In brief

Puerta faces life ban for positive drug test

By wire services
Published October 6, 2005

PARIS - Argentina's Mariano Puerta tested positive for a banned drug following his loss in the French Open final and faces a possible life ban for a second doping offense, the sports newspaper L'Equipe reported Wednesday.

Puerta tested positive for the stimulant etilefrine after his four-set loss to Rafael Nadal in the June 5 final, the French publication reported without citing sources.

Puerta's urine samples - the A and B specimens - were analyzed by the French doping laboratory in Chatenay-Malabry.

Puerta told associates he had taken medication to fight the flu at the time of the tournament, L'Equipe said. Puerta won a second-round match Wednesday at the Japan Open.

PORSCHE GRAND PRIX: Defending champion Lindsay Davenport, gunning for her 50th career singles title, overpowered Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals in Filderstadt, Germany. She will face Anastasia Myskina, who defeated Dinara Safina, 7-6 (7-6), 6-7 (3-7), 7-5.

TASHKENT OPEN: Top-seeded Ekaterina Bychkova beat Shikha Uberoi 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The New York Knicks were waiting for Eddy Curry to report to their Charleston, S.C., training camp amid suspense about medical tests into the irregular heartbeat that prompted Chicago to trade him this week.

Team spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said Curry likely would not work out until today. Before then, the team will not reveal anything about the 22-year-old's health status.

PISTONS: Guard Lindsey Hunter, who averaged 3.8 points a game last season, had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose particles in his left ankle.

IOC president Jacques Rogge will urge Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi next month to ease the country's tough doping laws during the Turin Games.

Athletes can face criminal sanctions for doping violations while International Olympic Committee regulations provide only for disqualifications and suspensions.

Mario Pescante, the government supervisor for the Turin Olympics, wants the law suspended during the Feb. 10-26 games, but many legislators are opposed.

2012 LONDON GAMES: Olympic rowing medalist and former sports minister Colin Moynihan was elected chairman of the British Olympic Association.

CYCLING: The Court of Arbitration for Sport hopes to reach a decision on American cyclist Tyler Hamilton's appeal of a suspension for blood-doping by the end of the year or the beginning of 2006. The Olympic gold medalist asked CAS to overturn an April 18 decision by the independent American Arbitration Association. Hamilton has consistently denied any violation and has criticized the testing method used by UCI, cycling's international governing body.

HORSE RACING: A New York Racing Association betting window clerk has been accused of punching out $30,000 worth of unpaid tickets for himself at Belmont, state and NYRA officials said.

MLS SOCCER: Chris Armas and Jack Stewart scored late goals to help host Chicago clinch a playoff spot with a 2-2 tie with the MetroStars. ... Ramon Nunez scored in extra time as host FC Dallas beat Columbus 2-1.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:40:19]