Disgraced American rider Floyd Landis said he was lodging an appeal against his two-year doping ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Landis had 30 days to appeal last month's divided ruling by an arbitration panel that upheld findings that he used synthetic testosterone in winning the 2006 Tour de France. The 31-year-old Landis was stripped of his title as winner of the race and given a two-year racing ban following the arbitration panel's 2-1 ruling on Sept. 20.

Rugby - Howlett apologises for arrest

Disgraced All Blacks winger Doug Howlett has made a videotaped apology to New Zealanders following his arrest at a hotel near London's Heathrow Airport on Tuesday. Howlett was released on bail the following day after being arrested on suspicion of damaging two vehicles at the Hilton Hotel car park at Heathrow Airport. "I'm embarrassed that the events of one evening have led to me being in this situation," Howlett said.

Triathlon - Asian Games champion banned

China's Asian Games triathlon gold medallist Wang Hongni has been banned from competition for two years after failing an out-of-competition doping test, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) said. Wang waived her right to a hearing and accepted a two-year suspension after a B sample confirmed the result, the ITU said. Wang's ban would last until October 5, 2009, ruling her out of next year's Beijing Olympics on home soil.