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AMSTERDAM -- Ostracized by many in her native Russia for blowing the whistle on doping practices, Yulia Stepanova finally had a chance to run, in the European championships, but was let down by her body.She pulled up in her 800-meter heat when she tore a ligament in her right foot, further endangering her chances of taking part in the Rio Games.While I was running there was a snap that I heard and I could not understand what happened, she said through a translator. It happened some 200 meters from the finish but by then she was already in last place in her heat, where she had been since the start.She limped to the line, bent on finishing her race, but it was another setback among many that have turned her career from a promising middle distance runner into an athlete primarily known for what she did off the track.Stepanova is half of the husband-and-wife team that has blown a Russian doping scandal wide open. Her husband is Vitaly Stepanov, a former Russian anti-doping official and between them, they were able to gather a trove of evidence on how doping has worked in Russia.Stepanov provided information on the manipulation of samples to ensure Russias sports stars didnt fail doping tests, while his wife shot undercover footage of athletes and coaches apparently discussing how to dope.That evidence was crucial to a documentary broadcast in Germany in December, which in turn sparked a World Anti-Doping Agency inquiry and subsequent damning report.The pressure was very hard, I had a lot of people who did not believe me, she said. Russia still does not believe this. Before the race, other athletes had already come over to congratulate her for being a lynchpin in exposing the scandal.When I was sitting in the changing room, all the girls from the direct opposition I had today came up to me and said thank you for what youve done, she said.In Amsterdam, she was competing as a neutral athlete under a special exemption since her nation is barred from competing because of the doping scandal.Even if the IAAF world athletics federation allowed her to compete and the Europeans welcomed her, it is still unclear how and if she will compete in Rio.The injury did not improve her chances.First of all I don t know yet whether I will be at the Olympics, she said in the bowels of the Amsterdam Olympic stadium, sitting on a chair for comfort.Secondly I have to see how my injury improves.Stepanova said she came into Wednesdays race with a painful inflammation in her foot, and her lack of form showed. She had come from North America only days before her race and the jetlag showed.Stepanova is the only Russian at the European championships running under such a special neutral flag exemption.Im very happy to have been able to compete here, she said.On the first day of the championships, Yasemin Can of Turkey won the first gold, when she tore away from the pack early on and took the 10,000 meter title well ahead of Dulce Felix of Portugal.Corey Davis Womens Jersey . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Earl Campbell Titans Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. http://www.titansstoreonline.com/Black-34-Earl-Campbell-Womens-Jersey/ . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Jurrell Casey Titans Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Eddie George Youth Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race.3 players with 300 points & 100 assists in his teams first 10 games: James Harden. Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson. ' ' '