USOC lists 7 who tested positive for banned substances
By Wire services
Published December 31, 2003
Capping a year of drug scandals, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Tuesday that sprint champion Kelli White and six other Americans tested positive for banned substances.
White and five other track and field athletes tested positive for the stimulant modafinil. Hammer thrower John McEwen also tested positive for the newly discovered steroid THG, and cyclist Adham Sbeih became the first U.S. athlete to test positive for the endurance-boosting hormone EPO.
The USOC announced the results after the substances were found in two urine tests from each athlete, and following a review by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
All seven are challenging the results, the USOC said. Any suspensions or other penalties would come only after arbitration.
White already faces the loss of two world championship gold medals because of modafinil use. The USOC said she also tested positive for the drug at the national championships in June, when she swept the 100 and 200 meters.
White said she was prescribed modafinil for a sleeping disorder - a claim ridiculed by international track officials after word emerged of other athletes using the banned stimulant.
Also testing positive for modafinil at the national championships were sprinter Chryste Gaines and hurdlers Sandra Glover and Eric Thomas. Another hurdler, Chris Phillips, tested positive for modafinil at the world championships.
MOTORSPORTS: CART sale moves ahead
The CART racing series could win court approval of its proposed sale to a group of team owners by Jan. 28 under a bankruptcy plan approved by U.S. District Judge Frank J. Otte in Indianapolis. Otte overruled objections to the sales procedures and scheduled Jan. 23 as the deadline for alternative bids for CART's assets. If any such bids emerge, they could be considered during an auction Jan. 28. Without any qualifying bids, Otte could approve the sale to Open Wheel Racing Series LLC that day.
OBITUARY: Rina Andretti, mother of retired auto racing great Mario Andretti, died in Bethlehem, Pa., at age 90.
BASEBALL: Missing switch mystery
A major safety switch was missing from an escalator when it malfunctioned at Coors Field on July 2, hurtling out of control and injuring dozens of fans, Denver city inspectors said. The device was there when the escalator was originally certified, and contractors said they inspected it in March.
CALDERON BURIAL: Former major-leaguer Ivan Calderon was buried in Loiza, Puerto Rico, three days after he was shot multiple times in the back at a Loiza bar.
TIGERS: Right-hander Jason Johnson, who pitched the past five seasons for Baltimore, agreed to a $7-million, two-year contract.
ET CETERA
SOCCER: Florida State sophomore Leah Gallegos has been named a College Sports Television second-team All-American. ... FSU freshmen Julia Schnugg and India Trotter are training with the U.S. Under-19 National Team in Carson, Calif.
HOCKEY: Stephen Werner scored two goals, including the winner, as the United States beat Sweden 4-3 at the world junior championships in Helsinki. The Americans play Russia today for a bye into the semifinals.
BIATHLON: Jacob Beste of St. Cloud, Minn., won the men's 12.5-kilometer pursuit and Rachel Steer of Anchorage won the women's 10K pursuit at the national championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
