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WADA: drug-test violations doubled in 2005

By wire services
Published April 6, 2006

MONTREAL - The World Anti-Doping Agency recorded 63 drug-testing violations among 3,114 athletes tested in 2005 - a 2 percent rate that was double from that of 2004.

The agency said Wednesday that athletes were tested in 40 sports and 119 countries as part of its global out-of-competition doping control program.

The testing covered world championships in track and field, swimming and weightlifting. In addition to the 61 positives, there were two other anti-doping violations. Of the positives, 32 were for elevated testosterone levels and 16 for steroids last year.

WADA attributed the rise in 2005 to a lower threshold level in testing for testosterone and a "significant increase" in positives for steroids.

"One reason for this may be WADA's increasingly targeted approach to testing," the agency said.

Boxer James Butler Jr.was sentenced to nearly 30 years for the death of journalist Sam Kellerman. Butler, 33, will pay $27,753 in funeral expenses to Kellerman's family and $11,881 in restitution to the owner of the victim's apartment, which was left torched and blood-soaked after the killing.

The New Jersey Racing Commission is scheduled to hear testimony today regarding charges of drug possession and race-fixing involving Eric Ledford, a top harness driver at Meadowlands Racetrack and three others.

Ledford faces criminal charges of conspiracy to rig a publicly exhibited contest.

GREYHOUNDS: Alderson Kennel's Champaign Music and Extruding Dream of Magic City Kennel won semifinal races in the $85,000 Sprint Classic at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. They advance to Saturday's championship with top-points leader Cajun Cain , Shameless Dream , Flying Yager , Jack Whistler , Brady Thomas and Greys Huntington . Champaign Music paid $47.20 and ran 550 yards in 30.10 seconds. Extruding Dream was clocked in 30.05 seconds and returned $9.80.

SOCCER: The Associated Press reported Visa and FIFA will sign a sponsorship agreement today worth $150-million to $200-million.

TENNIS: Julia Schruff won the last five games in ousting sixth-seeded Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of Amelia Island's Bausch & Lomb Championships. Schruff will face Jill Craybas for a spot in the quarterfinal.

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 01:59:19]