MONTREAL -- The World Anti-Doping Agency has extended the period in which athletes testing positive for meldonium can escape sanctions.Under WADAs new guidelines, athletes who test positive for a low concentration of meldonium between March 1 and Sept. 30 can be cleared based on a no fault finding.WADA extended a policy that had previously covered the period from Jan. 1-March 1.The agency updated the rules following further studies that showed the drug takes much longer to be cleared from the system than previously thought.The guidelines cover athletes who maintain they took meldonium before Jan. 1, the date the drug was officially placed on the banned list.Hundreds of positive tests have been recorded since then. Many athletes said they had stopped taking the substance long before Jan. 1 but the drug had remained in their system for weeks or months.The WADA guidelines do not apply in the case of Maria Sharapova, who tested positive for the drug at the Australian Open in January and has been suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation. The Russian acknowledged taking meldonium after Jan. 1. She is appealing her sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.WADA said no fault findings apply in cases where less than 1 microgram per milliliter of the drug is detected. Anything above that should be handled as a doping case.We are pleased that the necessary urinary excretion studies have now progressed, and that the guidance we are now able to provide our stakeholders to help them manage meldonium cases is clear and scientifically robust, WADA President Craig Reedie said.The Latvian-made drug, which is typically prescribed for heart conditions, was widely used as a supplement by athletes in Eastern European countries. The drug increases blood flow, which improves exercise capacity by carrying more oxygen to the muscles. Hurricanes Jerseys 2020 . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Carolina Hurricanes Store . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. 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Jimmy Bartel has decided against lengthening his stellar AFL career into a 16th season, retiring after 305 games for Geelong.The 2007 Brownlow Medallist and the Cats have agreed on terms that mean the one-club player will hang up his boots, despite triggering a clause in his contract to earn a deal to play on in 2017.Jimmy is the embodiment of what a footballer should be,Geelong coach Brad Scott said of the three-time premiership winner on Wednesday.He was fearless, could play multiple roles for the good of the team and was adaptable in a changing game.Jimmy will rightly go down as an icon of the Geelong Football Club, and he has left a lasting mark on all those that he has played with over the past 15 seasons.Jimmy was always prepared and as history has shown, he was at his best in the biggest moments and the biggest games.Bartel was swaying in the breeze as to whether to play on in 2017.A performance-based clause in his contract earned him the right to go on, but deteriorating form meant he was no longer able to command a position in the Cats best side.Rather than finish up his playing days in the clubs reserves - an unfortunate possibility for greats that go round just one season too many - Bartel agonisingly called it a day.I wanted to take my time once the season finished before I made this decision, he said.While I feel I still have more to give, I understand the bigger picture and respect the direction the club wants to move in.So therefore I have decided the time is now right to retire from the game.I am forever grateful to have been drafted by the Cats and I hope in some way to havee repaid the faith that was shown in me all those years ago.ddddddddddddOver the past 15 years I have played out every dream I ever had and I leave the game satisfied that I have given everything I had in every game.To have played with my hometown club and to have shared in the success we have had has been an incredible experience.Bartels decorated record of achievement has few peers. Along with Brisbane champion Simon Black, he is one of just two players to have played 300 games, claimed both the Brownlow and Norm Smith Medals, and won three premierships.The lion-hearted midfielders courage knew no bounds - and extended beyond his play during his final AFL season.In 2016, Bartel embarked on a personal campaign, growing his beard to bushranger proportions to campaign against domestic violence.That effort won the 32-year-old another honour, the Jim Stynes award for community service.But Bartel will forever be remembered for his part in Geelongs golden generation that returned glory to the club after 44 years.Bartels efforts were crucial to winning the clubs 2007 premiership, and he was one of three Cats to play in the 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags.JIMMY BARTEL: A CAREER OF GREATNESS * Premiership winner - 2007, 2009, 2011* Pre-season premiership winner - 2006, 2009* Brownlow Medallist - 2007* Norm Smith Medallist - 2011* Jim Stynes Medallist - 2016* All-Australian - 2007, 2008* Played a club record 28 finals matches* Played 305 games, winning 213 and kicking 202 goals ' ' '