International Capsules: No joke: Rio upset by Robin Williams' Olympic line

RIO DE JANEIRO — Robin Williams may have to scratch Rio de Janeiro off his list of possible vacation sites.

Some citizens and officials in the Brazilian city are upset with comments the comedian made on a recent appearance on the "Late Show" with David Letterman, saying Rio received the 2016 Olympics because it sent "50 strippers and a pound of blow" to compete with Chicago’s entourage that included President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Williams’ comments have been replayed several times on news shows across Brazil on Tuesday. Mayor Eduardo Paes says Williams is envious of Rio’s achievement.

Rio’s Olympic Committee said its lawyers will see whether legal action against Williams is possible.

USADA has plan to curb steroids in supplements

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency will unveil details of a new plan to confront manufacturers who produce supplements that contain steroids and other dangerous drugs.

USADA will introduce the program Wednesday, and says it has support of the NFL, NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The anti-doping agency has been keying on the supplement industry this year, seeking tougher state and federal laws in an attempt to prevent prohibited substances from being sold over the counter.

In the past five months, Food and Drug Administration investigators have raided a pair of multimillion-dollar supplement companies that are accused of selling steroids under the guise of supplements.

Women ski jumpers to take Games bid to high court

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A group of female ski jumpers is taking its bid to be part of the 2010 Winter Games to the Supreme Court of Canada.

A request was filed Tuesday, said Ross Clark, the lawyer for the 13 women. They want the high court to revisit a lower court decision that ruled the International Olympic Committee can determine which sports are included in the Games.

"It’s even bigger than women’s rights. It’s human rights," said Deedee Corradini, president of Women’s Ski Jumping USA.

The women hope the Supreme Court will decide within the next two weeks whether to hear the case, and will hand down a decision by mid-January — in time for the Games in February.

The IOC voted in 2006 not to include women’s ski jumping at the 2010 Games.

Basso to ride in next year’s Tour de France

PARIS — Former Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso will return to the Tour de France in 2010 following a four-year absence.

Basso, who finished third and second in the 2004 and 2005 Tours behind seven-time champion Lance Armstrong, was not allowed to start in 2006 after his involvement in the Operation Puerto blood doping scandal.

The 32-year-old Italian returned to racing this season after serving a two-year suspension. He finished fifth at the Giro and fourth at the Vuelta.

Basso will start his 2010 season at the Volta a Catalunya on March 22.

Basso, who is modifying his position on the bike to improve speed in time trials, said his main rivals will be defending champion Alberto Contador and Armstrong. The Texan will bid for an eighth victory in the grueling three-week race with his new team, RadioShack.

"More than the cobblestones in the first week, I am worried about Contador, who will be just as strong," Basso told Cyclingnews. "I’m convinced Armstrong will have 15-20 percent more of his old feeling back, but then so will I."