more images

NFL commissioner asks Congress to help protect sports leagues’ drug programs from state law

Goodell asks Congress for help on anti-doping

Waxman says court decisions threaten progress on curtailing drug use in sports

Waxman: Decisions threaten progress on steroids

NFL commissioner seeks change in labor law in response to blocked players’ suspensions

NFL commissioner seeks change in labor law

APNewsBreak: Goodell to seek change in labor law in response to blocked players’ suspensions

APNewsBreak: Goodell to seek change in labor law

NFL’s Goodell, player union’s Smith, to testify before Congress on Vikings suspension case

NFL’s Goodell to testify on Vikings suspensions

WADA president urges ATP to ’shed light’ on Agassi’s revelations of positive drug test

WADA chief wants ATP to explain Agassi drug case

Spanish doctor banned 10 years, 3 cyclists get shorter bans in Portugal’s biggest doping case

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s cycling federation has suspended a Spanish doctor for 10 years after finding him guilty of providing illegal substances to riders in the country’s biggest doping case.

Eric Bernotas gets medical waiver out of US skeleton trials because of leg injury

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Less than four months from the Vancouver Olympics, the U.S. skeleton team is already dealing with some significant injury issues.

AP NewsBreak: Congress to look into blocked suspensions of Vikings players

WASHINGTON — The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to conduct a hearing next month on the case of two professional football players whose suspensions were blocked by a federal appeals court.

Tough anti-doping laws could become a requirement for countries hoping to host the Olympics

COPENHAGEN — Countries could be barred from hosting the Olympics, starting with the 2018 games, if they don’t have laws that empower police to raid and investigate those suspected of helping athletes use performance-enhancing drugs.

Mayfield set to hire Mark Geragos in drug suspension fight with NASCAR

Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is turning to high-profile attorney Mark Geragos to help fight his drug suspension.

Would-be pro baseball player warns of dietary supplements containing dangerous steroids

WASHINGTON — Jareem Gunter, a college baseball player with dreams of playing professionally, thought he had found a “diamond in the rough,” a safe and legal dietary supplement that would make him healthier.

Congress looks at supplements with steroids; baseball players union wants products tested

WASHINGTON — An influential senator is looking into whether Congress should re-regulate dietary supplements because steroids and other banned substances are finding their way into over-the-counter bodybuilding products.

When baseball is the only escape from poverty, some Dominicans see steroids as worth the risk

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS, Dominican Republic — A monument to baseball greets visitors to this city known as “the cradle of shortstops.” Children in San Pedro de Macoris grow up playing ball behind tin shanties and on fields cut from sugar plantations.

After missing out in 2012, Madrid feels the time is right to host 2016 Olympics

MADRID — After losing out on the 2012 Olympics, Madrid believes it is now the perfect choice to host the games in 2016.

NFL, NFLPA warn players drug-testing program still in effect despite StarCaps lawsuit

NFL players have been warned the league’s drug-testing program is still in effect despite commissioner Roger Goodell’s ruling to delay suspending several players who tested positive for a banned substance.

NASCAR submits testimony from four who claim to have witnessed Mayfield drug use

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR asked a federal judge Monday to order a mental and physical examination on suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield to determine if he has a substance-abuse problem and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Feds fight to reverse trial court ruling excluding evidence against Barry Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors urged a federal appellate court to reverse a trial judge and let them present critical evidence they say shows Barry Bonds knowingly used steroids.

Federal appeals court clears Vikings’ Williamses to play, despite NFL’s effort to suspend them

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal appeals court on Friday cleared the way for Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams to play all season, despite the NFL’s attempts to suspend them for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

BALCO lawyer released from prison after serving 16 months of 30-month term

NEW YORK — The lawyer who leaked confidential grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes to the San Francisco Chronicle five years ago was released from prison after serving 16 months of his 30-month sentence.

Federal judge orders MLB drug evidence preserved until gov’t decides on Supreme Court appeal

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appellate judge has ordered the preservation of all evidence that allegedly shows 104 Major League Baseball players tested positive for steroids in 2003.

Federal government asks appeals court to stay decision in baseball drug list case

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have asked an appeals court to stay its decision that government agents illegally seized the drug testing records and samples of more than 100 baseball players.

Ortiz, one of the 104, not consoled by decision saying government had no right to list

BOSTON — David Ortiz sat at the computer in the home clubhouse at Fenway Park, checking his e-mail, when a group of reporters sidled up to him with some news: A federal court ruled investigators were wrong to seize the list of baseball players who allegedly failed drug tests in 2003.

NFL to ask federal court to allow suspensions of Minnesota Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams

MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL will ask a federal appeals court Tuesday to uphold the suspensions of Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Jason Grimsley makes appearance at courthouse where grand jury is investigating Clemens

WASHINGTON — Former pitcher Jason Grimsley, a key figure in the federal investigation of steroids in baseball, met with prosecutors Tuesday at the courthouse where a grand jury is looking into whether Roger Clemens lied to Congress.

Minn. judge halts state action in Vikings suspension case pending federal ruling

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin and Pat Williams still don’t know if they’ll be suspended by the NFL in their dispute over its anti-doping policy, but the fight won’t be in state court any time soon — if at all.