The high-performance department that produced Maro Itoje and other young members of England’s RBS Six Nations Championship-winning team "has been dismantled in three months."
Stuart Lancaster, who was in charge of the development structure in addition to being England head coach, "was relieved of both jobs after the World Cup." Matt Parker and Scott Drawer, "who were recruited for their high-performance expertise, have also left."
Joe Lydon, the last man standing in a department that was created after a review in '13, announced Thursday that he was resigning from his role as the Rugby Football Union’s head of int'l player development to pursue "fresh challenges" (LONDON TIMES, 3/17).
'WITCH-HUNT': Robert Lansdorp, the man who crafted Maria Sharapova, "has cut loose about the Sharapova saga, fiercely defending the Russian he was pivotal in taking to the top of world tennis."
Lansdorp said, "It’s a witch-hunt to tell you the truth ... by [the] WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] -- there is something funny going on. There’s no way she would cheat" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/16).
LEAGUE BRIEFS ...
A "win-at-all-costs mentality" among weekend athletes means that "random drug testing is needed to tackle a growing problem, a doping expert claims."
Dr. Paul Dimeo, of the University of Stirling, "suggested that weekend competitors, who have no hope of gaining fame or riches, are increasingly using illegal substances."
The authority on drugs in sport "believes that amateur triathletes, cyclists, marathon runners and rugby players are risking their health to impress their friends and beat their rivals." Dimeo said that event organizers "have to start random testing competitors to keep their sports clean" (LONDON TIMES, 3/17).
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation and Chinese club HC Red Star Kunlun signed a protocol of intentions that agrees to participation of the Chinese ice hockey club in the '16-17 Kontinental Hockey League season.
In accordance with protocol, in order to become a new KHL member from the next season, HC Red Star Kunlun needs to present financial guarantees by April 30, comply with conditions imposed on clubs participants and adhere to the rules established by the KHL Regulations (KHL).
