Cycling and tennis.
McQuaid angry with Bettini
Cycling:Pat McQuaid, president of cycling's world governing body, said yesterday he was "angry and annoyed" at world champion Paolo Bettini for not signing the anti-doping declaration.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) asked all ProTour riders and managers to sign an anti-doping pledge, a "commitment to a new cycling", before this year's Tour de France. Bettini, who will defend his world road race title in Stuttgart on Sunday, has not signed and McQuaid widened his attack to the Italian Federation.
"Bettini has not signed and I feel very angry and very annoyed," McQuaid said on the eve of the road world championships. "I'm equally angry with the Italian Federation as with Bettini. The Italian Federation have said they won't ask riders to sign and the Spanish have done likewise."
The UCI are waiting to hear today whether Alejandro Valverde is successful in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his ban on competing in Stuttgart, over a possible link to the Operacion Puerto doping scandal in Spain.
"I hope CAS supports the UCI decision," McQuaid said. "If they don't it means he will ride on Sunday and we'll have to look at our own rules and how we can control the sport."
Melo gets two-month ban
Tennis:Brazilian doubles specialist Marcelo Melo has been banned for two months after failing a drugs test, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said.
The 24-year-old, who reached the men's semi-finals at Wimbledon with compatriot Andre Sa, tested positive for the banned stimulant isometheptene at Queen's Club in June.
"The ITF found that there had been no intent on the part of Melo to enhance his sporting performance by the taking of isometheptene and therefore . . . determined Melo should be suspended for a period of two months," the ITF said in a statement.
The suspension was backdated to September 10th and will end on November 9th.
Melo, ranked 25th in doubles, will forfeit prize-money and ranking points earned at Queen's Club and the US Open.
