By Compiled from Times wires
Published July 29, 2003
DENVER - Three Paralympic athletes filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Olympic Committee on Monday, saying the organization gives better benefits to Olympic athletes.
Wheelchair athletes Scot Hollonbeck of Atlanta, Tony Inguez of Aurora, Ill., and Jacob Heiveil of Bothell, Wash., said the USOC should give Paralympians the same health insurance, grants, living expense stipends and opportunities as Olympians. They seek unspecified compensatory damages.
The lawsuit claims the USOC is not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The main focus is funding for Paralympians. The USOC spends $3.75-million annually and about 3 percent of its quadrennial budget of $491.5-million on its Paralympic program.
USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said Sunday funding for U.S. Paralympics was increased 100 percent from the previous budget to $15-million for 2001-04. Officials say they cannot spend as much on Paralympians because their events cost more. For example, different races have to be staged for the blind and for athletes in wheelchairs.
CYCLING: Tour ratings about same
Ratings for the CBS coverage of Lance Armstrong's record-tying fifth straight Tour de France victory Sunday were down slightly. It drew a 2.4 overnight rating and 6 share, compared with last year's 2.5 and 6 share. CBS televised an hour of the Tour every Sunday during the three-week race. The average overnight rating for the three was 2.0 with 5 share, up from 1.9 and 5 share. Each overnight rating point represents about 735,000 TV homes. The share is the percentage watching a program among those households with TVs on at the time.
NHL: Bruins' Girard in ICU
Bruins defenseman Jonathan Girard was recovering at a Montreal hospital, a day after surgery on a fractured pelvis he injured in an automobile accident. Team spokesman Ryan Nadeau said Girard was in ICU. Girard suffered blood loss and has been hospitalized since Thursday. Girard had six goals and 16 assists last season.
Meanwhile, veteran defenseman Ian Moran was one of four unrestricted free agents who signed one-year contracts with Boston. The others were center Doug Doull and left wing Pat Leahy, who played in the AHL last season, and left wing Robert Liscak, who appeared in one AHL playoff game for Providence after four seasons at Maine.
BLUE JACKETS: Trevor Ettinger, a forward in the organization, was found dead in Canada. Ettinger, 23, died Saturday, AHL Syracuse announced on its Web site. Police told the Halifax Chronicle-Herald there was no foul play and they will not pursue the case further.
CANUCKS: Swedish twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin each signed one-year contracts worth $1.075-million. Daniel, a left wing, had 14 goals and 17 assists last season. Henrik, a center, had a career-high 39 points.
COYOTES: Restricted free-agent goalie Zac Bierk signed a one-year contract. Bierk, an ex-Lightning player, had a .932 save percentage last season.
RANGERS: Free-agent right wing Paul Healey agreed to terms. He had three goals, seven assists and 16 penalty minutes in 44 games with the Maple Leafs last season.
WILD: Free-agent center Marc Chouinard, who set career highs in games played (70) and penalty minutes (40) last season with Anaheim, signed.
ET CETERA
PAN AMERICAN GAMES: The games, which open Friday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, may move several events because their arenas or stadiums will not be ready.
SOAP BOX DERBY: Wilton Blakely, 13, of Huntersville, N.C., winner of the All-American race in Akron, Ohio, lost his title late Saturday after officials discovered violations in how his car was built and configured. Runner-up Koby Garnhart, 11, of Winnebago, Ill., became the champion.
TENNIS: Top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew from the Acura Classic in Carlsbad, Calif., because of "reoccurring pain" in her left knee.
