There will be a minute of silence this weekend at French Top 14 rugby matches “in the memory of SERGE KAMPF, the celebrated rugby ambassador who died Tuesday aged 81.” The same will be done for the Cap Gemini founder “on the Pro D2 pitches the following weekend” (L’ÉQUIPE, 3/16). ... 2013 European Indoor 800m champion NATALIYA LUPU has "withdrawn from the Ukraine team for the event in Portland after meldonium was found in her body." Lupu will not compete at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland "after testing positive" (ATHLETICS WEEKLY, 3/16). ... Former Nigeria football head coach SUNDAY OLISEH said that he has "implored his lawyers to withdraw a lawsuit against his erstwhile employers, the Nigeria Football Federation." Oliseh said that he made his decision after being placated to do so by "some well-meaning Nigerians." Oliseh cited "breach of contract including non-payment of salaries by his employers before his resignation" (XINHUA, 3/16).
WON'T BE WOOED: Former rugby player JARRYD HAYNE has declared that "money won't woo him back" to the National Rugby League despite Australia Rugby League Commission Chair JOHN GRANT nominating the "NFL dream-chaser as a perfect recipient for the game's much-hyped discretionary fund." Hayne has also "broken his silence on being linked to the Parramatta salary cap scandal, saying that he can ill-afford to allow the controversy derail his NFL dreams." Hayne remains "steadfast on his mission," saying, "There's no other adventure I want to be on. I'm heading back over there and keep doing what I'm doing and keep getting better at it" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/16).
FRENCH SUPPORT: Accused of doping by former French Sport Minister ROSELYNE BACHELOT, RAFAEL NADAL has “received support from French tennis players JO-WILFRIED TSONGA and RICHARD GASQUET.” Tsonga said, “I’m not a judge. I’m not here to support or not to support, but I find that when we say things you should have to back it up.” Gasquet: “Obviously I support Rafa. If not, anyone can say anything at any time. It’s completely normal. It’s not the first time we’ve heard this, so if at any time we want to stop the bullshit, we have to take the chance” (RMC SPORT, 3/16).
