Reuters Sports News Summary

09/12/2016 12:57

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Klitschko obsessed with regaining heavyweight crown

Former champion Wladimir Klitschko said he is obsessed with regaining his world heavyweight crown and he would wait for as long as it takes for his re-match with Britain's Tyson Fury. The fight has been fixed for Oct. 29 in Manchester, having been postponed in July when Fury suffered an ankle injury, although doubts have been raised about whether it would go ahead after Fury was charged with an anti-doping violation.

Rookies and veteran quarterbacks shine at new teams

The National Football League's opening week has been a strong one for debut quarterbacks as rookies and veterans alike earned passing grades with their new teams. Suspended signal-caller Tom Brady casts a large shadow for New England, but first-time starter Jimmy Garoppolo filled in nicely to guide the Patriots to a 23-21 victory against Arizona on Sunday night.

Hickey to fight 'each and every' charge

Former head of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hickey will fight "each and every one" of charges that he took part in a ring to sell tickets illegally for the Rio Games, the Irishman said on Monday. Hickey, who was also the head of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), was released from Rio's Bangu 10 maximum security prison last month, but must remain in Brazil until the case is heard.

Short-handed Patriots hang on to defeat Cardinals

Even without their stars and other starters as well, the New England Patriots proved they are no pushovers when playing short-handed. Just ask the Arizona Cardinals, who fell 23-21 Sunday night in the season-opener for both teams at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Farah's golds should not be devalued by Salazar accusations: Coe

Mo Farah should be respected for winning two golds at the Rio Olympics despite his coach Alberto Salazar being under investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), IAAF President Sebastian Coe said. American Salazar, who has worked with Farah since 2011, was accused of violating anti-doping rules in a BBC documentary last year, including allegations he had given 2012 Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Galen Rupp the banned anabolic steroid testosterone.

Chess gets VR makeover as organizers tap smartphone generation

Fans tuning in to the 2016 World Chess Championship from home may well have the best seats in the house, with the tournament set to be broadcast live in 360-degree Virtual Reality (VR) - a first in any sport, organizers say. Norway's defending champion Magnus Carlsen will battle Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin -- the winner of the candidates' tournament -- in November's New York showpiece.

Luis Enrique plays down talk of Barca rift

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has played down talk of a rift with his squad after their surprise home defeat by Alaves and is hoping to put things right in their Champions League opener against Celtic on Tuesday. Spanish sports website Diario Gol reported on Monday that some players responded to a telling off following the 2-1 La Liga reverse on Saturday by questioning Luis Enrique's decision to make eight changes to the team.

Platini allowed to address UEFA Congress as 'gesture of humanity'

UEFA's disgraced former president Michel Platini will be allowed to address its Congress on Wednesday as a "gesture of humanity" despite his ban from the sport, FIFA's ethics committee said on Monday. The Frenchman has been banned for four years from all soccer-related activity for ethics violations and his replacement to head the sport's European governing body will be elected at the event in Athens.

Belgian Paralympian says not ready for euthanasia

Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort has said she is still considering euthanasia but contrary to media reports, will not be ending her life immediately after the Games in Rio. The 37-year-old, who won a silver medal in the 400 meters wheelchair race on Saturday, suffers from an incurable and degenerative spinal condition and signed euthanasia papers in 2008 in Belgium, where it is legal.

Fowler, Holmes, Kuchar named U.S. Ryder Cup picks

United States captain Davis Love III named Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar on Monday as three of his four wildcard picks for this month's Ryder Cup against holders Europe in Chaska, Minnesota. Love will announce his final selection on Sept. 25, after the Tour Championship finishes in Atlanta, to round out his 12-man team.

09/12/2016 12:57