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Sports Briefs

■ Olympics
IOC votes rationalized
IOC president Jacques Rogge tried to explain the mystery of the uncast votes in Vancouver's narrow win in the selection of the 2010 Olympic host city. Four IOC members did not vote in the first round of the secret ballot and three in the second round. Vancouver defeated Pyeongchang, 56-53 in the second round. To abstain, members were told to push a separate "abstain" button. However, Rogge said the rules also allowed members to simply ignore the box if they wished to abstain. "The rules say you can vote against or for, or you can abstain," Rogge said. "The rule also says that if no button is pressed it is considered as being an abstainment. One member came to me and said I didn't want to vote for this and this reason."

■ Soccer
Ajax eyes Wesley Sonck
Belgian international striker Wesley Sonck is close to signing a deal with Ajax Amsterdam, media reported on Saturday. The agent for Sonck said the joint top scorer of the Belgian league approved of the potential move and his current club, Racing Genk, said it would not stand in the way of a transfer to a European top club. Sonck, 24, has played 21 times for the Belgium national team Red Devils and scored 7 times. With 52 goals in 59 games for Racing Genk over the past two seasons, he has proved to be lethal in front of goal. "With pain in my heart, I have already said goodbye to Wesley," Genk chairman Jos Vaessen told Het Nieuwsblad.

■ Boxing
Wladimir Klitschko to fight
Former WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will fight against an opponent still to be determined on August 30 in Munich, Germany, it was announced Thursday. Klitschko, 27, is the younger brother of Vitali, who lost a world title fight to Lennox Lewis two weeks ago. The bout was stopped in the sixth round due to cuts above his eye. Wladimir Klitschko, once touted as the most promising young heavyweight around, will try to bounce back from a shocking knockout upset by South African Corrie Sanders. The loss cost him his WBO title.

■ Soccer
Rosicky extends contract
Czech midfield star Tomas Rosicky ended speculation he might leave Borussia Dortmund on Thursday by agreeing to a two-year contract extension. Rosicky, regarded as one of the Bundesliga's most gifted midfielders, is expected to sign the contract Friday. It will bind him to one of Germany's top clubs until June 30, 2008 and won't contain a clause to leave for the right transfer fee. The 22-year-old playmaker, known for his passing skills, had a subpar last season in which Dortmund also disappointed domestically. Despite a second-place finish, the club was badly beaten by Bayern Munich in the title race.

■ Formula one
Verstappen gets top time
Minardi driver Jos Verstappen upstaged the Ferrari drivers to clock the fastest times in pre-qualifying Friday at the French Grand Prix on a track made quicker by changing weather. Dutchman Verstappen took advantage of the drying track to lead the standings. At first it seemed the Minardis would go 1-2. Usually they are the slowest cars in the field. Verstappen did 1 minute 20.817 seconds. Teammate Justin Wilson followed with 1:20.968 on the 4.411km Nevers-Magny Cours circuit.
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