Cycling
Team Sky pulls Henao after concerns over blood values
LONDON – Team Sky withdrew Colombian rider Sergio Henao from racing after a monthly review raised questions over his blood values.
The 26-year-old Henao was born at altitude in Rionegro, Colombia, and lives and trains in that region in the offseason. He returned there in October and had WADA-accredited out-of-competition tests.
Team leader Dave Brailsford said Henao will be left out of the race schedule for at least eight weeks while he is subjected to an altitude research program.
“It’s important not to jump to conclusions,” Brailsford said.
NFL
NFL to discuss extra points, language, playoffs, replays
NEW YORK – NFL owners likely will consider expanding the playoffs by two teams, beginning in 2015, when they hold their spring meetings in Orlando next week, but a vote on the subject is uncertain.
A groundswell for raising the number of playoff qualifiers to seven in each conference figures to get plenty of support from the 32 owners. Most notably, Arizona’s Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North.
The current format of four division winners and two wild-card teams has existed since 2002, when Houston joined the league as an expansion team, bringing the membership to 32.
Also on the agenda will be alterations to extra points, changing who oversees video replay reviews and further clamping down on the use of racial slurs by players during games.
Winston replaces Foxworth as new NFLPA president
ORLANDO, Fla. – Eric Winston was elected president of the NFL Players Association on Wednesday, three years after he was active for the union during the lockout.
The 30-year-old offensive lineman was the Arizona Cardinals’ starting right tackle last season, his eighth in the league. He currently is a free agent.
Winston succeeds Domonique Foxworth as NFLPA president. Foxworth was out of the league last season and so could not seek re-election.
The other candidates for president were former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who is a free agent, and New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson. Both Clark and Watson will serve on the executive committee. Clark joined Lorenzo Alexander and Jay Feely of the Cardinals, Zak DeOssie and Mark Herzlich of the Giants, Adam Vinatieri of the Colts and Scott Wells of the Rams as new members of the executive committee. Matt Hasselbeck of the Colts, free agent Brian Waters and Watson were re-elected.
Soccer
Cherundolo takes a knee on his pro playing days
HANNOVER, Germany – United States national team defender Steve Cherundolo is ending his career immediately because of persistent knee problems.
Cherundolo told reporters Wednesday that several knee injuries in the last 15 months made it impossible to continue and that he was moving into a coaching role. The 35-year-old American played a club-record 302 Bundesliga games for Hannover and took part in three World Cups for the U.S.
Tennis
After two successful years, Lendl and Murray split
LONDON – After a fruitful two-year relationship, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray parted ways with coach Ivan Lendl – the man who turned him from a four-time Grand Slam runner-up into a two-time major champion.
With Lendl, Murray won Olympic gold in London in 2012 and the U.S. Open title later the same year. In 2013, he became the first British man to triumph at Wimbledon in 77 years.
Before winning the U.S. Open, Murray was 0-4 in Grand Slam finals. Only one other man in the Open era, which began in 1968, lost his first four major titles matches: Lendl.
Associated Press
