TrackTrack
O'BRIEN RETIRES: Former Olympic decathlon champion Dan O'Brien retired Thursday in Phoenix after a pelvic injury ended his comeback plans.
"I am officially done with the decathlon," said O'Brien, who won the decathlon gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. "My body can take no more."
The injury ended his plans to compete at this weekend's U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Sacramento, Calif.
Basketball
LAWSUIT DISMISSED: Nolan Richardson's race discrimination lawsuit against Arkansas was dismissed Thursday in Little Rock, Ark., by a federal judge who said the case was mostly about "wounded pride."
The basketball coach was fired March 1, 2002. He filed suit claiming he was fired because he is black and that his free-speech rights were violated.
U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson said there was not enough evidence of racial bias or violation of free speech, but "the record is a long way from devoid of incidents which could cause him to hold these beliefs."
The judge sided with the university on the timing of the firing. He said the decision to fire Richardson was made on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, the day after he commented: "If they go ahead and pay me my money, they can take the job tomorrow."
Wilson said the decision was not made after Richardson made racially charged comments at a Monday news conference, as Richardson had contended.
PROBATION FOR VILLANOVA: Villanova's men's basketball team was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA on Thursday for recruiting and benefits violations.
The Wildcats will not be subject to a postseason ban or loss of scholarships but will face stricter supervision.
The violations occurred during a two-year period from fall 2001 to March 2003. Villanova said they were unintentional and provided no more than a minimal recruiting advantage. The school suggested it should serve one year of probation.
The NCAA's infractions committee disagreed, saying the violations were small but so numerous that "in combination, the violations caused this case to rise to the level of 'major' in nature."
The violations included impermissible contact with prospective players at the home of coach Jay Wright, arranging transportation for prospects and making phone calls, the committee said.
NCAA SELECTS DENVER AGAIN: The NCAA announced has awarded the Pepsi Center in Denver the first and second rounds for the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships. The Mountain West Conference and Colorado State University will serve as co-hosts for the event. Games will be played Thursday, March 20 and Saturday, March 22, 2008. The Pepsi Center hosted the same events this past March.
Boxing
AYALA JAILED: Boxer Tony Ayala Jr. was jailed Thursday in San Antonio for violating the terms of his probation after a weekend traffic stop, authorities said.
Ayala's attorney, Jimmy Parks, said the boxer likely would remain jailed without bond in the Bexar County Jail until a hearing set for July 19.
Ayala, 41, was pulled over for speeding in San Antonio last weekend. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without a license and no proof of insurance, as well as speeding.
Ayala was a promising middleweight when he was sentenced to prison for rape in New Jersey in 1983. He was released in 1999.