Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Ice hockey: Russia's Zaripov has doping ban cut after appeal

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has cut Russian forward Danis Zaripov's doping ban to six months from two years after new evidence came to light. Zaripov, a three-time world champion who played for Russia at the 2010 Olympics, was suspended in July after one of his samples was found to contain banned stimulants, as well as substances prohibited as diuretics and masking agents.

Day, Spieth ready to resume rivalry at Australian Open

Jason Day is desperate to add the Australian Open title to his career honor roll and would love nothing better than to do it after going swing-for-swing with Jordan Spieth in the final round this week. The 30-year-old former world number one has endured a poor season by his own lofty standards and is hoping that the Australian Golf Club, where he last played as a teenager, might offer up his first title of 2017.

Late charge pushes Lakers past Bulls

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 11 of his 21 points in the closing minutes as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 19-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 103-94 on Tuesday at Staples Center. Kyle Kuzma scored a game-high 22 points, Brandon Ingram added 17 points, Jordan Clarkson scored 12 off the bench and Julius Randle contributed 10 in a reserve role for Los Angeles (8-10).

Motor racing: Bragging rights and money at stake in F1 finale

The Formula One season winds up in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with both titles won, Lewis Hamilton aiming to close the year on a winning note and big money still at stake for those further down the paddock pecking order. While four times world champion Hamilton's Mercedes team mates can again look forward to healthy year-end bonuses, others are scrapping for crucial points that could swell their 2018 budgets.

2018 favorite Medvedeva has broken foot, may miss GP Final

Evgenia Medvedeva, widely seen as the favorite for gold at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, is nursing a broken foot and could miss next month's Grand Prix Final, the Russian figure skater has said. In an interview carried on the Russian Skating Federation's website, Medvedeva - who topped the podium in Grand Prix events in Moscow and Osaka - said she felt pain before the Russian event in October but was able to compete after taking painkillers.

Soccer - Bono stands firm as Toronto hold Columbus in first leg

Toronto FC missed the attacking prowess of banned strikers Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco on Tuesday but a solid display from goalkeeper Alex Bono helped secure a 0-0 draw with Columbus in the first leg of their MLS Eastern Conference final in Ohio. In the Western Conference final, reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle took the upper hand by beating hosts Houston Dynamo 2-0 in the first leg.

U.S. Olympic gold medalist Douglas says doctor sexually abused her

Three-times Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas said on Tuesday she was sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar, the latest in a list of female athletes to accuse the doctor of misconduct. Douglas, who last week was criticized for placing some of the onus on women to avoid sexual harassment, apologized again for her remarks while adding that she too was abused by Nassar, who is in jail awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges.

IOC bans four Russian skeleton athletes for life over Sochi doping

Four Russian skeleton athletes, including Olympic champion Alexander Tretyakov, have been banned for life from the Olympics after being found guilty of doping at the 2014 Sochi Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday. Tretyakov, Sochi bronze-medal winner Elena Nikitina, Maria Orlova and Olga Potylitsyna have been "found to have committed anti-doping rule violations," the IOC said in a statement.

Motor racing: Todt unopposed for third term as FIA president

Jean Todt is sure to be re-elected for a third term as president of Formula One's governing body after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Wednesday that no other candidates were standing. The 71-year-old Frenchman took over from Max Mosley in 2009 and won a second four-year term in 2013.

Motor racing: Kubica, Sirotkin to test with Williams

Polish driver Robert Kubica will test for Williams again in Abu Dhabi next week as he presses for a Formula One comeback with the former world champions. The British-based team said the 32-year-old would join Russian Sergey Sirotkin and race regular Lance Stroll at a two-day post-season tire test at the Yas Marina circuit.