The decision on whether Russian athletes can compete at the Rio Olympics is likely to be made at the IAAF council meeting in Vienna on June 17. Russia was suspended by the IAAF, athletics world governing body, in November after being accused of state sponsored doping in a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.The country announced reforms on Wednesday that it hopes will repair the credibility of its anti-doping operation, with all track and field athletes expected to undergo a minimum of three independent, externally administered anti-doping controls before the Olympic Games. Russia announced measures on Wednesday to help improve its anti-doping operation Two independent international experts, nominated by WADA, will be based full-time in Moscow from the end of April.They will have full and free access for as long as necessary to ensure the Russian anti-doping system is free of undue interference and is fully independent, the ministry of sport said.Russias minister of sport Vitaly Mutko said: We believe that sport must be clean and fair at all levels, from grassroots through to elite. Russian athletes will face more stringent doping controls as they look to secure their place at the Olympic Games We are 100 per cent supportive of WADAs efforts, alongside the International Olympic Committee and IAAF and other organisations, to stamp out cheating.Clean athletes dreams must not be allowed to be destroyed because of other peoples mistakes. This is an important step in our journey.The Olympic athletics programme begins on August 12 and if the Council does readmit Russia to the sport, most of its athletes would likely have only a matter of weeks to achieve the qualifying marks required for participation.Meanwhile, WADA has suspended the accreditation of the National Anti-Doping Laboratory in Beijing, China for four months. The statement said: During the period of suspension, the laboratory is required to take five remedial steps highlighted by the disciplinary committee in its recommendation.If the Beijing laboratory satisfies the disciplinary committee in meeting these requirements, the laboratory may apply for reinstatement prior to the expiry of the four month suspension period.Earlier this month, WADA revoked the accreditation of Moscows anti-doping laboratory, which was suspended in November after a WADA independent commission report alleged state-sponsored doping and cover-ups in Russia. Cheap Bucks Jerseys . 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"We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. RIO DE JANEIRO -- For all the praise of golfs return to the Olympics, there was no shortage of suggestions to make it better.The easy fix is to introduce a team format.All golf leaders had to do for the Rio Games was to combine the scores of the top two players from each country to provide a team medal. There would have been 24 teams for the men and women. For the men, Sweden would have won by one shot over the Americans, and Justin Roses birdie putt to win the gold medal also would have given Britain the bronze medal by one shot over Spain.Hows that for an additional layer of drama?If only it were that simple.We didnt have time, said Ty Votaw, vice president of the International Golf Federation.Votaw said the International Olympic Committee doesnt allow for two competitions in one. A team format would have had to be a separate competition. Try squeezing that into two weeks, on an 18-hole golf course that was brand new for competition without knowing how much stress it could take.The IOC rejected it, Votaw said.The other option was to have a team format in place of the individual competition. Sure, that might have enticed some of the countries that skipped out (the Australians and South Africans come to mind), but it would have reduced the number of flags raised along the 18th fairway at Olympic Golf Course.We thought having the most countries was better than team competition, he said. And then someone like Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) would not have had a partner.Lydia Ko would have been left out, too.As it was, six medals went to six nations over two weeks. So it wasnt all that bad.One element that wont change -- or shouldnt -- is 72 holes of stroke play.All but a few tournaments throughout the year use that format, and theres a reason for that. It remains the best way to measure who played the best golf that week. And thats what the Olympics should be. Match play is bad for television and leaves spectators only one match to follow at the end, and theres a history approaching 20 years at the Match Play Championship that illustrates how unpredictable it can be.Any other format would be a gimmick, or best saved for the silly season.The last thing the IOC wants iss a trial format, IGF President Peter Dawson said.ddddddddddddThe IGF needed to keep it simple in the first year, and it needed support of the top players when making its bid. Votaw wont rule out the IGF trying to persuade the IOC to reconsider the two-man team played at the same time as the individual competition.What we wanted to do is put our best foot forward, and I think we did that, Votaw said. Well look at all sorts of things. We do have a time issue in terms of how many things we can fit into a two-week period.There are a few steps to take before golf starts contemplating any changes.The IGF president has a limit of three two-year terms, and Dawsons time is up at the end of the year. The only exception is if the IGF board unanimously votes to keep him on. Dawson wasnt about to speculate on those prospects.The next step is making sure golf stays beyond the Tokyo Games in 2020. Golf did its part by staging an exceptional event over two weeks.After that?The logical conclusion is a team event, and a mixed team might be the most ideal. The Summer Youth Olympics nailed it in China two years ago, though the field size was 32 players instead of the 60 players for the mens and womens competition in Rio.The boys and girls each played the first three days for a 54-hole individual medal. Then, they played mixed team the next three days -- 18 holes of foursomes, 18 holes of fourballs, and two singles matches to reach a 72-hole score. Sweden won the gold in a playoff over South Korea, while Italy won a playoff for the bronze over Denmark.One idea being kicked around is to stage a mixed-team event the last two days between the mens and womens competitions. That could be either fourballs and foursomes on the same (long) day, or a 54-hole event with foursomes one day, and two singles the next day. That way, every shot would count.Golf will be held at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan for 2020. It has 36 holes, and the best option might be to have both courses available if it makes sense. And if the IOC is willing to allot for medals for golf. ' ' '