The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association will put forth a formal proposal to the Int'l Ski Federation (FIS) next week for Lindsey Vonn to participate in a men's World Cup downhill race next year. The bid "would pitch Vonn, the most decorated skier in American history with 77 wins and 130 podiums, opposite men" over the last weekend of Nov. '18 at Lake Louise, "the lone Canadian stop on the circuit," where she has notched 14 of her record 39 World Cup downhill wins. The FIS said in a statement, "Further details are still unknown, but this is certainly an anticipated topic that divides the FIS officials." Five years ago, the governing body "rejected a similar proposal citing rules barring mixed-gender races" (London GUARDIAN, 9/27).
A Russian court ruled that "doping whistleblower" Grigory Rodchenkov should be arrested if he returns to his home country. The ruling "could be a step toward Russia demanding the extradition of the former Moscow anti-doping laboratory director," though Russia does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S., where Rodchenkov "fled to" in Jan. '16 (AP, 9/28).
World No. 1 Garbiñe Muguruza said that a Laver Cup-style tournament would be "awesome" for women’s tennis, but "warned it would be difficult to schedule in an already packed calendar." She said, "I just love that people go and watch tennis and the stadium was full. It would be awesome to also have it on the women's side." Muguruza added, "It could be a mess to figure out when we could do it. No matter what you want to do with our schedule, it’s very hard" (LONDON TIMES, 9/28).
Belgian cycling team Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise banned its riders from growing beards and "told them to find new employers" if they will not shave. The team "imposed the crackdown" to protect "the elegance of cycling." Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise Sporting Dir Walter Planckaert said, "We are a cycling team, with riders, not motocross riders or rugby players. The snot and the leftover food in the beard of a rider in the middle of the race is dirty" (London TELEGRAPH, 9/27).
