Chicago is among the fourfinalists for 2016 Olympics

Chicago was one of four cities selected as bid finalists for the 2016 Summer Olympics on Thursday in Athens, joining Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

Failing to make the International Olympic Committee short list were Doha, Qatar; Prague, Czech Republic; and Baku, Azerbaijan.

The finalists now advance to a 16-month race that will end on Oct. 2, 2009, with a secret ballot by the full IOC at its session in Copenhagen.

Chicago, trying to bring the Olympics back to the United States for the first time since 1996, got a dose of reality in the IOC’s report assessing the technical bids, which cited problems with finances and transportation, among others.

Madrid was third in the vote for the 2012 Olympics. Tokyo held the Summer Games in 1964 and Rio de Janiero would become the first South American city to host the Olympics.

PRO FOOTBALL

‘Pacman’ practices, even defends Owens

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, partially reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the 2007 season over legal problems, was matched up against Terrell Owens on a couple of plays in his first workout open to the media in Irving, Texas.

Nicholas Kaczur, a 28-year-old starting right tackle for the New England Patriots, worked as an informant for federal drug agents after he was arrested in New York on a charge of carrying the painkiller oxycodone without a prescription, said an attorney for the alleged supplier Daniel Ekasala.

Kaczur denied to the Boston Globe that he participated in the investigation. Neither the Patriots nor the U.S. attorney’s office would comment.

Two weeks after announcing defensive end Jason Taylor wouldn’t practice with the team through training camp, Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano said he told Taylor that he and the organization want him back.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for the first two games of the season and fined an additional game check for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“Inside the NFL,” which ended its 31-year run on HBO in February, will return on Showtime on Wednesdays starting Sept. 10.

SOCCER

Red Bulls’ Altidore will be going to Spain

Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore appeared headed for Villarreal, with the Spanish first-division club agreeing to a transfer deal with Major League Soccer for New York’s 18-year-old forward.

FC Porto lost its place in next season’s Champions League after the UEFA barred it over a 2003-04 referee bribery scandal. Porto will appeal.

Roberto Donadoni, Italy’s coach since 2006, signed a two-year contract extension.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said a spectator who used a racial slur during a May 24 match between Columbus and the New England Revolution at Crew Stadium will be banned from games for life if he can be identified on video.

MISCELLANY

Another postponement in lawsuit against Bush

The civil lawsuit against former USC running back Reggie Bush has once again been postponed in San Diego because of wrangling between the attorneys.

The attorney for Lloyd Lake, suing Bush over an alleged failed business deal, said he was notified Wednesday evening that Bush’s attorneys want the case to go to arbitration. Attorney Brian Watkins said Bush’s attorneys claimed they have the right to demand arbitration because of an earlier settlement between Bush and Lake’s former business partner Michael Michaels.

Bush’s attorneys could not be reached for comment.

The delay means that Lake will not be deposed by Bush’s attorneys as scheduled today. Watkins said he would go to court to ask that Michaels’ deposition go on as scheduled Monday.

-- David Wharton

The Kings continue to rapidly accumulate draft picks, acquiring a fifth-round choice for 2009 from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman T.J. Fast.

-- Lisa Dillman

Brian Keith Patch, a 36-year-old skateboarder, pleaded not guilty in Santa Ana to a charge of having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Patch was scheduled for a July 24 hearing.