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■ GOLF

Leonard’s identity stolen

A 30-year-old Texas man has been indicted on identity theft charges for allegedly opening credit cards and a cellphone account in the name of former British Open champion Justin Leonard, a prosecutor said on Thursday. Joel Keith Bridger, a convicted felon with a history of bail jumping, drug use and credit card fraud, was indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury last week on a charge of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. Bridger’s alleged scam last year unraveled only by happenstance, said David Lobingier, an assistant district attorney in the economic crimes unit. He went to a post office to pick up mail in Leonard’s name and flashed his ID, which had Leonard’s information but Bridger’s photo, Lobingier said. “The clerk said, ‘I know the Leonard family, and you’re not Justin Leonard,’” Lobingier said.



■ BASEBALL

Wife of Bonds trainer probed

Federal officials have told the wife of Barry Bonds’ personal trainer that she is a target of a criminal investigation, according to a newspaper report. The New York Times, citing an unidentified lawyer briefed on the issue, reported that Greg Anderson’s wife received a “target letter” from federal prosecutors in November, shortly after Bonds was indicted on perjury charges for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. The newspaper identified Anderson’s wife as Nicole Gestas. She couldn’t be reached for comment on Thursday. She is reportedly under investigation for conspiracy and the letter was signed by assistant US attorney Matt Parrella, the government’s chief doping prosecutor. Legal experts said the letter is an indication that prosecutors are attempting to ratchet up the pressure on Anderson to cooperate with the government’s investigation of Bonds, who is scheduled to stand trial in March.



■ BASEBALL

Mariners replace manager

John McLaren was fired on Thursday as manager of the Seattle Mariners, who began the season with playoff aspirations and now have the worst record in Major League Baseball. Bench coach Jim Riggleman will run the Mariners for the rest of their lost season. The Mariners made the announcement three days after general manager Bill Bavasi was fired. McLaren was the second manager in the majors to be fired this season — the New York Mets dismissed Willie Randolph this week. Seattle is 25-47 and 17.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West division.



■ GYMNASTICS

Artemev leads US trials

Alexander Artemev was the all-around leader after the first day of the US Olympic men’s gymnastics trials in Philadelphia on Thursday with national champion David Sender sidelined by a sprained ankle. Artemev, boosted by his first-place performance on the pommel horse, scored 90.650, followed closely by Jonathan Horton at 90.550 and Raj Bhavsar at 90.500. The final day of the men’s competition is today. Sender injured his right ankle while warming up for the high bar during practice on Wednesday. Also watching the trials from the Wachovia Center seats was 2004 Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm, who is recovering from a broken hand. Top scorers were Joseph Hagerty on floor exercise (15.400) and horizontal bar (15.550), Artemev on pommel horse (15.650), Kevin Tan on rings (16.550), Sean Golden on vault (16.200) and Justin Spring on parallel bars (15.700).

■ RUGBY UNION

McKenzie moves to France

Former New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has joined Stade Francais, the French club said. McKenzie was told by the Waratahs in April his contract would not be renewed at the end of the Super 14 after a run of poor performances. The Waratahs, however, turned around their season and made the final, losing 20-12 to the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch last month. McKenzie, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1991, had been widely expected by local media to join Stade Francais after traveling to meet the club during the Super 14. Former Stade Francais coach Fabien Galthie also said in April he was leaving the club, intensifying the media speculation in Australia on McKenzie taking the job at the end of the season. He had also been linked with the vacant head coaching positions at New Zealand’s Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders.



■ CRICKET

Ponting in Trophy warning

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting said his side and others still had security concerns about Pakistan and were undecided about competing in the Champions Trophy, newspapers reported yesterday. Ponting said he did not yet know if Australia would travel to Pakistan for the September tournament and that some players might opt out even if the trip went ahead. The skipper’s comments raise the prospect of the year’s most prestigious one-day international tournament being tarnished by withdrawals. “We don’t know if we’re going. And if we do go, we don’t know if individuals are going to pull out,” Ponting said. “It just won’t be Australian players. There will be a few other teams who will be thinking long and hard if the tour does go ahead. I’m sure some of the England players will have some concerns, I’m sure a lot of the New Zealand players who have been confronted with this stuff before, in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, will have some pretty serious concerns.”



■ CYCLING

Kirchen surges into lead

Luxembourg’s Kim Kirchen, riding for the High Road team, surged into the overall lead of the Tour of Switzerland after keeping his cool to win the sixth stage on Thursday. Kirchen showed his strength and composure in the tough Verbier climb, taking control of the race with 200m left to beat German Andreas Kloden (Astana) and the young Czech Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas). The 29-year-old Kirchen, who notched up his 15th professional victory, now leads the standings, 27 seconds in front of Kreuziger and 33 seconds ahead of Spain’s Igor Anton (Euskaltel). Kirchen is proving his versatility in the Tour — coming second in last Saturday’s first stage with a good sprint finish, while placing third in Sunday’s high-altitude climb.



■ SOCCER

Ronaldinho in Olympics plea

Barcelona striker Ronaldinho said on Thursday that he wanted to play for Brazil at the Beijing Olympic Games in August. “I miss the team and I hope to return as quickly as possible,” the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner told the Folha news agency. Ronaldinho said he had fully recovered from the thigh injury that has kept him out of action since March, adding: “I really want to take part in the Olympic Games.” He also said that he had been working hard on his fitness levels, training everyday during his holidays in southern Brazil.


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