■ ATHLETICS
Golden girl deep in debt
One-time Olympic golden girl Marion Jones, her athletics career now shadowed by doping suspicions, says in court documents that she is deep in debt, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday. Citing recent court records, the newspaper said Jones claims she lost a US$2.5 million "dream home" in North Carolina to bank foreclosure last year. Jones, who once commanded millions in endorsements, has "total liquid assets throughout the world" of about US$2,000, according to her own deposition in her breach of contract lawsuit against veteran track coach Dan Pfaff, the paper said. Pfaff has countersued Jones and won a judgment for about US$240,000 in unpaid training fees and legal expenses. Responding to a question from Pfaff's attorney in her deposition, Jones says she doesn't know where all the money went.
■ HOCKEY
Nigerian joins Blackhawks
Akim "The Dream" Aliu was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday with a chance to become the second Nigerian to play in the NHL. Born in Nigeria, raised in Ukraine, moved to Canada when he was 11, Aliu was picked by the Blackhawks in the second round on the second day of the NHL draft. "My dad didn't see a [ice] hockey rink until he was 40 years old," Aliu said. "My mom grew up in Russia, but hockey wasn't really part of her life, her culture. They're happy about what I'm doing right now. I'm happy for what I'm doing too."Aliu, who trains in the summers with Columbus Blue Jackets All-Star Rick Nash, said that back in his homeland nobody knows how far he has already come. "They don't even know what hockey is over there," he said with a laugh.
■ SOCCER
Colombia rally to win
Colombia hit back after conceding an early goal to beat Ecuador 3-1 in Barranquilla on Saturday in their final friendly before the Copa America. Midfielder Walter Ayovi gave Ecuador's experimental team a seventh-minute lead when he scored from a free kick. But Hugo Rodallega levelled nine minutes later and the hosts went ahead through defender Mario Yepes, who headed home from Alvaro Dominguez's cross on the half hour. Edixon Perea added the third in the 79th minute, slamming home the rebound after goalkeeper Cristian Mora failed to hold Luis Gabriel Rey's shot. "Colombia played very well and if they play the same way in the Copa America, they will certainly be among the candidates," Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez said. Colombia completed an impressive warm-up which has produced five wins and a draw in their last six games.
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