Olympics

Turin organizers face budget gap: Turin Olympic organizers are considering cutbacks for next year's Winter Games because of a budget shortfall that could reach $63.72 million.

The Italian government is proposing a $19.24 million cut in spending, adding to an existing gap of $44.48 million.

Organizing committee CEO Cesare Vaciago listed possible cuts in personnel, advertising, free public transport, cleaning and maintenance for the Feb. 10-26 games and the Paralympics in March. He stressed the cuts would not involve security, which is being paid for by the Interior Ministry.

Bloom planning ambitious double: Jeremy Bloom, the skier and former University of Colorado football player, is attempting another eye-popping double. Just seven days after competing in freestyle moguls at the Turin Games, on Feb. 15, he plans to attend the NFL combine in hopes of landing a job as a punt returner and receiver.

"I'll have a full week to put the cleats back on and get running," he said.

College basketball

Arizona guard ineligible: Sophomore guard Jawann McClellan is academically ineligible to play for the Arizona Wildcats until at least mid-December. He was attending summer school but dropped out to be with his family in the Houston area following his father's fatal heart attack on June 12.

If he meets eligibility requirements during the fall semester, he can rejoin the team after its first seven games.

Penn State coach accused of bias: A gay rights advocacy group has accused Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland of forcing a player to transfer earlier this year out of bias against lesbians.

Karen Doering, Harris' attorney, said that for decades Portland has harassed players she believes are lesbians, told other players not to associate with them and described other programs as pro-gay to recruits.

Portland said she was unaware of the request and declined to comment.

WNBA

Westhead hired by Phoenix: The Phoenix Mercury hired Paul Westhead as coach to bring his high-speed basketball to the WNBA. The former coach of three NBA teams and at Loyola-Marymount has been an assistant for the Orlando Magic the past two seasons.

"There isn't any reason women can't be very good at the speed game and defensive pressure," said Westhead, who has never coached women's basketball. "Who knows? They may be better."

Soccer

MLS gives Toronto stadium deadline: Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has set an end-of-the month deadline for Toronto officials to agree on a stadium site and other financial issues or miss its chance at an expansion team for 2007.

MLS has been negotiating for about a year with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, but has seen two stadium proposals fall apart.

Fans injured in Brazil: At least 60 people were injured when thousands of people stormed an already packed soccer stadium in northern Brazil to watch the national team train for a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela.

The incident occurred at Mangueirao stadium in Belem, about 1,900 miles north of Sao Paulo in the state of Para.

Two hours before the team was scheduled to begin training, the 45,000-seat stadium was already packed. About 5,000 angry fans who were left out stormed the stadium, breaking down at least three gates. It was unclear if anyone was arrested.

Tennis

Mirza moves ahead in Thailand Open: Sania Mirza of India beat Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the Thailand Open in Bangkok.

Kuznetsova advances: Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Emmanuelle Gagliardi 6-0, 6-4 to advance to the second round at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

In the men's draw, Paul Goldstein of the United States downed qualifier Mikhail Ledovskikh of Russia 6-2, 6-4.

Horse racing

Hurricane Run to miss Breeders' Cup: Hurricane Run, winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, won't run in the Breeders' Cup because of a cough.

Weightlifting

Chinese lifter breaks world records: Olympic champion Chen Yanqing broke three world records — snatch (248 pounds), clean and jerk (314.2) and total weight (562.2) in the 127-pound weightlifting class at China's national games in Shanghai.

Seattle Times news services