Sports world daily: IOC backs Russia’s return as neutral athletes; Messi scores 100th Argentina goal

The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday backed the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals to international sports but did not give a timeline on their participation at Olympic events. The move was criticised by Ukrainian, Polish and German governments while Russia termed the move as ‘discrimination’ against its athletes.

In tennis, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina moved into the semi-finals of the Miami Open. In the ATP event, Carlos Alcaraz moved into the quarter-finals while Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out.

Scotland notched a memorable win over Spain with Scott McTominay scoring twice in a Euro qualifying win.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal for Argentina as well as his seventh hat-trick for his country in a 7-0 win over Curacao.

Here’s a look at the key stories from international sporting events through the day for 29 March, 2023:

IOC backs Russia’s return

Olympic chiefs on Tuesday recommended the return to competition of Russian and Belarusian athletes as individual neutrals, but refused to give a timeline on their potential participation at next year’s Paris Olympics.

IOC president Thomas Bach said the body’s Executive Board had recommended to international federations and international sports event organisers that “athletes with a Russian or a Belarusian passport must compete only...

Read more