Global governing body says it will “continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls” in athletics

The IAAF has said it will seek “a swift reversion” of a Swiss court order which has instructed the global governing body to suspend the application of its new regulations on female classification for Caster Semenya.

On Monday, Semenya’s legal team announced that the two-time Olympic 800m champion could return to race “without restriction” while her appeal against the IAAF’s new rules is pending, adding that the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland had “ordered the IAAF to immediately suspend the implementation of the eligibility regulations against Caster Semenya”.

The following day, the IAAF released a statement confirming that, on Tuesday at 15:00 CET, it had received a “superprovisional order” from the Swiss court instructing the governing body to suspend the application of its ‘Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification (Athletes with Differences of Sex Development (DSD))’ “as they apply to the appellant”.

The IAAF response added: “No other athlete is covered by the order. As of this date, the order is scheduled to remain in force only until 25 June 2019, the time the SFT (Swiss Federal Tribunal) has given the IAAF to respond to the appellant’s case.”

The “superprovisional order” follows an appeal from Semenya after she lost her landmark case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the IAAF’s new rules, which relate to restricting testosterone levels in female runners in certain events.

The DSD Regulations had originally been due to come into effect on November 1, 2018, but were suspended. Following the CAS ruling, the regulations started on May 8.

Under the new rules Semenya – and other female athletes with DSD – would need to reduce their natural testosterone level in order to take part in women’s events from 400m to the mile in international competition.

In its response statement, the IAAF said it will “continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future”.

It added: “The IAAF is committed to the full participation of women in the sport of athletics, be that as elite female athletes in fair and meaningful competition, as young girls developing life and sport skills, or as administrators or officials. Regrettably, it was not so long ago that women were not permitted to compete in sport at all. There is a lot of work to be done, but we are at the forefront of that work, including being one of the only international sports federations to pay women and men equal prize money.

“The IAAF fully respects each individual’s personal dignity and supports the social movement to have people accepted in society based on their chosen legal sex and/or gender identity.

“However, the IAAF is convinced there are some contexts, sport being one of them, where biology has to trump identity.”

The full IAAF response can be found here.

Some exciting head-to-heads are set for the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, the fourth meeting in the Diamond League series

Nine British athletes are involved in the fourth Diamond League meeting of the year on Thursday, with a number of thrilling head-to-head battles on the cards for the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Rome.

After a dominant 200m win in Stockholm, British record-holder Dina Asher-Smith opens up her 100m campaign but will need to overcome Olympic champion Elaine Thompson, USA’s Shanghai 100m winner Aleia Hobbs and world silver winner Marie-Josee Ta Lou.

“It will be my first 100m of the season so I don’t quite know what to expect but I’m really excited…” @dinaashersmith on tomorrow’s @goldengala_roma 100m and how she enjoys being back in Rome. @BritAthletics @stuartweir pic.twitter.com/bm3LoxjRE1

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) June 5, 2019

Laura Muir will be hoping for a winning start to her 2019 Diamond League season after her non-series win in Stockholm. However, world record-holder Genzebe Dibaba, Gudaf Tsegaye, who ran quicker than Muir last year with 3:57.64, and former world champion Jenny Simpson will provide the main opposition, with Eilish McColgan dropping down in distance after her 5000m in Stockholm to join her fellow Scot Muir in the field.

“I’m looking to build race-on-race. @IAAFDoha2019 is what it’s all about but I think I still am in good shape & able to perform well tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting out there & testing myself against these other girls.” @lauramuiruns to @stuartweir at @goldengala_roma pic.twitter.com/qAnVnu5ibm

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) June 5, 2019

In the 110m hurdles, the final Diamond League event of the evening, world indoor champion Andrew Pozzi lines up against former world outdoor champion Sergey Shubenkov and Olympic silver medallist Orlando Ortega.

Shara Proctor and Lorraine Ugen, UK record-holders outdoors and indoors respectively, will face world indoor champion Ivana Spanovic, four-time world champion Brittney Reese and Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibargüen in the long jump, while a high-class pole vault field is led by Olympic champion Katerini Stefanidi, Sandi Morris and Yarisley Silva.

The men’s 200m is yet another highlight. Britain’s world relay champion Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Ireland’s Leon Reid are up against American Noah Lyles, who won the Diamond League title last year and opened up this season with a PB of 9.86 for 100m, plus Michael Norman, who ran a stunning 43.45 for 400m in April and makes his debut in the Diamond League over a distance at which he is a former world junior champion and at which he clocked 19.84 earlier this year.

At the @goldengala_roma press conference, @Mike_Norman22 looks ahead to tomorrow’s 200m. “With such a great field, I feel like all of us are going to naturally elevate. I’m looking forward to having a well-executed race & a lot of fast times coming out. I’m excited.” @stuartweir pic.twitter.com/HWYe3ZhZoj

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) June 5, 2019

World champion Ramil Guliyev becomes almost a bit player in a race where Italian record-holder Filippo Tortu is sure to receive great support from the home crowd.

Another athlete sure to get a great reaction is Gianmarco Tamberi, who competes for the first time since his European indoor title win in Glasgow. He’s joined in the high jump by joint world leader Majd Eddin Ghazal, Bohdan Bondarenko and Andriy Protsenko.

“Tomorrow it will be something unforgettable…” European indoor high jump champion @gianmarcotamber opens his season at the @goldengala_roma and told @stuartweir about his @Glasgow2019 memories, celebrations and competing on home soil. pic.twitter.com/YLOQU2OW1p

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) June 5, 2019

Rai Benjamin, the third fastest man in history, headlines the non-Diamond League 400m hurdles, this time without Abderrahman Samba, the other athlete tipped to challenge the world record this year. Ireland’s Thomas Barr, who was third in Shanghai behind the duo, lines up again.

The women’s Diamond League race features American trio Dalilah Muhammad, Shamier Little and Kori Carter, plus Zuzana Hejnová and Léa Sprunger.

In the women’s 400m, world silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser lines up alongside Olympic medallist Shericka Jackson and world indoor champion Courtney Okolo.

The 800m sees world No.1 Nijel Amos take on Olympic bronze medallist Clayton Murphy and world indoor champion Adam Kszczot. After his second place in Shanghai, defending Diamond League champion Selemon Barega takes on a field including Britain’s Andrew Butchart, Olympic bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet and world cross-country champion Joshua Cheptegei in the 5000m.

Tatsiana Khaladovich continues the defence of her Diamond League javelin title as she takes on early-season world No.1 Lu Huihui plus Barbora Spotakova and Christin Hussong, while Pedro Pablo Pichardo leads the men’s triple jump line-up.

Britain’s Zak Seddon is among those in the non-Diamond League 3000m steeplechase.

A timetable and entry lists can be found here.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have welcomed the prospect of Britain's Andy Murray returning to top-level tennis, while admitting his Queen's Club comeback has taken them by surprise.

Murray, 32, has not played since hip surgery following the Australian Open.

He described his doubles appearance alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez at the Fever-Tree Championships later this month as "the next step" in his return.

"It was a little surprising he announced that so quick," said Nadal.

"I always thought that he will find a way to try to be back, because he's still young and still very passionate about the game.

"It's great news for, first, for him and for his team and family, and then for the tour by itself. I'm happy for it, and especially happy for him."

Federer and Nadal were among a raft of players who appeared in a video shown on the big screens at Melbourne Park, congratulating Murray for his career in the wake of the Scot's first-round defeat by Roberto Bautista Agut.

Despite initially saying that it might be his final appearance before retirement, Murray left open the possibility of a return to tennis in his on-court interview just before the video played out.

"We were more told that this could be it, so can you please make a message?" Federer recalled of his contribution to the video.

"But we were hoping that this message is not actually real.

"I saw him after his match against Bautista Agut and I was, like, 'So, what's up? Are you really retiring?' He didn't know.

"It's number one for his health, and we want Andy to be healthy, more so than being a tennis player. But if he can play tennis on top of it, that's a super bonus.

"I think all of us top guys would be thrilled to see him back on the tour."

Murray had the hip resurfacing operation - which keeps more of the damaged bone than a hip replacement, smoothing the ball down and covering it with a metal cap - in London on 28 January.

Murray told the Times earlier this month that there is "very little chance" of him playing singles at Wimbledon in July, but said a successful doubles campaign could be the launchpad for a full return.

ALVA, Fla. – Ross Chastain has switched gears, announcing he will now pursue the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship with Niece Motorsports.

Chastain, who has competed in 34 events in NASCAR national competition this year, initially declared for NASCAR Xfinity Series points. However, after a strong start to the Truck Series season that saw him earn his first Truck Series win at Kansas Speedway, he has decided to adjust his plans.

The Florida native is the first driver since NASCAR began requiring drivers to declare for points in a single series to switch divisions mid-season.

“After much consideration and many conversations, I’ve decided to pursue championship points in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series, effective immediately,” said Chastain “My Niece Motorsports team has been very fast all year, and we have a tall order ahead of us to get both in the top 20 in points and win a race before the playoffs start. But that’s a mountain we’re willing to climb. This shift will allow me to be in the truck race this weekend in Texas, and I’m grateful to everyone at Niece Motorsports for giving me this opportunity.”

Chastain and his Niece Motorsports team must win again between now and the end of the regular season (Aug. 10) in order to be playoff eligible He must also be inside the top-10 in series points. The 26-year-old’s Kansas Speedway win did not lock him into the Truck Series Playoffs because he was competing for Xfinity Series points at the time.

Chastain will compete at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend in the No. 38 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports. He will not drive in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend at Michigan Int’l Speedway, which will be the first missed Chastain has missed in any of NASCAR’s top divisions this year.

Driving a split schedule for JD Motorsports and Kaulig Racing, Chastain sits 13th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series rankings prior to changing his points declaration.

“I’m thankful to everyone at Johnny Davis Motorsports and Kaulig Racing for their efforts this year,” said Chastain. “I will continue to run races for each organization where sponsorship for 2019 has been solidified. We have some wonderful partners at both organizations, and I’m fortunate they stand behind my decision, as well. I’m still going to go out and fight as hard as I can for wins.”

KNOXVILLE, Iowa – Carson McCarl has taken the lead in the race for the $20,000 Priority Aviation Sponsorship.

The race is still tight and every driver wishing to get involved is still in the running.

The opportunity benefiting the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum for a $20,000 sponsorship from Priority Aviation is available to any driver competing at Knoxville in August at either the 360 Nationals or 410 Nationals.  The competition will continue until a winner is announced on July 31.

Currently, 18 drivers have taken advantage of the contest.  Carson McCarl leads the current standings ahead of Pennsylvania’s Lance Dewease, Wisconsin’s Bill Balog, Iowa’s McKenna Haase, Tennessee’s Sammy Swindell, Oregon’s Tanner Holmes, Indiana’s Tyler Courtney, Ohio’s Jac Haudenschild, Connecticut’s David Gravel, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild, Wisconsin’s Scott Thiel, Iowa’s Austin McCarl, Indiana’s Parker Price-Miller, Minnesota’s Craig Dollansky, South Dakota’s Clint Garner, California’s Mason Daniel, Ohio’s Chad Kemenah and Iowa’s Joe Beaver.

All that sprint car teams need to do is have their prospective members or donors visit www.SprintCarStuff.com and order a membership there, or contact the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and request membership packets or make a donation.  If ordering online, specify your driver or race team in the “Notes” section on the final page.

The museum can ship membership and donation information out for the drivers and teams to pass out at their races throughout the season. The driver or team with the highest amount of donations returned to the museum before July 31, will receive the $20,000 sponsorship funding.

All funds collected will go towards paying off remaining construction costs on the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower. Memberships start at only $25 per year, but any donation amount will be accepted.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have hired Marc Crawford as an assistant coach on Jeremy Colliton's staff.

The 58-year-old Crawford was the interim head coach for Ottawa at the end of last season. He also has served as the head coach for Colorado, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Dallas, leading the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup title in 1996.

Crawford's son, Dylan, is an assistant video coach for Chicago.

Colliton is entering his first full season as Blackhawks coach after taking over for the fired Joel Quenneville on Nov. 6. Crawford says Colliton "has an extremely bright and innovative mind," and he thinks his experience "should benefit the entire coaching staff."

The Blackhawks announced the move on Tuesday. Colliton's staff also includes assistants Sheldon Brookbank and Tomas Mitell, goaltending coach Jimmy Waite and video coach Matt Meacham.

U.S. men's goalkeeper Zack Steffen will join Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan from Manchester City, a source confirmed to ESPN FC's Raphael Honigstein.

Steffen's transfer from the Columbus Crew to City becomes official on July 9, and from there is expected to join the German club.

The Athletic initially reported the loan deal.

It would be Steffen's second stint in Germany. He spent 2015-16 with Freiburg, but was limited to 14 appearances with their reserve team. He joined the Crew in 2016 and won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2018.

Manchester City signed the 24-year-old in December for a fee between £7 million and £10 million -- which would constitute a Crew and MLS record for a keeper. He remained with the Crew with last week's draw with NYCFC being his last with the club.

As the presumptive No. 1 keeper for the U.S. ahead of the Gold Cup, Steffen said he was nervous and excited for his move from the MLS back to Europe.

"There's a lot of nerves, a lot of excitement, a little bit of sadness leaving the chapter in Columbus," he said following Monday's training session on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy. "But I'm really focused on the Gold Cup and doing well here, and raising the trophy here, and then I'll focus on what lies next."

The U.S. play Jamaica in a friendly in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and then host Venezuela in Cincinnati on June 9. They begin their Gold Cup campaign on June 18 with group stage matches against Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama.