By Compiled from Times wires
Published July 25, 2003
The government is building a case that could lead to banning ephedra, an herbal stimulant used to lose weight and boost athletic performance that has been linked to scores of deaths, the head of the Food and Drug Administration told lawmakers Thursday.
The FDA in February ordered labels to be put on products with ephedra warning of the possibility of heart attacks, strokes or death. The move came two weeks after the death of 23-year-old Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, who was taking a supplement containing ephedra.
Under pointed questioning from House members, FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan said the agency is looking at taking stiffer action.
"A ban on ephedra use is in the range of options we are considering," he said.
McClellan said the agency has new evidence, including studies on the herb and health complaints, that may support a ban.
SWIMMING: Phelps breaks record
Michael Phelps of the United States smashed his own world record for the 200-meter individual medley in the semifinals at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona.
Phelps won his heat in 1 minute, 57.52 seconds, 0.42 faster than the mark he established June 29.
Kosuke Kitajima of Japan also set a record, winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:09.42 to break the mark of 2:09.52 set by Dmitri Komornikov on June 14.
The U.S. women's 800 freestyle relay of Lindsay Benko, Rachel Komisarz, Rhiannon Jeffrey and Diana Munz set an American record in 7:55.70, 0.23 seconds behind the oldest world record in swimming set in 1987 by East Germany.
BOXING: Tyson pleads innocent
Mike Tyson pleaded innocent to charges resulting from a fight at a New York hotel, and lawyers said the former heavyweight champion was provoked by the two men he allegedly attacked. One of the men told Tyson, "You've got fists, we've got guns," attorneys on both sides said at Tyson's arraignment in Brooklyn criminal court. But prosecutors said they have a security videotape that shows Tyson responding to the taunts by hunting down the unarmed men and punching them. If convicted Tyson faces up to a year in prison.
HOCKEY: Robitaille back to L.A.
Luc Robitaille is returning to Los Angeles for his third stint with the Kings. The highest-scoring left wing in NHL history with 631 goals signed a one-year deal. Robitaille, 37, played 12 of his first 17 seasons in Los Angeles. He left as a free agent and played two seasons with Detroit. He scored 30 goals in 2002, when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup and had 11 goals and 20 points in 81 games last season.
BRUINS: Defenseman Hal Gill re-signed, taking a one-year contract avoiding an Aug. 2 arbitration case, the team said.
CAPITALS: Mike Grier signed a one-year contract. Grier had 15 goals and 17 assists last season, his first with the Capitals.
DEVILS: Free-agent defenseman Sean Brown signed. The seven-year veteran had one goal, five assists and 117 penalty minutes with Boston last season.
ET CETERA
HORSES: Jose Santos, the jockey who rode Funny Cide to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was suspended 10 days for careless riding at Saratoga Race Course. Santos filed an appeal, and a stay was granted.
TENNIS: Lisa Raymond beat Angela Haynes 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. The 26th-ranked Raymond, who won the 1992 NCAA singles tournament held at Stanford for Florida, was the only one of three seeded players to get past the second round.
SAILING: Clearwater's Paige Railey is in first place heading into today's final races in the Laser Girls class at the the 2003 ISAF Youth World Championship in Madeira, Portugal.
