Sports briefs for February 27, 2004

Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 | 10:43 a.m.

IOC president Jacques Rogge offered a guarded assessment today of the Athens Olympics, saying it remains uncertain whether they will succeed.

Rogge couched his expectations by stressing: "If the Athens Games run smoothly and, I repeat, if they run smoothly ... There's still a lot to do -- we have only five and a half months. "Our experts say if the pace and the rhythm of the work continues, there is enough time to finish."

Rogge's pointed comments came in a speech in the host city at a meeting of the IOC executive board.

The remarks contrasted sharply with his more upbeat assessments in recent weeks and appeared aimed at instilling greater urgency in Greek organizers in the final phase of venue construction and security planning.

Ref suspended

Michael Henderson became the first NBA referee to be suspended for making an incorrect call. He will miss three games after calling a shot-clock violation against the Denver Nuggets near the end of their game Wednesday with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lickliter leads

Defending champ Frank Lickliter II had four consecutive birdies late in the first round and finished with a 9-under 63 to take a two-shot lead at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson.

Lewis pleads innocent

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded innocent in an Atlanta court to federal drug charges that he tried to help a childhood friend buy cocaine in 2000.

Fame for Simmons

Longtime broadcaster Lon Simmons, one of the original voices of the San Francisco Giants after their move west, was selected to receive the Ford C. Frick Award and be inducted into the broadcasters' wing of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Trautwein takes 11th

UNLV's Teri Trautwein placed 11th in the pentathlon, the only event completed in the Mountain West Conference indoor championships at Colorado Springs. Her throw of 38 feet, 9 inches in the shot put was the best among all competitors.

Home debut for CCSN

Women's softball makes its debut this weekend at CCSN as the Coyotes play Salt Lake Community Colleges in two doubleheaders, today at 4 p.m. and Saturday at noon. The Coyotes opened the season with two victories in six road games.

Tyson avoids jail

Mike Tyson avoided a return to jail by agreeing to plead guilty to disorderly conduct in a brawl with two men outside a Brooklyn hotel.

Henderson elected

Las Vegas Sun outdoors columnist Barb Henderson was elected second vice president of the Northwest Outdoors Writers Association.