Boxing: Three Olympic boxers, including beaten Irish bantamweight Michael Conlon who had accused the judges of robbing him of victory, have been sanctioned by the IOC for betting on fights during the Rio Games. The IOC said that Conlon, compatriot Steven Donnelly and Britain’s Antony Fowler had been given severe reprimands for their breach of the regulations. They would also be obliged to follow and contribute to integrity educational programmes in order to be eligible for Tokyo 2020.
Rugby World Cup: Italy withdrew from the race to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, one week after Rome’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games was effectively scuppered when the city government withdrew its support. The Italian rugby federation (FIR) said the two bids had been closely linked and it was not possible to carry on. The announcement leaves France, South Africa and Ireland as the three countries bidding to host the tournament. Rugby’s governing body said that “while it is disappointing that the FIR feels unable to proceed, World Rugby fully understands the decision.”
Tennis: World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the China Open in Beijing next week due to an ongoing elbow injury. The Serbian has been dogged by fitness issues all summer, having struggled at the Olympics and then pulled out of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, but he made his comeback at the US Open, where he made it to the final before being beaten by Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka.
Rugby Union: England face an anxious wait over the fitness of hooker Dylan Hartley and flyhalf Owen Farrell, who are struggling with back injuries ahead of this year’s autumn internationals. England, unbeaten since head coach Eddie Jones took charge after last year’s World Cup, host South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia in November and December. Hartley, who captained England to a first Six Nations grand slam in 13 years in March, could return to action in the coming weeks, according to Northampton Saints' director of rugby Jim Mallinder. The 25-year-old Farrell has 43 caps for the country.