Our athletes virtually out: Russian Minister

Moscow: There is just a one percent probability that the International Olympic Committee will allow Russian track-and-field athletes to take part in the Rio Olympics, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko was quoted as saying on Saturday. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected on Thursday Russia’s appeal against a doping ban for its entire athletics team from the Rio Olympics. Russia have made a last-ditch bid to avoid a blanket ban at the Rio Games over state-run doping as a fresh batch of drug test failures from Beijing 2008 and London 2012 rocked the Olympics.

Phelps hoping swansong will hit right notes

Toronto: Having ended his career once in London on what he considered a sour note, Michael Phelps enters the Rio de Janeiro Olympics pool for his second swansong determined to add to his record total of 22 medals. At the 2012 Olympics, Phelps won four gold, in a total of six, but walked away with the regret that he simply went through the motions rather than embracing the moment. “Going into ‘12, I just didn’t want to do it,” the 31-year-old said. Now, chosen as co-captain of the men’s team, he is eager to assume the leadership mantle. “This time around, I just want to be able to help some of the younger guys.”