Sports briefs for October 8, 2004

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 | 9:53 a.m.

Los Angeles will bid for 2016 Games

After hosting the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, the City of Angels may submit another bid for the games.

The City Council unanimously endorsed a proposal Wednesday to vie for the Summer Games as early as 2016. The city has bid for the Olympics at least 10 times.

"Los Angeles is a world-class city with world-class venues and world-class spirit," said the plan's chief backer Councilman Tom LaBonge.

Sharapova in final

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova beat Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2, 6-3 today in Tokyo and will play for the Japan Open title against Mashona Washington of the United States. Washington defeated seventh-seeded Klara Koukalova of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

Thompson retiring

Jenny Thompson, 31, the owner of an American-best career total of 12 Olympic medals, announced that she will retire after the World Short Course Championships this weekend in Indianapolis, the same city where her international career began in 1987. Thompson quit once before, after the 2000 Olympics. This time, she said, she means it.

Wranglers add two

Looking to strengthen their defensive corps, the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers signed Ryan Gaucher and Christian Chartier. Gaucher split time last season between Norfolk of the AHL and Florence of the ECHL. Chartier, a former seventh-round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers, spent most of the past three seasons with the AHL St. John's Maple Leafs.

T-shirt gets heat

USA Gymnastics president Bob Colarossi is asking clothing Abercrombie & Fitch retailer to stop selling a T-shirt that has the slogan "L is for Loser" next to a picture of a gymnast on the still rings. The sport's governing body also asked members to boycott the store until the T-shirt is pulled.

Toronto bowl boosted

A plan to bid for a college football bowl game in Toronto next year won support from a committee of the Toronto Council. A U.S.-based group, Sports World Interactive, wants to stage a game between teams from the Big East and Mid-America conferences at SkyDome in December 2005.

Saiki in lead

Las Vegas resident Kim Saiki shot a 6-under-par 66 to share the first-round lead with Grace Park and Silvia Cavalleri at the LPGA Asahi Ryokuken International Championship in North Augusta, S.C.

Sosa fined

Sammy Sosa was fined $87,400 --one day's salary -- for arriving late to the Cubs' regular-season finale at Wrigley Field and leaving the game early. His agent said Sosa most likely will file a grievance.

Wolves guard hurt

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Adam Boone could miss the 2004-05 season after having surgery Thursday to repair a torn biceps tendon in his right arm.