League Notes: IAAF Calls Number Of Russian Doping Cases Major Concern

After five walkers were banned by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), the IAAF said that the number of Russian doping cases in athletics is a "major concern, especially in race walking." The IAAF said, "As a result of these five new cases, a total of 23 elite Russian athletes have now been sanctioned under the IAAF Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program launched in 2009." This compares to 37 athletes from all nations sanctioned in that period under the ABP program, the IAAF added (REUTERS, 1/21). ... The Australian Football League has "lifted its controversial trade ban" on the Sydney Swans but will "limit the club from recruiting players earning more than the average player wage." The Swans won the fight to participate in this year's exchange period, but will "only be allowed to sign players and free agents" on approximately A$340,000 ($275,000) or less (HERALD SUN, 1/21).