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BALCO's supplier nears deal

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 28, 2006

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SAN FRANCISCO - A noted scientist in the sports nutritional supplement world accused of supplying the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative with the performance-enhancing drug known as "the clear" has reached a deal to plead guilty today in federal court, according to the Associated Press.

A San Francisco federal grand jury indicted Patrick Arnold in November of conspiring with BALCO founder Victor Conte to distribute the once-undetectable substance tetrahydragestrinone.

Since he was charged with three counts of illegally distributing performance-enhancing drugs, Arnold has maintained his innocence. But the AP reported that Arnold has a deal in place to plead guilty to at least one charge in exchange for the others being dropped.

TESTING:

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released statistics showing it performed 2,259 doping control tests in the first quarter of 2006, resulting in six violations. Track and field athletes (448), skiers and snowboarders (273) were the groups tested most.

TENNIS: Costa's career ends

Former French Open champion Albert Costa's career ended Thursday with a 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 loss to fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in the third round of the Open Seat Godo in Barcelona, Spain.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, defeated fellow Spaniard Ivan Navarro Pastor 6-4, 6-2. Nadal, who has won 44 consecutive matches on clay, advanced to play Jarkko Nieminen, who beat Albert Portas 6-3, 6-2.

GRAND PRIX HASSAN II:

Luis Horna withstood a comeback by qualifier Marc Gicquel to win 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 in the second round in Casablanca, Morocco. Horna will meet seventh-seeded Daniele Bracciali in the quarterfinals after he beat Alexander Waske 6-4, 7-5.

FED CUP:

Indonesia has refused to play a series in Israel in July and wants the matches switched to a neutral country. Indonesia, home to about 190 million Muslims, has no diplomatic relations with Israel and has long supported Palestinian independence.

CHAMPIONS TOUR:

John McEnroe wants the senior tour to schedule events in conjunction with the sport's major tournaments so fans would be able to see old favorites and watch new stars.

TRACK: Villanova regains stride

Villanova rekindled memories of their glory years in the distance medley relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, winning in 10 minutes, 57.03 seconds for its 10th distance medley relay title - but first since 1997 - and its 28th Penn Relays event title overall. Marina Muncan sprinted into the lead with about 150 meters left.

There also was a high-school meet record in the 400 hurdles, with Sherene Pinnock from Edwin Allen Comprehensive winning in 57.44 seconds.

Dominique Darden of Miami won the 400 hurdles in 55.60 seconds, and Kierra Foster of Maryland won the long jump at 20 feet, 10 inches.

ET CETERA CYCLING:

Chris Horner of the United States won the second stage of the Tour de Romandie in Porrentry, Switzerland and took over the race leader's yellow jersey.

BOXING: Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas will meet July 15 in Las Vegas in a rematch of their bout two months ago. Mosley stopped Vargas in the 10th round Feb. 25.

SPEEDSKATING: A former Olympic short-track skater who suffered a career-ending injury in Lake Placid, N.Y., had her lawsuit against the U.S. Olympic Committee dismissed by an appeals court. Nikki Ziegelmeyer, then 22, was skating at 35 mph when she smashed into a padded wall at the skating oval. The crash fractured vertebrae and sent bone fragments into her spinal canal. Ziegelmeyer contended the pads were not properly installed.

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 01:17:12]

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