Track coach Graham banned for life by USADA

By Eric Sondheimer

July 16, 2008 12 AM PT

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Track coach Trevor Graham received a lifetime ban from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday for his role in helping his athletes obtain performance-enhancing drugs.

Graham has been banned from participating in any event sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the IAAF, USA Track and Field or any group that participates in the World Anti-Doping Agency program.

He was convicted in May of one count of lying to federal investigators about his relationship to an admitted steroids dealer.

He’s still awaiting sentencing and has asked a judge to toss out his conviction.

Graham already was banned from all USOC-sponsored facilities and had become a pariah in his sport, connected with too many athletes involved in doping -- Marion Jones, Justin Gatlin and Tim Montgomery to name a few.

BASKETBALL

Lakers’ Walton to have bone spurs removed

Lakers forward Luke Walton will undergo surgery Friday to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

The surgery will be performed in Los Angeles by Dr. David Thordarson.

The Lakers said they would issue an update, including an estimate for Walton’s recovery time, after the surgery.

Clippers center Chris Kaman scored 10 points in his debut with Germany in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens.

Germany defeated Cape Verde, 104-68, as Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks scored 16 points.

New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler has accepted an invitation to train with the U.S. national team in Las Vegas later this month, shortly before the team departs for the Olympics in China.

Whether the 7-foot-1 Chandler travels to China with the squad has yet to be decided. It may depend on whether starting center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic recovers fully from a chest injury.

FOOTBALL

Colts’ Manning has surgery on left knee

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had surgery on an infected bursa sac in his left knee.

Manning, 32, had the procedure Monday and will miss four to six weeks. The Colts open the season on Sept. 7 against Chicago.

Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin agreed to a $39-million, six-year deal that includes a $9-million signing bonus and guarantees him about $15 million.

The Chicago Bears signed running back Kevin Jones to a one-year deal worth $605,000. During four years with Detroit, Jones rushed for 3,067 yards.

MISCELLANY

Brazil’s Ronaldinho transfers to AC Milan

Ronaldinho transferred to AC Milan, leaving FC Barcelona after the club’s new coach declared the team would plan for next season without the Brazilian playmaker.

The Italian club said Ronaldinho would arrive in Milan today to get a medical exam and sign a contract through June 30, 2011. Barcelona said AC Milan will pay $33.4 million for Ronaldinho, plus $6.3 million if it clinches a place in next season’s Champions League.

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque was hired to become the national soccer coach of Spain, the team Luis Aragones led to the European Championship title last month.

Former U.S. national captain and current New York Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna plans to announce his retirement today, a person familiar with the decision said.

Top-seeded James Blake looked rusty before he rallied to beat unheralded Israeli Dudi Sela, 7-6 (2), 6-2, in a first-round match at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships.

Blake hadn’t played a singles match since losing to Rainer Schuettler in the second round at Wimbledon last month.

Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder had an easy time with Amber Liu, winning 6-1, 6-1, in her opening-round match at the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford.

Two-time Olympic canoeing gold medalist Gyorgy Kolonics died after collapsing in his canoe during training in Budapest, Hungary. He was 36.

The Hungarian Olympic Committee said Kolonics lost consciousness Tuesday and paramedics were not able to resuscitate him. The committee said the probable cause of death was heart failure.

The 43-day Del Mar meeting begins today at 2 p.m. with a nine-race card, highlighted by split divisions of the Oceanside Stakes at one mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course for 3-year-olds.

There will be 31 major stakes during the meeting, including the $1-million Grade I Pacific Classic on Aug. 24. This weekend will feature the $400,000 Grade I Eddie Read Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the turf on Sunday. Racing will take place six days a week, with Tuesday dark.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Aaron Goldberg shot a four-under-par 67 and earned medalist honors in the stroke play qualifying portion of the 83rd U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Denver.

The San Diego native had a two-day total of 10-under-par 132 to beat Rickie Fowler of Murrieta by one stroke.

The Ducks acquired left wing Joakim Lindstrom from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2010 draft.

The Ducks also signed 2007 first-round pick Logan MacMillan to a three-year entry-level contract.