Sports briefs for July 11, 2002

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 10:17 a.m.

Bonds admits to using creatine

The San Francisco Giants' home run king Barry Bonds says he's used creatine supplements and protein pills, according to a televised interview.

Bonds' acknowledgment he took the legal supplements comes in the face of much criticism and scrutiny about steroid use among Major League Baseball players.

Creatine is an amino acid produced naturally by the liver and kidneys and stored in muscles. Athletes often take supplements to gain extra energy, train longer and bulk up.

"Definitely. I take supplements. I have taken creatine, protein pills and amino acids. To replenish your body is very important," Bonds told Lisa Guerrero of Fox Sports Net.

Estonian wins, Lance stays in third place

Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia won today's fifth stage of the Tour de France, speeding past a small group of rivals at the end of the course through the farmlands of northern France.

Kirsipuu, of the AG2R team, clocked a time of 4 hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds for the 120.9-mile course from Soissons to the Normandy city of Rouen. Defending champion Lance Armstrong of the U.S. stayed in third place.

Coyotes extend coach's contract

The Phoenix Coyotes, citing stability on and off the ice as the cornerstone of a Stanley Cup contender, rewarded coach Bob Francis with a four-year contract worth $3.02 mil.

Nicklaus withdraws

Jack Nicklaus, because of muscle spasms, has withdrawn from the Senior Players Championship which started today in Michigan.