Cycling
MADRID – A court is set to announce a decision on whether hundreds of blood bags that are key evidence in one of Spain’s biggest doping scandals should be destroyed or handed over to authorities for investigation.
The decision Tuesday comes 10 years after Operation Puerto revealed a doping network involving some of the world’s top cyclists when police seized coded blood bags from the Madrid clinic of sports doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
More than 50 cyclists were originally linked to the case.
In a 2013 trial, a Madrid provincial court recommended the bags should be destroyed for privacy reasons. This was appealed by the prosecuting parties.
If the court decides to hand over the bags, it could stir up another scandal if identities of new athletes are revealed.
NBA
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The city approved $22.7 million in tax incentives Tuesday for the Utah Jazz’s planned $125 million arena upgrade.
The Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency board voted 6-0 for a proposal from the Larry H. Miller Group, which owns the Jazz.
The tax reimbursement is part of an established program. The Jazz will only receive the money if the value of the arena and the property taxes increase as a result of the improvements. The money would be paid out through the year 2040.
The Jazz plan to pay for the upgrades at Vivint Smart Home Arena up front.
NFL
IRVING, Texas – Dallas running back Darren McFadden fractured his right elbow in an accident at home and will likely be sidelined at the start of training camp.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the accident happened during Memorial Day weekend, and McFadden returned for voluntary workouts last week. Garrett said the fracture was discovered during a physical before the mandatory minicamp that started Tuesday.
McFadden, who had surgery Tuesday, was fourth in the NFL in rushing last season with 1,089 yards. Garrett said McFadden would be out “at least a couple of months.”
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions President Rod Wood cites fan feedback as a driving force behind the team’s decision to add cheerleaders this season.
Wood says owner Martha Ford was involved in the decision, which the Lions announced Monday. Although most NFL franchises have cheerleaders, the Lions have gone without them for much of their history.
Wood said Tuesday that Ford and her children were involved in the decision, and it was something he approached them about after feedback from fans and surveys and focus groups. Wood says Detroit’s cheerleaders will be part-time employees.
Soccer
Nearly 27,000 Icelanders bought tickets to watch their national team play in the European Championship.
Not a lot? Try again. That’s more than eight percent of the Nordic island’s population of about 331,000, making Iceland the smallest country ever to compete in the Euros.
Iceland stunned Cristian Ronaldo’s Portugal, playing to a 1-1 draw in its opening match Tuesday.
Overall, 26,985 Icelandic fans had bought tickets for the tournament by the end of January, according to UEFA.
Associated Press
