Sports briefs for June 15, 2004

Tuesday, June 15, 2004 | 10:45 a.m.

Agassi pulls out of Wimbledon

Las Vegan Andre Agassi pulled out of Wimbledon today with a hip injury, tournament officials said.

Agassi informed Wimbledon officials of his decision in a statement.

"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months and in my preparation for Wimbledon realized the injury was only worsened by the nature of the surface and would prevent me from competing," Agassi said. "Clearly, this is a regrettable decision that I have to make. I will miss the opportunity to play in the most prestigious tournament in the world."

Agassi has failed to win a singles match in three consecutive tournaments, the first time that has happened since August 1997. He lost to unseeded Russian Igor Andreev at Queen's Club -- a Wimbledon warmup -- last week, then refused to show up for his postmatch news conference. He was fined $1,000.

LV Marathon sold

Devine Racing LLC purchased ownership of the Las Vegas Marathon for an undisclosed sum. Al Boka will continue to serve as executive director for the event, which will take place Jan. 30, 2005. Devine owned and operated the Chicago Marathon from 1994-96, increasing its field from 4,000 runners to 13,000. Devine also ran the inaugural Salt Lake City Marathon in April.

Ueberroth takes post

Former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, 66, was appointed chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee's board of directors, two decades after leading the Los Angeles Games to a record profit. He will lead the 11-person volunteer board in setting USOC policy and overseeing its finances.

Kenseth, Harvick fined

Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick were penalized for bumping each other at the end of the Pocono 500.

With Sunday's race about to end under caution, Harvick spun Kenseth into the infield in Turn 3 on Lap 197. Kenseth then did the same to Harvick on the backstretch on the next lap.

Armstrong: I'm clean

A former staff member on Lance Armstrong's team says in a new book that Armstrong asked her to dispose of used syringes and lend him makeup to conceal needle marks on his arms. Armstrong disputed the claims and a spokesman for his U.S. Postal Service team, Jogi Muller, said the author was seeking "personal revenge" against Armstrong.

Flyers ink Primeau

Flyers captain Keith Primeau signed a four-year, $17 million contract -- 10 days before he was eligible to become a free agent. Primeau, 32, was Philadelphia's leading scorer in the playoffs.

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