Sports News Roundup: Former Wake Forest coach's U.S. college scandal charges could be dropped in deal; Athletics-Surpassing Lewis' U.S. medal record 'never a goal', says Felix and more

Olympic gold medallists Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, along with World Championships gold medallist Maggie Nichols, sent the letter on Wednesday saying the "Board's past actions demonstrate an unwillingness to confront endemic problems with abuse," according to media reports. Tennis-Britain's Murray says he will not play Davis Cup Andy Murray plans to skip the Davis Cup because he is uncertain he "deserves to play" for Britain and the former world number one also said he needs some time off before competing at the Australian Open.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Former Wake Forest coach's U.S. college scandal charges could be dropped in deal

A former women's volleyball coach at Wake Forest University accused of participating in a vast U.S. college admissions fraud and bribery scheme has struck a deal with federal prosecutors that could result in the charges against him being dropped. Federal prosecutors in Boston in a deferred prosecution agreement unsealed on Tuesday agreed to dismiss the case against William Ferguson after two years if he pays a $50,000 fine and complies with other conditions.

Athletics-Surpassing Lewis' U.S. medal record 'never a goal', says Felix

Allyson Felix said surpassing Carl Lewis as the most decorated U.S. track and field athlete was "never a goal" but that it was "amazing" to have achieved the feat after winning her 11th Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games. The 13-time world champion picked up bronze in the 400m and gold as part of the U.S. 4x400m relay team in Tokyo to move past American great Lewis' record of 10 medals.

Ex-Ohio State DB De'van Bogard dies in fire

Former Ohio State defensive back De'van Bogard died Tuesday in a fire at his apartment in Elyria, Ohio. He was 27. Bogard played football at Glenville High School in Cleveland before joining the Buckeyes in 2012 as part of Urban Meyer's first recruiting class at Ohio State. He most recently was a high school assistant coach in Elyria.

NBA-Nets say Irving cannot play or practice until eligible as vaccine row escalates

Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving will not be allowed to play or practice with the team until he is "eligible to be a full participant", the NBA franchise said on Tuesday amid the continuing fallout over the guards COVID-19 vaccination status.

Irving, who refused to reveal his vaccination status, was forced to sit out the Nets' first pre-season home game last week against the Milwaukee Bucks as he was listed as "ineligible" by the team.

Golf-Australia cancels men's and women's Opens due to COVID-19

Australia has canceled its men's and women's Open tournaments in a hammer blow for the struggling domestic game as COVID-19 and travel restrictions continue to bite. Organizers had planned a late-January, early-February window for the men's Australian Open in Sydney after its original November schedule proved untenable.

Tennis-Medvedev sent packing in fourth round of Indian Wells

Daniil Medvedev was knocked out in the fourth round of Indian Wells by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Wednesday as the world number two's near-flawless start turned nightmarish in a 4-6 6-4 6-3 defeat. Medvedev broke Dimitrov’s serve to open the match, easing through a near-perfect first set in which he won all but four of his first-serve points and fired off three aces with just five unforced errors.

Gymnastics-US Olympic Committee defends handling of Nassar case

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has defended its handling of the Larry Nassar case after several top gymnasts who suffered sexual abuse under the former team doctor's care sent a letter to Congress calling for the USOPC board to be dissolved. Olympic gold medallists Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, along with World Championships gold medallist Maggie Nichols, sent the letter on Wednesday saying the "Board's past actions demonstrate an unwillingness to confront endemic problems with abuse," according to media reports.

Tennis-Britain's Murray says he will not play Davis Cup

Andy Murray plans to skip the Davis Cup because he is uncertain he "deserves to play" for Britain and the former world number one also said he needs some time off before competing at the Australian Open. Britain is due to play France and the Czech Republic in Innsbruck in the group stages of the Davis Cup on Nov. 27-28, with the competition set to end on Dec. 5.

Rugby-All Blacks won't be under-estimating USA Eagles, says Cane

New Zealand has no intention of under-estimating the USA Eagles when the sides meet in a test match next week in Washington, their captain Sam Cane said on Wednesday. The Oct. 23 clash, designed to grow interested in the sport amongst Americans, marks the start of a run of five tests in consecutive weeks for the All Blacks with Wales, Italy, Ireland, and France their other opponents.

Motor racing-Williams F1 team sets 2030 climate positive target

The Williams Formula One team has pledged to be climate positive by 2030 and be the "pace-setter for sustainability in global motorsport" as part of a new strategy revealed on Wednesday. The British-based former champions said they had also become the first F1 team to sign the U.N. Sports for Climate Action Framework.

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