Sports briefs for October 31, 2003

Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 | 10:46 a.m.

A test for the banned, performance-enhancing human growth hormone could be ready for the 2004 Olympics, the IOC and World Anti-Doping Agency said Friday.

"I'm sure we are approaching a stage where we will have something in place," said Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the International Olympic Committee's medical commission. "Whether it will be fully ready in Athens or not, that is what we wish to know."

Human growth hormone, or hGH, is thought to be widely available and abused. It works like an anabolic steroid, building muscle mass and helping athletes recover from training.

Although hGH has been around at least since the 1980s is on the list of banned substances, standard drug tests can't detect it.

The IOC and WADA convened a meeting this week in Lausanne, Switzerland, for scientists involved in six research projects on hGH. They're hoping for another breakthrough in attempts to curb cheating in sports. U.S. anti-doping officials announced this month they devised a test for THG, or tetrahydrogestrinone, after a track coach provided a syringe with the substance.

Cuban pitcher defects

One of Cuba's top pitchers, 24-year-old right-hander Maels Rodriguez, was reported today to have defected to an undisclosed country so that he can begin playing professionally in the United States. Cuban exile leader Joe Garcia said Rodriguez and another player, stolen-base champion Yobal Duenas, were safe.

Rebels win at Denver

Senior midfielder Alex Hernandez scored his team-leading 10th goal to give the UNLV men's team a 1-0 victory at Denver, lifting the Rebels (5-11, 2-3) into second place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

UNLV wins at home

The UNLV women improved to 7-1 at home with a 3-0 victory against Wyoming. Junior Nicki King became the Rebels' all-time assists leader when she set up a kill by Leiana Oswald. With 2,816 assists, King passed Mari-de Boyer (1996-98).

Two testify

Two U.S. champions, 1,500-meter runner Regina Jacobs and shot putter Kevin Toth, were among the first group of athletes to testify to a grand jury in San Francisco probing the nutritional supplements lab BALCO.

Valenzuela suspended

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela was suspended five days, Nov. 5-9, for causing interference in a race at Santa Anita last week. Valenzuela's mount, Hagerstown, was disqualified from second to seventh in a race Oct. 24.

Whitaker a winner

Lance Whitaker (27-2-1) won a regional heavyweight title with a unanimous decision against former IBF cruiserweight champion Al Cole at Coconut Creek, Fla.

Yagudin calls it quits

Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin said he is retired from competitive figure skating after an aborted comeback following hip surgery in May.

Super Bowl to Arizona

The 2008 Super Bowl was awarded to the new Arizona Cardinals stadium under construction in Glendale, Ariz.