Sports briefs for September 21, 2004

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 | 10:43 a.m.

U.S. Olympics champ shows doping traces

Olympic time-trial champion Tyler Hamilton of the United States is being investigated for possible blood doping and could be stripped of his gold medal.

Tests at the Athens Olympics on Aug. 19 and at the Spanish Vuelta on Sept. 18 showed evidence of blood from another person, cycling's governing body said, according to a spokesman for Hamilton's team, Phonak. Follow-up tests were scheduled for later today.

If found guilty of a violation at the Olympics, Hamilton would lose his gold. Three athletes had gold medals revoked for doping during the Aug. 13-29 games.

Phonak spokesman Georges Luedinger said Hamilton denied having a transfusion -- which can boost an athlete's performance by increasing the amount of oxygen-transporting red blood cells in his system.

"Tyler told us he did nothing," Luedinger said. Phonak planned a news conference in Zurich later today.

A record 24 athletes -- none American -- were caught with drug-test violations at the Athens Olympics.

Asked about Hamilton's reported positive test at the Olympics, IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch said, "For the moment, I can't confirm or deny anything."

Games called off

The Pittsburgh Penguins joined the San Jose Sharks as having canceled their home exhibition games and home opener because of the lockout of NHL players that began Wednesday when the league's collective bargaining agreement expired.

Japanese play again

Baseball returned to Japan on Monday after all weekend games were wiped out by the first players' strike in the sport's 70-year history in the country. All 12 games Saturday and Sunday were called off, leading to losses for teams estimated to be about $17 million.

AFL adds Utah team

Arena Football League directors approved Salt Lake City's expansion bid and terminated three teams -- the Carolina Cobras, Detroit Fury and Indiana Firebirds -- giving the league 20 teams for the 2005 season. An expansion franchise previously had been approved for Nashville.

Man U drops Howard

American goalkeeper Tim Howard was dropped by Manchester United for a 2-1 victory against Liverpool because of mistakes that cost the team in the previous two games.

Coaching great dies

Pete Cutino, who coached California to eight water polo collegiate national championships, died of apparent heart failure near his Monterey, Calif., home. He was 71.

European TPC richer

The Players Championship of Europe will carry a prize fund of 3.3 million euros ($4 million) next year, 10 percent more than 2004, the tournament's sponsor said today.