OLYMPICSLAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The Russian mens quadruple sculls team has been disqualified from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics for a doping violation and will be replaced at the games by New Zealand, world rowings ruling body announced.The World Rowing Federation says that trimetazidine, a banned substance, was found in a urine sample given by rower Sergei Fedorovtsev in an out-of-competition test on May 17.He competed a week later at the final Olympic qualifying regatta in Switzerland, where Russia finished first to qualify for Rio.As Fedorovtsev, who won a gold medal in quadruple sculls at the 2004 Athens Olympics, had provided a positive doping test, the federation said that the results of all competitions in which the rower participated after 17 May 2016 are therefore automatically disqualified.UNDATED -- The U.S. Olympic Committee approved a 24 percent funding increase to the countrys anti-doping agency, choosing money over words in an effort to fix a worldwide system that CEO Scott Blackmun says is broken.The USOC board approved the increase starting next year from $3.7 million to $4.6 million annually for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which is tasked with testing American Olympic athletes, along with foreigners who train and compete in the United States.The money wont have much impact on Russia, which is the focal point of a doping crisis that threatens the countrys participation in the Rio Games. Tracks governing body has booted Russias track team from the Olympics because of widespread doping throughout the country.Decisions about individual athletes who are petitioning to compete are expected to be made starting this week. Meanwhile, an investigation into allegations of government-guided cheating at the Sochi Olympics is due out next month, and could impact other sports.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Some of Rio de Janeiros busy soup kitchens are shutting down because the cash-strapped state has failed to pay suppliers that serve cheap meals to the poor.The closing down of the government-run centers was announced by state officials. Its the latest fallout from a financial crisis that is also fueling worries about security and public transportation during the Summer Games slated to begin Aug. 5.The Rio de Janeiro State Social Service Department says that besides the three soup kitchens, breakfast services will also be dropped at five other meal centers.The welfare agency says the food supplier has not received any payment for more than a year and is owed about $7.5 million.OMAHA, Neb. -- A Michigan swim coach has been fired after he was arrested in a prostitution sting while attending the U.S. Olympic swim trials in Omaha.Court records say 41-year-old Kelton Graham was one of 11 people arrested Monday night during an undercover police operation at a west Omaha hotel. The records say Graham, who is from Detroit, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor solicitation charge Tuesday and was sentenced to a day in jail, which the court credited as being served.Club Wolverine, which has several swimmers in Omaha for the trials, said in a message sent to club parents that Graham has been dismissed because hed violated the terms of his contract.A phone listed for Graham in Detroit rang busy Thursday during several calls by The Associated Press.PAT SUMMITTCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- A private funeral service for former Tennessee womens basketball coach Pat Summitt was held.Erin Freeman, who has been acting as a spokeswoman for the Summitt family this week, confirmed that the funeral took place Thursday in Clarksville. When Summitt died Tuesday at the age of 64, her family had issued a statement saying a private ceremony would be held in Middle Tennessee without disclosing a date or exact location.About 30-35 of Summitts former Tennessee players as well as many of her former assistant coaches attended the private ceremony. The group of former players included Michelle Marciniak and Chamique Holdsclaw.SPORTS GAMBLINGNEW YORK -- An internet bookmaking operation based in Costa Rica took in nearly a billion dollars in illegal wagers on NFL games last season alone, New York City prosecutors said.Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson made the allegation while announcing corruption enterprise and other charges against four men from California and New York. A defense attorney called the case overblown.According to court papers, the ring took bets on pro football, college sports, soccer and other athletic events from thousands of gamblers using various websites since April 2015. They say bets last season on pro football totaled $927 million.The alleged ringleader, Gordon Mitchnick of Laverne, California, ran the operation out of a wire room in San Jose, Costa Rica, prosecutors said. He laundered some of the proceeds by buying 20 houses, they said.PRO FOOTBALLDALLAS -- Johnny Manziel has been suspended for the first four games of next season for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy, and the free agent quarterback could face further discipline over his domestic violence case if he signs with another team.The suspension is not related to the leagues domestic violence policy, but Manziel would be subject to standards that were toughened two years ago if he signs with another team. The 23-year-old Manziel, released by Cleveland in March, faces a misdemeanor assault charge in Dallas involving former girlfriend Colleen Crowley.The 2012 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Texas A&M was suspended the same week he posted pictures on Instagram from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.As Manziels domestic case has played out, he has been photographed partying from Hollywood to Las Vegas to New York in recent months. His own family has expressed concern about his well-being after he was cut by the Browns following two underwhelming seasons.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Almost a year after mangling his right hand in a fireworks accident, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has made a public service announcement about keeping children away from fireworks, and warning everyone to handle the pyrotechnic devices with care.The announcement was unveiled at a fireworks safety event in Washington by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot F. Kaye.Pierre-Paul lost an index finger and part of his thumb, and was required to have reconstructive surgery to save his middle finger, when a device exploded in his hand on July 4. The two-time Pro Bowler missed half of last season because of the injury, and he struggled using the hand when he returned because he wore a boxing-like glove playing. It limited his ability to grab opponents. Vapormax 97 Femme Pas Cher . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Vapormax 2019 Blanche . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. http://www.vapormaxpaschersoldes.fr/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Vapormax Flyknit Blanche Pas Cher . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Vapormax Flyknit Moc Pas Cher . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Maggie Steffens and the U.S. womens water polo team stood on the top step of the podium and belted out the national anthem through a mixture of smiles and tears.Italy and Russia stood on each side of the Americans, and they might as well have been miles away.The dominant U.S. womens teams in gymnastics, basketball and swimming have some company. The womens water polo team, hailing almost exclusively from California, beat Italy 12-5 on Friday for its second straight gold medal, and there are signs it could replicate the sustained success of some of Americas most famous Olympic juggernauts.We could, goaltender Ashleigh Johnson said. But some of our girls arent coming back, and they already know that. It wont be the same team. This team will never be the same team again.The U.S. closed its schedule with 22 straight wins, rolling through its six games in Rio by a combined score of 73-32. It currently holds each of the major crowns in womens water polo, adding a second Olympic gold to its world championship, World Cup and World League Super Final titles.The ease with which it dispatched with the eight-team field in Rio -- the Americans held the lead after 23 of their 24 quarters and trailed for a total of 44 seconds -- made a case for this team being the best ever assembled in the sport.I think you could make a strong argument, coach Adam Krikorian said. That 2012 team in the last games I love to death, they were a gritty, hard-nosed, tough crew, but this team has done some special things.Said Italy coach Fabio Conti: USA is, in this moment, a team of another universe.While the 2012 gold medalists were a veteran crew, the U.S. had nine newcomers this year, includiing teenagers Maddie Musselman and sisters Makenzie and Aria Fischer.dddddddddddd. Musselman scored 12 goals and made the all-tournament team, and Makenzie Fischer scored seven times.Johnson, the first black woman to play water polo for the United States in the Olympics, turns 22 next month. Steffens, the MVP of the last two games, is just 23 and sounded ready to sign up for Tokyo right away.I dont know whats going to happen in the next four years, Steffens said, but this is too incredible, incredible of an opportunity to call yourself an Olympian with a team, a real team, not just people that are thrown together, but a team that has grown together, to pass up again. So I for sure would love to be back in this situation in four years.The big question is the status of Krikorian, who said he wasnt sure if he would continue with the national team. Krikorians brother, Blake, died right before the start of the Olympics, starting an emotional time for the former UCLA coach, culminating with the victory in the final.Krikorian is beloved by his players, who rallied to his side when he returned to Rio after going home to spend time with his family, and his departure could alter the trajectory of the program.I love coaching. I love this team, Krikorian said. I love having an impact on young people. I love leading. That doesnt mean that this is what Im going to do the rest of my life. I think I need to figure that out. I think its always good to keep your options open and see what else is out there.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '
