Reuters Sports News Summary

08/25/2016 12:58

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Greek government left red-faced after Korakaki error

The Greek government was left embarrassed on Thursday after a special ceremony to honor the country's Olympic team went ahead without Anna Korakaki, one of their three gold medalists in Rio. Shooter Korakaki, 19, won two of Greece's six medals, gold in the women's 25 meter pistol final and bronze in the 10 meter air pistol event.

Blatter appears at CAS for appeal against ban

Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeared before sport's highest tribunal, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), on Thursday to appeal against his six-year ban from soccer. The 80-year-old, who headed soccer's global governing body for 17 years until he resigned in June last year, was banned from all football-related activity last December along with the then European soccer boss, Michel Platini.

Putin calls ban on Russian Paralympic team 'immoral'

A ban on Russia's Paralympic team competing in Rio next month is cynical and immoral, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, but he said that Moscow acknowledged mistakes it had made in tackling sports doping. Russia's track-and-field team was excluded from the Rio Games that just ended after world anti-doping authorities alleged Moscow ran a state-sponsored sports doping program. The entire Russian Paralympic team has also been barred over the same doping allegations.

Man City sign goalkeeper Bravo from Barcelona

Manchester City have signed Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Barcelona for an initial 18 million euros ($20.3 million), the clubs confirmed on Thursday. The 33-year-old agreed a four-year contract to join City as new manager Pep Guardiola continues his major overhaul of the 2014 Premier League champions.

Yates wins stage six, Atapuma retains Vuelta red jersey

Briton Simon Yates powered away to a solo victory in stage six of the Tour of Spain on Thursday, a 163.2km ride from Monforte de Lemos to Luintra. With 3.6km remaining, the Orika-BikeExchange rider went clear and rode to the finish 20 seconds ahead of Spaniard Luis-Leon Sanchez of Astana.

Qatar's recruited athletes stir debate on citizenship

When 39 athletes from Qatar qualified for the Rio Olympics, the most in the tiny Gulf state's history, Noor al-Shalaby celebrated the achievement in a Facebook post. "Qatar! You are in my blood and my soul," wrote the 34-year-old accountant.

Solo hit with six-month ban over 'cowards' comments

U.S. Soccer handed goalkeeper Hope Solo a six-month ban from internationals on Wednesday after she branded opponents Sweden "a bunch of cowards" at this month's Rio Olympics. The Swedes beat the United States 4-3 in a shootout on Aug. 12 to move into the semi-finals at the Rio Games, denying the Americans a chance to win a fourth straight Olympic title.

Motor racing-Hamilton to take hefty grid penalty in Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday's Belgian Formula One Grand Prix from near the back of the grid due to an engine-related penalty, but the championship leader is confident the setback will not halt his momentum. The Mercedes driver is set to take a hefty penalty for exceeding his allowed allocation of engine components after early-season reliability woes left him short of parts.

Manchester United will respect Europa League, says Herrera

Manchester United are excited about participating in the Europa League this season and Jose Mourinho's side will be taking the competition seriously, midfielder Ander Herrera said on Thursday. United missed out on a return to the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League under Louis van Gaal and had to settle for a spot in Europe's secondary club competition.

Kenya removes Olympics committee over Rio performance

Kenya has disbanded its National Olympics Committee (NOC-K) because of the poor handling of the east African country's team during the Rio Olympics, sports minister Hassan Wario said on Thursday. Wario has set up a committee to investigate the misconduct and it will report its findings by Sept. 30. The Directorate of Criminal Investigation has also been asked to begin a probe.

08/25/2016 12:58