NEW YORK: After Russia’s widespread violations at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, new World Anti-Doping Agency director general Olivier Niggli says an expanding investigations staff will be on the lookout for state-sponsored cheating in other nations.
“It has happened in one country. I think it would be naive to think it’s the only country,” he said Thursday during an interview. “We have to have our eyes really open and also make sure we act on intelligence and information we might get.”
A report commissioned for WADA found state-directed manipulation of drug-testing results at the Moscow anti-doping lab from at least 2011 through the summer of 2013 and said Russia’s Ministry of Sport advised the laboratory which findings to cover up.
More than 100 Russian athletes, including the entire track and field team, were banned from this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Niggli, a 46-year-old Swiss lawyer who replaced David Howman on July 1, said WADA will have conversations with FIFA about testing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“It’s still sufficiently far away to hope that things will have changed and improved in Russia,” Niggli said. “It’s very important that we be able to work with the Russians to try to set up a system that is called compliant and that will provide some safeguards so that everybody regains confidence in what is going on there.”
Since the manipulation of Russian drug tests became public, the sample bottle used to collect urine has been improved. The IOC also has proposed that WADA take responsibility for drug testing across sports or establish an affiliate agency to do so.
Niggli rejected a suggestion by Russian Vladimir Putin that athletes with therapeutic use exemptions be excluded from major competitions.
“I don’t think it’s meaningful. I think every human being has a right of being treated for medical conditions,” he said.
Niggli was hired as WADA’s legal director in 2002, added the title of finance director two years later, then left for a law firm in 2011. He returned to WADA two years ago as chief operating officer.
He said WADA accepts the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to cut the suspension of Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova from two years to 15 months. A winner of all four Grand Slam tournaments, Sharapova tested positive for the heart drug meldonium, added to the banned list this year.
“It was slightly surprising that at that level she wouldn’t get warned properly by her entourage,” he said.
WADA was set up by the IOC in 1999 and has a $30 million budget for next year. It already has doubled the size of its unit that scrutinizes possible violations, hiring former Interpol agent Guenter Younger as its new director of intelligence and investigations. Four additional employees likely will be added to the unit by next year.
“Whistle-blower is another obviously important thing,” Niggli said. “Even if we have an investigation department, we’re not the police, we’re not law enforcement. We have no legal means of compelling people to talk to us. It’s only if people want to bring us information that I will get it.”
WADA believes maintaining biological passports for all athletes subject to testing will increase obstacles to doping. The passports establish baseline levels for each athlete, used for comparing with testing results.
“Makes it a lot more complicated for a chemist to get an edge,” Niggli said. “You would see variations which would be totally abnormal there and would trigger some reaction.”
He praised Major League Baseball, the NFL and the NHL for their anti-doping programs, which are subject to labor laws and negotiated with their unions. Among the major US professional leagues, there is one WADA is not working with.
“We don’t have too much relationship at the moment with the NBA,” he said.
WADA anticipating more state-sponsored doping
WADA anticipating more state-sponsored doping
Game Changers Falcons defeat Kites in World Tennis League thriller
- Falcons lead the way in table after second successive win
ABU DHABI: The Game Changers Falcons continued their impressive run in the World Tennis League’s third season, claiming a hard-fought 24-21 victory over the Kites in their match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The win marked the Falcons’ second successive triumph, placing them atop the points table with 53 points.
The TSL Hawks, victorious in the day’s earlier match, trail in second with 47 points, followed by the Kites with 46 points and the HonorFX Eagles with 34.
The evening began with a dramatic women’s doubles encounter as Simona Halep and Jasmine Paolini gave the Kites an early advantage, breaking the Falcons’ serve to lead 2-0.
However, the Falcons’ pairing of Elena Rybakina and Caroline Garcia regrouped to level the score and eventually pulled ahead to lead 5-3. The Kites mounted a comeback to tie the score at 6-6, forcing a tiebreak. Displaying resilience, Rybakina and Garcia prevailed, securing the set 7-6 and giving the Falcons an early lead.
In the women’s singles, Rybakina extended the Falcons’ momentum, dominating Halep throughout the set. With powerful and consistent play, Rybakina secured a 6-4 victory, pushing the Falcons’ overall lead to 13-10.
The mixed doubles match showcased intense competition, as Paolini and Nick Kyrgios faced off against Caroline Garcia and Denis Shapovalov. The set remained evenly matched at 5-5 before Paolini and Kyrgios broke serve and held their own to win 7-6, reducing the Falcons’ lead.
Then Andrey Rublev delivered a decisive performance for the Falcons. Building on his stellar form from the season opener, Rublev broke Kyrgios’ serve to lead 4-2. While Kyrgios attempted a comeback, Rublev held firm, closing out the set 6-4 and sealing the Falcons’ 24-21 win.
Speaking after the match, Kyrgios expressed his enthusiasm for the World Tennis League’s format.
He said: “Every game counts in the World Tennis League. When you look at the statistics, it doesn’t matter if a match seems lopsided — you want to fight for your team, and I love that.
“For me, this is the perfect return because it’s not overwhelming; (it’s) just the right amount of tennis. I also love the mixed doubles format. I never imagined seeing myself and Paolini on the same court, on the same side of the net, and that is really cool to witness.”
Bulked-up Tyson Fury promises ‘war’ in Usyk rematch in Saudi Arabia
- Their first unification bout of the four-belt era was decided by a narrow split-decision
RIYADH: Tyson Fury weighed in at the heaviest of his career on Friday as he vowed to go to war with Oleksandr Usyk in their world title rematch.
The Englishman, albeit fully clothed, tipped the scales at 281 pounds (127.4kg) — 19lb heavier than when he lost to the Ukrainian in their unification bout in May.
Usyk, also dressed against the winter chill at Riyadh’s Wonder Garden amusement park, weighed 226lb, 2.5lb heavier than seven months ago.
Fury’s added weight shows he’s out to physically dominate the smaller Usyk on Saturday. He offered only one word — “war” — to the interviewer as he left the stage.
“When a 20 stone (280lb) man hits you on the jaw, compared to a man at 17 stone, it’s a bit different,” Fury told Sky Sports earlier.
The 36-year-old “Gypsy King” desperately needs the win to erase his sole career defeat at the hands of the mobile, elusive Usyk in Riyadh in May.
The first unification bout of the four-belt era was decided by a narrow split-decision, although Fury was saved by the bell after a standing eight count in the ninth round.
Only three belts — IBO, WBC and WBO — are up for grabs after Usyk vacated the IBF title to focus on the rematch, instead of facing mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
The Ukrainian has already amassed one of the great boxing careers after winning Olympic gold and becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion before stepping up to heavyweight.
A low-key build-up ignited on Thursday when the two fighters faced off for a marathon 11 minutes at their press conference, despite attempts to separate them.
On Friday, they faced each other for just a few seconds before parting.
Usyk, 37, comes in undefeated at 22-0 with 14 knock-outs, while 6ft 9ins (206cm) Fury, the taller man by six inches (15cm), is 34-1-1 with 24 KOs.
Victory for Usyk — briefly a soldier after the Russian invasion — would be a fillip for his embattled country after nearly three years of war with its giant neighbor.
Saturday’s fight is just the latest high-profile sports event bankrolled by oil money in Saudi Arabia, confirmed this month as host of the 2034 football World Cup.
Formula One, LIV Golf, top tennis and a parade of senior football stars are among the recent acquisitions as the world’s top oil exporter tries to diversify its crude-reliant economy and update its ultra-conservative image.
Earlier, according to reports, there was good news for Fury when the pre-fight rules meeting decided he would not have to shave off his bushy beard, despite concerns from Usyk’s team that it could cushion punches.
“He has a beard and there’s been a lot of fighters over the years who’ve fought with beards, and that’s it,” promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports.
Saudi Arabia conclude preparations for 26th Gulf Cup
- The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team on Friday completed its preparatory training camp in Riyadh ahead of the start of the 26th Gulf Cup, set to take place in Kuwait from Saturday to Jan. 3 next year.
The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard.
The final training session, held at Al-Shabab Club Stadium, included warm-up drills, possession exercises, and a mini-game played on half the pitch.
Star player Salem Al-Dawsari, who is returning from injury, participated in the warm-up exercises alongside his teammates and underwent additional specialized training with the fitness coach to fine-tune his readiness for the tournament.
Following the training session, the Saudi delegation departed for Kuwait.
Head coach Renard will hold a press conference on Saturday at the tournament’s media center at the Crown Plaza Hotel, where he will outline the team’s strategy and expectations ahead of their opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup on three occasions — with the first title in 1994 and the last win coming in 2004 — and have been on the losing side of four finals since 2009.
Bento looks to take UAE’s recent form into 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait
- The Portuguese’s tenure saw an uplifting turnaround in November with emphatic World Cup qualifying victories
DUBAI: Arabian Gulf Cups have become a source of acute anguish for UAE head coaches.
Past glories, stellar reputations or World Cup qualifying progress have been no shield to their ruinous effects.
Shock defeat to Oman in the 23rd event’s showpiece in 2018 provided an unfulfilling start to Alberto Zaccheroni’s reign. Beaten World Cup 2010 finalist Bert van Marwijk was dismissed in the wake of Group A elimination by Qatar in 2019 and Rodolfo Arruabarrena was wounded through 2023’s Group B exit in bottom spot, despite being one of few big hitters to send a full-strength squad.
Such pitfalls awaited current incumbent Paulo Bento on Thursday upon arrival in Kuwait alongside his intriguing, and much-debated, selection for this winter’s 26th running.
The Portuguese’s tenure experienced an uplifting turnaround in November with emphatic World Cup 2026 qualifying victories against Kyrgyzstan and familiar-foes Qatar — whom they open against in Group A on Saturday at Sulaibikhat Stadium.
Arabian Gulf Cup glory is always vital for an ambitious nation keen to add to victories in 2007 and 2013. The true target, however, must be to maintain momentum ahead of March’s resumption of the greater quest to make North America’s grand event.
“In my opinion, we should separate both things,” Bento pragmatically responded on Abu Dhabi Sports when quizzed about the relationship between these twin aims. “This is a competition (Arabian Gulf Cup) that has its own schedule.
“I would say it is a specific competition. But, it cannot have any kind of influence on what we are going to do in March (World Cup 2026 qualifying’s resumption).”
The ex-Portugal and South Korea tactician will soon discover whether this demarcation is plausible, or fanciful.
Eyebrows were raised by a roster that failed to contain Al-Wasl golden boy Ali Saleh and Al-Ain’s AFC Champions League winning center-back Khalid Al-Hashemi. Renewed zest fueled by record goal scorer Ali Mabkhout’s bountiful summer switch to Al-Nasr has not sparked a recall, despite a glaring lack of center forward options.
Surprise also followed a debut call-up for unheralded naturalized midfielder Solomon Sosu, who has played one minute in ADNOC Pro League this term for Al-Ain. Full-back Faris Khalil has not even entered the top-flight fray this season for fallen holders Wasl, yet is in Kuwait.
Bento has made these decisive calls from a position of strength that seemed impossible after a deflating October, which contained one point from two third-round qualifiers.
He also now has rapid Al-Wahda center-back Lucas Pimenta available for selection. The impressive Brazil-born defender could form one of the continent’s great pairings with dominant Al-Ain defender Kouame Auton as the Whites’ naturalization drive shows no signs of abating.
Bento might want to “separate” Arabian Gulf Cup and World Cup targets, but there will be lessons to learn in Kuwait.
A testing Group A contains a Qatar that have picked a full-strength squad for this event under new boss Luis Garcia, contrary to 2023’s experimental selection. The likes of record 2019 Asian Cup top scorer Almoez Ali and double AFC Player of the Year recipient Akram Afif will, surely, be determined to avenge last month’s consequential 5-0 humbling in Abu Dhabi.
Hosts Kuwait have an entire nation behind them, while their fellow World Cup 2026 third-round competitors Oman are much improved under Rashid Jaber’s stewardship.
“It’s going to be tough, due to many aspects,” said Bento. “They (Group A opponents) have their own goals, as well.
“The first game is going to be difficult (against Qatar) and tough for sure. It will not be easy to win again, after winning two times (in World Cup 2026 qualifying).
“For now, we should think about the first game. Then, step by step, analyze and recover the players, checking the best options for the next games.”
Break out of a demanding Group A, and a collision course could be set for Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The former come into this competition as reigning champions, plus red-hot favorites to make World Cup 2026. Scheduling for this tournament has been kind, meaning many of their foreign-based stars are available for selection because of winter breaks.
Rare uncertainty surrounds a Saudi Arabia that claimed only one point last month from the returning Herve Renard’s opening pair of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The Frenchman will be without Roma right-back Saud Abdulhamid, plus Beerschot loanees Faisal Al-Ghamdi and Marwan Al-Sahafi.
Fitness doubts also continue to swirl around Al-Hilal talisman Salem Al-Dawsari.
The challenge will be stiff in this hotly contested regional tournament. However, ample reasons for UAE optimism exist.
A strong run in Kuwait can only bolster belief within Bento’s squad, no matter his understandable attempts to calm expectations — and worrying implications if the reverse occurs.
The Whites sit a tantalizing third in Group A of World Cup 2026 qualifying’s third round, just three points behind second-placed Uzbekistan. This is well within striking distance of automatic entry bequeathed by a top-two finish, with four games remaining.
Contrasting tests await in March at perennial qualifiers Iran and bottom-placed North Korea. Bento’s men must come through those examinations in good health, if dreams of a second-ever World Cup spot are to become real.
The competitive Portuguese will embrace any triumph at 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, as will the country. Mahdi Ali and Bruno Metsu are rightly lionized for this century’s cherished regional wins with the UAE.
Bento is, however, fully aware that his tenure will only truly be judged a success by attaining global aspirations. It is the exclusive club of World Cup qualifiers populated by Mario Zagallo alone that he must enter.
F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year
- The all-female event is a support race at the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian racing driver Farah Al-Yousef will take to the same track as stars such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton when the Formula 1 World Championship returns to Jeddah next year.
The 22-year-old from Riyadh has been selected as the “wild card” entry in the F1 Academy support race during the 2025 Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, which will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from April 18-20.
Al-Yousef will compete in the all-female F1 Academy races against experienced drivers from countries around the world.
She recently qualified for the Formula Woman World Qualifiers in Dubai, where 50 women from 26 countries competed to qualify for the FW Nations Cup Festival. The event is scheduled to take place in the emirate shortly after the 2025 Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix.
Having studied aerospace engineering in the UK, Al-Yousef now plans to focus on her motorsport career. Over the next few months she will test and race behind the wheel of a Formula 4 single-seater car, the same type she will drive in April’s race.
“I’m delighted and so proud to represent my country as the wild card entry for the GP and be the only Saudi Arabia entry for both the GP and the FW Nations Cup,” she said.
“I am so grateful to Saudi Motorsport for assisting me with their support and my training. I can’t wait to start testing again and look forward to having a look at the amazing Jeddah Corniche track.”
