WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 SPORTS Russian walkers suspended over positive drug tests MOSCOW: Six world-class Russian race stripped of his gold medal last year after a walkers including a reigning European doping investigation. champion have been suspended after fail- Emelyanov faces a lengthy ban if found ing doping tests a year before the guilty of a second offense. The IAAF declined Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Track and to comment on reports in the Russian media field’s world governing body the IAAF told that Emelyanov’s backup “B’’ sample from The Associated Press yesterday that the six the June testing had come back negative. In all tested positive during out-of-competi- July, Russia withdrew its entire walk team tion testing in June in the Russian city of from the world championships the following Saransk, home to a training facility with month, saying it suspected possible doping, links to more than a dozen previous dop- but did not reveal that the six athletes had ing cases. already tested positive. They are not allowed to compete until a At the same time, the Russian national final ruling is handed down by the Russian team’s head coach Viktor Chegin athletics federation, the International announced his retirement while he was Association of Athletics Federations said. the target of investigations from the IAAF Among those suspended is Elmira and Russian anti-doping authorities. More Alembekova, who won gold in the than 25 Russian walkers have been pun- European women’s 20-kilometer race last ished for doping in recent years, with at year, and Mikhail Ryzhov, winner of the sil- least 20 of them trained by Chegin, includ- ver medal in the 50-kilometer race at the ing three Olympic champions banned ear- 2013 world championships. lier this year. The IAAF is also investigating Also suspended are 2014 European claims that other Russian walkers contin- bronze medalists Ivan Noskov and Denis ued to compete while serving doping bans Strelkov, ex-world junior champion Vera and both the IAAF and the World Anti- Sokolova, and Stanislav Emelyanov, who Doping Agency are looking into claims of finished first in the 20-kilometer event at systematic doping in Russian athletics as a the 2010 European championship but was whole. — AP LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron laughs as he listens to a speech during a reception to mark a successful summer of cricket at 10 Downing Street. England defeated Australia to win the Ashes series. — AP Pakistan will not beg India for series, says Shaharyar LAHORE: Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan (BCCI) have not yet taken permission from the gov- yesterday ruled out giving an ultimatum to India to ernment which is unfair and there will be two fall play a proposed cricket series, saying if it does not outs of that: one that we are not going to beg.” go ahead he will make alternative fixtures. Earlier Khan further warned Pakistan it will take appropri- this month the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote ate action if India does not honor their understand- a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India ing. “We will go to the ICC and to the community,” (BCCI) seeking confirmation as to whether or not said Khan. India would play two Tests, five one-day and two However, the ICC has ruled out any interference, Twenty20 matches in the United Arab Emirates in saying the matter is between the two countries. “It December and January. is only fair they tell us so that we can have alternate But India has so far not replied and current arrangements,” said Khan. “It (any other series) will political tension between the two countries, with not be equal to an Indo-Pak series but we have to PRETORIA: In this Monday, Oct 13, 2014 file photo, Oscar Pistorius gestures as he frequent ceasefire violations on the Line of Control reach a decision.” leaves the high court in Pretoria. — AP in the disputed Kashmir region, has cast serious India halted cricket matches with Pakistan in doubt over the first full series between them since the wake of the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, Pistorius case to be heard 2007. Khan said Pakistan will not beg India to agree which they blamed on militants based in Pakistan. to the matches which are due to be played in Pakistan paid a short visit to India to play two by Supreme Court on Nov 3 December-January in the UAE. Twenty20 and three one-day internationals in “I don’t want to give any ultimatum to India but December 2012 but that failed to revive the bilater- I am going to talk to them on the sidelines of ICC al series. In July, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said LAHORE: Pakistan’s Cricket Board Chairman CAPE TOWN: Oscar Pistorius’ case will be at the murder trial last year. They want (International Cricket Council) meeting next cricket was not possible under the current strained Shaharyar Khan speaks during a press confer- heard by South Africa’s Supreme Court of the Supreme Court to re-examine her month,” Khan told media. “I will tell them that you relationship between the two countries. — AFP ence yesterday. — AP Appeal on Nov 3, when prosecutors will verdict. The Supreme Court could over- ask a panel of five judges to reject his tri- rule Masipa and find the Olympian guilty al verdict and convict the double- of murder, order a new trial, or decide amputee athlete of murder for killing Masipa was correct. A murder conviction Wilder defends piece girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. in South Africa carries a minimum sen- The Supreme Court announced the tence of 15 years in jail. The country no date yesterday. The court said the appeal longer has the death penalty. by prosecutors against Pistorius’ acquittal Pistorius was sentenced by Masipa to of heavyweight title for murder will be heard by a panel head- five years in prison for culpable homicide ed by the president of the Supreme - an unintentional but still unlawful Court. Two of the five judges are women. killing equivalent to manslaughter. He is NEW YORK: Deontay Wilder’s plan for world domi- n’t exactly bring up images of Ali-Frazier or Tyson- Klitschko faces what some think might be a Pistorius was last year found guilty of a currently in jail in Pretoria waiting for a nation of the heavyweight division is, at the Holyfield, it will be the first heavyweight title fight tough test of his own next month when he takes lesser charge of manslaughter for shoot- parole review board to decide if he moment, centered in Alabama. Not exactly the on NBC since Larry Holmes defended his crown on undefeated Tyson Fury in Germany. “When I ing Steenkamp through a toilet door in should be released early to serve the bright lights of Las Vegas, though that will likely against Carl “The Truth” Williams in 1985. think about a Klitschko fight my mind for some rea- his home in 2013. He testified he mistook remainder of his sentence under house change soon. Still, Wilder isn’t going to apologize And it will give Wilder - and the long belea- son has it in the month of September next year,” her for a dangerous intruder. arrest. A second hearing to decide if he for taking two fights in Birmingham to give fans in guered heavyweight division - some much needed Wilder said. Prosecutors accused Pistorius of killing should be released was postponed last his home state a chance to see him defend his exposure for a bout that would have likely previ- “A lot depends on the mandatories being out of Steenkamp intentionally after a fight and week with no date given for when it will piece of the heavyweight title. ously ended up on either HBO or Showtime. “It will the way and having a clear date. But he wants it say Judge Thokozile Masipa made errors take place. — AP “It’s great for the state to give them a different give a lot more people a chance to learn about and I want it. Everybody wants that fight.” point of view of sport of boxing, and add another who I am,” Wilder said. Who Wilder is turns out to While Klitschko is Wilder’s future, Duhaupas is activity to the city and state as far as bringing peo- be a pretty good story in itself. A wide receiver who his present. The 34-year-old Frenchman is 32-2 but ple to Alabama,” Wilder said. Wilder isn’t going to wanted at one time to play for Alabama, the 6-foot- has fought no one of any note and has never Shoaib Akhtar wants to apologize for his opponents, either, including 7 Wilder turned to boxing in 2005 and quickly fought in the US. He comes to this fight as an Saturday night’s opponent du jour, a French jour- established himself as a big puncher on his way to opponent in boxing’s time-honored tradition, with guide returning Amir neyman who has never fought in the United States. an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing. little expectation of winning. Wilder said Duhaupas “We pick our people and our opponent for a He’s won every fight he’s had as a pro, stopping was picked because he has a European style and is KARACHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler “I am planning to buy a team in the reason,” Wilder said. “Either people are with it or his opponent in all but one of his wins. The lone willing to exchange punches.