National Sports

OTTAWA — Swimming Canada said Thursday it won't send a team to compete at this summer's World University Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games are slated to be held in Chengdu, China, from June 26-July 7.

Four years into his tenure as coach of the men's soccer team, John Herdman is now one win away from taking Canada to the World Cup — ending a 36-year absence from the world showcase.

TORONTO — The Canadian Premier League will kick off its fourth season on April 7 with the championship game scheduled for Oct. 29. Each of the eight teams will play 28 matches — 14 home and 14 away — in a balanced schedule and single-table format.

EDMONTON — Veteran Canadian offensive lineman Matt O'Donnell retired Thursday after nine seasons with the Edmonton Elks. The towering six-foot-11, 350-pound O'Donnell appeared in 130 career CFL regular-season games with Edmonton (2012-19, 2021).

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American linebacker Larry Dean to a contract extension Thursday. Dean didn't play in 2021 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a workout prior to the start of training camp.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pat Verbeek has been hired as the new general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks announced Thursday that Verbeek would replace Bob Murray, who resigned Nov.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Canadian running back Johnny Augustine to a two-year contract extension Thursday. The five-foot-nine, 199-pound Augustine was scheduled to become a CFL free agent Tuesday. Augustine, 28, of Welland, Ont.

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann says Canadian star Alphonso Davies is fine but bored as he recovers from myocarditis following a bout with COVID-19. Bayern said Jan.

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed American defensive tackle Dylan Wynn to a two-year contract Thursday. Wynn was slated to become a CFL free agent Tuesday.

LONDON (AP) — The pay-TV sports market in Britain could be shaken up after media companies Discovery and BT Group said Thursday they were in exclusive discussions about forming a partnership.