Chemist jailed for role in steroid scandal

The chemist who created “the clear,” a previously undetectable steroid, was sentenced Friday to three months in prison and three months’ home confinement for his role in the BALCO drug scandal.

Patrick Arnold was the last of five defendants convicted of steroid- distribution charges connected to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, a nutritional supplement company federal authorities exposed as a steroid distribution ring for top athletes.

•Justin Gatlin insisted on running at the national championships in June even after USA Track & Field officials asked him to withdraw over his positive drug test, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press.

Because only the “A” sample result was available from the April test, USATF had no authority to bar Gatlin from competing.

Results of the backup “B” sample are required before a doping test is considered positive.

•Tour de France winner Floyd Landis will find out today whether his backup “B” sample tested positive for doping – a result that could cost the American cyclist the title and lead to a two-year ban.

•Hurdler Cordera Jenkins has accepted a deferred three-month suspension after testing positive for marijuana.

Basketball

Police zap Piston

Detroit Pistons center Dale Davis was shocked with a stun gun and charged with assault and disorderly conduct in an altercation with Miami Beach police. He was arrested at a Miami Beach hotel and accused of threatening police, security guards and shouting profanities, police said.

•The Phoenix Suns signed Leandro Barbosa to a five-year, $33 million contract extension.

•The Dallas Mavericks have released 7-foot-5 Russian center Pavel Podkolzin, a former first-round pick.

Tennis

Agassi withdraws

Andre Agassi withdrew from next week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto. The event was to be his final Canadian stop before the 36-year-old star ends his 20-year career at the U.S. Open.

•Venus Williams withdrew from next week’s JPMorgan Chase Open in Carson, Calif., because of a wrist injury that has sidelined her since Wimbledon.

Miscellany

Flyers acquire Calder

The NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers acquired left wing Kyle Calder from the Chicago Blackhawks for center Michal Handzus.

•Chris Colwill rallied to upset defending national champion Troy Dumais in the 3-meter final in the U.S. National Diving Championships in Indianapolis.

•Ohio State and Oklahoma will play a home-and-home college football series in 2016-17.