Sprinter Collins Banned Eight Years for Doping

Champion sprinter Michelle Collins was banned from competition for eight years after an arbitration panel ruled Friday that she used a collection of illicit performance-enhancing drugs, making her the 13th athlete sanctioned for violations linked to the BALCO scandal.

Collins, 33, the 2003 world indoor 200-meter champion from Garland, Texas, did not fail a sanctioned drug test.

But there was other evidence of doping “beyond a reasonable doubt,” including e-mails from Collins in which she admitted using or asked about how she should pay for banned substances, the three-member panel said.

Her case marks the first from the BALCO scandal in which an arbitration panel reached a finding of liability based not on a positive test but on other evidence, what doping experts call a “non-analytical positive case.”

BALCO is a nutritional supplement lab in Burlingame, Calif., whose founder, Victor Conte, and three other men face federal steroid distribution charges.Terry Madden, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s chief executive, said in a statement that the ruling “confirms that those who violate the rules will be sanctioned.” Collins’ attorney, Brian Getz of San Francisco, said, “We are very disappointed and considering our options.”

Some track and field stars who similarly had not failed a drug test but were confronted with other evidence pointing to doping had in recent months acknowledged culpability and, in return, received lesser suspensions.

A number of other non-analytical positive cases remain under review, including that of Tim Montgomery, the world-record holder at 100 meters.

Alan Abrahamson

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Winter Sports

Bode Miller of Franconia, N.H., was disqualified for wearing a giant slalom suit instead of downhill gear while finishing fifth in a World Cup training run at Val d’Isere, France.

Miller, winner of both downhill races this season and the World Cup overall leader, left the course by the time the disqualification was announced. The move has no bearing on his participation in today’s race.

Giant slalom suits are fitted with plastic padding to protect skiers when they hit gates in the technical disciplines. The padding makes them more aerodynamic and faster than the bulky downhill outfits.

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College Volleyball

Led by Bibiana Candelas’ 16 kills, USC defeated San Diego, 30-26, 30-20, 25-30, 30-20, to advance to the final of the Louisville Regional in the NCAA Division I women’s tournament.

The Trojans used a 5-0 run to take a 22-9 lead in the fourth game. Devon Forster had 19 kills to lead the Toreros (24-5).

USC (22-5) will play Nebraska (30-1), which advanced with a 30-22, 32-30, 30-19 victory over host Louisville (23-11).

UCLA (21-10) advanced to the final of the Seattle Regional with a 30-24, 22-30, 30-25, 30-28 victory over Penn State (29-3). Nancy Barba and Nana Meriwether each had 16 kills to lead the Bruins, who play Washington (27-2). The Huskies defeated St. Mary’s, 30-20, 30-20, 30-20.

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Golf

Bradley Hughes took a four-stroke lead in the Australian Masters at Melbourne, and Peter Lonard was five shots behind in his bid to became the first player to complete the Australian Slam.

Hughes completed the rain-delayed first round with an eight-under-par 64 and shot a 66 in the second round. He is at 14-under 130.

Lonard shot a 67. The first two legs of the slam were the Australian Open and Australian PGA. Robert Allenby was second after a 68.

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Miscellany

J.C. Agajanian, John Force, Jeremy McGrath, Roger Penske and Ivan Stewart have been nominated for the sixth annual Eagle One-Shav Glick Award. The award recognizes distinguished contribution to motorsports in California. Previous winners were Dan Gurney, Wally Parks, Parnelli Jones, Rick Mears and Les Richter.

Named in honor of the long-time motorsports writer for The Los Angeles Times and recent inductee into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, the award will be presented during pre-race ceremonies at the NASCAR Auto Club 500, on Feb. 27 at California Speedway.

The MetroStars acquired defender Jeff Agoos, a nine-year MLS veteran, from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2005 MLS draft.

Passings

Ed Sudol, the plate umpire when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, died Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was 84.... Bob King, men’s basketball coach at New Mexico from 1963 to 1972, died Friday in Albuquerque. He was 81. King, hospitalized since taking a fall at his home on Nov. 16, led the Lobos to Western Athletic Conference titles in 1964 and 1968.

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Mike Penner is on vacation.