Team Sky cycling's determination both to prove that it is clean and to lead the battle against doping remains so strong that the team "have invited the anti-doping arm" of the Int'l Cycling Union "to have its scientists spend a year embedded in the team to observe and, also, to be in a position to carry out an unprecedented study of the physical effects of road cycling at elite level." Team Sky "issued a similar invitation a year ago when a journalist was invited to live with the team during the Tour de France." However, the invitation to the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation, which was issued in October, "presents an opportunity for fresh sets of eyes and a unique, in-depth scientific analysis" (LONDON TIMES, 12/18). ... Singapore and Cambodia "will soon embark on a strategic tennis development partnership that will not only boost the game’s appeal in the two countries, but will also shine a light on the Southeast Asian region as a whole" (PHNOM PENH POST, 12/18). ... A "key witness" relied on by the Australian Football League and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to build its case against Essendon coach James Hird "sourced two banned peptides and a form of human growth hormone from sports scientist Stephen Dank for personal reasons." The ASADA investigation into Essendon found high-performance manager Dean Robinson, who worked throughout the '12 season, "obtained CJC-1295, Hexarelin, Scitropin and progesterone from Dank for a 'close friend'" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/19). ... The Spanish Basketball League (ACB) "once again" failed to elect a new president. The three candidates in the election -- Albert Soler, Josep Maria Farràs and Fernando Arcega -- were first "narrowed to two, with Soler then receiving more votes than Farràs." The last step "simply asked clubs to vote for or against Soler, with a minimum of 14 required to name a new president." Soler "received only nine 'yes' votes" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 12/17).
