The IOC today stopped short of "imposing a complete ban on Russia" from the Rio Games, assigning "individual global sports federations the responsibility to decide which athletes should be cleared to compete." The decision was announced after a three-hour teleconference of the IOC exec board. IOC President Thomas Bach said, "We had to balance the collective responsibility and the individual justice to which every human being and athlete is entitled." The IOC "rejected calls" from WADA and dozens of other anti-doping bodies "to exclude the entire Russian Olympic team." Russia's track and field athletes "have already been banned by the IAAF," a decision that was "accepted by the IOC again" today. The IOC said that the McLaren report released last week "had made no direct accusations against the Russian Olympic Committee 'as an institution'" (ESPN.com, 7/24).

ESPN’s Bonnie Ford said the IOC decision "puts a huge responsibility on the international federations for each sport." The IOC "also said that no athlete who has served a doping ban in the past can be eligible for these games; I don't expect that to hold up legally." Ford: "We have no idea at this point how many Russian athletes will be ... eligible to compete. My own theory is that we won't know who is competing until they walk into the stadium tunnel Friday, August 5” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/24).

USA Today's Nancy Armour writes under the header, "IOC's Decision On Russia A Cop Out." The BUFFALO NEWS goes with the header, "IOC Needs To Get Tougher Against All Cheating Athletes." TORONTO STAR: "Russian Doping Scandal Has IOC Wandering Into Uncharted Territory."

The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed that the Rio Games' athletes' village has been "deemed uninhabitable in the short term due to significant plumbing and electrical concerns." An AOC spokesperson said that there "were issues with leaking pipes, spot flooding, blocked toilets and unlit stairwells." It is "unclear if and when competitors will be able to move in." As of now AOC staff will "continue to work from a nearby hotel" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/25).

Meanwhile, with the Opening Ceremony 12 days away, Brazil "hardly feels seized by the Olympic spirit" (L.A. TIMES, 7/24). The S.F. CHRONICLE wrote under the header, "2016 Olympic Games: A Mess From The Start" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/23).

Throwback '83 jerseys were "hanging in front of players' lockers at roughly" 2:30pm CT, 3 1/2 hours before the game, as is customary. In lieu of the '76 collared jerseys, "replicas of which were given to the first 20,000 fans in attendance Saturday, the White Sox wore the '83 throwbacks." Those "usually are worn during Sunday home games" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/24). After Sale "expressed displeasure," the matter "escalated from there, leading to a confrontation with a member" of the team's front office (ESPN.com, 7/23).

Hahn said of the throwback uniforms, “This was an organizational effort. … It’s something we have done in the past. … There are a lot of people – it’s not just the baseball department, it ranges from marketing to throughout the entire organization – that are all together trying to put the organization in the best position. ... Part of the element of being in a position to win a championship is the revenue side of the operation and respect for their reasonable requests to help enhance the revenue” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/24).

ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski said Sale "has been a thorn in management's side for a long time," and he "was at the forefront of the Adam LaRoche situation." The N.Y. Daily News’ Mike Lupica: "It’s the greatest fashion statement in history." The Detroit Free Press’ Mitch Albom said Sale has "a real issue" with Hahn and "apparently so do other guys" (“Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 7/24).

UNI-WATCH.com showcases some of the artwork posted on social media making light of the incident.

The WNBA is "withdrawing its fines for teams and players that showed support of citizens and police involved in recent shootings by wearing black warmup shirts before games." WNBA President Lisa Borders in a statement yesterday said that the league was "rescinding penalties" given to the Indiana Fever, N.Y. Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and their players "for wearing the shirts." Each team "was fined $5,000 and players were each given a $500 penalty" (AP, 7/23). WNBPA Dir of Operations Terri Jackson in a statement said, "We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with the league to ensure that the players' desire to express themselves will continue to be supported" (WNBPA).

ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said of some WNBA players refusing to take basketball questions in protest of the fines: "If I were the commissioner of the WNBA, I don't care about T-shirts. ... I can't have my basketball players refusing to talk about basketball. … This is a league that’s in trouble. Franchises relocate on a regular basis, attendance in last season was lower than it had ever been." Kornheiser: "If you want to make your product viable as a basketball league ... don't refuse to talk about basketball" (“PTI,” ESPN, 7/22).

WNBA President Lisa Borders is featured in the N.Y. Times' "Corner Office" Q&A, where she touched on a range of topics. On leadership, Borders said, "When I started out, I was command and control – do as you're told. Now it's about appreciating that you have two ears and one mouth: You should listen twice as much as you talk. Empowering and enabling people is far more compelling, and the results are always much better." On hiring: "I'm always looking for the opposite of what I am." On self-improvement: "I'm working on patience." On advice to recent college graduates: "Be true to yourself. It's hard to do that when you're young" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/24).

Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza are being inducted into the Baseball HOF today, and "huge numbers" of Mariners fans yesterday joined the expected legion of Mets fans, "making another attendance home run a reality" for the Hall today. More than 7,000 fans and at least 45 HOFers attended yesterday's Parade of Legends ceremony, which "honored J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Dan Shaughnessy and Ford C. Frick Award winner Graham McNamee." The ceremony "closed with a special presentation honoring baseball's role in helping America recover from the 9-11 attacks" (THE COOPERSTOWN CRIER, 7/24). Shaughnessy in his speech said, "Like so many of you, baseball has provided me with the timeline of my life" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/24). Read Shaughnessy's full speech.

The SEATTLE TIMES notes Griffey has embraced being "part of baseball history, joining a select few, now and forever." USA TODAY goes with the header, "Hall Of Fame's Odd Couple: Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Piazza."

Minnesota politicians and civic influencers "converged on the field of U.S. Bank Stadium Friday for the formal opening" of the $1.1B project. Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf said, "This building is a testament for generations to come that Minnesota Vikings are Minnesota" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/23). The stadium yesterday opened to the general public for the first time, and fans were "showing up to the tune of 12,000 per hour for the timed-entry open house." As of yesterday, 148,000 free tickets for the weekend-long festivities "had been distributed" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/24).

Stadium officials "expected about 90,000 visitors" for yesterday's event, but "storms drove crowds, hunkered under umbrellas and rain ponchos, inside the stadium, with visitors packing entryways and spilling into the purple seating around the field." Morning and afternoon downpours "scrapped the live music lineup," but Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said that the hope was to "restart the activities once the weather cleared" today. Stadium officials "anticipate more than 160,000 visitors passing through the stadium over the weekend, based on advance ticket counts" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/24).

Demand for free tickets to the NFL Panthers’ annual Fan Fest "paralyzed the team’s Ticketmaster service Friday morning as fans flooded the site to reserve their seats." The site opened at 10:00am ET Friday, and by 5:00pm "all of the 60,000 tickets available tickets for the Aug. 5 event had been claimed." Panthers Exec Dir of Ticketing & Sponsorship Phil Youtsey said, "The ticket system was overwhelmed and stressed out. At one point, this is what they told me, they had over 40,000 devices hitting the system all at one time." Several fans "took to Twitter Friday morning to share their frustrations." They experienced "unusually long wait times, and some had to refresh the page multiple times before reserving their ticket" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/23).

A crowd of 10,600 attended yesterday's Legends of the Dome charity flag football game featuring former Rams players. The crowd at The Dome at America's Center (formerly Edward Jones Dome) was "smaller than hoped for," but the game "turned out to be a celebration, not a funeral." Former NFLer Isaac Bruce's foundation "organized the game" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/24). More than 40 former Rams players and coaches took part in the event. Bruce wanted to "thank the fans for their support" after Owner Stan Kroenke moved the franchise to L.A. (AP, 7/23). Former Rams coach Dick Vermeil said, "I am amazed at the crowd. I am amazed at how many people there are" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/23).

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH headline: "Finally, A Happy Day For Rams Fans At The Dome."

A crowd of 21,336 yesterday saw California Chrome notch a "half-length victory in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap" at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. However, the backstretch talk "revolved around the death of two horses," which brings the total to "four since the track opened this summer." Del Mar "explored every option for an answer" regarding track conditions but "found none" (L.A. TIMES, 7/24).

Fox today will broadcast the NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals from Denver's Bandimere Speedway. This is the first time in the NHRA's 65-year history that one of its events will air live on broadcast TV. This is the first of three consecutive NHRA races on Fox (Fox).

NESN analyst Jerry Remy left the call on yesterday's Twins-Red Sox game in the second inning "after he was hit in the head by a television monitor that had been blown by the wind." Remy, who was replaced by analyst Steve Lyons, is "expected to return to the booth" today (BOSTON HERALD, 7/24).

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Twins-Red Sox game. Baker also "unbuttoned his Red Sox jersey to reveal a 'Free Brady' t-shirt underneath," in reference to Patriots QB Tom Brady's four-game suspension (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/24).

Welterweight boxer Terence Crawford defeated Viktor Postol by unanimous decision last night before 7,027 fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (ESPN.com, 7/23).

"If Tokyo comes off well and all the players in the world go there ... we are going to have a good chance of continuing on with golf in the Olympics" – Greg Norman (FOXBUSINESS.com, 7/22).

"I feel OK, but I feel it was the team's responsibility to invite me. I did the job for them I think they should have had the courtesy to invite me" – MLB Giants P Johnny Cueto, on not receiving an invitation to visit the White House with the World Series champion Royals, his former team (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/24).

"It moved the NBA's popularity ahead by 20 years. I don't know that anyone could have foreseen the overall impact" – Warriors President & COO Rick Welts, on the effect the Dream Team had on the NBA (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/24).

"Unlike today's players, we'll always still carry it with us a little bit and never become bosom buddies or best friends" – Heat President Pat Riley, on the differences between the NBA's current competitive culture and the '80s Celtics-Lakers rivalry (BOSTON HERALD, 7/24).

Today is the 1st day in many that I sensed improvement. Seen small gains during my physical therapy as well. Light at the end of the tunnel.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 22, 2016

On my way to Philly for the Dem Convention. Honored to be repping WI as a delegate!! #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/XtFVnevceo

— Alexander Lasry (@AlexanderLasry) July 24, 2016

Easily top fan zone crowd of weekend hanging on every @JeffGordonWeb word. Hoosier pride they can't hide, sure, but he left void #nascar

— brant james (@brantjames) July 24, 2016

Sox players say Sale still the leader on this team. Could be another bonding moment, like the LaRoche episode. Hahn is on deck.

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) July 24, 2016

Most cycling fans don't realize this, but Paul & Phil narrate the entire last stage while sitting in a claw foot tub filled with champagne.

— Jason Gay (@jasongay) July 24, 2016

Celebrating one of my only good shots today with a little Jones BBQ...! Good times. Gonna do it all again tmw. pic.twitter.com/eUYVXfGyTs

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 24, 2016

The Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER goes with the header: "Art Of The Deal: How Swofford, ACC, ESPN Reached Agreement To Launch ACC Network." The question facing ACC Commissioner John Swofford was "not whether an ACC channel was possible." It was about "when it would become reality and how lucrative it would have to be for the ACC to remain financially competitive."

The S.F. CHRONICLE notes the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team will play at Oracle Arena in "one of its final tuneups before heading to Rio." Warriors President & COO Rick Welts, who was the "marketing point man" for the '92 Dream Team, will be on hand, "looking on like a proud papa."

Elsewhere:

• Tony Stewart wants his farewell season to differ from Jeff Gordon's.
• Passion of fans is what sets SEC football apart from other conferences.
• Remembering Mike Piazza's emotional home run 10 days after 9/11.
• Reporter covered Dennis Green through ups and downs with Vikings.
• NFL's sideline tablets have changed how the game is managed.
• N.Y. Times' travel section: ancient Olympic sites, Usain Bolt's hometown.