■ Football
Vikings suspend Onterrio
Troubled Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2005 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The NFL did not specify a reason. The announcement was expected for several weeks, ever since Vikings head coach Mike Tice suspended Smith indefinitely following an embarrassing run-in at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In April, Smith's bag set off a screening device, and a search found several vials of dried urine and "The Original Whizzinator," a prosthetic used to beat drug tests. Smith told police the gear was for his cousin. He wasn't charged by police, and the NFL said possession of the device alone wasn't enough to violate league drug policies. Smith missed four games last season for violating the league's drug policy, and had two strikes against him before the latest violation. The third strike in the program comes with an automatic one-year suspension.
■ Basketball
Skiles stays with Bulls
Scott Skiles agreed to a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, one day after the coach said he had ended negotiations for a deal the the National Basketball Association club. General manager John Paxson would not disclose the terms of the contract, but Skiles told reporters it was for four years. Skiles had ended negotiations for a contract extension a month after leading the team to its first playoff appearance in seven years, and it was unclear as early as Tuesday afternoon whether he would stay with the team. In the Bulls' second season under Skiles, they improved from 19-47 to 47-35 then lost to Washington in the first round of the playoffs.
■ Soccer
Razov goes to MetroStars
The Columbus Crew dealt disgruntled forward Ante Razov and a portion of an allocation to the MetroStars for another former US international John Wolyniec on Tuesday. Razov has been unhappy since joining the Crew before this season because of a lack of playing time. He had one goal for Columbus, the lowest-scoring team in Major League Soccer with seven goals in 10 matches. Wolyniec had two goals in eight games this season for the MetroStars. He tied for the team lead a year ago with 10 goals, and has 21 in his seven-year MLS career spent with the MetroStars, Chicago and New England. Razov entered this season as the MLS leader in multiple-goal games (16), tied for fifth in goals (77), and second in game-winning goals (23). He has also played for Los Angeles and Chicago.
■ Hockey
NHL ponders shootouts
When the National Hockey League finally returns to the ice, the drawn game will probably be a thing of the past. "If they don't have a shootout, I'll be shocked," New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said Tuesday. "That's an easy one. The fans want it, and it's the least we can do after spitting at them for the last 12 months." Fans in the American Hockey League and other minor leagues have grown to enjoy penalty shootouts to decide drawn games. The NHL seems ready to implement the system. "It sounds like most people want a definite outcome -- a win or loss -- one way or the other," Vancouver Canucks director of player personnel Steve Tambellini said during a break on the second day of the three-day NHL research camp. Shootouts would be used to determine a winner if a game remained tied after a five-minute overtime period.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely