In brief

Cabinet member calls for new supplement law

By Times Wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 24, 2003

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WASHINGTON - Congress should rewrite a law that rolled back dietary supplement regulations and require manufacturers to acknowledge potential side effects, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Wednesday.

The comments came as the House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee opened two days of hearings on the supplements, with a focus on ephedra, often promoted as a weight-loss product. Ephedra has been linked to as many as 100 deaths.

Ernie and Pat Bechler, the parents of Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, were among those who testified. Their son died during spring training, and toxicology tests showed ephedra in his system.

In a statement submitted to the subcommittee, supplement-maker Metabolife said it "strongly believes in the science supporting the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements that contain ephedra when used as directed."

But several scientists said it was impossible to prove if ephedra was safe because studies screen out participants who have health problems, the people most likely to be hurt by the product.

A 1994 law left dietary supplements largely unregulated.

SOCCER: U.S. women reach final

Lindsay Tarpley, Lindsay Huie and Joanna Lohman scored as the U.S. women's under-21 team beat Iceland 3-0 to reach the final of the Nordic Cup in Randers, Denmark. Its opponent has not been determined.

MLS: Pat Noonan's goal in the 55th minute gave visiting New England a 1-1 tie against Columbus.

WUSA: Abby Wambach's goal in the 85th minute gave visiting Washington a 2-2 tie against Boston.

TENNIS: Agassi is Open top seed

Defending champion Pete Sampras officially withdrew from the U.S. Open, and Andre Agassi is the top seed. Juan Carlos Ferrero is second and Roger Federer third. Andy Roddick is the next-highest American at No. 6. The women's seedings are scheduled to be announced today.

BANK OF WEST CLASSIC: Jennifer Capriati struggled to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory against Marion Bartoli in a second-round match in Stanford, Calif. Fifth-seeded Jelena Dokic joined Capriati in the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Alexandra Stevenson.

RCA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Fourth-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov beat Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 6-3 in the second round of the RCA Championships in Indianapolis.

GENERALI OPEN: French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) to reach the third round in Kitzbuehel, Austria. Ferrero can take the lead in the ATP Champions Race by reaching the quarterfinals.

SWIMMING: American teen takes first

American Michael Phelps, 18, followed his world record by winning the gold in the 200-meter butterfly at the world championships in Barcelona, Spain. He won in 1 minute, 54.35 seconds, slightly off his world record time of 1:53.93 set Tuesday in the semifinals. Also, the United States took second in the 800 freestyle relay behind Australia.

ET CETERA

WOODEN, CLEMENTE HONORED: Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Wooden, 92, led the Bruins to 10 NCAA titles in 12 seasons, including seven in a row. Clemente, who hit .317 with 240 homers and 1,305 RBIs for Pittsburgh, died in 1972 while delivering emergency relief to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His widow, Vera, accepted the award.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: The United States beat the Netherlands 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 and is 3-0 in pool play at the World Grand Prix in Gioia Del Colle, Italy.

TRACK: Two-time Olympic long jump champion Heike Drechsler will miss next month's world championships because of a torn Achilles' tendon.

Bowling

Lack of funding raises questions about future of women's tour

Colleges

Baylor to investigate if missing player paid

Cycling

Injured American gets win

Golf

Wyckoff rallies atInnisbrook

Some rules turn classy majors into goofy golf

Titans return to Turnberry

Vet, rookie share lead in France

In brief

Cabinet member calls for new supplement law

Little League

Citrus Park one win shy of state title

Southport again ends Hernando's title hopes

MLB

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NL: Mordecai homer leads Marlins past Braves

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Motorsports

Rudd's longevity reaches new high

NBA

Four teams pull off a six-player trade

Not all charitable donations welcome

NFL

Redskins resume fight for nickname

Outdoors

Daily fishing report

Preps

Hard times bring out the best qualities in Weller

Achievements speak for Hosack

Rays

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Rolls takes rest, Perez takes spot

Bucs

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Safety still a backup, still confident

Sapp, McFarland take turns with offense

Tempers flare, punches flail during intense goal-line drill

Lightning

Lightning adds depth to its defensive corps