Russian whistle-blower Yulia Stepanova returned to action at yesterday’s European Athletics Championships but is still waiting to hear from the IOC whether she can participate in the Rio Olympics, her husband said yesterday.

Russia has named a track and field team for the Rio Olympics which includes gold medallists Yelena Isinbayeva and Ivan Ukhov among 68 athletes who are hoping an IAAF ban on them competing will be lifted by sport’s highest court later this month.

Double Olympic cycling champion Anna Meares will carry Australia’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Games next month.

Lewis Hamilton need fear no boos or whistles at Silverstone this weekend but the Formula One world champion cannot escape the fallout from Austria as he chases a fourth British Grand Prix victory.

Cory Joseph sank three of four pressure-laden free-throws in the dying seconds yesterday as Canada beat Senegal 58-55 to storm into the semi-finals of an Olympic basketball qualifying tournament in Manila.

Argentine Football was in crisis yesterday after the national coach followed star striker Lionel Messi in quitting weeks before the Olympics, with legend Diego Maradona eyeing a return to a role with the squad.

As the black-tinted sports cars carrying Manchester United’s millionaire Footballers rolled into the club’s Carrington complex for the start of pre-season training yesterday, no one wound down any windows to discuss the start of life under Jose Mourinho.

Tomas Satoransky regards his expected move from Barcelona to the NBA’s Washington Wizards to provide him with the greatest challenge of his career, the Czech guard told Reuters.

German star forward Dirk Nowitzki has agreed to terms on a two-year deal to stay with the Dallas Mavericks, while Spanish star Pau Gasol will join the San Antonio Spurs in NBA free agency deals.

Roger Federer staged a sensational Wimbledon escape act on Wednesday as the seven-time champion saved three match points and came from two sets down to clinch a semi-final clash with Milos Raonic.

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father were sentenced on Wednesday to 21 months in jail for tax fraud by a court in Spain where the taxman has set its sights on footballers.

Australia's cricket board has banned two players for betting on matches and given a suspended ban to a third as part of its ‘zero tolerance’ approach to gambling-related corruption.