Times wires
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
CYCLing
Lab Chief Gives Contradicting Account to Feds
LOS ANGELES — Martial Saugy, director of the Swiss antidoping laboratory that has become a focal point in Lance Armstrong doping allegations, informed federal authorities in September that Armstrong's test results from the 2001 Tour de Suisse were "suspicious" and "consistent with EPO use," the Associated Press reported.
Last week, Saugy told a Swiss newspaper that he didn't know for certain if any of the four results belonged to the seven-time Tour de France winner, contradicting what he told officials from the FBI, and antidoping authorities, according to the AP. Though Saugy was not under oath, there are potential legal ramifications for lying to authorities working on a federal probe.
On Wednesday, the AP reported that Saugy had confirmed to officials investigating doping in cycling that, after learning of the test results, he met with Armstrong and the manager of his U.S. Postal team, Johan Bruyneel, at the direction of the International Cycling Union. A "suspicious" result is not considered a positive.
Armstrong has denied doping, long invoking the fact that he has never tested positive. Armstrong attorney Mark Fabiani criticized the AP's reporting, saying the investigation was characterized by "unlawful leaks."
The AP said that on three occasions Saugy told authorities about the Armstrong tests and had agreed to turn over the results to antidoping officials, but he never produced them.
Saugy didn't reply to an e-mail seeking comment.
Soccer
FIFA makes Blatter return official
Stung by allegations of mismanagement and corruption, Sepp Blatter held onto his spot as the leader of world soccer, winning a one-man election.
"We have been hit, and I personally have been slapped," Blatter, 75, told delegates of FIFA's congress. "I don't want that ever again."
Blatter won a fourth four-year term, receiving 186 out of 203 votes, though his sole challenger, Qatari executive committee member Mohamed bin Hammam, withdrew last weekend amid bribery allegations and has been suspended along with vice president Jack Warner.
autos
Patrick sponsor speculates '12 plan
GoDaddy.com CEO Bob Parsons, a major sponsor behind IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, told USA Today he expects her to try to run next year's Indy 500 even if she goes to NASCAR on a full-time basis.
Told of Parson's comments, Patrick, who led 10 laps at the Indy 500, reiterated she is still considering her options. She will race Saturday in NASCAR's Nationwide series at Chicagoland Speedway.
Et cetera
NFL: Despite the uncertainty that there will even be a season, the NFL is ahead of the pace on season-ticket sales compared with this point last year, the Sports Business Journal reported. That may be, in part, because many teams started their sales earlier this year in anticipation of a potential lockout. Details on the sales numbers had not been determined.
Greyhounds: Kiowa Tori Tech and Storm Rush won to advance in the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Other qualifiers for Saturday night's finale: Backwood Cody, Cool Pinto Bay, Hi Noon Renegade, Kiowa Class King, M's Free Agent and Uss Gazillionair.
Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires