Indian badminton player SAINA NEHWAL has been "appointed as a member" of the IOC's Athletes' Commission. The commission is chaired by ANGELA RUGGIERO and "comprises nine vice presidents and 10 other members" (PTI, 10/18). ... Toyota announced on Tuesday that Finnish driver JUHO HANNINEN will “drive for the Japanese manufacturer on its much anticipated return to the top level of world rally racing” in ’17. A former European rally champion, the 35-year-old Hanninen steps up from his role as test driver in the Toyota Gazoo team managed by four-time World Rally Championship winner TOMMI MAKINEN (KYODO, 10/18).
SAFE FOR NOW: Top14 rugby side Racing 92 confirmed that its players DAN CARTER, JOE ROKOCOKO and JUAN IMHOFF “will not be sanctioned” by the French Rugby Federation (FFR) for the corticoids affair. A club statement said, “The FFR’s medical committee raised doubts about the medical practices of Racing 92. Like we have always affirmed, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Juan Imhoff and club doctor SYLVAIN BLANCHARD have not committed any rules nor ethics infractions.” Traces of corticoids "were found in the urine of the three players during an unannounced drug test before the Top14 final." The French Anti-Doping Agency now has two months (following the transfer of the complete file from the FFR) "to make its decision" (L’ÉQUIPE, 10/18).
KYRGIOS AT CROSSROADS: Former Wimbledon champion PAT CASH said that NICK KYRGIOS has the potential to "be a future grand slam champion but could just as easily be lost to the sport if he fails to get the support he needs." The 21-year-old was suspended for eight weeks by the ATP on Monday following his second round exit at the Shanghai Masters. Cash: "I wouldn’t be surprised (if he quit) but hopefully that’s not the case. Anybody’s got the opportunity to walk away but if it’s not good for his health then I think he should do that. But with some good things in place for his health and wellbeing, and a revised schedule ... he can go out there and enjoy his tennis, which is what we want to see" (REUTERS, 10/18).
