THE WORLD'S TOP CHESS NATIONS

 

UKRAIN LAMBASTS 'INFANTILE AND IRRESPONSIBLE' GIANNI INFANTINO FOR TRYING TO OVERTURN RUSSIA BAN

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin with the World Cup in 2018. Comments from FIFA president Gianni Infantino supporting lifting a ban on Russia at youth level are "irresponsible" and "infantile", Ukraine's sports minister has said.

Ukraine’s sports minister has branded Fifa president Gianni Infantino “infantile” and “irresponsible” for his desire to overturn Russia’s ban from world football.

Fifa’s ruling executive and European football’s governing body Uefa imposed a global ban on Russia at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when other European nations said they would refuse to play or host Russia’s matches.

Four years later, the Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down and the war is still raging but Infantino has signalled his intention to bring Russia back into the fold, saying the ban has been a failure.

“We have to (look at readmitting Russia). Definitely,” Infantino told Sky Sports. “This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.

“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”

Infantino also insisted Fifa should “actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders” and claimed “somebody needs to keep the ties open.”

This proclamation has been met with fury from Ukraine, as sports minister Matvii Bidnyi – who said over 100 footballers are among more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed by Russians – hit out at the Fifa president.

“Gianni Infantino's words sound irresponsible – not to say infantile,” Bidnyi said to Sky News. “They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.

“War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russia's return to international competitions.

“As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity, and fair play.”

Potentially readmitting Russia is not the only geopolitical intervention that Infantino has come under fire for recently. He was heavily criticised for the decision to award US president Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize at December’s World Cup draw in Washington DC.

The move was further questioned after US forces seized Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro before Trump issued threats suggesting he may use military force to seize Greenland.

But Infantino was happy to stand by his decision, citing the role Trump played in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“Objectively, he deserves it,” insisted the Fifa boss. “He was instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives.”

- Luke Baker

LASKER VS. TARRASCH | CHESS GRANDMASTERS| ST. PETERSBURG | 1914

 

Historical chess tournament in St. Petersburg in 1914 won by Lasker : Alekhine (RUS) , Capablanca (CUB) , Marshall (USA), Lasker (GER) , Tarrasch (GER) #chess #Alekhine #Capablanca #Marshall #Lasker #Tarrasch #chesshistory

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV CAME 'VERY CLOSE' TO LOSING UNDEFEATED RECORD IN UFC FIGHT WATCHED BY 26 MILLION RUSSIANS

Khabib Nurmagomedov was largely dominant throughout his career, but he did survive one scare.

‘The Eagle’ achieved a largely unrivaled level of dominance inside the cage, winning all 29 of his professional outings.

Before Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, the Dagestani defeated the likes of Edson Barboza and Al Iaquinta en route to the UFC lightweight title before defending it against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

But while very few provided any sort of threat to the elite wrestling specialist, one of Nurmagomedov’s final opponents gave him a scare.

Khabib Nurmagomedov admitted Dustin Poirier was ‘very close’ to a submission at UFC 242

11 months on from Nurmagomedov’s UFC 229 win over McGregor – and a year before his final fight – the undefeated Russian faced the then-interim champion, Poirier.

The pair headlined UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, where a crowd full of Nurmagomedov loyalists witnessed ‘The Eagle’ submit ‘The Diamond’ via rear-naked choke in round three.

But the triumph wasn’t without adversity for the champion.

In round two, Poirier threatened to pull off an almighty upset when he attacked Nurmagomedov’s neck with a guillotine choke.

While he ultimately escaped, the Dagestani admitted during his post-fight press conference that the submission was a little too close for comfort.

“The only thing that was very close was the guillotine,” Nurmagomedov said. “First time, it was a very good guillotine.

“First time it was close, second time I give him because I felt like he lost so much energy, so much power. This is part of the game; how I play with my opponents.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Dustin Poirier was watched by roughly 26 million in Russia

Had Poirier found an extra squeeze to force a tap at UFC 242, Nurmagomedov would have lost his undefeated record in front of millions of his compatriots.

A report from Russia Today soon after the event revealed that the Dagestani UFC star’s second lightweight title defense racked up an incredible 26 million views across broadcasting platforms in Russia.

Since retiring from active MMA competition in 2020, Nurmagomedov has frequently appeared in the corners of his teammates and fellow countrymen.

And the 36-year-old’s continued involvement in the sport looks set after Nurmagomedov revealed plans for a new training center in his native Dagestan.

- Harvey Leonard

TRUMP IS CONVINCED THAT THE FIFA WORLD CUP COULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR RUSSIA TO END THE WAR

Donald Trump stated that Russia's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could contribute to peace in Ukraine. Russia has been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the invasion.

US President Donald Trump has said that the possibility for Russia to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be an "incentive" to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian national football team was suspended from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reports the BBC, writes UNN.

Details

According to current rules, Russia will not play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Qualification began in September 2023, and in addition to the three host countries, 45 places were available.

But speaking at the first meeting of his administration's working group to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, Trump said that Russia's return to the tournament could end the war in Ukraine.

Sitting next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump said he did not know that Russia had been suspended from the tournament.

That's true. They are currently banned from playing, but we hope that something will happen and peace will come, and Russia will be allowed to compete again, Infantino said.

Trump said: "It's possible. It could be a good incentive, couldn't it? We want them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people are killed every week - you can't even believe it."

2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA

The US will host 78 of the 104 matches, including the final. The World Tourism Forum Institute has warned that strict immigration policies in the US and global political tensions could "significantly" affect international arrivals.

The Club World Cup, which starts next month, is being held in 12 US stadiums. The tournament is expected to be attended by around two million foreign guests.

We are already processing these travel documents and visa applications. Obviously, this will be a prerequisite for what we can do next year to host the FIFA World Cup

- said Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem.

Addition

Earlier this year, the administration of US President Donald Trump called on the Ukrainian government to accept an unspecified number of migrants deported from the country.

A Ukrainian diplomat informed the US Embassy that the government would offer a response when it formulates its position

- The Washington Post reports.

- Pavlo Zinchenko 

CONOR MCGREGOR UPLOADS ON DONALD TRUMP FOR SAYING KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV IS HIS FAVOURITE FIGHTER

Conor McGregor has taken aim at former United States President Donald Trump after he revealed Khabib Nurmagomedov as his favorite fighter.

Trump has been an avid fan of MMA and the UFC for years and he usually attends a couple of events each year. On Monday, while doing Adin Ross’ live stream on Kick, Trump revealed Nurmagomedov is his favorite fighter of all time, which caught many by surprise.

“Well, I think Khabib. Khabib was 29-0, and then his father died and he stopped. I think he never lost a round. He fought many times, he never lost a round. I got to meet him at a fight, two fights ago, as I walked in with Dana… I met Khabib and he said ‘You are the man who could stop the war’ talking about the war in Ukraine and Russia,” Trump said about Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Following Donald Trump’s comments, Conor McGregor took to social media and blasted the former President. McGregor believes Trump saying Nurmagomedov is his favorite fighter will cost him the election.

“Campaign ending decision. A smelly fat mountain monkey from the inbred mountains of Dagestan is your favorite UFC (AMERICAN COMPANY) fighter? Wow. Abysmal,” McGregor wrote… “I was actually wrong. Couple hundred million he is worth. Not multi B. I would have thought USA ONLY would be the mentality here and what I would want to see out of my president, personally. To pick a retired inbred fighter from Dagestan Russia who has 3 main events only to his name is astounding. Over all the American fighters that have backed him. It’s a shocking decision. He was caught on the spot. That won’t go unnoticed on the roster. This presidential race is very tight right now. More so now.”

Conor McGregor didn’t stop there as he continued to take aim at Donald Trump and Khabib Nurmagomedov for his comments.

“trumps favorite fighter. here he is in a tiny tub with his fellow inbred pals in dagestan. Can you spot him? Where’s Khabib? Find Khabib,” Conor McGregor added.

It’s clear that Conor McGregor is not a fan of Donald Trump picking Khabib Nurmagomedov as his favorite fighter as the two were rivals.

- Cole Shelton

SPAIN FELL BEHIND AS GAME.CHANGED; NOW THEY CAN LEAD AGAIN

 A more modern Spain side on and off the pitch won the Euro 2024 for a record-breaking fourth time Sunday and are already eyeing more success in the United States, Canada and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.

"Champions of Europe ... and now we'll go all out for the World Cup," said Nico Williams, one of the symbols of this new-look Spain team as well as a goal scorer and the Player of the Match in the 2-1 final win over England.

Spain were the best team in Germany. They won all seven matches -- six in normal time and one in extra time -- and scored 15 goals, a new tournament high. They beat holders Italy, hosts Germany and pre-tournament favourites France and England. They did so playing a brand of football which, while there was still plenty of possession at times, has evolved under coach Luis de la Fuente in the last 18 months. A large reason for that is down to young wingers Williams, who is 22, and Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 the day before the final.

Speaking after beating England, De la Fuente praised his team for adapting to the demands of modern football. The subtext was that Spain's approach had gone stale. After winning back-to-back Euros and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012 with a possession-heavy style, a fallow period followed. The low points included a group-stage exit at the World Cup in 2014 and penalty shootout defeats to Russia and Morocco in the same competition in 2018 and 2022, respectively.

Spain had over 75% possession in both of those games and a combined 36 shots but could only muster one goal across 240 minutes of football. Breaking down teams who sat deep had become a problem. De la Fuente, who replaced Luis Enrique after that Morocco loss in 2022, said it was time to update the team's style without losing their roots.

"Football evolves, not just technically but tactically," he said. "The teams [between 2008 and 2012] coached by Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque were the best of their era and were innovators.

"But now we have more versatility in our game and take advantage of the characteristics of the players that we have. We have pace on the wings, control and possession in the middle and a very solid defence -- that has given us a lot of balance in all areas of the game.

"We have caught up with the demands of modern football. It is a natural change and I think it was time to make it."

Williams and Yamal are at the centre of the shift. They combined for the opening goal against England and allow Spain to be more direct if needed. They have good in-game intelligence, too. If it's not working outside, they come inside and try their luck, especially Yamal. They often pop up on the same flank, too. That unpredictability is a huge asset to Spain.

The numbers back that up. Yamal, named the Young Player of the Tournament, was involved in five of Spain's 15 goals -- four assists and that stunning equaliser against France in the semifinal -- and Williams in three.

There are other nuances in the point De la Fuente made. The control and possession in the middle is now dealt by players with a contrasting build to Spain midfielders of the past. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz measure over 6-foot-2 and tower above Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández, who were both in attendance at the Olympiastadion this past weekend, along with Spain's record scorer David Villa. The injured Pedri is more similar to Xavi and Iniesta, while other La Roja legends Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso are closer to Rodri and Ruiz's height, but the differences are clear.

Fundamentally, though, the idea has not changed drastically. It is a style based on technique and positioning which has brought success across men's, women's and youth football for Spain. Prior to becoming the coach of the senior side, De la Fuente won the U19 and U21 Euros. He also took the U23s to a silver medal at the Olympic Games. Nine players involved in those successes were part of the 26-man Euro 2024 squad.

Spain have also won many trophies in recent years in the women's game at youth level and that has translated into the senior game as well. La Roja are now the holders of both the men's and women's UEFA Nations League titles, the men's Euros and the Women's World Cup.

That base and understanding of the game is a large reason why they prospered in Germany without having the star names other teams had. It is why Dani Olmo slotted in brilliantly when Pedri got injured. It is why when Rodri went off at half-time against England, the walls didn't cave in because Martín Zubimendi knew what his role was. Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the 86th-minute winner in the final, both also made big contributions off the bench.

That balance and interchangeability is behind De la Fuente's warning that this team are still hungry for more success. They beat England with Rodri injured, Pedri out and midfielder Gavi -- who was drafted in as a support act for the final as the 27th man -- missing with an ACL tear. That could be Spain's starting midfield at the World Cup in two years. Young Barça defender Pau Cubarsí, cut at the last minute from the Euros squad, will also be there if his breathtaking development continues. Williams and Yamal will be 23 and 18 when the tournament starts, respectively. Others will likely emerge.

"These players have made history and they still have a long way to go," De la Fuente said auspiciously.

The unity and makeup of the team off the pitch gives another meaning to this being a modern Spain side, too. Again, Williams and Yamal are at the heart of that. As young Black men born in Spain to immigrant parents, they have been unintentionally championed as emblems of a more diverse country.

The story of Williams' parents coming to the country from Ghana, trekking across the Sahara, is well known. Yamal, meanwhile, is the son of a Moroccan and an Equatorial Guinean who was born in Catalonia and grew up in the poor neighbourhood of Rocafonda, outside of Barcelona. His roots are stitched on his boots in the form of the national flags of his parents' homeland and the numbers 304 -- the zip code for Rocafonda.

They are now idols for kids across Spain. They wear it well. Rodri says their youthful innocence rubs off on the squad. Their dancing and joking are more akin to Brazilian football than Spanish football but has been well received by teammates and fans.

"They are two kids with no ceiling," goalkeeper Unai Simón said after the final. "They've been so important for us here, not just for what they have done on the pitch but for what they transmit to the group. I was nervous on the bus before the game and they were dancing, enjoying every moment of being able to play football. Seeing them like that relaxes you. You have to approach life like them, with joy."

It felt fitting that they combined for the opener against England.

It is a modern team in the sense that it is not dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona, either. There were 10 different clubs represented in the Sunday's starting lineup, while regional rivalries have also been cast aside. There is a strong Basque presence in the squad and Catalan full-back Marc Cucurella, one of the revelations of the tournament and a cult hero now in Spain, set up Basque forward Oyarzabal for the clincher.

They have all been pulled together by Álvaro Morata, who may only have scored one goal in seven appearances at the Euros, but who the players respect hugely as a captain. He has also been very open about his own issues, detailing how he has struggled psychologically at times and needed help. He sought it before the tournament from Iniesta and Bojan Krkić, who experienced similar moments in their careers. "Without them, I wouldn't have been here [at Euro 2024]," Morata said Sunday.

A much more jovial Morata was on show as he MC'd Spain's celebrations back in Madrid on Monday. He won't have a voice for a week.

"Where's Jamal Musiala?" he joked as he introduced a topless Dani Carvajal, who had marked the Germany star in the quarterfinal. There were plenty of other fun moments but there was also genuine affection for his teammates as he welcomed each of them on to the stage. Winning, of course, helps foster that atmosphere, but you get the genuine feeling this Spain team became a very modern family during their six-week stay in the Black Forest in the south of Germany.

That should bode well for the future, even if they will have a target on their backs again now. Cucurella noted they benefitted from being unfancied at Euro 2024, giving them "nothing to lose," but teams will be out to beat them again now after they modernised their game to leave Germany with the Henri Delaunay Trophy.

- Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent

TEN RUSSIAN WRESTLERS REJECT INVITATIONS TO PARIS OLYMPICS

 Ten Russian wrestlers who were invited to compete at the Paris Olympics as neutral athletes will not take part after some of the leading wrestlers were left off the invitation list, the Russian Wrestling Federation said Saturday.

Gold medalist Abdulrashid Sadulaev and 2023 world champion Zaurbek Sidakov were among the leading Russian wrestlers not named in the International Olympic Committee's list of invited neutral athletes in June, the RWF said in a statement.

The RWF said its executive committee, the national teams' coaching staff and the invited athletes had unanimously decided to refuse to participate in the Olympics after a meeting.

"We do not accept the unsportsmanlike selection principle that guided the International Olympic Committee when forming the list of eligible athletes, the purpose of which is to undermine the principle of unity of our team," the RWF said.

The wrestlers would have been the largest group of Russians in any one sport. The IOC did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Saturday's decision by the Russian wrestling federation, whether it thought the wrestlers had faced any pressure to refuse and whether it would support any wrestler who might want to compete against the wishes of the federation.

The federation said up to 16 Russians had qualified for the Paris Olympics, not 10, and that six of those invited were "far from the status of Russian team leaders." The federation listed the names of top Russian wrestlers who didn't get invitations and said the Olympic event would now be devalued.

"Any sane person understands that the status of the Olympic Games as the most significant sporting event is being questioned, and wrestling competitions without Russian athletes will be incomplete, and the champions will not receive the satisfaction of winning the Olympic tournament," the statement said.

The wrestlers' withdrawal comes after Russian cyclist Aleksandr Vlasov also pulled out of the Olympics last month.

Russian and Belarusian athletes can participate only as neutrals -- without flags, anthems or any role in the opening parade -- because of the war in Ukraine. The IOC previously said it would issue invitations only to Russian and Belarusian athletes who do not have ties to the security services or military and who have not publicly supported the war.

Last week, the Russian judo federation said its board had decided not to send any athletes to Paris. Its statement didn't specify what its athletes thought. The IOC told The Associated Press in a statement Tuesday that it was waiting for an "individual reply" from the judo athletes. The IOC website lists one Russian competitor in judo as having accepted an invitation.

As of Sunday, the IOC website listed 23 Russian athletes in seven sports who it said had accepted invitations for the Paris Olympics, including the wrestlers. 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among six tennis players who the IOC says have accepted.

The Paris Olympics run from July 26 to Aug. 11, with the wrestling competition starting Aug. 5.

Reuters contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

GRINER OUT INDEFINITELY WITH TOE FRACTURE

USA TODAY Sports 

 Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has sustained a toe fracture on her left foot and will be out indefinitely, the WNBA team said on Monday.

Griner, who was freed from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange in December 2022, will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks and Phoenix said updates on her condition would be provided as appropriate.

The WNBA's 2024 season opens on Tuesday with four games, including Phoenix at the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces.

Griner was arrested in February 2022 at an airport outside Moscow for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

She was subsequently convicted of drug smuggling and later transferred to one of Russia's most notorious penal colonies.

Griner was eventually released in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a deal that was arranged after months of talks during a time of high tension between the U.S. and Russia after Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In her first season back, Griner averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 2023.

BRITTNEY GRINER STILL ADJUSTING AFTER RUSSIAN PRISON ORDEAL. WNBA STAR ORDEALS EXPERIENCE IN BOOK

AP Photo 

 Brittney Griner continues her efforts to settle into a normal routine following her release from a Russian prison 17 months ago.

Life isn't what it once was for the perennial WNBA All-Star.

The 6-foot-8 center looks different and has different priorities. Gone are her familiar dreadlocks that couldn't be maintained during her incarceration. She regularly sees a therapist to help her cope after being imprisoned for 10 months. And since her release, Griner has been an advocate for the return of other Americans detained overseas.

She has met with President Joe Biden twice since her release, including once last month in Phoenix.

“Got to talk to him about a couple of people and just keep it on the forefront of everyone’s mind,” the Phoenix Mercury star said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “You want to get exposure and that keeps it on the forefront of people’s minds. Keep people accountable.”

Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February 2022. Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis.

She shares details about the harrowing experience in her new book — “Coming Home” — which comes out Tuesday.

AP Photo 

Griner hopes one takeaway for anyone who reads the book will be a vivid picture of what detainees have to endure. She said it's why it took her all of last season to write it with Michelle Burford.

“I didn’t leave anything out from the detainment, to being over there, the conditions. As much as we could fit into a book, we basically did,” Griner said. “People will be shocked at some of the things.

"I hope it brings a little bit more of an understanding to the conditions that detainees go through.”

Griner says it is important people have a clear picture of what it's like for those Americans not home yet, including Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, so that no one gives up the fight.

“It took everyone to come together to bring me home,” she said. Government officials "have to make really hard decisions.”

Griner, who first met President Biden at the White House Correspondent's dinner in 2023 a few months after her return to the U.S., said she and her WNBA teammates must keep the momentum going to get everyone home.

“How are we going to do it? Bringing in families, playing videos, give them airtime?" she said. "Maybe someone that doesn’t know, sees (the book) and they write a letter to Congress that tips over the scale to get someone home.”

Griner said her days of playing basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason are over.

Though many WNBA players still play in international leagues to supplement their league salaries, Griner said she is done, except with USA Basketball. She hopes to be on the Olympic team at the Paris Games this summer, and the odds are in her favor that will happen.

AP Photo

Griner had played in China for a few years during the WNBA offseason, before making the move to Russia — where she had played since 2015 before her arrest.

It’s not just her ordeal in Russia, however, that is going to keep her home. Griner's wife, Cherelle, is expecting the couple’s first child.

“The only time I’ll go overseas is with Team USA,” Griner said. “I need to be in the states. About to be a parent. Last thing I want to do is be in and out of my kid’s life. I want to be there for everything. I don’t want to uproot my family and take them overseas with me. It’s too much.”

Griner, who has been an advocate for mental health for the past decade, said she sees a therapist regularly — something she did for several years before she went to Russia — and it helps her process what she endured while in prison.

“They are instrumental to my mental health,” Griner said about her sessions. “Everyone can benefit from having someone to talk to. Someone outside of their every day life. It just helps to have a different perspective on life from someone.

"That way if you do feel nervous or struggling with something, it’s very beneficial.”

The 33-year-old took a mental health break for several days last year during the WNBA season, missing three games. She'll begin her 12th year in the league May 14.

Griner is looking forward to it after the welcome she received in her return last year. One of the only positives that Griner will take away from her ordeal was the outpouring of support she received from people in the form of letters they wrote to her in prison.

“The letters were amazing from the fans, teammates, opponents, GMs, they all meant so much to me,” she said. “It was very dark at times, especially going through the trial. When I was in isolation for weeks, it was an emotional rollercoaster and those letters made me remember that I wasn't forgotten.”

- DOUG FEINBERG

BRITTNEY GRINDER 'WANTED TO TAKE MY LIFE L' WHILE JAILED IN RUSSIA

 

Brittney Griner. PHOTO: GOOD MORNING AMERICA/YOUTUBE

PHOENIX -- WNBA star Brittney Griner said she thought about killing herself during her first few weeks in a Russian jail after her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges.

Griner spoke for the first time about her monthslong detention in Russia during an hourlong interview that aired Wednesday night on ABC's "20/20."

Griner's memoir, "Coming Home," is set to be released on May 7.

Griner was detained after arriving at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from cannabis.

"I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks," Griner told ABC's Robin Roberts. "I felt like leaving here so badly."

She decided against it in part because she was afraid the Russian authorities wouldn't release her body to her family.

Her plight unfolded at the same time Russia invaded Ukraine and further heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S. Griner was eventually freed in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Griner said before she was released, she was forced to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"They made me write this letter. It was in Russian," she said. "I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn't want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home."

She was disappointed when she got on the plane for the trade and Paul Whelan, another American who has been detained in Russia, wasn't with her.

"I walked on and didn't see him, maybe he's next. Maybe they will bring him next," she said. "They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You're not going to let this man come home now."

Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA season begins on May 14.

- Associated Press

RUSSIA'S SOCCER FRIENDLY AGAINST PARAGUAY PUT OFF INDEFINITELY DUE TO MOSCOW TERRORIST ATTACK

 MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Football Union said Saturday that its team's friendly against Paraguay scheduled for Moscow on Monday has been put off indefinitely due to the terrorist attack near the capital.

At least 133 people were killed after gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons in a suburban concert hall near Moscow on Friday. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility.

Officials said the match originally scheduled for Moscow’s VTB Arena would be played at a later date.

Russia has been banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the country’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. It can only play friendlies.

“The Russian Football Union, together with the entire country, mourns those killed in the terrible terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall,” RFU president Alexander Dyukov said. “In the current situation, together with our colleagues from Paraguay, we have decided not to hold a match between our teams and will organize it at a later date.”

AGIT KABAYEL (GERMANY) VS. ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV (RUSSIA)

 

WORLD AQUATICS STANDS BY IT'S STRICT RUSSIA POLICY FOR OLYMPICS

Reuters 

 World Aquatics (WA) are standing by their strict criteria for Russian and Belarusian swimmers to return to international competition - even if it means some of the world's best from the two countries boycott the Paris Olympics.

Swimming's global governing body approved the return of Russian and Belarusian participants last September after banning them following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

They can only compete as neutrals, they are banned from relay events and they must accept strict criteria including no "explicit or implicit" statements of support for the war in Ukraine, which Russia calls a "special military operation".

They are also subject to stringent anti-doping requirements and a ban on talking to media during competition.

Russia's swimming federation condemned the protocols as unacceptable and discriminatory, and no Russian swimmer entered the World Championships currently being held in Doha.

"As I sit here right now, I'm standing by the policy 100%" WA Executive Director Brent Nowicki told Reuters.

"I don't think it's too restrictive. I think it's a policy that reflects the voice of our community, and whether or not they want to do it is up to them."

RUSSIAN FIGURE STATER VALIEVA BANNED FOR DOPING, ROC LOSES OLYMPIC GOLD - CAS

 

Reuters 

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva received a four-year doping ban on Monday, effectively stripping the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) of its gold medal in the team event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games nearly two years after the competition.

In its long-awaited ruling, the highest court in sport found Valieva guilty of committing an anti-doping rule violation that rattled the Beijing Olympics and frustrated competitors who are still waiting for their medals from the event to be allocated.

"Kamila Valieva is found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation and sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility commencing on 25 December 2021," the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said.

The court added that all of Valieva's competitive results achieved since that date are voided, including the gold medal she helped ROC win in the team event at the 2022 Games.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), one of the parties that brought the case to CAS, welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for fair sport.

RUSSIA AND IOC CLASH AT THE UN BEFORE MEMBER STATES PASS OLYMPIC TRUCE FOR PARIS GAMES

AP Photo

Russia clashed with the International Olympic Committee on the floor of the United Nations on Tuesday before 118 member states voted to adopt a traditional truce around the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

Two years ago, Russia voted for the previous Olympic Truce resolution then flagrantly breached it by invading Ukraine four days after the 2022 Winter Games closed in Beijing.

Relations between Russia and IOC President Thomas Bach have not recovered since though the Olympic body eased its initially tough stance of exclusion by urging sports bodies to let some athletes compete as neutral individuals with no symbols of national identity.

CAS REGISTERED RUSSIAN APPEAL AGAINST OLYMPIC MEMBERSHIP SUGGESTION

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered an appeal filed by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) against the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to suspend its membership, the independent judicial body said on Monday.

The challenge arose over the IOC's suspension of the ROC following the ROC decision to include as its members some regional sports organisations which are under the authority of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine.

UEFA AXES PLAN TO LIFT UNDER-17 BAN ON RUSSIA TEAMS

Reuters 

UEFA is abandoning a plan to reinstate Russia's Under-17 sides to European competition, announcing on Tuesday that it could not find a technical solution allowing the teams to return.

"The agenda point was withdrawn as no technical solution to allow Russian teams to play could be found," UEFA said of the plan, which was fiercely opposed by Ukraine and other soccer federations.

WTA ROUNDUP: RUSSIA TEEN WIN OPENER AT GUANGZHOU

Reuters

Russian 19-year-old Diana Shnaider took down eighth-seeded American Claire Liu 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Guangzhou Open on Monday in China.

Shnaider won six straight games in the first set and came back from a 2-0 hole in the second set to win in 75 minutes. She broke Liu's serve six times in eight chances.

Also falling on the first day of the main draw was sixth seed Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic. Denmark's Clara Tauson eliminated Fruhvirtova 6-2, 7-6 (6).

No. 1 seed Magda Linette of Poland avoided a similar fate, rallying past Jodie Burrage of Great Britain 6-7 (3), 6-0, 6-2.

No. 5 seed Rebeka Masarova of Spain, No. 7 seed Greet Minnen of Belgium and Harriet Dart of Great Britain also won their opening matches.

PUTIN SAYS IOC IS DISTORTING OLYMPIC IDEAL

Reuters 

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday of politicising sport, as it weighs a decision on Russian athletes' participation in next year's Games in Paris.

Russians are facing the likelihood of having to compete under a neutral flag in Paris because of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The IOC has taken no final decision but said athletes should not be punished for the acts of their governments.

French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that no Russian flag should fly at the Games.

Putin was asked about the issue at a forum in Russia's far east, and responded by referencing the ideals of the Frenchman who founded the modern Olympics.