Well, the folks at The Comeback let me try to put together your cheat sheet for this morning to get your week started. I should warn you, I was never a great student but we’ll give this a shot anyway.
IOC opens door to Rio for Russian athletes not already banned
The threat of the entire Russian nation pulling out of this summer’s Olympics appeared to be pretty real, but now it appears the Russians will indeed be heading to Rio for the summer Olympics. Well, most of them that is. The International Olympic Committee decided against a blanket ban that would have banned the entire nation from competing. Instead, the IOC will hand off the responsibility for determining which players may compete to the international federations governing each individual sport.
Essentially, the IOC wiped its hands clean of any decision-making, allowing Russian athletes a chance to compete unless determined otherwise by somebody else. Smooth move, IOC. We see what you did there.
In statement, World Anti-Doping Agency condemns IOC decision not to give Russia blanket ban. https://t.co/KDmduV64LK pic.twitter.com/zZPQ2HNcSY
— ABC News (@ABC) July 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanWetzel/status/757262604737847296
We can only imagine this was received positively by Vladimir Putin, who for all we know may have intervened in the decision-making more than anyone might choose to admit. After years of observing the way the IOC works, few would put it past them to cave in such fashion. We think leaders of FIFA, the NCAA and IOC must have an annual convention somewhere. It’s probably in Qatar.
The Rio Battle From Down Under
Speaking of the Olympics, athletes from Australia will not be staying in the Olympic village in Rio due to concerns about the conditions for the athletes. Considering Rio already has led to security forces sleeping on floors without pay, we can hardly blame Australia for such a decision. The mayor of Rio’s reaction?
Rio mayor responds to Team #Australia criticism of athletes' village by offering to "put a Kangaroo there to make them feel at home"#Rio2016
— Wyre Davies (@WyreDavies) July 24, 2016
I’m sure these Olympics will be just great, you guys.
Dozens watch Kyle Busch win Brickyard 400
The seemingly attendance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was heavily criticized on Sunday afternoon. Those who chose to come out and brave the elements watched Kyle Busch win his second straight Brickyard 400. Busch never let up on the lead, making for a race lacking in much drama. What better way to celebrate than by posing with the family on the track afterward?
❤️ Family. pic.twitter.com/wHM2vtHBte
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) July 25, 2016
Quick Hits
– We travel across the Atlantic Ocean to remind you that the sport of hurling is pretty darn entertaining.
– Also across the pond, there is a reason you wear those specially-designed helmets in cricket…
Brutal bouncer from @chriswoakes hits Misbah on the helmet before lunch. We're back, two more to get #ENGvPAK https://t.co/8UAH7k7fSF
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2016
– The Houston Astros called up their top prospect, but it’s anyone’s guess what position he will play.
– Steph Curry doing The Carlton? Sure, why not?
– Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale had an eventful weekend and now is on the trading block. The two may not be directly related. Or maybe they are. Who the heck knows?
– This may scare the bejeezus out of you next time you are riding a train in a storm.
– Big Ten media days start today, but Nebraska will stay out of the spotlight as the program mourns the loss of punter Sam Foltz. Foltz was killed in a car accident that also claimed the life of former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler and injured LSU punter Colby Delahoussaye.
– Iowa defensive lineman was held at gunpoint by police while playing Pokemon Go, but he blames the media for it.
– The Big Ten is heading to one of college basketball’s true gems, The Palestra in Philadelphia. No word on a future game at Franklin Field, however. Last Big Ten story. Promise.
– Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza were inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown. Griffey may have been the best player a generation of baseball fans watched. He also had one of the best baseball video games with the best strikeout animations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNJKQiIbhzc
– Michael Cera may be the best possible Robin there is in the upcoming LEGO Batman movie.
– On a related note, DC’s cinematic universe may have stumbled out of the gate, but the future does look bright, in a Zach Snyder dark kind of way, with Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and Justice League.
– Of course, Marvel has Doctor Strange coming.
– You may have heard that the championship drought in Cleveland was recently snapped. So which city is the new worst-suffering sports city? The Ringer breaks it down.
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