Prosecution Rests Case in Trial Over Olympic Gifts

The Justice Department wrapped up its case Thursday in the trial of two men accused of plying International Olympic Committee delegates with $1 million in cash, gifts and favors to win Salt Lake City’s bid to host the 2002 Winter Games.

Tom Welch, who led the Olympic bid effort, and Dave Johnson, his deputy, were charged in a 15-count federal indictment with racketeering, fraud and conspiracy.

U.S. District Court Judge David Sam said he would hear arguments on a defense motion to dismiss the case for lack of proof. He said he would rule on it today.

Golf

Mathias Gronberg shot a three-under-par 69 for a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament at Winter Garden, Fla. He is at eight-under 136.

Jeff Freeman (68), Bradley Hughes (69), Danny Briggs (70), Kevin Na (67) and Jon Mills (68) were tied for second at 137.

The top 30 players after the sixth round Monday will receive 2004 PGA Tour cards, and the remaining players will get exempt or conditional status on the Nationwide Tour.

Winter Sports

Ole Einar Bjorndalen led a Norwegian sweep of the top four places in a season-opening World Cup biathlon event at Kontiolahti, Finland.

Bjorndalen, who won three gold medals at the Salt Lake City Olympics, finished the 10-kilometer sprint in 29 minutes 44 seconds, winning by 25.1 seconds.

It was his 39th World Cup victory.

Miscellany

Trainer Mark Shuman was suspended for 20 days and fined $5,000 after one of his horses was given medication too close to a race.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board issued the ruling Wednesday, stating that the horse, Askara, had an ankle injected with a steroid within the five-day limit, and was also given Celebrex, a drug used to treat arthritis, within the seven-day limit.

Askara, who finished second in a race at Belmont Park on Sept. 17, was disqualified and taken out of the order of finish.

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Antuan Simmons, a defensive back who was USC’s team captain in 2001, has signed a one-year contract with the Avengers of the Arena Football League.... The world champion U.S. women’s water polo team beat third-ranked Russia, 7-5, and No. 4 Canada, 9-6, on the second day of the Holiday Cup at the National Aquatic Center in Los Alamitos.... Taylor Knox, 32, was the best performer after the first elimination round at the Rip Curl Cup surfing event at Sunset Beach in Hawaii.