Sports briefs for October 28, 2003

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

Two drugs under scrutiny in sports -- modafinil and THG -- are part of a pattern of doping abuse in the United States, a top track executive said Monday in London.

Arne Ljungqvist, the IAAF's medical commission chief, said the evidence suggests a link between the substances.

Modafinil is the drug sprinter Kelli White says she took for a sleep disorder. Tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG, is a previously undetectable designer steroid that has turned up in the samples of several athletes.

"What emerges now is a pattern," Ljungqvist said. "People have taken THG for obvious reasons -- it's been designed with the intent not to be discovered.

"And modafinil seems to have become a fashionable stimulant among certain athletes as well. It's a pattern I've seen before, where drugs have become popular and we find them."

The Washington Post reported today that U.S. sprinter Chryste Gaines tested positive for modafinil at the U.S. championships in July. The Los Angeles Times also cited Gaines along with hurdlers Sandra Glover and Eric Thomas as testing positive for modafinil.

Meanwhile today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reclassified THG, ruling it an illegal drug and not a dietary supplement.

Hoopla at UNLV

The UNLV women's team will open the Cox Pavilion doors at 5 p.m. Wednesday for Halloween Hoopla. The free event will feature a 3-foot shooting contest and an intrasquad scrimmage and there will be contests for "best Lady Rebel costume" and "best kid's costume."

Salt Lake trial begins

Jury selection was to begin today in Salt Lake City in the trial of bid leader Tom Welch and deputy Dave Johnson, who are accused ot doling out $1 million in cash, gifts and favors to win the 2000 Winter Games for Salt Lake City.

Guerrero a free agent

Vladimir Guerrero, reigning AL MVP Miguel Tejada and Gary Sheffield filed for free agency along with pitcher Bartolo Colon. A total of 106 players from approximately 225 eligibles have filed.

U.S. set for Mexico

Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Shannon Boxx were selected to the U.S. team that will play Mexico Sunday at the Cotton Bowl.

Barcelona team folds

The Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe folded today and league officials said they expect to replace the team with another European club.