ROME - Facing a lengthy ban, former figure skating world champion Carolina Kostner claimed in an interview Tuesday that she had nothing to do with the doping case involving her former boyfriend and Olympic race walking gold medallist Alex Schwazer.The Italian Olympic Committees anti-doping prosecutor recommended Friday that Kostner be banned for four years and three months — longer than the 3 1/2-year ban that Schwazer is serving — for helping Schwazer evade a test and other infractions.If I knew Alex was doping I would have convinced him to confess, for his own health, Kostner told the Fatto Quotidiano newspaper. Being accused of aiding him is intolerable for me. Ive never doped, Ive never helped Alex dope and I knew nothing about it until the test came up positive. How is it possible that they seek a heavier ban for me compared to so many athletes banned for doping?The prosecutors request was made as part of a widespread doping inquiry set off when Schwazer tested positive for EPO before the 2012 London Olympics.The 27-year-old Kostner, the 2014 Olympic bronze medallist and 2012 world champion, is taking this year off from competition but a long ban would rule her out of the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and could end her career.Her case will now be decided by CONIs internal doping court.Schwazer, who won the 50-kilometre walk at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, failed an out-of-competition test before arriving in London and was removed from Italys team before competing. He admitted using the blood-boosting hormone EPO, and said he was quitting the sport.Schwazer also admitted to consulting with Lance Armstrongs banned sports doctor, Michele Ferrari.Kostner has acknowledged accompanying Schwazer on a visit to Ferraris office in 2010, although she maintains that she did not know he doped.However, published reports of Kostners testimony to prosecutors in Bolzano showed she admitted to lying to inspectors from the World Anti-Doping Agency who came to her home in Germany looking for Schwazer on July 30, 2012 — days before Schwazer flew to London for the Olympics.Ultimately, the WADA inspectors caught up with Schwazer in Italy and thats when he tested positive.I had just a few seconds to decide what to do, Kostner said. I lied on his request. But I never — never — covered for him, because I had no idea what he was doing.Kostner was also questioned by prosecutors about a banned altitude chamber that Schwazer slept with.He explained that it was to help his breathing, Kostner said. I was so happy that he finally came to see me for a couple of days that I wouldnt have lost time discussing it.Thinking it over, I shouldnt have had so much trust, Kostner added. But when you see a machine you dont associate it with doping.Kostner has also won two silvers and three bronzes at the worlds, and is a five-time European champion. It remains unclear if she could be banned retroactively and stripped of medals.I could skate just for myself and do shows all over the world, Kostner said.However, a CONI ban would likely prevent her from performing in shows supported by national or international sports federations.Speaking at an anti-doping convention Tuesday, CONI president Giovanni Malago expressed sympathy for Kostner and displeasure with WADAs rules, which punish those covering up doping more severely than the dopers themselves.As a friend of Carolinas I think this situation is unfair, Malago said. But as CONI president, I realize we must follow WADAs rules. Los Angeles Angels Gear . Hes coming back to fulfil them. One of Europes top coaches, Blatt was hired Friday by the Cavaliers, who ended a sweeping, 39-day search with an out-of-the-box selection they hope changes their fortunes. 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With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services.SYDNEY, Australia -- Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th hole to snatch victory from Adam Scott at the Australian Open on Sunday, winning for the first time in 2013 and denying Scott the rare Australian triple crown. McIlroy started the last round four shots behind Scott but drew level when he eagled the seventh and birdied the eighth. Scott went a shot ahead with a birdie at the ninth then the pair went shot for shot over the back nine before the tournaments dramatic climax on the final hole. Scotts approach shot went over the back of the green and his resultant chip went well past the hole, with two putts bringing a bogey. McIlroy hit his approach to 10 feet and sank the putt to claim victory by a shot and end his long wait for a trophy. "I wanted to get a win and finally Ive been able to get one," McIlroy said. "But more satisfying than that is being able to take one of the best players in the world down the stretch and come out on top. "Adam is a phenomenal golfer, a great competitor and probably an even better guy and I feel a bit sorry that I was the one that ruined the triple crown for him." Scott was attempting to be only the second player after compatriot Robert Allenby in 2005 to win Australias triple crown by claiming the Australian Open, Masters and PGA titles in the same season. He carried his form from the Masters and PGA tournaments into the Open, shattering the course record with a 10-under par 62 in his opening round. He came into the final day at 16-under par, with rounds of 62, 70 and 68, four shots ahead of McIlroy who was a further four shots ahead of the next challenger. That effectively made Sundays finnal round a shootout between the No.dddddddddddd 2-ranked Scott and Northern Irelands McIlroy, who was the worlds top-ranked player last year. Scott was left to rue a series of missed birdie opportunities, failing to hole six putts from within 12 feet during his final round. "Nothing was going my way on the greens today," Scott said. "I could have put this thing away early on if the putter was behaving how it should have, how it did the rest of the week." Both players took irons from the tee on the last hole and landed their shots adjacent to each other on the fairway. Scotts approach landed ahead of the hole but a cruel bounce sent the ball flying through the back of the green. Rather than pitch and run back onto the green, Scott chose to give his chip some loft. It failed to pull up, rolling onto the lower tier of the green and the local favourite did well to salvage a bogey. McIlroy stood assessing his ten foot putt during Scotts excursions, and after Scott holed out, McIlroy rolled in a slow putt that just made it to the hole. "I didnt think it was going to unfold the way it did," McIlroy said. "Its hard not to feel some guilt in the way I won it. "Having a one-shot lead going into the last having it taken away from you right at the very end, its tough." McIlroy finished with an 18-under par tally of 270, a shot ahead of Scott who was a further six shots ahead of Australian John Senden at 11 under. Senden and compariots Bryden MacPherson and Rhein Gibson, who tied for fourth at 9-under, all qualified for next years British Open. Calgarys Ryan Yip (74) tied for 39th at even par. ' ' '