Sports briefs for December 24, 2003

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003 | 10:38 a.m.

The inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix, the third round of next year's Formula One motor racing schedule, may be a terrorist target, the U.K. government said.

Bahrain faces a "high threat from terrorism," said a Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesman. The government is "particularly concerned about potential threats to places where westerners might gather," including the April 4 Grand Prix.

Formula One Management, the company owned by Bernie Ecclestone that runs the sport, is seeking new venues in Asia and Latin America as European audiences fall. Bahrain and Shanghai have been added to the schedule.

The Arab state is spending $300 million on a racetrack and upgrades to roads and the airport, which have attracted investment worth $1 billion.

Information was received about a terrorist threat "specific to Bahrain," the U.S. State Department said yesterday, without elaborating.

"The Grand Prix is a high-profile event that unfortunately attracts such risks," Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa al-Khalifa, a director of the Bahrain International Circuit, said. "We know what's happening and have taken, and will continue to take, all necessary precautions."

USC in kickoff game

Southern California and Virginia Tech will open the 2004 season in the Black Coaches Association Football Classic Aug. 28 at FexEx Field in Landover, Md.

Marlins park on again

Negotiations for a new Florida Marlins ballpark are back in progress, less than a week after the prospects for a deal had appeared dead, The Miami Herald reported today. Talks were revived after the Marlins agreed to consider a new stadium at the site of the city-owned Orange Bowl.

Yashin's wrist slashed

Center Alexei Yashin of the New York Islanders is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks after tendons in his right wrist were partially severed in Tuesday's 4-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Yashin's arm was cut by the skate of Flyers center Michal Handzus during a scramble that led to Arron Asham's game-tying goal.

Suns acquire forward

The Phoenix Suns acquired forward Donnell Harvey from the Orlando Magic for a second-round draft choice next year.

Rafter returning

Two-time U.S. Open champion Patrick Rafter will end his yearlong retirement next month by playing doubles at the AAPT Championships in Adelaide, Australia.