The IAAF is to "beef up" its investigations into the next generation of marathon shoes, "amid concerns some may contain illegal springs." The potential intervention came on the day Nike revealed the design of its new Zoom Vaporfly Elite shoe, "to be used by athletes attempting to break two hours for the marathon," will contain a special carbon fiber plate in its sole. A Nike spokesperson said that the shoe, "which the company believes makes runners 4% more efficient compared to its previous fastest marathon trainer," adheres to IAAF specifications (London GUARDIAN, 3/7).
Team Sky riders are "100%" behind Team Principal Dave Brailsford, according to British cyclist Geraint Thomas. Brailsford has "come under scrutiny" since information on cyclist Bradley Wiggins' authorized use of banned drugs to treat a medical condition was released by hackers. Thomas tweeted, "It shouldn't even need saying, but we all back Dave B 100%!" He added, "I've known him a long time and I wouldn't want anyone else leading Team Sky" (BBC, 3/6).
Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur rendered an "unconditional and unqualified" apology to the Indian Supreme Court on Monday in a contempt of court case. Thakur was present in the courtroom as a bench of Justices Dipak Misra, A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud "spared him from making personal appearances in the future." The court, however, said that it will "continue to hear the contempt case" on April 17 (THE HINDU, 3/6).
