In brief: USADA will measure body chemistry
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has launched the opening phase of a voluntary pilot program it hopes will improve the accuracy of doping tests.
The anti-doping agency will profile the body chemistry of 12 participating athletes using a series of blood and urine tests, and those measurements will be used as a baseline for subsequent tests.
The program was described to the Associated Press by two people familiar with it, but who did not want to be identified because final details are still being worked out.
At a news conference Wednesday, track athletes Bryan Clay and Allyson Felix each announced they were part of the project, called “Project Believe.”
Cyclist Kristin Armstrong had previously told AP she was asked to join a USADA pilot program.
“I know for me, anytime I get an opportunity to let someone know I’m clean, I take it,” said Clay, a decathlete. “USADA picked a few athletes that they’re going to test a whole lot. The goal is to prove we’re clean instead of dirty, and we want to be part of that.”
College basketball
Love announces today
UCLA All-American Kevin Love will announce his plans for next season at a campus news conference today.
The freshman center led the Bruins in scoring (17.5 points) and rebounds (10.6). The Bruins lost in the national semifinals to Memphis and finished the season with a 35-4 record.
College players have until April 27 to declare for the NBA draft.
“Tyreke Evans, the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game last month, announced that he will spend next season at Memphis.
“Travis Ford is leaving Massachusetts to take over the Oklahoma State program, UMass confirmed.
“Kansas State coach Frank Martin signed a five-year contract that will keep him with the Wildcats through the 2011-12 season.
“A domestic assault complaint has been dismissed against Memphis’ Robert Dozier.
Football
Stadium news set
Edward P. Roski Jr., a part owner of the Kings and Lakers who has spent several years trying to lure an NFL team to the Los Angeles area, has scheduled a news conference at Staples Center to make a “major announcement” concerning the league and L.A.
Today, Roski will unveil his latest concept for a stadium in the City of Industry, near the southern intersection of the 57 and 60 freeways some 20 miles east of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Roski didn’t immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.
“The Jacksonville Jaguars released former WSU Cougars safety Lamont Thompson.
“Wally Kleine, a football standout who played defensive tackle for Notre Dame and the Washington Redskins, died of heart failure at his home in Midland, Texas. He was 43.
Tennis
U.S. team goes young
Teenager Madison Brengle and former South African player Liezel Huber could appear for the star-deprived U.S. team in the Fed Cup semifinals against Russia.
Brengle, an 18-year-old right-hander from Dover, Del., was one of the four players chosen to represent the Americans next weekend in the best-of-5 series.
Huber, Vania King and Ahsha Rolle also were chosen to face Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anna Chakvetadze, Dinara Safina and Elena Vesnina on indoor clay in Moscow.