Support remains for Armstrong

BEIJING — Lance Armstrong still has some support among riders in elite cycling despite a damning report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that detailed testimony from 26 witnesses, including 11 former teammates.

Samuel Sanchez, the 2008 Olympic road race champion, said "until the contrary is proved, he remains innocent."

"Lance has overcome many controls and even until today he has never been found positive in any of them," the Euskaltel-Euskadi rider said in Spanish in a television interview before Thursday's third stage of the Tour of Beijing.

"So about all the accusations that have been poured against him, we have to see what is the goal of all of them, whether it is an economic motive or they want to harm his image.

"We still need to wait to see what's the final decision taken by the UCI (cycling's governing body), and see what it rules," he added. "The UCI has said all the time that it works on today's cycling and not in the cycling of the past."

USADA released about 200 pages filled with vivid details of accusations, portraying Armstrong as a man who spared no expense — financially, emotionally or physically — to win the seven Tour de France titles that the anti-doping agency has ordered to be taken away.

Meanwhile, five of Armstrong's teammates — George Hincapie, Tom Danielson, Levi Leipheimer, Christian Vande Velde and David Zabriskie — have accepted six-month doping suspensions, reduced because they provided evidence that helped the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency make the case to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles.

View the original article here

Rodman sentenced in support case

ORANGE, California — Former NBA star Dennis Rodman might soon find himself working with at-risk teens or cleaning up streets.

Fallen idol: Dennis Rodman leaves family court in Orange, California, on Tuesday. AP

The flamboyant former player known for his rebounding skills and wild, off-court behavior was sentenced Tuesday to 104 hours of community service after being found guilty last year of four counts of contempt for failing to pay child support.

The ruling also placed Rodman, 51, on three years of informal probation on the condition he keep up his child and spousal support payments.

It was the latest development in a series of legal disputes that began in 2004, when Rodman's wife at the time filed for divorce.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson urged Rodman — who wore a black button down shirt and jeans to the family court hearing — to put his basketball skills to good use in his service.

"My suggestion is to use your talents as a motivator, as a fine, fine athlete and as a fine person to assist others in need," Michaelson said.

Rodman still faces additional contempt charges and is accused of owing back child support in an amount that attorneys for Michelle Rodman, his ex-wife, say exceeds $800,000.

The towering Rodman, who sports face jewelry, said he would do whatever community service was required near his home in Florida, possibly working with children.

"It's all about the kids," Rodman said of the ex-couple's two children, after the hearing. "It does suck the fact that it had to come to this."

Rodman was found guilty by a judge of the four counts of contempt involving child support owed in 2009 and 2010.

Rodman's attorney Linnea Willis said the four charges stemmed from a period of time when he was expected to pay $50,000 a month in child support. That amount has since been reduced to $4,500 for child and spousal support. Rodman is now current on those obligations, she said.

Rodman, also known for his sometimes Technicolor hair, married in 2003. For years, he and his former wife have been feuding over custody and support of their children, ages 10 and 11.

Michelle Rodman declined comment after Tuesday's hearing. Her attorney, Jack Kayajanian, said he was pleased with the ruling and an award of $32,500 in attorney's fees.

Outstanding disputes over child support and additional contempt charges will be addressed at a hearing on June 22.

Willis said Rodman owes far less money in back child support than claimed by attorneys for his ex-wife.

Court documents filed earlier this year indicated that Rodman was broke. His tax return from 2010 shows he earned roughly $150,000, but his financial manager Peggy King said he owes significant back taxes.

She also said Rodman's alcoholism has tarnished his image and made it difficult for him to obtain corporate endorsements and other work.

View the original article here

Johnson offers support to Chambers

LONDON — Canada's Ben Johnson on Thursday slammed critics of British sprinter Dwain Chambers, who was banned in 2003 after failing a drug test, saying the sprinter deserved his place at the London Olympics.

Johnson, who was stripped of his 100-meter gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics after testing positive for steroids, said other athletes should look at themselves before casting judgment.

"People shouldn't be pointing fingers, they should be worrying if they pass the test," Johnson told ITV News. "Many people who pointed fingers at me tested positive later on.

"He deserves a second chance," added the former athlete. "There are many people who have done bad things in the world but we don't know."

View the original article here

Huff expresses gratitude for support

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff returned to San Francisco on Friday and issued a statement through the team's media relations department concerning his struggle with anxiety disorder.

Huff thanked the fans, media and Giants organization for the "outpouring of support" during what he called a "very difficult week."

"I'm especially grateful for the texts and calls from my teammates, who are like brothers and have let me know they're here for me," he said.

"My goal is to get back on the field as soon as possible. To do that, I have to focus completely on getting well. I know I'm in a public job, and I've been one of the more open guys. But sometimes you have to pull back and work on things in private. This is one of those times. I appreciate your understanding and patience."

Huff was placed on the disabled list Wednesday. He is batting .182 with one home run and four RBIs in 33 at-bats.

View the original article here

LDP committee lends its support to skater Tran

The Liberal Democratic Party's sports advisory committee that works to fortify national sports said Thursday it will place its support behind world pairs bronze medalist Mervin Tran, who is trying to obtain Japanese citizenship in hope of competing for Japan at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

The committee will make the push on behalf of Tran to a cross-party parliamentry group that backs sports.

Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said at an executive board meeting the same day that the JOC "is willing to make a special request (on behalf of Tran) to the government if necessary."

The 21-year-old Tran, who is Canadian, won a bronze in the pair's competition at this year's world championships with Japan's Narumi Takahashi. Tran also helped Japan to its first title at the World Team Trophy on Saturday.

In principle, five years of residency is required to become a naturalized Japanese citizen. However, exceptions have been made for foreigners who offer special services, as could be the case with Tran.

Japan Skating Federation chief Seiko Hashimoto, a member of the House of Councillors, stressed Tran's proven track record of excellence.

"I would like for him to join the Japanese team for the Olympics. Somehow we need to get the approval of the Diet to clear the way for him," Hashimoto said.

View the original article here

Support near 65 percent for Tokyo bid

The support ratio for Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics turned out to be around 65 percent both within the city and across the nation — below a target of 70 percent, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.

Asked to compare the latest survey results with 60 percent in Tokyo and 62 percent in Japan reported for the failed 2016 bid, a senior Tokyo official said, "I think that's not bad at this point."

Tokyo will add the support ratio to the so-called bid file to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee by Feb. 15.

View the original article here

Former official claims FIFA traded television rights for support

PORT-OF-SPAIN — Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president, said Thursday he was awarded World Cup television rights for as little as $1 in return for helping Sepp Blatter win elections for the presidency of world soccer's ruling body.

Warner, who resigned from FIFA in June amid bribery allegations, said in a statement that the organization awarded him the 1998 World Cup rights in his native Trinidad and Tobago for $1 after he helped Blatter win a "brutal" campaign to become FIFA president.

A former president of regional body CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union, Warner also said he was sold the rights for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups after helping Blatter get re-elected in 2002, and later bought the 2010 and 2014 rights.

The accusations are the latest twist to the corruption accusations and infighting that have dogged FIFA throughout 2011.

FIFA said in a statement that "we are currently looking into the matter."

Once a Blatter ally, Warner switched his allegiance to Qatar's Mohammed bin Hammam during FIFA's presidential election this year. After being suspended by FIFA in May, Warner had threatened to unleash a "tsunami" of corruption allegations against the organization.

On Thursday, Warner said in his statement that he and bin Hammam, a former Asian Football Confederation president, had helped Blatter in 2002 by playing "extremely critical roles in his re-election as well as in preventing several members of the then-Executive Committee from instituting criminal charges against him." Warner did not give details of the possible charges.

TV rights for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups were "again sold to me personally however using the CFU as the vehicle," Warner said, adding that they were subsequently resold.

He said the profits, as with previous rights earnings, were used to fund soccer activities in the Caribbean.

Warner's decision to quit FIFA meant that he avoided an investigation of his alleged role in arranging payments for Caribbean voters during bin Hammam's presidential campaign — a bribery scandal that subsequently led to the Qatari challenger's lifetime ban from soccer. Bin Hammam withdrew his bid after the scandal emerged in May.

In his statement Thursday, Warner claimed FIFA had vainly made him other lucrative offers if he would support Blatter, rather than bin Hammam.

"In 2011, in exchange for my support (and by extension the support of the CFU and the CONCACAF) in the FIFA presidential election, the FIFA again offered me the sale of the World Cup Rights for 2018 and 2022 as a 'gift' at a nominal fee," Warner said.

FIFA also agreed to give CONCACAF a combined total of $1 million for two soccer development projects, Warner claimed.

"Notwithstanding the inducements offered, I . . . refused to endorse Sepp Blatter for the 2011 FIFA Presidential election . . .," the statement added.

According to Warner, a 28-year veteran of FIFA's executive committee, there are more revelations to come.

He said that he would make further disclosures next week, including "why I could not support Sepp Blatter's re-election," and "why Caribbean football will never be for sale."

The bribery scandal involving Warner and bin Hammam was sparked when whistle-blowers from four Caribbean countries reported that cash was offered during bin Hammam's May 10 visit to Trinidad ahead of the FIFA vote for the presidency.

A video of Warner urging Caribbean soccer leaders to accept their cash gifts was leaked and published on the website of Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Bin Hammam is appealing his FIFA ban and is awaiting a date for a hearing from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

View the original article here

Blatter reaffirms support for Japan

Visiting FIFA president Sepp Blatter told Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Monday that he hopes the Club World Cup in December will boost Japan's morale and aid in rebuilding efforts of the disaster-hit country.

All smiles: FIFA president Sepp Blatter meets Prime Minister Naoto Kan in Tokyo on Monday. KYODO PHOTO

Blatter told Kan at the outset of their meeting at the premier's office that he and FIFA were "happy" the Club World Cup will return to Japan after the tournament was staged in the United Arab Emirates the last two years.

Blatter, who said FIFA is considering pledging another $1 million to $3 million in emergency aid to the Japan Football Association, wished to send a message to the victims of the twin natural disasters on March 11 that "through football, there is hope."

FIFA has already donated $1.5 million to the JFA for the rebuilding of a sports medical facility in Fukushima Prefecture.

Kan, for his part, thanked world soccer's governing body for its assistance to Japan.

"Everything is ready to organize FIFA's Club World Cup. We will do it, and we will do it in December as scheduled," Blatter said during an evening press conference at JFA House.

"I wanted to address Naoto Kan, the prime minister, for his courage because he had to stand there with the nation and before the nation. I was very happy to meet with the officials of football but also the officials and leadership in politics to express the support of the whole (football) family in such a difficult situation."

Blatter, who also met with sports minister Yoshiaki Takaki, said hosting the Club World Cup laid proof the sports world was uniting to rally Japan.

The world gymnastics championships in October has been green-lighted, while the volleyball World Cup in September is also set to be held according to original plans.

"I am glad to see all the international federations are going in the same directions, the volleyball federation and gymnastics," Blatter said. "So there is again a solidarity between the sports organizations."

Said JFA president Junji Ogura, "We're very happy President Blatter took the time to come out all the way out here even with the FIFA Congress coming up."

"It was our wish for key government officials to explain to Mr. Blatter in person the situation of our country, so that he could decide on the organization of the Club World Cup."

Blatter's one-day trip to Japan came in the wake of foreign concerns over the nation's safety in hosting events following the earthquake and tsunami in March, and the ongoing nuclear power plant crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

View the original article here