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By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer Russia spent upwards of $50 billion to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, then concocted the most elaborate doping scheme in history — all to cement its standing as a global sports superpower. The country's invasion of Ukraine, coming on the heels of yet another drug scandal that consumed the Beijing Olympics earlier this month, could serve to undermine an athletic dynasty tarnished by cheating and deception, and often countered with only tepid pushback from international sports leaders. If a further reckoning comes, it would damage Russia's ability to host events domestically and dominate them abroad. It would deliver a financial and a psychological blow. Brooks Running Shoes And it would compromise the image that Presiden...

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — If Swiss skier Priska Nufer was going to have a breakout success at age 30, it surely was going to be on home snow at Crans-Montana. Nufer won a World Cup downhill on Sunday — her first podium place in close to 150 races — finishing just ahead of three Olympic gold medalists. In a 10-year World Cup career, Nufer never finished in the top five Brooks Shoes  of any race until placing fourth in a downhill Saturday on the same Mont Lachaux course where she thrives. With victory Sunday, she now has eight career top-10 finishes in World Cup races and six have been at Crans-Montana. “I am so thankful for this moment,” Nufer said. “Also in Switzerland, (near) by my home town and with all the friends and family.” On a sun-ba...

By ROB HARRIS, AP Global Soccer Writer LONDON (AP) — If Roman Abramovich hoped to distance Chelsea from any threat to his ownership, the claim to have handed over the “stewardship and care” to the Premier League club's charitable foundation trustees only sowed greater confusion. What has been heard from Abramovich is a vague suggestion of ceding control of Chelsea without legally doing so. What hasn’t been heard is condemnation by Chelsea and its Russian oligarch owner of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Not even in the statement issued by Chelsea on Sunday about what it called the “conflict in Ukraine” and described as “horrific and devastating” with no mention of the Skechers Shoes  aggressor behind the war: Russia. “Everyone at the club is praying for pe...

By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer Earlier this month, Ukrainian skeleton rider Vladyslav Heraskevych flashed a sign at the Olympics: “No war in Ukraine.” On Sunday, he was hunkered down about 150 kilometers (93 miles) outside of his nation's capital with weapons nearby in case he needs to defend his country. “I am a student,” the 23-year-old said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “I am not experienced in these type of things. But I am ready to stand strong and help in any way I can.” With Russian troops encircling the capital of Kyiv, Heraskevych was among some four dozen athletes from Ukraine and elsewhere who sent an open letter to Hoka Sneakers Olympic and Paralympic leaders, urging them to immediately suspend the Russian and Belarusian Olympic ...

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Locked-out players and management officials were bargaining for the seventh straight day Sunday, just one day before Major League Baseball's deadline to salvage March 31 openers and a 162-game schedule. Negotiators narrowed some differences Friday and Saturday. But entering the 88th day of the work stoppage they were still far apart on big issues that include luxury tax thresholds and rates, the size of the new bonus pool for pre-arbitration players and minimum salaries. A smaller group of players that included Max Scherzer, Andrew Miller and Marcus Semien walked into Roger Dean Stadium shortly before 1 p.m. along with union head Tony Clark, chief negotiator Bruce Meyer and staff. A few minutes late...

By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Roger Penske celebrated his 85th birthday in victory lane with the Daytona 500 trophy. He skipped the post-race hamburger party with winner Austin Cindric to get back to Detroit for a regularly scheduled global call with Penske associates, and then finally it was on to St. Petersburg for the IndyCar season opener. The Captain will have you know he’s feeling just fine. “I'm doing well. I'm still getting up every morning and I feel great,” Penske said in an interview with The Associated Press. “You always feel good after a big win like this past weekend. It gives you a few more years, you know?” Cindric's victory Sunday at Daytona International Speedway was the third Daytona 500 win for Pens...