Sports briefs for April 16, 2004

Friday, April 16, 2004 | 10:48 a.m.

NATO commander enters Athens effort

NATO's commander in southern Europe, U.S. Adm. Gregory Johnson, met Greek security leaders today in Athens to discuss the alliance's role in helping safeguard the 2004 Olympics.

Johnson, commander of NATO's Joint Force Command based in Naples, Italy, met Greek armed forced chief Gen. Giorgos Antonakopoulos and Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgaraki.

Greek officials are seeking NATO assistance with aerial surveillance, sea patrols and protection against chemical, biological or nuclear attack at the Games, which begin Aug. 13 and run through Aug. 29. That assistance could include the deployment of AWACS aircraft, warships from NATO's Mediterranean fleet and the alliance's multinational chemical and biological battalion.

Government officials have said NATO support will be provided outside Greece's borders but the defense official said Johnson discussed the possible deployment of battalion officers near Athens. Greece is spending more than $800 million on security for the games, with more than 50,000 police and soldiers involved.

Antonakopoulos will travel Saturday to the United States for meetings with defense officials, including Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staffs with potential threat information.

Serena stops again

Serena Williams cut short her comeback, withdrawing from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C., because of soreness in her left knee. The knee caused her to miss eight months of play and have surgery in August. She returned to competitive tennis last month.

Padgett on the move

Freshman center David Padgett, the Nevada state player of the year in 2003, announced he will transfer out of Kansas at the end of this semester. He did not say where he'll go, but speculation centers on North Carolina and coach Roy Williams, who recruited Padgett when he was at Kansas.

Augusta was wrong

The city of Augusta illegally restricted a small protest last year against all-male membership at the home of the Masters, a federal court ruled. The National Council of Women's Organizations tried to picket outside the private Augusta National Golf Club during the tournament, but local officials cited security concerns and forced about 50 protesters to move a half-mile away.

Hamm still No. 1

Reigning world champion Paul Hamm won the senior men's all-around gold at the 2004 Pacific Alliance championships in Honolulu. The United States finished first in the team competition. Japan was second, followed by China. Taqiy Abdullah of the United States won the junior men's all-around competition.

Falcons hurting

Air Force ended spring drills with a practice instead of its annual spring game because injuries have depleted the roster. Among the hurt is Adam Fitch, a candidate to start at quarterback, who will miss 4-6 months because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

UNLV tops Riverside

A five-run third inning pushed UNLV (22-25) to a 6-1 victory against host UC Riverside in the Rebels' last non-conference game of the season.