The International Gymnastics Federation announced Friday it will recommend judges who make mistakes be punished immediately with sanctions lasting up to four years. And USA Gymnastics is proposing the use of video replay in the review of start values.
At the Athens Olympics, South Korea's Yang Tae-young who finished with an all-around bronze, was wrongly docked 0.1 points on the parallel bars. He finished third, 0.049 behind American Paul Hamm. The 0.1 points would have moved Yang ahead of Hamm.
The FIG suspended three judges but didn't change the results because the South Koreans didn't file a protest until after the meet. Yang has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which hears the case Monday.
The proposals will be considered at a conference next month.PRO BASKETBALL: New York takes opener
Becky Hammon made three of visiting New York's nine 3-pointers in a 75-62 win over Detroit in Game 1 of the WNBA first-round playoff series. The Liberty led 38-33 at halftime, and Hammon's consecutive 3-pointers made it 71-54 with 3:29 left.
LAKERS: The team doesn't know if Karl Malone will play this season. Malone, 41, who had surgery on his right knee in June, is a free agent. Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, refused comment. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will be without center Vlade Divac when camp begins Oct. 5 because of a herniated disc and is unsure when he will return.
ROCKETS: Hall-of-famer Calvin Murphy, facing a Nov. 4 trial on charges of sexually abusing five of his daughters more than 10 years ago, will not broadcast games this season. He could return if cleared of all charges.
WARRIORS: The fourth-year contract option on forward Mike Dunleavy was exercised, keeping him with Golden State through 2005-06. He averaged 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 31.1 minutes last season.
HOCKEY: Ex-Chicago coach dies
Billy Reay, whose 516 wins are the most in Blackhawks history, died late Thursday. He was 86. Mr. Reay coached 16 seasons, with Chicago from 1963-1977, going 542-385-175 with three Cup final appearances. He also played 10 seasons, winning two Stanley Cups with Montreal.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Indiana settles lawsuit
Indiana agreed to pay $35,000 to former assistant Ron Felling, who was fired by Bob Knight in 1999. Felling also sued Knight, who settled by paying $25,000 and admitting he shoved Felling after he overheard a phone conversation in which Felling criticized his coaching and behavior.
RUTGERS: Shalicia Hurns was suspended indefinitely after pleading guilty to punching and tying up her roommate during a dispute over painkilling drugs. The team's leading rebounder last season will receive three years' probation.
ET CETERA
CYCLING: Richard Virenque, who won seven Tour de France stages, retired. He is best known for a 1998 doping scandal in which customs officers found a large stash of performance-enhancing drugs in his team's car. He was cleared of criminal charges but suspended. ... Lance Armstrong's management agency said it provided clean drug test results more than a month ago to a company withholding a $5-million bonus for winning the Tour de France. SCA Promotions said it needs to look into doping allegations.
HORSES: Churchill Downs' $47-million purchase of the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans was approved by a federal bankruptcy judge. The purchase, which includes 10 off-track betting parlors, gives Churchill Downs its first major winter track for its simulcast wagering network.
