Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Sports Briefs: Bolt named L’Equipe’s top athlete of the year
By The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 | No comments posted.
PARIS — Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt was honored today as French sports daily L’Equipe’s athlete of the year, beating out U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps and Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal.
Bolt, who won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and 100-meter relay at the Beijing Olympics in August, all in world-record times, was selected as L’Equipe’s “Champion of Champions” for 2008.
Phelps, who made history by winning eight golds for the United States at Beijing, finished second. Nadal was third after winning the French Open and Wimbledon to take over the world No. 1 ranking.
Bolt succeeds former top-ranked Swiss tennis star Roger Federer, who won the honor the past three years. Other winners in the award’s 28-year history include Michael Schumacher, Carl Lewis and Tiger Woods.
“It’s phenomenal to be with all them,” said Bolt, who was the first man to win the three Olympic track and field events in a single games since Carl Lewis in 1984. “I don’t have the words for it. They are all among the best in history in the most diverse sports.”
The late Florence Griffith-Joyner has been the only woman honored, in 1988.
Rowland named Oregon Track Club coach
EUGENE — Former Olympian Mark Rowland of Great Britain has been named the new coach of the Oregon Track Club elite team of middle distance and distance runners.
Rowland, a bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, replaces Frank Gagliano, who is retiring.
The Oregon Track Club’s elite team was formed in 2006 and includes such runners as Olympians Nick Symmonds, Christian Smith and Nicole Teter.
Twenty-three members of the team competed in the Olympic trails in Eugene.
PRO FOOTBALL
Lawyer says Vick may be out of prison Jan. 20
NORFOLK, Va. — Former NFL star Michael Vick could be out of federal prison and in a Virginia halfway house by Jan. 20, one of his attorneys told a federal bankruptcy judge.
Vick is serving a 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kan., for bankrolling a dogfighting operation and is scheduled to be released around July 20.
Last month, Vick also pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge, avoiding more prison time. The case’s resolution also cleared the way for his early release from prison and possible transition into a halfway house.
The suspended quarterback’s long-distance absence has complicated his bankruptcy proceedings in Virginia. Conversely, the bankruptcy case might complicate plans for Vick’s transfer.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Frank Santoro ordered Vick’s appearance at a bankruptcy hearing set for Jan. 30 in Newport News, Va.
BASEBALL
GM steps down as New York Yankees sponsor
NEW YORK — General Motors Corp. won’t be the automotive sponsor for the New York Yankees when the team’s new stadium opens next year.
Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said that Toyota and Audi will take over as the club’s auto sponsors. The new deals are for ballpark signage, as was the previous contract with GM. General Motors was a Yankees sponsor from 2006-08.
GM spokesman John McDonald said that in light of the current economic conditions, the automaker is reviewing all of its sponsorship activities as part of a plan to cut its marketing and promotions budget by 20 percent.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Sooner DeMarco Murray to miss title game
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery to repair a hamstring injury and will miss the BCS national championship game against Florida.
Murray will undergo surgery on Dec. 22 to repair the tendon in his left leg, Sooners’ coach Bob Stoops said. The championship game is Jan. 8.
Murray was Oklahoma’s leading rusher before he was injured in the Big 12 championship game against Missouri on Dec. 6. The injury was first diagnosed as a bruise but an MRI exam revealed the damage.
Murray, now the team’s second-leading rusher with 1,002 yards, will be replaced by Mossis Madu. Chris Brown leads the Sooners with 1,010 yards.
Washington hires three new assistant coaches
SEATTLE — The overhaul of the University of Washington football program continued Tuesday with the announcement of three new assistants to new head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Former California line coach Jim Michalczik was named offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Demetrice Martin, a former colleague of Sarkisian’s at Southern California, will coach the defensive backs. And Idaho line coach Johnny Nansen is the new special teams coach.
The defensive coordinator job remains open, and Sarkisian said he expects more staff announcements in the next week. Sarkisian also confirmed that Chris Tormey, who has been the Huskies’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for five years, will not be retained.
So all of fired coach Tyrone Willingham’s staff is now gone.
BASKETBALL
Iverson fined $25,000 for comments toward fan
NEW YORK — Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for making inappropriate comments toward a fan in a win at Charlotte.
Iverson made the remarks to the fan with 6.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter during the Pistons’ 90-86 victory over the Bobcats on Saturday.
It’s the second time Iverson has been disciplined since the Pistons acquired him in a trade with Denver on Nov. 3. After skipping practice on Thanksgiving, Iverson was fined by the team and benched for the start of Detroit’s next game.
HOCKEY
Bettman criticizes Avery’s crude remarks
EDMONTON, Alberta — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman harshly criticized Sean Avery, calling the combative forward’s crude remark about ex-girlfriends dating other hockey players offensive and disgusting.
Avery was only 23 games into a $15.5 million, four-year deal with Dallas when Bettman suspended him for the Dec. 2 remark. He was eligible to return from his six-game ban Sunday, but the Stars instead announced Avery will not rejoin the team — ever.
Bettman said he hasn’t spoken to the Stars but said they’ve handled the situation professionally.
When he was suspended, Avery told the Stars he needed help dealing with anger issues. Co-general manager Brett Hull said Sunday that Avery was in a 10-day, voluntary program that could be extended if counselors determine he needs a longer stay.
Bolt, who won gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and 100-meter relay at the Beijing Olympics in August, all in world-record times, was selected as L’Equipe’s “Champion of Champions” for 2008.
Phelps, who made history by winning eight golds for the United States at Beijing, finished second. Nadal was third after winning the French Open and Wimbledon to take over the world No. 1 ranking.
Bolt succeeds former top-ranked Swiss tennis star Roger Federer, who won the honor the past three years. Other winners in the award’s 28-year history include Michael Schumacher, Carl Lewis and Tiger Woods.
“It’s phenomenal to be with all them,” said Bolt, who was the first man to win the three Olympic track and field events in a single games since Carl Lewis in 1984. “I don’t have the words for it. They are all among the best in history in the most diverse sports.”
The late Florence Griffith-Joyner has been the only woman honored, in 1988.
Rowland named Oregon Track Club coach
EUGENE — Former Olympian Mark Rowland of Great Britain has been named the new coach of the Oregon Track Club elite team of middle distance and distance runners.
Rowland, a bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, replaces Frank Gagliano, who is retiring.
The Oregon Track Club’s elite team was formed in 2006 and includes such runners as Olympians Nick Symmonds, Christian Smith and Nicole Teter.
Twenty-three members of the team competed in the Olympic trails in Eugene.
PRO FOOTBALL
Lawyer says Vick may be out of prison Jan. 20
NORFOLK, Va. — Former NFL star Michael Vick could be out of federal prison and in a Virginia halfway house by Jan. 20, one of his attorneys told a federal bankruptcy judge.
Vick is serving a 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kan., for bankrolling a dogfighting operation and is scheduled to be released around July 20.
Last month, Vick also pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge, avoiding more prison time. The case’s resolution also cleared the way for his early release from prison and possible transition into a halfway house.
The suspended quarterback’s long-distance absence has complicated his bankruptcy proceedings in Virginia. Conversely, the bankruptcy case might complicate plans for Vick’s transfer.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Frank Santoro ordered Vick’s appearance at a bankruptcy hearing set for Jan. 30 in Newport News, Va.
BASEBALL
GM steps down as New York Yankees sponsor
NEW YORK — General Motors Corp. won’t be the automotive sponsor for the New York Yankees when the team’s new stadium opens next year.
Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said that Toyota and Audi will take over as the club’s auto sponsors. The new deals are for ballpark signage, as was the previous contract with GM. General Motors was a Yankees sponsor from 2006-08.
GM spokesman John McDonald said that in light of the current economic conditions, the automaker is reviewing all of its sponsorship activities as part of a plan to cut its marketing and promotions budget by 20 percent.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Sooner DeMarco Murray to miss title game
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery to repair a hamstring injury and will miss the BCS national championship game against Florida.
Murray will undergo surgery on Dec. 22 to repair the tendon in his left leg, Sooners’ coach Bob Stoops said. The championship game is Jan. 8.
Murray was Oklahoma’s leading rusher before he was injured in the Big 12 championship game against Missouri on Dec. 6. The injury was first diagnosed as a bruise but an MRI exam revealed the damage.
Murray, now the team’s second-leading rusher with 1,002 yards, will be replaced by Mossis Madu. Chris Brown leads the Sooners with 1,010 yards.
Washington hires three new assistant coaches
SEATTLE — The overhaul of the University of Washington football program continued Tuesday with the announcement of three new assistants to new head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Former California line coach Jim Michalczik was named offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Demetrice Martin, a former colleague of Sarkisian’s at Southern California, will coach the defensive backs. And Idaho line coach Johnny Nansen is the new special teams coach.
The defensive coordinator job remains open, and Sarkisian said he expects more staff announcements in the next week. Sarkisian also confirmed that Chris Tormey, who has been the Huskies’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for five years, will not be retained.
So all of fired coach Tyrone Willingham’s staff is now gone.
BASKETBALL
Iverson fined $25,000 for comments toward fan
NEW YORK — Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for making inappropriate comments toward a fan in a win at Charlotte.
Iverson made the remarks to the fan with 6.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter during the Pistons’ 90-86 victory over the Bobcats on Saturday.
It’s the second time Iverson has been disciplined since the Pistons acquired him in a trade with Denver on Nov. 3. After skipping practice on Thanksgiving, Iverson was fined by the team and benched for the start of Detroit’s next game.
HOCKEY
Bettman criticizes Avery’s crude remarks
EDMONTON, Alberta — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman harshly criticized Sean Avery, calling the combative forward’s crude remark about ex-girlfriends dating other hockey players offensive and disgusting.
Avery was only 23 games into a $15.5 million, four-year deal with Dallas when Bettman suspended him for the Dec. 2 remark. He was eligible to return from his six-game ban Sunday, but the Stars instead announced Avery will not rejoin the team — ever.
Bettman said he hasn’t spoken to the Stars but said they’ve handled the situation professionally.
When he was suspended, Avery told the Stars he needed help dealing with anger issues. Co-general manager Brett Hull said Sunday that Avery was in a 10-day, voluntary program that could be extended if counselors determine he needs a longer stay.
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines