Sports briefs for January 14, 2004

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 | 10:41 a.m.

John Elway and Barry Sanders were among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today.

The Hall's board of selectors selected them from a list of 25 semifinalists.

Two candidates -- tackle Bob Brown and wide receiver Bob Hayes -- were recommended by the Hall's senior committee. Other finalists: wide receiver Art Monk; defensive ends Richard Dent, Carl Eller and Jim Marshall; guard Bob Kuechenberg; safety Cliff Harris; cornerback Lester Hayes; tackles Rayfield Wright and Gary Zimmerman.

Linebacker Harry Carson and general manager George Young are automatic finalists because of their high finish in last year's voting.

Team owners Art Modell and Ralph Wilson Jr. did not make the list. The new class will elected in Houston on Jan. 31.

Kobe team on offense

Kobe Bryant's defense attorneys in his rape trial in Denver argued that his accuser's sexual past and mental health history should be allowed as evidence to prove she had a "scheme" to falsely accuse" him.

Second steroids ban

Montreal Expos minor leaguer Terrmel Sledge is the second player on a major league roster to test positive for steroids. He was banned from international competition for two years. Sledge, 26, who flunked the test during a U.S. Olympic training camp in October, does not face any sanctions from Major League Baseball.

No. 1 wins first

No. 1-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne opened her 2004 season today with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Conchita Martinez in the Adidas International at Sydney. Henin-Hardenne will be the top-seeded woman in the Australian Open, which begins Monday at Melbourne Park.

Korea's Kim collapses

International Olympic Committee vice president Kim Un-yong, 72, who is accused of embezzlement and other wrongdoing, was in intensive care after he collapsed suddenly.