OLYMPIC ROUNDUP News and notes

Bush to attend opening ceremonies: President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, the White House said Thursday. The announcement quashed any talk of a presidential boycott over China’s violent crackdown after anti-government riots and protests in Tibet. The White House had been reluctant to confirm Bush’s plans for the opening event, although there was no doubt he would attend the Olympic Games. While other world leaders have talked of boycotting the Aug. 8 opening ceremonies, Bush’s aides have signaled for weeks he was unlikely to do so. White House press secretary Dana Perino said Bush will travel in August to South Korea, Thailand and China and will attend the opening ceremonies of the games with first lady Laura Bush. The specific dates of travel were not released.

Gymnast warned: Gymnast Morgan Hamm, who was selected for his third Olympic team last month, received a warning Thursday for getting a prescribed anti-inflammatory shot without the proper clearance from anti-doping authorities. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Hamm tested positive May 24 at the U.S. gymnastics championships for a glucocorticosteroid, a cortisone-like drug that is only allowed during competitions with an exemption. Hamm said he received the shot May 2 for pain and inflammation in his left ankle, which he initially injured last August. “It was an innocent mistake,” the Ohio State graduate said. “You always need to get the forms, that’s the most important thing, and that’s my failure.” Hamm accepted the warning for his first doping violation, and his results from the May 24 competition at nationals were thrown out. Results from that day, as well as the first day of nationals and two days of Olympic trials, were used to help determine the U.S. team for Beijing.

Chambers hopes to overturn ban: Dwain Chambers’ lawyers launched a court appeal Thursday to overturn the British sprinter’s lifetime ban from the Olympics so he can compete in the Beijing Games. Chambers’ legal team filed court papers against the British Olympic Association, saying its bylaw that bans drug cheats from the British team is unreasonable. Chambers, the former European 100-meter champion, is hoping the case will be heard by London’s High Court before the British Olympic trials start on July 11. He wants to compete in the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games. “The basis of Mr. Chambers’ claim is that the bylaw is an unreasonable restraint of trade in that it goes further than is reasonably necessary for protecting the interests of BOA and the public,” lawyer Nick Collins said in a statement. Collins also said the BOA rule was “inherently unfair and unreasonable given the surrounding circumstances.” The BOA vowed to fight the appeal.

Associated Press