WASHINGTON -- The World Anti-Doping Agency didnt immediately investigate allegations of systematic cheating by the Russian Olympic team because it lacked the authority to conduct such an inquiry, according to the watchdogs president.Sir Craig Reedie told the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in a letter that the panel released Friday that the anti-doping agencys investigative powers were expanded early in 2015. Thats five years after Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the agency was made aware of allegations of widespread government-sanctioned doping among Russian athletes.Before the agency received more authority, its practice was to assist governments and local anti-doping authorities with their investigations, Reedie told Thune in the letter, dated July 5. That assistance included developing protocols for proper evidence gathering and information sharing between governments and sports organizations, he said.There was no delay on our part in furthering the information that was received over a period of time in regard to these allegations, Reedie wrote. He also told Thune the initial reports of cheating by Russian athletes that the agency received from a whistleblower were not shared with Russian authorities. To do so would have been a grave lack of judgment on our behalf, he wrote.Russian track and field athletes are banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations from competing globally, including in the Rio Olympics, because of systematic doping. But IAAF President Sebastian Coe said 136 Russians have applied for clearances.The Senate Commerce Committee has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over sports. Thune wrote to Reedie last month, outlining in a seven-page letter his numerous concerns with how the watchdog group handled the allegations of cheating by the Russian team.The senator said a robust anti-doping agency is indispensable to fairness in sports and the health and safety of athletes. But the agencys response to reports of an elaborate state-sponsored doping program in Russia called the agencys strength and credibility into question, he said.Thune said his committee independently confirmed media reports that the agency knew of the doping among Russian athletes and Moscows involvement in February 2010. But the watchdog didnt establish an independent commission to examine the claims until December 2014.Thune also questioned whether the anti-doping agency is adequately independent, noting that board members are permitted to serve in executive positions with sports organizations.Reedie said his agencys power to investigate didnt officially become part of the world anti-doping code until January 2015 and it set up the commission a month prior in anticipation of this authority coming into force.The agency does not have any concrete information of any state-sponsored doping program beyond Russias, Reedie said. If that information is forthcoming, then we would not hesitate to institute an investigation, he wrote.Reedie also defended the agencys integrity and impartiality. He said members of the agencys board and executive committee sign conflict of interest statements.---Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardnerAir Max 95 In Offerta . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. 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Air Max In Offerta .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. RIO DE JANEIRO -- A Belgian woman who won a 2012 bronze medal has become sick, the first Olympic competitor to fall ill after sailing the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay.Evi Van Acker reported feeling sick after Wednesdays races, the governing body World Sailing said. Her poor performances have put her at risk of missing out on a medal in the Laser Radial class.Her coach told the Belgian VRT network he believes Van Acker contracted a severe intestinal infection while training in Rio de Janeiro last month.Evi caught a bacteria in early July that causes dysentery, coach Wil Van Bladel said. Doctors say this can seriously disrupt energy levels for three months. It became clear yesterday that she lacked energy during tough conditions. She could not use full force for a top condition. ... The likelihood that she caught it here during contact with the water is very big.The poor quality of Guanabara Bay was at the forefront of the buildup to the Olympics. An independent study by The Associated Press has shown high levels of viruses in the water as well as bacteria from human sewage.Van Acker was evaluated by the chief medical officer and the Belgian medical team, World Sailing spokesman Darryl Seibel said. He added that this appears to be an isolated case and Van Acker is the only sailor who has reported feeling ill in the opening days of the regatta.Van Acker had a serious gastrointestinal infection a few weeks ago, the Belgian Olympic Committee said in a statement. She has not fully recovered. It makes it difficult for her to go through long periods of sustained effort. The committee said a physiologist is working with Van Acker leading to the next races Friday so she can get the most out of her energy reserves.Thursday was a day off for the Laser Radial fleet.Olympic officials have insisted that sailing on the sprawling bay is safe, and sailing officials have said competitors have taken precautions. Even Brazilian sailors have said theres no danger -- at least for those who compete there regularly.German sailor Erik Heil, however, was treated for several infections he said were caused by polluted water during a Rio test regatta a year ago. He sails in the 49er class in which the two-man crew is splashed the whole race. That class is also prone to capsizes. The 49er competition begins Friday.Van Acker, a favorite to returrn to the podium in Rio, has had consistently weak performances.dddddddddddd She was second and 12th on Monday, second and 29th Tuesday and then 16th and 15th in tough conditions on Wednesday. Shes 10th overall with four races left before the medals race. Although that would get her into the medals race, she has 47 points, currently 26 points out of medals position.As the games approached, most sailors tried to deflect talk from the foul water to the competition.Thats a shame, Denmarks Allan Norregaard said about Van Ackers illness. I dont have much comment on that.Norregaard had been outspoken about the pollution in Guanabara Bay, particularly the amount of trash in the water.Its a lot better now than it was, said Norregaard, who changed subjects and said the weather conditions on some courses are just not suitable for the games. ... Its scandalous.At a test event a year ago, sailors complained about the stench of sewage flowing into the harbor at the venue, the Marina da Gloria, just yards from where the boats are launched. That problem was fixed earlier this year when a new sewage system was installed to stop brown, untreated sludge from being poured into the small harbor.Seibel said that every morning World Sailings medical and technical officials evaluate the latest water quality testing data provided by the government to make certain conditions acceptable.The standard our team uses in assessing water quality is the World Health Organization standard for primary contact (even though sailing is classified as a secondary contact sport), Seibel said in an email. For every day of competition thus far, and in the lead-up to the games, the water quality has met this standard.Britains Giles Scott continued to lead the Finn class with finishes of 11th and first. American Caleb Paine of San Diego went 14-2 to jump into fourth, just two points out of the bronze medal, but was disqualified from the days second race after a protest and dropped to 15th. In mens windsurfing, defending gold medalist Dorian van Rijsselberghe of the Netherlands had finishes of fourth, first and first to power into the lead over Britains Nick Dempsey.---Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/berniewilson ' ' '