Russian runner banned and stripped of gold

Russian runner Mariya Savinova has been stripped of her London Olympics gold medal and banned her for four years for doping. Photo: Phil Noble/Reuters LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The international sports tribunal on Friday stripped Russian runner Mariya Savinova of the London Olympics 800 metres gold medal and banned her for four years for doping.

Detroit Tigers, Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch dies at age 87

Billionaire businessman Mike Ilitch, who founded the Little Caesars pizza empire before buying the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, and won praise for keeping the professional sports teams in the city as others relocated to new suburban stadiums, has died. He was 87. His family released a statement saying Ilitch died Friday at a local hospital.

NBA Capsules

Russell Westbrook scored 29 points and had his 26th triple-double of the season to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-109 on Thursday night. Victor Oladipo scored 23 points and Steven Adams had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who now can focus on their showdown with former teammate Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

An unfortunate leap into reality television

Back in August at Rio 2016, Sir Bradley Wiggins capped a glittering cycling career by winning a record-breaking eighth Olympic medal, making him the most decorated Briton of all time. One retirement and a banned steroid “therapeutic exemption use” controversy later and he’s goofing around throwing a snowball at a C4 camera for his introductory VT on The Jump and realising: “I was a successful Olympian and now I’m skiing like a prat.”

Sport24.co.za | Jones: Cardiff no longer haunt England

Cardiff – England coach Eddie Jones believes his side have “moved on” from their harrowing 2013 loss in Cardiff as they once again prepare for a Six Nations match away to Wales. Four years ago England, then coached by Stuart Lancaster, arrived in search of a Grand Slam only to be routed 30-3 as Wales took the Six Nations title instead.

Dime slaps two Colorado fans

Colorado reporter, Jake Shapiro, picked up on the incident as he received a text from one of the guys that was slapped: “We were talking the usual game talk with the players like we usually do,” Dylan, a CU student said. “Malik looked over at us at one point and said ‘I’m gonna come over there and slap the s*** out of you.’

Thomas has 34 and Celtics beat Blazers 120-111

Isaiah Thomas scored 34 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics rebounded from a loss the previous night to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-111 on Thursday. Marcus Smart added 18 for the Celtics, who had seven scorers in double figures.

Gosport walk-in centre to be temporarily closed

The centre at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Bury Road, will be shut from 9pm on Tuesday, February 21 until 8am on Thursday, February 23. A spokeswoman from Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust said: ‘Patients are advised to contact their GP, NHS 111 or use the treatment centre at St Mary’s Community Health Campus if they have a minor injury or illness during this time. They added if someone falls seriously ill they should call the emergency services on 999.

FGCU women extend home mark

Despite leaving the game early with an injury, Rosemarie Julien topped the FGCU women with 13 points, including a pair of threes, in Wednesday’s 69-46 win over North Florida. The Eagles have not lost a regular-season Atlantic Sun Conference game at Alico Arena since Jan. 8, 2009.