A French inquiry into sports doping has uncovered proof that 1998 Tour de France champion Marco Pantani and runner-up Jan Ullrich used a banned blood booster to fuel their performances.

France's senate, after a five-month investigation focused on fighting sports doping, released a report Wednesday that demonstrates what many have long suspected: use of the banned substance EPO was rife in cycling in the late 1990s, before a test for the drug had been developed.

Early arrivals for the world championship diving in Barcelona are getting an odd treat this week: the chance to see eagles skimming over the azure water where divers will later launch themselves from up to 10 meters.

The birds' mission: patrol the airspace to keep away pesky seagulls and pigeons.

A year ago, Chad le Clos beat his idol Michael Phelps in the 200 butterfly at the London Olympics.

Now, with Phelps retired, the South African has to find new inspiration at the world championships, where the traditional pool events begin Sunday.

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain arrived in Rome on Wednesday for a reported medical with Serie A runner-up Napoli.

The Argentina international was greeted by about 100 jubilant Napoli fans, waving club scarves and Argentina flags.

Pep Guardiola's former team meets his current employers in a friendly on Wednesday, as European champions Bayern Munich host Barcelona with relations strained between the Spaniard and his ex-club.

On Tuesday, Barcelona named former Paraguay manager and Argentina midfielder Gerardo Martino as head coach to replace Tito Vilanova, who resigned Friday as he battles against cancer.

Juventus topped the 2012-13 Champions League prize money table, collecting more than 65.3 million euros ($86.3 million) from UEFA despite losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winner Bayern Munich.

UEFA published figures Tuesday showing that Bayern got 55 million euros ($77.7 million) in payments and bonuses, edging beaten finalist Borussia Dortmund (54.16 million euros; $71.55 million).

If Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter don't like the hole location for the par-3 15th at Oak Hill in the final round of the PGA Championship, they might want to take it up with the fans.

After all, the fans are going to decide where to put the pin.

Protective no more, Major League Baseball players are downright disgusted these days with doping and the trashing of the game's image.

Now they are demanding even stiffer suspensions for those caught cheating.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said Cristiano Ronaldo will end his career with the Spanish giants and has denied receiving any bids for the Portugal forward.

Manchester United fans long for the return of Ronaldo, whom the English club sold to Madrid for a record 80 million pounds (then $131 million) in 2009.

Barcelona reached an agreement Tuesday to sign Gerardo Martino as coach for two seasons, replacing Tito Vilanova.

Barcelona said it will specify plans for the Argentine's arrival in Barcelona "in the coming hours." Martino is expected to travel from Argentina to sign a contract and be presented officially to the club.