Saturday, June 21, 2008
A Florida federal judge says barred sprinter Justin Gatlin should be allowed to compete at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.
U.S. District Judge Lacey A. Collier's temporary restraining order is only in effect for 10 days, and the trials don't begin until June 27 in Eugene, Ore.
Gatlin's attorney, Joe Zarzaur, says his client is "guardedly, cautiously optimistic."
A Monday hearing in Pensacola has been set to discuss the order.
"We respect and will participate in the process," USA Track and Field spokeswoman Jill Geer said. "Our general counsel [ Lamont] Jones will be in Florida on Monday to be part of the hearing."
Gatlin's complaint alleged that penalizing him for a 2001 doping violation, which involved medication he was taking for attention deficit disorder, violates the Americans with Disability Act.
Two weeks ago, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a four-year doping ban against the reigning Olympic 100-meter gold medalist. Gatlin asked CAS to rescind the 2001 doping violation -- his first of two -- which he had hoped would reduce his penalty to a two-year ban, allowing him to compete at trials.
· PRO FOOTBALL: The Washington Redskins have signed sixth-round draft pick Kareem Moore and released cornerback John Eubanks.
Moore was a standout safety at Nicholls State. He had arthroscopic knee surgery a few days after he was drafted in April and was not able to take part in any offseason practices. He also is expected to miss part of training camp, which begins July 20.
Eubanks played in six season games, primarily on special teams, with the Redskins last year. . . .
A foreclosure sale has been published involving the home of former Tennessee Titan Adam"Pacman" Jones.
Jones has defaulted on the terms and conditions of a mortgage with U.S. Bank, according to a notice of foreclosure sale published Thursday in the Tennessean newspaper in Nashville.
The home and 30 acres, located in a Nashville suburb, will be sold June 27 on the steps of the old Williamson County Courthouse. . . .
The NFL Network and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN are in talks about a partnership, a person familiar with the talks told the Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because the negotiations are ongoing.
A deal could end a long standoff between the league and cable carriers, some of whom said the NFL was asking them to pay too much for its programming.
· BOXING:2008 Silver Gloves champion Antonio McGruder, 16, of Suitland defeated Luis Cortez of Las Vegas to win the light bantamweight title at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Marquette, Mich. McGruder held the defending champion scoreless in the first two minutes on his way to a 10-5 decision.
· PRO BASKETBALL: The NBA wants disgraced referee Tim Donaghy to pay the league $1.4 million, including his wages for games on which he bet or provided inside tips to gamblers. The written demand, filed Thursday in federal court, asks a judge to force Donaghy to pay the sum as restitution in his gambling case. . . .
The New York Knicks added three assistants to coach Mike D'Antoni's staff, retaining Herb Williams from Isiah Thomas's crew and signing former Suns assistants Phil Weber and Dan D'Antoni.
· SOCCER: Manchester United vowed to block Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid after the Portugal winger stated his desire to advance his career by leaving Old Trafford. Ronaldo said there was a "great" possibility he will move to Real and plans to give more details about the "dream" move over the weekend. But United issued a statement -- described on its Web site as a "defiant message" -- stressing its prized asset won't be sold: "United are not listening to offers."
· HOCKEY: After coaching in the minors for 13 seasons -- and winning five championships -- John Anderson finally landed a coveted NHL job when the Atlanta Thrashers announced him as the fourth coach in franchise history.
-- From News Services and Staff Reports
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