Highly qualified athletes who are refugees will be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games for the first time, the president of the International Olympic Committee announced Monday.
IOC chief Thomas Bach made the announcement to the U.N. General Assembly, which adopted a resolution urging all countries to stop fighting and observe a truce during the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Bach appealed to all 193 U.N. member states to help the IOC identify talented refugee athletes.
“This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis,” he said.
Until now, Bach said, qualified refugee athletes were not able to participate because they couldn’t represent their home country and its national Olympic committee.
But he said the IOC has decided to welcome refugee athletes to the 2016 Olympics, where they will live in the Olympic Village alongside the other 11,000 athletes from 206 national Olympic committees.
College football
Second-ranked Baylor’s pursuit of a playoff spot will go on without star quarterback Seth Russell, who needs season-ending neck surgery.
Russell saw a specialist Monday, two days after he fractured a bone during a win over Iowa State. The school said surgery was recommended to repair damage to his cervical vertebra, and that the typical recovery time is six months.
Russell is the top-rated passer in the Bowl Subdivision, completing 119 of 200 passes for 2,104 yards with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. Freshman Jarrett Stidham will take over as the starter.
Soccer
With Michel Platini expected to be ruled out of the FIFA presidential election because of his suspension, UEFA made a surprising last-minute decision to throw its support behind the Frenchman’s right-hand man. Gianni Infantino, the general secretary under Platini for the last six years, joined a growing field of contenders by filing his entry papers with FIFA.
Beckenbauer, president of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee, reiterated his denial from last week that there was vote buying before Germany won the bid to stage the World Cup.
Horse racing
Triple Crown champion American Pharoah is the early 6-5 favorite in a field of 10 for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, the last race of his career. The colt will break from the No. 4 post on Saturday at Keeneland. Beholder is the 3-1 second choice for the 11/4-mile race.
Golf
Golfers no longer face automatic disqualification for two violations, including an incorrect scorecard, under the latest set of rules that reflect a little more leniency in handing out penalties. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club and U.S. Golf Association announced changes to the 2016 edition of the Rules of Golf, which is updated every four years.
