Briefs | ESPN's Vitale plans to return after health battles

Media

Vitale to have prostate surgery Thursday: Dick Vitale, ESPN college-basketball analyst, was under doctor's orders to remain silent since undergoing throat surgery Dec. 18.

He spoke freely Tuesday. While he hopes to return to the air for the Feb. 6 Duke-North Carolina game, Vitale said he is facing "a little bugaboo" Thursday — prostate surgery. "It's been a shock to me," he said. "I've never been sick. Knock wood."

The throat surgery determined Vitale, 68, had no signs of cancer. But, he said, "complications from the anesthetics brought the prostate problem to light." Vitale had intended to have the procedure last week, but it was delayed by two bladder infections — each prompting three-day hospital stays.

Gymnastics

Gold medalist Patterson seeks to finalize music deal: Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson, 19, is singing a new tune.

Almost four years after winning the Olympic all-around title, Patterson has turned her focus to a music career. She has already released a five-song demo CD, and said she hopes to finalize a deal with a record label in the next month or two.

"I finished one goal in my life and [music] was my next," she said. "I thought, 'I love singing so much, I would love to pursue it.' After the Olympics, I started getting more serious about it."

Auto racing

Earnhardt already feels pressure to produce: Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is feeling the pressure, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup season hasn't started.

As his winless streak nears two years, NASCAR's most popular driver knows he must produce in his new Hendrick Motorsports ride. He previously competed for the Dale Earnhardt Inc. team.

"I didn't have to worry about job security when I was over at my other job, but I've got to worry about that now," Earnhardt said. "I think if I do what I've been doing, I should be fine. But with being the son of the guy who built the place, you can get away with a few more things than most guys could."

Earnhardt's lap speed of 185.820 mph Tuesday morning at testing for next month's Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., bettered the mark of 184.782 mph set last week by teammate Jimmie Johnson — the two-time defending Cup champion.

Chilean government supports rally bid: Chile wants to become the new host of the Dakar Rally, the endurance race that was canceled because of terrorist threats along the route across the Sahara.

The Chilean government gave its support for a bid by sports and tourism officials to stage the event in 2009.

Olympics

Chicago officials discuss 2016 plans: Organizers of the American bid for the 2016 Summer Games unveiled details of their plan, promising a "spectacular" lakefront experience in the heart of Chicago.

Details of the plan — which includes 16 new permanent and temporary venues and money to make existing venues Olympic caliber at an estimated cost of $900 million — were included in a questionnaire submitted to the International Olympic Committee.

Wrestler Warren gets two-year ban: Joe Warren, 31, a world champion Greco-Roman wrestler, received a two-year ban for a second drug violation, ruling the American out of this year's Beijing Games, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said in a statement.

Warren tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is found in marijuana. He has admitted using marijuana.

Soccer

Ruiz returns to Galaxy: FC Dallas of Major League Soccer traded forward Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a 2009 second-round draft pick and allocation money. Ruiz, 28, played for the Galaxy from 2002 to 2004, scoring 50 goals in 72 MLS matches.

Pistorius earns honor: Texas A&M senior Ashlee Pistorius has been voted the nation's top collegiate female player, earning her the Honda Sports Award.

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