Reuters Sports News Summary

09/12/2016 19:51

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

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.

Food fight: British sausage thrower wins Black Pudding championship

This year's World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, a more than 100-year-old tournament centered around hurling blood sausage, was won by the first thrower. The competition was held on Sunday in the northern English village of Ramsbottom, about 15 miles (24 km) north of Manchester. Each contestant had three chances to knock as many 6-1/2-pound (3-kg) Yorkshire puddings off a plinth as possible by throwing black pudding at them.

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.

Monday Night Football shines spotlight on national anthem protests

He may be listed as backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers lineup, but all eyes will be on Colin Kaepernick when the national anthem plays for the team's first Monday night football game of the season, at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Kaepernick has ignited a National Football League controversy by refusing to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of the team's preseason games to protest what he has called racial injustice and police brutality.

Lani's Belmont run inspires Japan route to Kentucky

The storming run by Japan-based colt Lani at this year's Belmont Stakes has inspired a series of races in the Asian country that could annually produce a starter in the Kentucky Derby, from 2017 onwards. Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has partnered with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to create the 'Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby', which will include two one-mile dirt stakes races at the famed Tokyo Racecourse.

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.

New champions add to fresh look of U.S. Open

A new roof was all the rage when the U.S. Open began two weeks ago but it was the crowning of a new world number one and two first-time champions that left their mark on a tournament that came to an emotional close on Sunday with a tribute to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. At a tournament where trainers had nearly as much court time as weary players, Germany's Angelique Kerber and Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka were the last two standing in their respective draws as they each captured their first U.S. Open titles.

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

United States captain Davis Love III focused on "what fits best for our team" in naming Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar on Monday as three of his four wildcard picks for this month's Ryder Cup against Europe. Love, who notably overlooked world number seven Bubba Watson, will announce his final selection on Sept. 25, after the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship finishes in Atlanta, to round out his 12-man team.

South African top court rejects ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt's bid to appeal rape conviction: report

South Africa's top court has dismissed an application by disgraced former grand slam doubles champion Bob Hewitt to challenge his conviction for rape and sexual assault, Independent Online service reported on Monday. The Constitutional Court rejected Hewitt's challenge on the grounds that "it lacks prospects of success," meaning that the former tennis great has exhausted all legal avenues of appeal.

09/12/2016 19:51