03/27/20 07:27:00
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03/27 07:24 CDT The Latest: Russians suspend doping testing amid outbreak
The Latest: Russians suspend doping testing amid outbreak
By The Associated Press
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the
world:
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The Russian anti-doping agency is suspending all tests for 10 days in response
to measures implemented by the government to fight the coronavirus.
The move comes after President Vladimir Putin told Russians except those
working in essential sectors to stay home next week.
RUSADA deputy CEO Margarita Pahnotskaya tells The Associated Press the testing
suspension covers a longer period because of the risk of staff being stranded
away from home. Tests stopped Friday and will resume on April 6.
Pakhnotskaya says the World Anti-Doping Agency has been notified.
She says "we studied all the consequences and agreed we should follow the
order. And it was agreed with WADA. I wrote them a letter yesterday."
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The Diamond League has postponed three more track meets because of the
coronavirus outbreak.
The events in Stockholm on May 24, Naples and Rome on May 28, and Rabat,
Morocco, on May 31 have all been postponed with no new dates set.
The first six events of the year have been called off and only the Shanghai
meet has been given a new date. The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on
June 7 is now the first scheduled event on the calendar.
The Diamond League says "the meeting organizers, the Wanda Diamond League and
World Athletics remain committed to delivering a structured extensive season in
2020."
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Spanish soccer club Barcelona says it will reduce the salaries of its players
amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Barcelona says its executive board has decided to temporarily suspend player
contracts. That produces a "proportional reduction of the remuneration provided
for in the respective contracts."
The players' contracts will remain intact during the job suspension.
Employers in Spain are allowed to reduce labor costs while guaranteeing that
workers will return to their jobs once conditions improve.
The club says it has not decided by how much the salaries will be lowered.
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A Russia-based basketball league with teams in five countries has abandoned its
season without declaring a champion because of the coronavirus outbreak.
VTB United League CEO Ilona Korstin says it's not appropriate to continue the
season "in the current situation when borders are closed, teams can't train at
basketball arenas and clubs have to allow foreign players to go home."
Korstin says the league will start preparing for the 2020-21 season.
Russian club BC Khimki was leading the league with an 18-1 record when it was
suspended.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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