Jones's Backup Sample To Be Tested This Week

Marion Jones faces a two-year suspension if her backup sample also tests positive for EPO. (By Michael Conroy -- Associated Press)

Marion Jones 's backup sample from the U.S. track and field championships is to be tested late this week, her attorney said yesterday.

The "A" sample from the June 23 test was positive for the banned endurance-enhancer EPO. If the second test is positive, the five-time Olympic medalist could face a minimum two-year suspension from the sport.

"I don't expect we'll have the results right away," attorney Howard Jacobs said. "It will probably take a couple of weeks."

Dogged by doping suspicions for several years, Jones vehemently has denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

The June 23 positive test came after her victory in the 100 meters at the nationals in Indianapolis, her 14th U.S. title but first since 2002.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Three Rutgers players are recovering from a car accident after the vehicle in which they were riding skidded on a wet road and ran into a pole.

The car, driven by senior wide receiver Willie Foster , 21, of Miami, slid while on an exit ramp near the school's campus in Piscataway, N.J., at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Coach Greg Schiano said. Junior defensive end Jamaal Westerman , 20, of Brampton, Ontario, and junior offensive lineman Corey Hyman , 20, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also were in the car, returning from a 36-hour break after completing preseason camp Friday, the coach said. Hyman required some stitches in his head and suffered leg bruises, but still may be able to play in the season opener Saturday at North Carolina, Schiano said. The other two players were not injured.

· SOCCER: David Beckham has signed a two-year contract extension with Real Madrid.

Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon told Spanish television on Sunday night that the English soccer superstar will stay for two more years. His contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

Beckham, who joined Real Madrid in 2003 from Manchester United, played Sunday in the club's opener, a 0-0 draw with Villarreal. Beckham was replaced by Robinho in the 75th minute. . . .

D.C. United midfielder Domenic Mediate will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to repair a broken right fibula suffered in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy, the club announced. Mediate (Maryland) appeared in eight games, starting twice, for United this season. . . .

Former U.S. national team defenders Alexi Lalas and Carla Overbeck , Olympian Al Trost , and key MLS figure Philip Anschutz were inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

· PRO BASKETBALL: The Atlanta Hawks exercised the contract options for the 2007-08 season on Josh Smith , Josh Childress and Marvin Williams , three former first-round draft picks.

-- From News Services and Staff Reports