Foot problem hampering Radcliffe

LONDON (AP):

Paula Radcliffe says her preparations for the marathon at the London Olympics are being hampered by a foot problem that has flared up during training.

The 38-year-old British athlete, who holds the world record for the marathon, is receiving treatment on the injury, but remains on course to compete in her home Games.

Radcliffe said yesterday that "The joint in my foot that can give me trouble has been giving me a bit of a problem. I don't think my participation at the Games is under threat at this stage."

Radcliffe has been plagued by injury problems since winning the World Championship in 2005, with back, hip and toe complaints keeping her out of action.

She is among three athletes selected by Britain for the women's marathon.

Rasmussen banned

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP):Danish cyclist Alex Rasmussen was banned from the London Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport imposed an 18-month suspension for violating anti-doping rules yesterday.

CAS said it partially upheld an appeal by the International Cycling Union, which wanted Rasmussen to serve a two-year ban. He missed two anti-doping tests and in a third case failed to file details of his availability for testing.

Rasmussen, a silver medallist in team pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and four-time track world champion, cannot compete until March 2013, the court said.

Rasmussen said it was "an unfair decision so close to the Olympics".

The UCI appealed to the sports court after a tribunal in Denmark cleared Rasmussen, citing a procedure error by cycling's governing body.

Rasmussen was left off the Tour de France roster of his team, US-based Garmin-Sharp.