Olympic Headlines

Britain wins 3 golds in Paralympic cycling

BEIJING (AP)—Britain won three gold medals in track cycling on Wednesday in the Paralympic Games, solidifying its spot behind leader China in the medal standings.
China leads the medal table with 24 gold and 77 overall. Britain has 21 gold and 43 overall, followed by the United States with 15 and 34.
Britain has earned 12 gold medals in cycling, the most of any team. Sarah Storey of Britain won the individual pursuit cycling race for her disability class and American Barbara Buchan won in her class.
Britain’s Anthony Kappes, Barney Storey and Ben Demery won the sprint final, and Darren Kenny, Mark Bristow and Jody Cundy took the team sprint.
Of the 12 medal events in swimming, Russia, Britain and the United States each won two gold medals. The other golds went to South Africa, New Zealand, Greece, Ukraine, Canada and Australia.
Meanwhile, German wheelchair basketball player Ahmet Coskun was sent home from the Paralympic Games after failing a pre-games doping test.
German officials said Coskun’s urine test on Aug. 23 showed the presence of the banned substance finasteride. The substance is used as a treatment for baldness, but also can mask the use of steroids.
Coskun is the second athlete kicked out of the Paralympics for doping.
Earlier this week, Pakistani powerlifter Naveed Ahmed Butt was banned for two years after testing positive for steroid methandienone metabolites.

2 more fail doping tests; total now at 4

BEIJING (AP)—Two powerlifters have been banned for two years each for failing doping tests, bringing to four the number of athletes caught using illegal substances leading up to the Beijing Paralympics.
Facourou Sissoko of Mali and Liudmyla Osmanova of Ukraine gave positive tests for steroids in out-of-competition tests, the International Paralympic Committee said Thursday.
Two other athletes had already been sent home for failing pre-games doping tests—German wheelchair basketball player Ahmet Coskun and Pakistani powerlifter Naveed Ahmed Butt.
Sissoko tested positive for the anabolic agent Boldenone metabolite in a Sept. 6 urine sample. Osmanova tested positive for another anabolic agent, 19-Norandrosterone, in an Aug. 29 urine sample.
The IPC said Thursday it had carried out 461 tests for the Beijing Paralympics. It will conduct about 1,000 tests before the games end on Sept. 17.
Six athletes tested positive during the recently completed Beijing Olympics. Two hammer throwers from Belarus, who won silver and bronze medals, are still under investigation after testing positive for testosterone.
Dozens of athletes also were kept out of the Olympics after failing or having suspicious pre-games tests.

Israeli minister apologizes over athlete’s slur

JERUSALEM (AP)—An Israeli Cabinet minister called the Chinese ambassador Wednesday to apologize after Israel’s only Beijing Olympics medalist used a curse to describe the Chinese in a newspaper interview.
Israeli windsurfing bronze medalist Shahar Zubari used a scatological expletive to describe the Chinese in an interview with the Yediot Ahronot daily on Friday. “After a month and a half I couldn’t look at Chinese people any more,” Zubari said.
“Their traditions are bizarre and even their speech is weird,” he said, adding, “I also don’t like their food.” He later apologized.
Sport and Culture Minister Galeb Majadle called Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jun to condemn Zubari’s comments, which he called “despicable.”
Majadle, who attended the Olympics, told the ambassador that they “do not reflect the views of the Israeli people toward the Chinese people,” and praised the Chinese for their hospitality during the Games, according to a statement from Majadle’s office.
Zubari published an apology in Yediot on Tuesday. “I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart” for the comments, he said, explaining they were made “without thinking.”
Officials from the Chinese Embassy were not available for comment on Wednesday.

Swimmer Ryan Lochte says he’s missed 2 drug tests

NEW YORK (AP)—Ryan Lochte is famous for his laid-back, surfer dude attitude. Maybe too laid-back.
The swimmer, who won four Olympic medals in Beijing, said Tuesday that he has twice been cited for missing drug tests. Athletes must keep the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency apprised of their whereabouts at all times; they can be suspended if they can’t be located for a test three times in 18 months.
“One more, I’m hurtin’,” Lochte said, conceding that he’s “horrible” about updating USADA on his travels.
Lochte didn’t appear too concerned about his situation—U.S. teammate Natalie Coughlin seemed more alarmed after hearing Lochte talk about it. It was Coughlin who had brought up the challenge of keeping USADA informed as the star swimmers jet around the country following the Olympics.
“I don’t know from day to day where I’ll be,” said Coughlin, who won six medals in Beijing.
On Tuesday, it was the New York Stock Exchange, where she, Lochte and Michael Phelps rang the opening bell. As was the case with this trip, it’s not unusual to find out they need to book a flight a day or two in advance.
“You have to be really diligent about giving them your whereabouts 24-7, which is a huge pain in the butt, but it’s something that we do,” Coughlin said.
Since returning from the Olympics on Aug. 21, Lochte has bounced around from Gainesville, Fla., to Daytona Beach, Fla., back to Gainesville, then on to Chicago, Florida again, and now New York.
Coughlin has been in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Phelps, who broke Mark Spitz’s record with eight gold medals, is preparing to host “Saturday Night Live” this week. He will be honored with a parade, music and fireworks in his home state of Maryland on Oct. 4, local officials announced Tuesday.

Celtics extend coach Doc Rivers’ contract

BOSTON (AP)—Doc Rivers received a contract extension giving him three more years as coach of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday after leading them to an NBA title one year following the second worst season in team history.
Rivers’ contract, which had one year left, was extended through the 2010-2011 season at an annual salary of about $5.5 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not release contract details.
Rivers coached the Celtics to their NBA record 17th championship and their first in 22 years in his fourth season as coach. Their 66-16 regular record was the best in the NBA and third best in club history.
They were 45-37 in his first season but just 24-58 in his third. The one year 42-win turnaround from that is a league record.
“He can handle the pressure of having to go through losses. He was extremely even keel in the worst periods,” Steve Pagliuca, an owner and managing partner of the team, told The Associated Press.
The fortunes of the team turned around when it obtained guard Ray Allen from Seattle and forward Kevin Garnett from Minnesota in separate trades before last season.
The deals cost them several young players they had stockpiled, including Al Jefferson, who was developing into an outstanding forward.
But Rivers proved as adept at leading veteran stars as he was at teaching inexperienced players. That was one major reason the Celtics decided to extend his contract.
“We felt that Doc did an outstanding job ever since he’s been here with the young players and transforming the veterans we have into a championship team,” Pagliuca said.
The Celtics lost forward James Posey to free agency but are optimistic about draft choices J.R. Giddens, a guard, and Billy Walker, a forward. The entire starting lineup of Garnett, Allen, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins returns.
“Doc molded a championship team last season through his leadership and we are confident that he is the man to lead this franchise on the court now and in the future,” general manager Danny Ainge said in a statement.
In his four seasons as coach of the Celtics, Rivers is 168-160.
“He’s extremely team oriented in everything that he does so he wants the focus to be on the players,” Pagliuca said. “He’s a great teacher of young guys and because he was an NBA All-Star and very well respected point guard player, he’s had an unbelievably good rapport with the superstars. He knows how to handle them and he knows how to really bring young players along.”

Blatter in SAfrica to monitor WCup preparations

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP)—FIFA president Sepp Blatter will travel to South Africa this month to inspect preparations for the 2010 World Cup.
Blatter’s trip Sept. 14-17 will include visits to host cities Cape Town and Johannesburg, and he will also meet South Africa President Thabo Mbeki.
The 2010 tournament has been plagued by stadium construction delays, security fears, transportation problems and the possibility of power outages, leading to concerns that the first World Cup in Africa might be shifted to another country.
Blatter has repeatedly stressed that FIFA will only move the World Cup elsewhere in the event of a natural catastrophe.

Blanco retires from the Mexican national team

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico (AP)—Chicago Fire striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco announced his retirement from the Mexican national team on Wednesday, prior to a World Cup qualifying match against Canada.
Blanco played the last seven minutes of the match, which Mexico won 3-0, after which he was carried by his teammates as he waved goodbye to the 25.000 fans gathered at Victor Manuel Reyna stadium.
“It was my own decision, I’ve always said that you have to retire on time, and I’m leaving with the love from the fans,” Blanco said at the end of the match. “I made this decision and I’m not changing it for anything on the world.”
Blanco considered one of Mexico’s greatest players, told the team of his decision to retire from international football late Tuesday.
The 35-year old Blanco was used as reserve by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in Mexico’s last two matches, against Honduras and Jamaica.
Earlier in the day, it looked liked Blanco was not going to play at all.
“I hope I did not disrespected him, I did what was best for the team, which was winning three points. With a different score, maybe he would have played more,” Eriksson said. “We showed respect because he played in all three matches.”
Blanco played his first game for the national team in February 1995 in a match against Uruguay. He played in two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002, and scored in each. He helped Mexico win CONCACAF Gold Cups in 1996 and 1998, and helped to beat Brazil for the 1999 Confederations Cup.
“I will remember all those moments…two World Cups, the Confederations Cup, when I injured my knee…I left everything on the field and I would like to have another game at Estadio Azteca to say goodbye, with that, I will leave very happy,” added Blanco.
Blanco, who scored 34 goals for Mexico, is under contract with the Fire for an annual salary of $2.7 million—the second-highest in Major League Soccer after David Beckham—and he recently talked about his desire to play at least to more years with Chicago.
“There is still more from me,” he said, “I want to play a few more years in the U.S. and as you know, I want to come back to play six months with America.”

Party on! Angels clinch another AL West title

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Torii Hunter put on goggles, got on the clubhouse floor and began doing the butterfly and backstroke in a puddle of beer and champagne.
Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels had plenty to celebrate Wednesday.
They became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season by winning their fourth AL West title in five years.
“I love it. I’m Michael Phelps,” Hunter bellowed, invoking the Olympic swimmer who won eight gold medals in Beijing. “This is what it’s all about.”
Francisco Rodriguez earned his 56th save in closing out the Angels’ 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees. Second-place Texas lost to Seattle 8-7 about an hour later, clinching the division for Los Angeles.
That set off mini-parties as the players emerged from the clubhouse to share their jubilation with several hundred fans who remained to cheer the final out in Seattle.
Hunter, who joined the Angels from Minnesota as a free agent during the offseason, began serving a two-day suspension Wednesday, so he wasn’t allowed on the field or in the dugout. Pitcher Justin Speier wore Hunter’s jersey on the field in his honor.
Series at a GlanceNY Yankees 1 LA Angels 12 Mon, Sep 8 - Final NY Yankees 7 LA Angels 1 Tue, Sep 9 - Final NY Yankees 2 LA Angels 4 Wed, Sep 10 - Final ADVERTISEMENT Stadium scoreboards flashed `2008 AL West champions’ and fans held up their own signs, including one that read `I want to go to the World Series.’
“It doesn’t get old,” longtime Angels star Garret Anderson said.
Team owner Arte Moreno came on the field, clapping his hands and repeatedly signaling thumbs-up to the red-clad fans. They responded with chants of “Arte! Arte!”
“Right now I’m more interested in how we finish up the season and get prepared to play in the playoffs,” he said. “Obviously, you always like to have home-field advantage.”
Pitcher Jered Weaver was the most exuberant, waving his cap and pumping his arms. A teammate poured beer into his mouth.
A couple players grabbed the hose behind the pitcher’s mound and turned it on, spraying their teammates and fans gathered behind the Angels’ dugout.
The Angels, with the best record in baseball, can now spend their final 17 games resting and setting up their rotation for the playoffs.
“There’s no such thing as too soon to clinch,” Hunter said. “We’ve been going hard to get to this point. It doesn’t matter if we clinch early or late, as long as we clinched.”
Los Angeles wrapped up the division without starters Chone Figgins (injured), Mark Teixeira (ill) and Hunter, who was suspended for helping trigger a bench-clearing scuffle with Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez on Monday.
The Angels will try to do something that none of their previous division-winning teams accomplished—reach the World Series. They won their first and only World Series title as a wild-card team in 2002, the year they knocked Hunter’s Minnesota Twins out of the playoffs.
Perhaps, there might even be the first Freeway Series this year—the Dodgers lead the NL West.
Like Hunter, Teixeira was thrilled to come to the Angels after years of playing with the Rangers in the same division.
“I’ve always been jealous of the Angels,” he said. “Some great players play their entire careers without ever getting a taste of the postseason, and I’m going to have that opportunity this year.”
Inside the clubhouse, manager Mike Scioscia grinned when pitcher Ervin Santana delighted in dumping more booze on his head. A couple players returned to the dugout, alternately spraying champagne on fans and chugging from the bottle.
“You can’t minimize how important this is,” Scioscia said. “It happened a little earlier than it has in other seasons, but it’s not easy getting to that first step, so we’re excited about going to the playoffs and we’re going to keep going.”
Robb Quinlan hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth inning for the Angels.
Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth and moved within one save of Bobby Thigpen’s 18-year-old major league record. He threw a called third strike past Hideki Matsui with runners at first and third for the final out.
Dustin Moseley (2-4) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings while making a spot start for Weaver, whose injured fingers pushed him back to Thursday. Moseley struck out six and walked three in winning for the first time since April 9 against Cleveland.
Los Angeles Angels closer Fran…
AP - Sep 10, 7:33 pm EDT Andy Pettitte (13-13) lost for the sixth time in his last nine starts. The left-hander gave up four runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings, tying his second-shortest outing of the season.
“It’s a bad feeling, especially when you work so hard to prepare yourself for the season and really prepare yourself for October,” he said. “Obviously, people think we’re out of the playoffs and guys think they’re out of the playoffs, but I’d hope they would play for some pride.”
The Yankees finished 5-5 on their four-city trip, making it likely they’ll miss the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. They head to New York for their final 10 games at Yankee Stadium.
“We started off the trip so well and we didn’t finish very well. That’s the frustrating part,” manager Joe Girardi said. “You have pride in what you do, and there’s no X by our name (in the standings), so there’s still a lot to play for. I still think out guys believe we have something to play for.”
Leading 2-1, Pettitte nearly got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. After giving up consecutive singles to Gary Matthews Jr., Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero, he retired Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales on called third strikes.
Los Angeles Angels closer Fran…
AP - Sep 10, 7:25 pm EDT Facing a full count, Quinlan lined a single to left, scoring two runs. Guerrero continued home on Xavier Nady’s throw that sailed over the head of third baseman Alex Rodriguez and into the netting for an error, allowing the Angels to take a 4-2 lead.
“He worked the count on me and fouled off tough pitches that I felt I had a chance to get him with,” Pettitte said. “I didn’t want to walk him, and I just kind of tugged it a little bit more over the middle of the plate than I wanted to and gave up a hit to him.”
New York scored both of its runs in the first on Jason Giambi’s RBI single and a balk by Moseley that allowed Bobby Abreu to score from third.
The Angels scored their first run on Rivera’s RBI groundout in the first.
Notes
1B Teixeira sat out because of an infection and a temperature. Figgins was not in the starting lineup for the second straight game because of a sore right elbow. He got hit by a pitch during Monday’s game and manager Mike Scioscia said Figgins was having difficulty throwing and swinging the bat. … Weaver (10-10) was announced as Thursday’s starter against Seattle, with cuts on the right middle and ring fingers of his pitching hand having healed. “I’ll throw everything,” he said. “It just depends on how sharp everything is.” … The Angels reached 3 million in attendance, making them and the Yankees the only teams to do so in each of the last six seasons.

Colston out 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

NEW ORLEANS (AP)—Marques Colston, the New Orleans Saints’ top receiver during the past two seasons, had surgery on his left thumb and will miss four to six weeks.
Colston said he had a torn ligament resulting from a play Sunday when he reached forward to make a catch while taking a helmet-first hit to his hands from Ronde Barber.
“I don’t know if my thumb just got caught in an awkward position. It just bent all the way backward,” said Colston, who was wearing a cast over his left hand. “I guess the only silver lining is that I’m going to have a chance to come back and play a good portion of the season and hopefully be back in time for that playoff push.”
Colston tried to continue playing with the injury during the Saints’ 24-20 victory over Tampa Bay, but finished with only three catches for 26 yards. He made one catch after the injury.
ADVERTISEMENT Colston was a seventh-round draft choice out of Hofstra in 2006. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, he provides quarterback Drew Brees a big target and emerged as one of Brees’ favorite receivers during his rookie year. Colston went on to compile 2,241 yards receiving for 19 touchdowns in his first two seasons.
His 168 catches are more than any NFL receiver has had through only two seasons. During the summer, Colston agreed to a three-year contract extension that could keep him in New Orleans through the 2011 season.
“It’s tough, especially when you lose a guy as productive as him,” Brees said after Wednesday’s practice. “But there’s always an opportunity for a younger guy to step up or guys that might not get as much playing time ordinarily to step up and contribute even more.
“I’m confident with all our guys. However we piece it together, whoever is on the field knows what to do and they know they’ll get their opportunities.”
Most of Brees’ 343 yards and all three of his touchdown passes in the victory over Tampa Bay involved receivers other than Colston.
How much tougher it is for other receivers to get open without Colston drawing double coverage remains to be seen. But the Saints also have a new receiving threat in tight end Jeremy Shockey, who made his debut last Sunday with six catches for 54 yards, including a drive-extending 10-yard catch on third down that set up a field goal.
“It was good for him to come out and play as many snaps as he did and make six catches, some of them very big, and third-down conversions,” Brees said. “Certainly, he’s a guy I’m not going to shy away from for any reason even if we haven’t gotten as much time together as we hoped we would have through training camp, the preseason and such.”
Colston’s absence is expected to open the way for Robert Meachem to dress for a regular-season game for the first time since being drafted in the first round a year ago. New Orleans visits Washington on Sunday.
“You see the smile on my face? It’s a dream come true,” Meachem said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make my teammates and coaches proud and so my family back home can hold their heads high.”
Meachem, who had a solid preseason that included a 60-yard touchdown and a 49-yard catch, was not sure why he was left off the active roster in the opener. The active receivers in the game were Colston, David Patten, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper. Copper and Moore both also play on special teams.
“Coach, he felt comfortable with the five guys who were at receiver. He’s been in the league a long time, so he knows what he’s doing. I didn’t second-guess that,” Meachem said. “Being a competitor, I wanted to be out there. It hurt not being out there, but we got the victory.”

Belichick says he’s in no rush to sign new QB

BOSTON (AP)—New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he’s in no rush to sign a new quarterback.

Belichick spoke Tuesday, one day after losing MVP Tom Brady for the season with a knee injury.

The coach said quarterbacks Tim Rattay and Chris Simms were in Foxborough on Monday, but they didn’t work out or take physicals.

It appears the team will go into Sunday’s game against the New York Jets with two quarterbacks—veteran backup Matt Cassel and rookie Kevin O’Connell. Cassel replaced Brady in New England’s 17-10 win over Kansas City,

And Belichick says the team hasn’t decided on whether to add another quarterback.