Briefs | Ice dancer reportedly was drugged

Figure skating

Sheriff's spokesman says ex-Olympian was drugged: Pasha Grishuk, an ice dancer who won two Olympic gold medals for Russia in the 1990s, was drugged with the so-called date-rape drug GHB during a business meeting at a resort hotel but was able to seek help after spotting a pill in her drink, a sheriff's spokesman said Tuesday.

Grishuk, 36, was at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., on April 12 when she began to feel ill and numb, said Jim Amormino, Orange County sheriff's spokesman.

When Grishuk began feeling ill, she noticed a dissolving pill at the bottom of her red wine, he said. Investigating detectives found a similar dissolved pill in her first drink, Amormino said. Grishuk was taken to a hospital and released.

Amormino said the person or people Grishuk ate with were not considered suspects or persons of interest.

WNBA

Milton-Jones returns to Sparks: All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones is coming back to the Los Angeles Sparks, who gave up center Taj McWilliams-Franklin and their 2009 first-round draft pick in a trade with the Washington Mystics.

Milton-Jones, 33, played for the Sparks from 1999 through 2004.

Parker signs with Adidas, Gatorade: Los Angeles rookie Candace Parker, a college standout at Tennessee who was the first player drafted this year, has signed multiyear endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade.

College basketball

Olivier to coach UNLV: UNLV has hired Kathy Olivier, 48, as its women's coach. Olivier, who was a standout player at UNLV, resigned from the UCLA job last month.

Kellogg to coach UMass: Massachusetts has agreed to hire Memphis assistant Derek Kellogg, 34, a former UMass player, as its men's coach.

Gordon declares for draft: Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon has made himself eligible for the NBA draft, but said he won't hire an agent and thus has the option to return for his senior season.

BC's Spears transfers: Boston College forward Shamari Spears, who averaged 9.6 points last season, is transferring to Charlotte and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Tennis

Djokovic advances: Novak Djokovic of Serbia advanced to the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters by defeating Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-3, 6-3.

Auto racing

"Burnout" mania: Before the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in Concord, N.C., there will be a "burnout" competition. Five drivers will showcase their victory celebrations by spinning their tires, doing two doughnuts and sliding into a mock victory lane.

Soccer

Chelsea, Liverpool play to a draw: Liverpool's John Arne Riise accidentally headed the ball into his own net in the fifth minute of injury time, giving visiting Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the two-match UEFA Champions League semifinals.

The teams meet again April 30 in London, with the winner advancing to the May 21 final against Manchester United or FC Barcelona, who play their first leg today in Spain.

Track and field

Jenkins is free to compete: American sprinter LaTasha Jenkins, 30, can compete again; the World Anti-Doping Agency dropped its appeal of a U.S. arbitration ruling that cleared her of a positive drug test.

Swimming

Manaudou won't compete in 200 free in Olympics: World-record holder Laure Manaudou won't compete in the 200-meter freestyle at this year's Beijing Olympics after pulling out of the event at the French national trials.

Cycling

Haedo wins Tour de Georgia's second stage: Juan Jose Haedo of Team CSC won the second stage of the Tour de Georgia. Toyota-United rider Ivan Dominguez kept the overall lead.

Haedo completed the 115.7 miles from Statesboro to Augusta in 4 hours, 32 minutes, 35 seconds.

Softball

Fernandez excels: Pitcher Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist who is an alternate on the U.S. roster this year, allowed two runs in 6-2/3 innings to help the national team to an 8-2 victory over UCLA, her alma mater and the school where she coaches.

Seattle Times news services