U.S. Puts Jones on Its Team for Meet

Marion Jones has been included in the U.S. track and field team for this weekend’s IAAF World Cup at Athens.

Jones has not yet confirmed her participation, USA Track & Field said in a statement Monday, although her manager told Reuters that she was planning to compete in the 100 meters at Athens.

In a telephone interview from his Texas office, Charlie Wells said Jones would race at the World Cup meeting and in Shanghai later this month.

Jones was cleared of doping charges last Wednesday after her “B” sample tested negative for the banned blood-boosting drug erythropoietin, or EPO. Her initial sample had tested positive for the drug at the U.S. championships in June.

HORSE RACING

Valenzuela Seeking Mounts Outside of California

The agent for jockey Patrick Valenzuela said he is seeking mounts for the rider outside California as he awaits the result of a hair follicle test administered by the California Horse Racing Board last week to determine whether Valenzuela had used drugs in recent months.

“They’re asking us not to name him to any mounts in California, but he never had his license suspended,” said agent Tom Knust. A spokesman for the CHRB said the commission has no jurisdiction in other states.

Valenzuela, who passed several urine tests, has not ridden since July 16, shortly before he admitted himself for a six-week stay at a facility that treats patients with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Almost 500 thoroughbreds at Southern California racetracks have had microchips implanted in their necks since July as part of a federally funded identification program, the California Horse Racing Board announced.

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Robyn Norwood

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HOCKEY

Predators Sign Goaltender Vokoun to Extension

The Nashville Predators signed goalie Tomas Vokoun to a four-year extension, giving him the franchise’s richest contract ever at $22.8 million. Vokoun, 30, who sat out the opening round of the playoffs last spring because of blood clots, is 91-69-26 since taking over as the Predators’ starting goalie in December 2002.

The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed free agent Simon Gagne to a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.... Frantisek Kaberle, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Carolina Hurricanes, had shoulder surgery and may sit out up to six months.... Trevor Linden re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $600,000.... The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Duvie Westcott to a three-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season.

MISCELLANY

Federer Is Guaranteed

to End Year No. 1

Roger Federer’s third consecutive U.S. Open tennis title guaranteed he’ll finish a third consecutive year at No. 1 in the rankings. And Andy Roddick’s runner-up finish to Federer moved him from No. 10 to No. 6 in the ATP rankings, ahead of fellow American James Blake. The highest-ranked American woman is Lindsay Davenport at No. 12.

The Charlotte Bobcats signed forward Walter Herrmann of Argentina to a one-year contract.... Center Kendrick Perkins signed a multiyear contract extension with the Boston Celtics.... Almost one month after he agreed to terms of a three-year, $23-million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, forward Drew Gooden signed the deal, which was delayed so he could get a physical.

The attorney for Floyd Landis asked that doping charges be dismissed, hinting for the first time at the Tour de France winner’s defense: that his positive testosterone tests were flawed and did not meet World Anti-Doping Agency standards.

A review board is expected to issue a recommendation on Landis’ case sometime in the next week.

Orlando Magic first-round draft pick J.J. Redick pleaded guilty to drunk-driving charges and received a one-year sentence of unsupervised probation at Durham, N.C.

The former Duke basketball star also received a 60-day suspended license in North Carolina, $410 in fees and court costs and must perform 24 hours of community service.