Triathlon: Double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee (picture, right) was among the latest batch of athletes to have their therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) leaked this week, with the Briton explaining the drug he used in 2013 was to treat altitude sickness. In the sixth tranche of personal records released by hackers at the group called Fancy Bears, Brownlee was revealed to have used acetazolamide, banned by WADA, on October 10 and 11, 2013, having been given an exemption by UK Anti-Doping. Brownlee said last week that he had one TUE for the drug after suffering altitude sickness while climbing Kilimanjaro.
Rugby Union: Sam Jones’s ambition of becoming England’s openside for the forthcoming autumn series has been dented by an ankle problem. The uncapped Wasps back row, a contender to replace the injured James Haskell for the four Tests at Twickenham, sustained the injury in training yesterday and must return to his club. Jones had been included in England’s training squad for a three-day camp in Brighton. The 24-year-old is one of two uncapped options to start at openside against South Africa on November 12, competing with Mike Williams, of Leicester, to deputise for Haskell.
Motor Racing: The European Formula One Grand Prix in Baku is set to be renamed the Azerbaijani Grand Prix next season after organisers requested the change. “We hope the next race will be held under the name of the Azerbaijani Grand Prix,” Baku City Circuit communications and management head Nigar Arpadarai said. “We successfully held Formula One in the capital for the first time. Therefore, it is time to link the name of this stage with our country.” Arpadarai said the original purpose of the European designation was to emphasise the country’s links to the continent.
Horse Racing: This year’s leading apprentice in the UK will be presented with the Tom O’Ryan Champion Apprentice trophy. The newly-acquired perpetual trophy, which is funded by sponsor Stobart Group, has been named in honour of the former jockey turned racing journalist who recently lost his battle with cancer and will be presented to the apprentice who has ridden the most winners during the championship period, which ends on October 15. Tom Marquand was last year’s champion apprentice and is currently just two winners behind championship leader Josephine Gordon as he bids to defend his crown.
Rowing: World Rowing Federation president Jean-Christophe Rolland hopes the rowing and canoe sprint venue for the 2020 Olympic Games will not be moved after a Tokyo panel last week pushed for a change in venue to cut the raising costs of hosting the event. “I think it’s a fantastic place for our sport, not only for the Olympic Games but I’m sure in terms of legacy for the future. I’m still convinced that this project is the best project,” Rolland was quoted as saying. The panel suggested the rowing and canoeing venues be moved some 400km from Tokyo to three possible sites.