Briefs: Doping investigator clears Armstrong

Cycling

Armstrong cleared: A Dutch investigator's report, commissioned late last year by the International Cycling Union, cleared Lance Armstrong of allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his first Tour de France win in 1999.

The report by Emile Vrijman said tests on urine samples were conducted improperly and fell so short of scientific standards that it was "completely irresponsible" to suggest they "constitute evidence of anything."

The investigation also concluded that the French laboratory that handled the samples and the World Anti-Doping Agency "violated applicable rules on athlete confidentiality by commenting publicly on the alleged positive findings."

The report recommended convening a tribunal to discuss possible legal and ethical violations by WADA, which is headed by Dick Pound, and to consider "appropriate sanctions."

In August, the French sports daily L'Equipe reported that six of Armstrong's urine samples taken in 1999 came back positive for the endurance-boosting hormone EPO when they were retested in 2004.

Armstrong — a seven-time Tour de France champion — has repeatedly denied using banned substances.

In a statement Wednesday, he said he was pleased that the investigation confirms "what I have been saying since this witch hunt began: Dick Pound, WADA, the French laboratory, the French Ministry of Sport, L'Equipe, and the Tour de France organizers ... have been out to discredit and target me without any basis and falsely accused me of taking performance-enhancing drugs in 1999.

"Today's comprehensive report makes it clear that there is no truth to that accusation."

Pound dismissed the report, saying, "There was no interest in determining whether the samples Armstrong provided were positive or not. I don't know how a Dutch lawyer with no expertise came to a conclusion that one of the leading laboratories in the world messed up on the analysis. To say Armstrong is totally exonerated seems strange."

Auto racing

Busch fined: NASCAR fined Kyle Busch $50,000 for throwing a safety device at Casey Mears' passing car last weekend.

The fine ties several others for second-highest in NASCAR history, behind only the $60,000 that Ray Evernham was fined in 1995.

Busch, 21, was also docked 25 driver points and placed on probation until the end of the year, and car owner Rick Hendrick was docked 25 championship points.

A contrite Busch said, "I lost my composure and disrespected NASCAR, especially its officials, and put my own team in a difficult position. The bottom line is I made a mistake that's a poor reflection on everyone I care about, and there isn't anything that justifies it."

NASCAR also penalized Jeremy Mayfield's team for failing inspection after the race. Mayfield's car was too low, resulting in a $35,000 fine for crew chief Ted Andrews and the loss of 25 driver points for Mayfield and 25 championship points for car owner Evernham.

College football

Florida State players charged: A.J. Nicholson and another former Florida State player are charged with breaking into the apartment of Seminoles running back Lorenzo Booker and stealing about $1,700 in electronic equipment, Tallahassee police said.

Nicholson, a linebacker drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in April, was being sought in Ohio, police said. Fred Rouse, 20, a receiver who was kicked off FSU's team in January, was arrested Saturday in Tallahassee.

FBI investigates Bush case: The FBI has opened an investigation into a fledgling San Diego sports marketing firm that tried to recruit Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, the attorney for the football star's family said.

College softball

The UCLA Bruins, who have won 10 NCAA softball titles in 25 years, are the favorites to win again as play begins today in Oklahoma City.

UCLA (48-7), which has won two of the last three titles, draws a formidable first-round opponent in Tennessee (58-10), which eliminated defending champion Michigan in the super regionals and leads the nation in hitting.

Golf

Nicklaus, Player captains again: Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were selected as captains of the Presidents Cup for the third straight time. The Presidents Cup will be played in the fall of 2007 at Royal Montreal, the oldest golf club in North America.

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