which strayed into the entrance of a slum near the airport, off a highway used by visitors traveling between there and the Olympic Park, security sources and the country's justice minister said.

Ledecky gets third gold, Franklin a first in Rio

Freestyle queen Katie Ledecky won her third gold medal of the Rio Olympics by anchoring the U.S. women to victory in the 4x200 meters freestyle relay on Wednesday while struggling Missy Franklin opened her account without being in the water for the final. Australia, who led until Ledecky dived in and turned the race around, took silver and Canada the bronze.

08/11/2016 3:55