Diamond keeps Olympics hope alive
SYDNEY, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Australian ace shooter Michael Diamond kept his hope Monday of a third Olympic gold medal, getting back the gun license he lost after an assault incident.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported Diamond was allowed to qualify for the Athens Olympics by the Australian Shooting Association.
Diamond must now win two out of his next three competitions, starting with the Sydney World Cup on Feb. 28 to make his country's team.
Diamond has not competed since his gun license was automatically suspended last year when he was charged with assaulting his former girlfriend. The charges have been dismissed.
Diamond's manager says the shooter is elated by the decision and looks forward to returning to training.
Jockey Mike Rowland dies of race injuries
FLORENCE, Ky., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Veteran jockey Mike Rowland died Monday of injuries received last week when his horse fell and tossed him to the track, Turfway Park officials announced.
Rowland, a native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., died at University Hospital in Cincinnati. He was 41.
"Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mike's family at this difficult and painful time," said Turfway Park President Robert N. Elliston. "Mike's contagious enthusiasm and his drive for racing excellence will be sorely missed but never forgotten by all of us at Turfway Park."
Rowland was leading the seventh race at Turfway Wednesday when his mount, World Trade, fractured a leg and fell. Rowland and two other jockeys on horses immediately behind the
leader, Jessica Endres and Mark Johnston, were thrown to the track.
Johnston suffered a broken collarbone and was hospitalized overnight. Endres was treated at the scene.
Rowland was two wins away from 4,000 career victories.
Patriots decline contract option on Smith
FOXBORO, Mass., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- One week after helping the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl, Antowain Smith has been shown the door.
The Patriots on Sunday night declined the contract option on Smith, making the running back a free agent.
Last Sunday in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Smith played a vital role as he carried 26 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, leading the Patriots to a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Smith signed a five-year, $22 million contract with the Patriots in March 2002, a month after helping them win the Super Bowl. But after the first two years, the team had the right to decline the remainder of the deal.
Smith, 31, played in 13 games this season and led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing to go along with three touchdowns. His numbers have declined since he rushed for a career-high 1,157 yards in his first season with the Patriots in 2001.
A 1997 first-round pick of Buffalo, Smith has rushed for 5,713 yards and 47 touchdowns in 102 games.
