BERLIN (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday won the first legal battle in favor of its decision to strip the Sydney 2000 Olympics relay medals from team mates of disgraced sprinter Marion Jones. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the relay members' motion to dismiss the case based on a three-year time limit, ruling the IOC's decision to take back the medals was not restricted by any time limit. American Jones was stripped in 2007 of her 100, 200 and 4x400... Read Full Story
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Sacramento Kings produced the NBA's biggest come-from-behind win in 13 years when they clawed back a 35-point deficit to beat the Chicago Bulls 102-98 on Monday. The Bulls led 79-44 with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter before being outscored 58-19 for the remainder of the game. "It's unheard of to do what just happened," Sacramento coach Paul Westphal told reporters. "I'm not even sure I believe it, but it sure was fun." Rookie Tyreke Evans scored nine of his 23... Read Full Story
LONDON (Reuters) - World number four Lee Westwood will join Spain's Sergio Garcia, Colombian Camilo Villegas and American Kenny Perry in a top-class field at next month's Qatar Masters. "Every year we see a strong pool of players confirming Doha in their diaries which is great news for the tournament and golf in the region," Qatar Golf Association president Hassan Al Nuami told the European Tour's website (www.europeantour.com) on Monday. "Last year's lineup was the strongest in the history... Read Full Story
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Organizers of next year's Winter Olympics said on Monday they will help Canadians resell tickets they've bought to the Vancouver Games but do not plan to use themselves. The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) had struggled over what role it would play in the ticket resale market, but said it will allow sellers to charge whatever prices they think the market will bear. VANOC had initially warned it would penalize anyone trying to resell, or "scalp... Read Full Story
VAL D'ISERE, France (Reuters) - Experienced Austrian Benjamin Raich stopped the stunning run of Swiss sensation Carlo Janka by coolly winning a World Cup super-combined event on Friday. Raich, who was in fourth position after the super-G section, held his nerve down the treacherous Bellevarde piste to clock the fastest slalom time and an overall winning mark of two minutes 07.71 seconds. Newcomer Marcel Hirscher came second, 0.89 seconds back, to complete an Austrian one-two in this French... Read Full Story
VAL D'ISERE, France (Reuters) - Austria, often outclassed by Alpine rivals Switzerland since the northern winter began, struck back by placing three men on the podium of a World Cup super-combined event on Friday. The traditionally dominant nation had been struggling lately to keep up with the pace set by the resurgent Swiss. The Austrians reacted in style in Val d'Isere, however, with Benjamin Raich winning ahead of Marcel Hirscher and Romed Baumann sharing third place with Italy's Manfred... Read Full Story
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Three-times champion Robert Allenby capitalized on ideal conditions to take a one-shot lead after the third round at the Australian PGA championship on Saturday. Allenby, who won the title in 2000, 2001 and 2005, posted a five-under 66 that leaves him on nine-under 204 at the Hyatt Regency course in Queensland. Fellow Australians Greg Chalmers (67) and Scott Strange (68) are a shot further back, while Geoff Ogilvy (70), Adam Scott (68) and Michael Sim, who shot the best... Read Full Story
LONDON (Reuters) - Snow flurries glimpsed from the windows of the Manchester Aquatics Center supplied an incongruous backdrop last Thursday for Michael Phelps to discuss his first competitive venture in a British pool. To add to the vaguely surreal atmosphere Phelps, with a woolen hat pulled firmly down across his ears in a concession to the cold, was invited to discuss the marital indiscretions of fellow-American Tiger Woods. Phelps, banned for three months after a photo showed him... Read Full Story
VAL D'ISERE, France (Reuters) - Fraenzi Aufdenblatten pipped the favorites when she led a Swiss one-two in a super-G for her maiden World Cup win at the French resort of Val d'Isere on Sunday. Aufdenblatten powered down the Oreiller-Killy course in one minute 26.43 seconds to beat compatriot Nadia Styger by 0.23 seconds. Hot favorite Lindsey Vonn of the United States came home a disappointing third, 0.26 off the pace, but it was enough for her to take the outright lead in the World Cup... Read Full Story
BEAVER CREEK (Reuters) - Carlo Janka's magnificent season continued on Sunday as the Swiss skier claimed his third World Cup win in as many days with victory in the giant slalom on the Birds of Prey course. Janka, now a heavy favorite for Olympic gold, won the super combined on Friday and then Saturday's downhill and leads the men's overall World Cup standings after his latest triumph in a remarkable start to the season. The 23-year-old Swiss now has five podiums, including three victories... Read Full Story
