Sports News Roundup: Olympics-Rowing-Russia withdraws quadruple sculls team, Lithuania to get a spot; Olympics-Wrestling-India's Punia wants no drama in early rounds at Tokyo and more

The 27-year-old is the second seed in men's 65kg category in Tokyo, the one on whose shoulders rest India's hopes of winning the country's first Olympic gold in wrestling. Golf-Oosthuizen keeps his cool to retain Open lead South African Louis Oosthuizen held his nerve to lead the British Open by one shot after a gripping third round played out in bright sunshine at Royal St George's on Saturday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Olympics-Rowing-Russia withdraws quadruple sculls team, Lithuania to get spot

The Russian Rowing Federation (RRF) withdrew its men's quadruple sculls team from the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, saying the level of skills of two potential substitutes in the crew did not meet Games standards. The sport's global governing body World Rowing said in a statement https://worldrowing.com/2021/07/18/withdrawal-of-russian-mens-quadruple-sculls-from-tokyo-olympic-games it had contacted the Lithuanian Rowing Federation to offer the available slot to its crew, as they were the next placing team in the final Olympic qualification regatta.

Olympics-Wrestling-India's Punia wants no drama in early rounds at Tokyo

India's Bajrang Punia is determined to avoid come-from-behind wins in his early bouts which could leave him exhausted even before reaching the medal rounds at the Tokyo Olympics, the freestyle wrestler said. The 27-year-old is the second seed in men's 65kg category in Tokyo, the one on whose shoulders rest India's hopes of winning the country's first Olympic gold in wrestling.

Golf-Oosthuizen keeps his cool to retain Open lead

South African Louis Oosthuizen held his nerve to lead the British Open by one shot after a gripping third round played out in bright sunshine at Royal St George's on Saturday. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, had moved serenely to 13 under par with a birdie at the ninth hole before two bogeys, his second and third of the tournament, halted his progress.

Olympics-First competitors in athletes' village infected with COVID-19

Tokyo Olympics organisers on Sunday reported the first COVID-19 cases among competitors residing in the athletes' village, as its population swells ahead of the start of the pandemic-hit Games next week. Two athletes from the same country and competing in the same sport staying in the village in the Harumi waterfront district tested positive for the virus, organisers said without providing further details.

Golf-Rahm hangs tough to stay in contention

Jon Rahm dug deep to eke out a third-round 68 on Saturday and keep alive his hopes of adding the British Open title to the U.S. Open crown he picked up last month. The powerful Spaniard started the tournament slowly with a 71 but moved into contention with a second-round 64 and overcame a bogey on the par-five seventh to collect three birdies on the back nine and move within four shots of the lead.

NBA-Milwaukee edge Phoenix to grab 3-2 NBA Finals lead

The surging Milwaukee Bucks took control of the NBA Finals with a 123-119 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Saturday to move a win away from ending one lengthy championship drought and extending another. After dropping the first two games of the series the Bucks have roared back to life and after hanging on in a wild Game Five finish, now lead the best-of-seven NBA Finals 3-2.

NBA-Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo out for Game Five

Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of team mate and twice league Most Valuable Player Giannis, has been ruled out for Game Five of the NBA Finals on Saturday due to the league's health and safety protocols. Entering the league's health and safety protocols does not mean that Antetokounmpo, who has played a minor role off the bench during the playoffs, has contracted the coronavirus.

MLB roundup: Pirates win on Jacob Stallings' walk-off grand slam

Jacob Stallings' two-out grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-7 walk-off win over the visiting New York Mets. With the Mets leading 7-5, reliever Edwin Diaz (3-4) hit Ke'Bryan Hayes and walked Bryan Reynolds. After Ben Gamel struck out, John Nogowski's infield single loaded the bases. Gregory Polanco struck out, but Stallings hit his eighth homer of the season, a shot to left field, to end it.

Olympics-Soccer-'Who is it for?' captain Yoshida asks in call to lift fan ban

Japan's men's captain Maya Yoshida has questioned the decision to hold the Olympic Games behind closed doors, calling on authorities to reconsider the spectator ban before the football tournaments begin on Wednesday. Fans will be absent from the Games as coronavirus infections continue to climb in Japan, even though fans are allowed to attend other sporting contests within the country.

Cycling-Tour de France winning margin could not have been bigger, says Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar hammered his rivals in the first mountain stages of the Tour and the Slovenian, who is set to retain his title on Sunday, said he could not have done more in the three-week race. The 22-year-old UAE Emirates rider leads Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard by five minutes 20 seconds going into Sunday's largely processional final stage to the Champs Elysees in Paris, and third-placed Richard Carapaz of Ecuador by 7:03.