Sports briefs for January 6, 2004

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004 | 11 a.m.

A sliding roof will bring an end to the rain delays that have become synonymous with Wimbledon, but not for several years.

The All-England Club today announced plans to construct the roof, which won't be in place until the 2009 tournament. The club also still needs planning permission from government officials in London.

Since 1877, rain has completely washed out 30 days of Wimbledon, and the tournament has been extended 14 times because of showers. But the roof won't solve that problem completely because only Centre Court will be protected. The other 19 courts will remain uncovered.

Under the proposal, Centre Court's capacity would rise to 15,000 from 13,800. The club will also construct a new No. 2 court and move some other courts. Work is scheduled to start in 2006.

Kobe case extended

The judge in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case in Denver scheduled a series of pre-trial hearings that will last until nearly April, making it unlikely that Bryant would go to trial before the season ends.

U.S. wins world title

The United States won its first world junior hockey title, beating Canada 4-3 at Helsinki, Finland, after Canadian goalie Marc-Andre Fleury's failed clearing pass ended up in his own goal. Fleury's pass bounced off teammate Braydon Coburn and into the Canadian goal with 5:12 left, capping a three-goal U.S. rally.

Angel tests positive

Anaheim Angels reliever Derrick Turnbow became the first major leaguer identified as testing positive for a banned steroid when he flunked a drug test during a U.S. Olympic training camp. Turnbow faces no sanctions from Major League Baseball, but was suspended for two years from international competition.

Ice dancers up first

Ice-dancing competition tonight kicks off the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Atlanta with the team of Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto rated as the co-favorite with Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev.

Cancer claims '56 star

Charles Dumas, who at the 1956 U.S. Olympics Trials became the first high jumper to clear 7 feet, died in Los Angeles of cancer. He was 66.