he Olympics, while the International Olympic

New Delhi - Leander Paes has defended the decision to conduct this weekends Davis Cup tie against Spain under floodlights, saying that the home players also struggle in hot and humid conditions.Indias non-playing captain Anand Amritraj had been critical of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Associations (DLTA) decision to host matches in the evening, insisting that India had given up on home advantage by not competing against Spain in the humid conditions of the day.Paes argued that its only a myth that players with the calibre of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer can be worn down by heat as they are the marathoners of world tennis who can slug it out for hours in any condition.Its a very smart (decision) to play in the evening. You always have to look after your own strengths. During the Korea tie, three of the four singles players were lying on the ground. Facts are facts. In the last two months, Saketh has played two five-setters and in both he had cramps, Paes said after a practice session with the Indian team.The 43-year-old said Myneni should be praised for managing to win that second rubber against Yong-Kyu Lim after a bout of severe body cramps.He did an amazing job in Chandigarh, to come out of that and win, very proud of the fact. But I have always believed you need to look after your players first. To play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day...they are known marathon men of tennis. The choice of playing under the lights in the evening is a very good choice, he said.India now are fighting for a place in the elite World Group for the third consecutive year but again they are likely to remain in the Asia/Oceania zone since beating Spain is an uphill task.Asked if it was disappointing to reach this stage but not go forward, Paes said India should celebrate success at Asia level which is no mean task.Its perspective. You have to be realistic. You have to look at the extended group, whether singles or doubles. In singles weve always had one single player. On the whole we have improved, we are best in Asia, have put a stamp on that. Korea and Chinese Taipei are a tough bunch. Asia is tough, he said. Kyle Lowry Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Pascal Siakam Jersey .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. http://www.nbaraptorsonline.com/Authentic-Vince-Carter-Jersey/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Kyle Lowry Raptors Jersey .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Fred VanVleet Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. RIO DE JANEIRO -- The IAAF suspended the Kenyan track teams manager on Friday and one of the countrys runners was being investigated by the IOC after both became involved in doping scandals at the Olympics.Michael Rotich, the track team manager who had already been sent home from Rio de Janeiro, was suspended from holding any athletics position for 180 days, the IAAFs ethics board said.He has been accused of seeking a 10,000-pound ($13,000) bribe from undercover reporters to help athletes beat doping tests in Kenya. The reporters, who posed as coaches, secretly filmed Rotich earlier this year and alleged he promised to give them and any athletes they brought to train in Kenya advance notice of doping tests there.There was a case warranting investigation against Rotich, the IAAF ethics board said, in relation to potential subversion of the anti-doping control process in Kenya.The allegations were published when Rotich was with Kenyas team at the Olympics. Rotich, who is a retired army major, is the head of a regional athletics federation in western Kenya. He was arrested when he returned to Kenya from Rio de Janeiro and is also facing criminal charges.Rotich is the fifth official at the Kenyan athletics federation to be put under investigation by the IAAF for allegedly covering up doping. The Athletics Kenya president, vice president, chief executive and another senior official have all been suspended and are being investigated.Also Friday, a Kenyan 800-meter runner caught up in a separate doping scandal at the Olympics told The Associated Press he has explained everything after a coach was in possession of his accreditation and allegedly posed as the athlete at a doping test.Ferguson Rotich, who is no relation to Michael Rotich, ran in the 800 heats on the first day of track and field at the Olympics, qualified for the semifinals, and then rushed through the media interview zone shaking his head and declining to answer questions over the doping test issue.dddddddddddd He finally told the AP I have explained everything before leaving without further comment.The coach involved was also sent home from the Olympics, while the International Olympic Committee opened a disciplinary investigation over the incident at the athletes village.This isnt over, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Friday. We will take action if necessary against both.But Adams also said he wanted to clarify some aspects of the incident.He said the coach, John Anzrah, had not given a doping sample while posing as the athlete, contradicting Kenyan officials who said Anzrah did go as far as give a doping sample and sign forms in the name of Ferguson Rotich.Instead, Anzrah was using Ferguson Rotichs accreditation to get in to the athletes dining area for breakfast, Adams said. Doping control officers came looking for the athlete on Wednesday and found a man with his accreditation and asked him to come to doping control. He was asked to show his passport, and officials saw it was different from the accreditation.It was clear he didnt take a doping test by the athlete or for the athlete, Adams said. Adams also said Ferguson Rotich was properly tested.Rotich finished second in his 800 heat on Friday and will run in the semis on Saturday.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Wilson contributed to this report. ' ' '