Track world rocked by positive drug tests

Track world rocked by positive drug tests

The list reads like a Who’s Who among the world’s sprinters: Jamaican Asafa Powell, the former world-record holder at 100 meters. American champion Tyson Gay, who went out of his way to promote himself as an anti-drug athlete. Jamaican Sherone Simpson, who has a gold and two silver Olympic medals to her credit.

Word came Sunday that all three had failed drug tests. “A sad day,” one former track official called it — and certainly a day that punctured the myth that the sport has cleaned up its act.

The 30-year-old Powell, whose 100-meter record of 9.74 stood until 2008, was calling for an investigation as to how a stimulant called oxilofrine entered his system and caused a positive test at Jamaica’s national championships in June.

Simpson, who tested positive for the same stimulant, said she “would not intentionally take an illegal substance of any form into my system.”

Gay, the American-record holder in the 100, was more contrite, though he wasn’t taking full responsibility. “I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games,” said Gay, who fought back sobs in a telephone interview. “I don’t have any of those stories. I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”

Diamondbacks 3B Davidson leads US, 4-2

NEW YORK

Arizona prospect Matt Davidson hit a two-run shot Sunday that sent the United States past the World Team 4-2 in the All-Star Futures Game, baseball’s annual showcase for top minor league prospects. The game turned into a big day for the Diamondbacks. In addition to Davidson’s drive, Chris Owings looked silky smooth at shortstop. On the mound, right-hander Archie Bradley worked a perfect inning, showing off his 98 mph fastball and sharp curve.

Baseball America recently rated Bradley the game’s top pitching prospect. He passed up a chance to play quarterback for Oklahoma back home. “It kind of felt like we stole the show a little bit,” Bradley said.

History shows that many of the talented kids in this game aren’t far off from major league success. Nineteen players from last year’s Futures Game have reached the big leagues this season.

Penn State to open 2014 season in Ireland

It’s official. Penn State will open the 2014 season against Central Florida in Dublin, Ireland.

The formal announcement came Sunday in Dublin. The Nittany Lions will play the first international game in their 127-year football history on Aug. 30, 2014, against the Knights at the city’s Croke Park, the headquarters of Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association.

Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner and UCF head coach George O’Leary were in Ireland for the announcement at halftime of the Leinster Senior Football Championship final between Dublin and Meath.

The Nittany Lions and the Knights will play this season on Sept. 14 at Beaver Stadium.

The 2014 matchup of the two teams means that Penn State’s game against Temple, originally scheduled on Aug. 30, has been moved to Nov. 15, previously an open date for the Lions.

Manziel leaves early from Manning camp

NEW ORLEANS

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel left the Manning family’s football camp a day early after missing some of his assignments as a counselor and coach.

“After missing and being late for some practice assignments, Johnny explained that he had been feeling ill. Consequently, we agreed that it was in everyone’s best interest for him to go home a day early,” said a statement emailed Sunday by camp spokesman Greg Blackwell.

The camp is run by Saints quarterback Archie Manning and his two NFL QB sons, the Broncos’ Peyton and the Giants’ Eli.

The camp, held at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, began Thursday and ended Sunday.

From wire reports