Chicago lets USOC see its possibilities
“We were very impressed with the possibilities that this city holds for the Games and the Olympic movement,” said Jim Scherr, USOC chief executive officer. He added the focus around the downtown lakefront would offer an “unparalleled” experience for athletes and spectators. Chicago is competing with Los Angeles to bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the USOC will decide April 14. The IOC won’t pick a host city until 2009, and other bidders are expected to include Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rome and Tokyo. A lot was left to the imagination of U.S. Olympic Committee officials who toured Chicago Wednesday, assessing possible 2016 Summer Olympics venue sites on a cold, gray day. They got a bird’s-eye view of a proposed athletes’ village, marked by orange balloons, from a high-rise hotel. And the footprint of a proposed 80,000-seat stadium was marked out in a snow-covered park with the flags of the countries represented in the International Olympic Committee. Hunter suspended Detroit Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter was suspended 10 games without pay by the NBA on Wednesday after testing positive for phentermine, a banned substance primarily used for weight loss. “I’m as shocked as anyone,” Hunter said. “It was a diet pill – we’ve all taken stuff and nothing ever happens.” Hunter said the pill was prescribed for his wife Ivy. “We do that at our house – if I’ve got a head cold, I might grab one of her pills,” he said. “It was just a bonehead mistake on my part.” 
Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony became a father Wednesday afternoon when his fiancee, actress La La Vazquez, gave birth to a son, Kiyan (pronounced kai-ann). Lewis to Browns Free-agent running back Jamal Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, a person within the NFL said. Lewis was released last week in a salary-cap move by Baltimore, which elected not to pay their career rushing leader a $5 million roster bonus. He’ll join the Browns, Baltimore’s AFC North rival, who were last in the league in rushing in 2006. Daniel Graham is the latest addition to the Denver Broncos, as the former New England tight end signed a five-year, $30 million deal that includes $15 million in guaranteed money. The Atlanta Falcons have talked to 35-year-old receiver Joe Horn, who was cut last week by their NFC South rivals in New Orleans. ESPN.com quoted unnamed team sources as saying the Falcons reached agreement with the outspoken receiver, but the Falcons denied it. Green Bay released 36-year-old fullback William Henderson. Nominees tabbed Heisman Trophy winners Tim Brown and Doug Flutie are among those making their first appearance on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. Other first timers include Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, a two-time Bednarik Award winner as national defensive player of the year, UCLA offensive lineman Randy Cross and Penn State running back Curt Warner. Woods to host Tiger Woods joined elite company as one of only three players to host a PGA Tour event during their careers. But this wasn’t about taking his place with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Woods was more interested in the dozen children seated to the side of a packed lounge in the National Press Club, where Woods and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced plans for the AT&T National that returns of golf to the nation’s capital. Owner in Vegas Pittsburgh Penguins owner Ron Burkle traveled to Las Vegas to meet with the mayor and discuss the possibility of relocating the team there. Burkle, who lives in Los Angeles, led a delegation in talks with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, a Penguins spokesman said. Briefly LSU women’s basketball coach Pokey Chatman, who twice took the Lady Tigers to the Final Four after taking over as head coach in 2004, unexpectedly announced her resignation. Olympic medal-winning sprinters Marion Jones and Obadele Thompson were married in a small ceremony outside of Raleigh, N.C., the service’s minister said. A right rib injury forced Elena Dementieva to withdraw from the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells. She joins No. 2 Justine Henin, No. 3 Amelie Mauresmo and No. 5 Kim Clijsters on the list of top names missing from the 96-player field. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!