Global Sport

“We have been informed by the international federation that she has tested positive for caffeine,” Marina Kalmykova, department head of the Russian Swimming Federation, said.

“She will have a hearing soon, but we’ve already decided against sending her to the European Championships in Istanbul.”

Reiffel calls it a day

MELBOURNE: Australian fast bowler Paul Reiffel announced his retirement from international cricket. The seamer withdrew from Australia’s One-day squad to tour Sri Lanka next month, saying he no longer had the hunger for top-level cricket.

Reiffel played 35 Tests, taking 104 wickets at an average of 26.96. He took five wickets in an innings five times, his best haul being 6-71 against England in Birmingham in 1993. He played 93 One-Day Internationals, taking 106 wickets at 29.20 with a best of 4-13 against South Africa.

Reiffel, 33, said he would continue playing for Victoria.

Corticoids on prescription

PAU: The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed newspaper reports that small amounts of corticoids were found in the urine samples of Tour de France leader Lance Armstrong.

But the UCI added the American had a medical prescription to use a cream to cure a skin allergy. The cream contained the corticoid triamcinolone.

Corticoids are on the list of UCI’s banned products but riders are allowed to use them if they are prescribed for medical reasons.

Tim Henman to wed

LONDON: Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman announced that he will marry his longtime girlfriend later this year.

Henman, 24, who is Britain’s top player, proposed to Lucy Heald last week during a holiday in Tuscany. The couple have been dating since 1996.

Heald, 25, is a television producer who met Henman while filming a documentary programme about his career.

Ronaldo may sue papers

RIO DE JANERIO: Soccer superstar Ronaldo has said he doesn’t know a Brazilian woman who allegedly organised sessions of sex and drugs for soccer players, businessmen, actors and other clients in Italy.

A Milan prosecutor asked a judge to indict the woman, Lazara Souza de Morais, 31, who was arrested in March on charges of abetting prostitution and selling cocaine.

Ronaldo, who plays in Italy for Inter, is planning to sue Italian papers who carried reports that there was a photo of him together with Morais.

“I take thousands of pictures with people everyday and my phone number is easily available. It has even been published by a newspaper in Italy. People should have to prove what they say,” Ronaldo said.

Hurdles before Johnson

TORONTO: Athletics Canada confirmed it was asking the Ontario Superior Court to throw out an arbitrator’s decision to reinstate disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson.

Athletics Canada president John Thresher said his office was initially prepared to support Johnson’s possible reinstatement by the IAAF until “it became apparent that the negotiations with his advisers were unsuccessful.” He would not elaborate on those negotiations.