WADA yesterday said that Russian hackers "suspected of breaching the Democratic National Committee’s computers had stolen confidential medical records of athletes who participated" in last month’s Rio Games. WADA said that a Russian hacker group "gained entry into a database." Documents showed U.S. gymnast SIMONE BILES, tennis players SERENA and VENUS WILLIAMS and U.S. women's basketball F ELENA DELLE DONNE "had permission to take multiple prescription drugs in recent years and in some cases used performance-enhancing drugs during the Rio Games." But the drugs "are permitted so long as athletes receive what are known as 'therapeutic-use exemptions'" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/14).
BALANCE BEAM: Former USA Gymnastics physician DR. LARRY NASSAR yesterday "disputed the Olympic organization's statement that he had been fired" in '15 "following athlete complaints." USA Gymnastics "would not respond to specific questions about its handling of the allegations against Nassar" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/14). In N.Y., Juliet Macur wrote under the header, "Sexual Abuse Charges Put Shadow On U.S. Gymnastics Federation." Considering "how many medals USA Gymnastics brought home from the Rio Games," the federation’s "post-Olympics glow should be brighter than ever." But gymnastics, "like many sports, has its dark corners and shadows." When abuse accusations "come at such a fast pace, the federation should at least stand up to say something to the girls and boys who participate in the sport" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/14).
THE GOOD STUFF: The FERTITTA family has pledged $10M toward UNLV's "construction of a state-of-the-art football training facility, a building expected to cost" $24M-26M that will be known as the Fertitta Football Complex. The family’s gift means UNLV has now raised $16M "toward the final price tag and expects to break ground in early spring." Completion "would take 10 months on a structure" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/14)....Colts Owner JIM IRSAY and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis yesterday “announced a multi-million-dollar donation to the organization from Irsay and his family, one that will result in the Downtown YMCA at CityWay being renamed the Irsay Family YMCA at CityWay" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/14)....The American Cancer Society today announced the launch of a new initiative, A House United to Tackle Pediatric Cancer. The program targets college football fans through 12 of IMG’s partner universities to raise awareness and funds (IMG College).
NAMES: Redskins G ARIE KOUANDJIO, a native of Cameroon, yesterday became a U.S. citizen. His brother, Bills OT CYRUS KOUANDJIO, also “plans on becoming a citizen” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/13). Orioles P UBALDO JIMENEZ also is "officially an American citizen" after a ceremony in Miami on Monday (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/13)....Former San Diego State AD JIM STERK, now in the same role at Missouri, yesterday “took the witness stand for nearly four hours” in the “wrongful termination trial of BETH BURNS, explaining why in April 2013 he fired the school’s winningest women’s basketball coach” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/14)....Sharks GM DOUG WILSON has “landed a spot” in the San Jose Sports HOF. He will be “honored at a banquet Nov. 2 at SAP Center” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/14)....Former Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Exec Dir ALDO RADAMUS will be inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard HOF on Oct. 1 (VAIL DAILY, 9/10).
