UK Sport criticized the financial management of the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association after BBSA CEO Richard Parker resigned. Parker "has become the third senior figure in recent weeks to leave the sport," which has also been at the center of "bullying and sexism claims." UK Sport CEO Liz Nicholl said that it was "very disappointing" that the BBSA cut off funding from the women's bobsleigh team so close to the Winter Olympics in February. The BBSA said that the savings made by Parker's departure meant it "would now be able to partially fund the team," whose driver Mica McNeill already raised £30,000 ($40,100) through a crowdfunding campaign.
Russia and China were "among nine countries suspended from weightlifting for a year on Saturday in an attempt to combat an epidemic of doping." The sport has been "under pressure to clean up or face being dropped from the Olympics." The decision by the Int'l Weightlifting Federation followed the re-testing of anti-doping samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Also suspended were Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine (AP, 9/30).
Premiership Rugby side Saracens Dir of Rugby Mark McCall believes coaches should be "given a central role in the dispute over the length of the season that has prompted players to consider going on strike." The Rugby Football Union said that it is a decision for the Professional Game Board, not clubs, but McCall "wants those at the sharp end to have a say." McCall: "It would seem to be sensible to talk to all the parties who can contribute to the debate. Directors of rugby should definitely be involved, the players as well" (London GUARDIAN, 9/30).
World Para Swimming announced a revised version of the WPS Classification Rules will come into effect on Jan. 1. The revised rules and regulations result from extensive work done by the WPS Classification Advisory Group to revise the technical assessment component ("water test") and the recommendations from the IPC classification research partners (IPC).
