Sydney Drug Agency Increases Testing

Stung by revelations that athletes were avoiding doping tests, the Australian Sports Drug Agency vowed to boost its efforts to hunt down drug cheats before the Sydney Olympics.

Australia’s government-backed anti-doping watchdog, which already conducts 70% of its doping tests outside of competition, is planning to increase its no-notice tests before the Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Olympics.

The agency has been contracted by the International Olympic Committee to conduct at least 400 pre-Games tests throughout Australia, starting Saturday.

Agency chief executive Natalie Howson warned Thursday that international athletes planning to arrive late would not escape the net, nor would athletes trying to relocate to remote areas or otherwise avoid testers.

“The message to athletes thinking they can avoid detection in Sydney: Don’t risk it,” she said.

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Matt Lindland was put on the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team for Sydney after the International Olympic Committee said he could be substituted for rival Keith Sieracki as ordered by a federal judge.

While awaiting a ruling from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sieracki said a videotape recorded by USA Wrestling shows Lindland biting Sieracki’s ear during their 167 1/2-pound qualifying match at the Olympic trials two months ago in Dallas.

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Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates said he will apologize to the United States team over racial slurs by Australian long jumper Jai Taurima.

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Defense lawyers asked for an indefinite delay in the Olympic fraud trial at Salt Lake City, saying charges against the leaders of Salt Lake’s bid for the 2002 Winter Games are so sweeping they need more time to prepare.

Lawyers for Tom Welch and Dave Johnson asked to postpone the Oct. 16 trial date and requested six more weeks to file motions to dismiss some charges.

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Former Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley turned down an invitation to become chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee, but will probably join the USOC’s board of directors later this year.

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Swimmer Amy Van Dyken plans to retire after the Sydney Games.

Van Dyken, who won four gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and came back from two shoulder operations to earn a spot on this year’s U.S. team, told the Denver Rocky Mountain News that her body is beginning to wear down.

Miscellany

The Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to undisclosed terms with goalie Marc Denis on a multiyear contract. . . . Goalie Brian Boucher signed a two-year contract to remain with the Philadelphia Flyers. . . . The Phoenix Coyotes signed defensemen Joel Bouchard and Dave MacIntyre to one-year contracts. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed restricted free-agent defenseman Pavel Kubina to a two-year contract. . . . The Long Beach Ice Dogs named Rene Chapdelaine assistant general manager.

The NCAA Foundation has received a gift of more than $2.5 million from USA Today to establish a scholarship program recognizing colleges and universities that are graduating student-athletes at the highest rates.

A soccer player who punched a referee during a game at Muskegon, Mich., received a 15-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to assault and battery.

Chung Jung, 34, of Muskegon, also was ordered to serve one year of probation and fined $300.

A funeral service for Christian Castaneda, a 15-year-old Garfield High football player who died last week from head trauma, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at Church of San Francisco, 4800 E. Olympic Blvd. in Los Angeles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through Washington Mutual Bank, (323) 726-4102.