Jan 16 (Reuters) – Lance Armstrong may be ready to admit to doping and say sorry for his actions but his old nemesis, former-World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) chief Dick Pound, does not expect any apologies coming his way.

“I doubt it very much,” Pound told Reuters. “But if he did I guess if I thought he meant it, I might (accept it), I mean what’s done is done.”

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – After dragging its fans through another draining labor dispute, the National Hockey League returns Saturday promising supporters more bang for their buck and a playoff chase sure to have hockey hearts pumping.

Having settled a 113-day lockout in time to run a shortened season, Commissioner Gary Bettman, the players and teams offered apologies to fans along with discounted tickets, merchandise, free parking and open practices.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – Cycling could be dumped from the Olympic program if Lance Armstrong implicated the sport’s governing body of covering up a widespread doping scheme, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound told Reuters on Tuesday.

Pound said the IOC might be left with no choice other than to take drastic action if Armstrong was able to prove the International Cycling Union (UCI) had acted improperly.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – Cycling could be dropped from the Olympic program if Lance Armstrong implicates the sport’s governing body of covering up a widespread doping scheme, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound told Reuters on Tuesday.

Pound said the IOC might be left with no choice other than to take drastic action if Armstrong proved the International Cycling Union (UCI) had acted improperly.

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Cycling could be dropped from the Olympic program if Lance Armstrong implicates the sport’s governing body of covering up a widespread doping scheme, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound told Reuters on Tuesday.

Pound said the IOC might be left with no choice other than to take drastic action if Armstrong proved the International Cycling Union (UCI) had acted improperly.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) board of governors ratified the tentative labor deal on Wednesday, followed by Commissioner Gary Bettman’s apology for dragging fans and sponsors through a four-month lockout.

Requiring a simple majority to pass, the 30 league owners voted unanimously to approve the 10-year deal that was agreed to early on Sunday after a marathon 16-hour bargaining session.

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Toronto Maple Leafs fired President and General Manager Brian Burke on Wednesday in a shock move just days before the National Hockey League returns to action following a bitter labor dispute with players.

Assistant General Manager Dave Nonis will replace Burke, who is remaining with the Maple Leafs team as a senior advisor.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – With a new labor deal in place the National Hockey League (NHL) was back in business on Monday, but some teams may find it easier to hoist a Stanley Cup than win back disillusioned fans.

Having dragged fatigued fans through a fourth work stoppage in 20 years, most recently a 113-day lockout that ended with a tentative deal on Sunday, NHL officials and players are unsure what reception awaits them when the season begins next week.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – National Hockey League owners and players were racing back to work on Sunday after reaching a tentative agreement on a new labor deal but it is uncertain if frustrated fans will be as quick to return to the arenas.

After four work stoppages in 20 years, including the 113-day lockout that ended with a 10-year deal on Sunday, fans appeared mixed on whether to forgive or punish both sides for dragging them through another labor dispute.

By Steve Keating

(Reuters) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and locked-out players reached a tentative agreement on Sunday to end a costly labor dispute and salvage a condensed season that was days away from being canceled entirely.

The deal was announced jointly by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) Executive Director Donald Fehr following a marathon 16-hour negotiation session that began on Saturday at a Manhattan hotel.