3 U.S. cities considered for 2016 Olympics
DENVER, July 26 (UPI) -- Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to be considered as host sites for the 2016 Olympics.
Houston and Philadelphia were eliminated from consideration, the USOC said in a release Wednesday.
The three cities still in contention were given recommendations by the USOC to improve their plans. The USOC said its selection committee would decide by the end of the year whether to move forward with a formal international bid. If it does, a bid city would be chosen next March.
"Based upon the initial plans submitted by Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the potential for a very competitive, high-quality international bid exists in each city," said International Olympic Committee Member and USOC Vice President, International Bob Ctvrtlik. "All three offer the potential of a dramatic Olympic legacy that could produce a positive impact for the worldwide Olympic Movement for decades to come."
The International Olympic Committee isn't expected to select a site for the 2016 Games until October 2009.
Hewitt ousted at Countryside Classic
LOS ANGELES, July 26 (UPI) -- Second-seeded Lleyton Hewitt was ousted in straight sets by Paul Goldstein in the first round of the Countryside Classic in Los Angeles.
Hewitt lost serve four times Tuesday in falling 6-4, 6-4 to Goldstein, who is ranked 86th in the world.
The 6-4, 6-4 score came up often in the first round of the hardcourts tournament, with fourth-seed Robby Ginepri stopping Justin Gimelstob by that score and sixth-seeded Tommy Haas not even facing a break point his 4-and-4 victory over Wayne Arthurs.
Seventh-seeded Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty advanced by topping American qualifier Zack Fleishman 7-5, 7-5. Other wins Tuesday were posted by Swiss qualifier George Bastl, American wild-card entrants Scott Oudsema and Sam Querrey, Russian Marat Safin and Germany's Lars Burgsmuller. Only Burgsmuller needed a third set in winning.
Jankovic earns match with Clijsters
STANFORD, Calif., July 26 (UPI) -- Serbia's Jelena Jankovic defeated Lilia Osterloh to earn a match with defending champion Kim Clijsters in the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic in California.
Jankovic posted a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Osterloh in Tuesday's first-round play of the hardcourts tournament. She is set to meet Clijsters, ranked No. 2 in the world, Wednesday. Clijsters won the Bank of the West Classic in 2001, 2003 and 2005 and was a finalist in 2002.
U.S. qualifier Shenay Perry notched an upset of the first round, knocking off fifth-seeded Daniela Hantuchov, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.
Sixth-seeded Japanese Ai Sugiyama beat Czech Kveta Peschke, 6-3, 6-4, while Aussie Samantha Stosur was an easy winner over Ukraine's Olga Savchuk, 6-1, 6-3, and Russian Vasilisa Bardina beat India's Sania Mirza, 6-3, 6-2.
Danica Patrick to stay with IRL
INDIANAPOLIS, July 26 (UPI) -- Danica Patrick said she is staying with Indy-car racing and not jumping to NASCAR.
Patrick on Tuesday announced she was signing with Andretti Green Racing, joining drivers Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti in the Indy Racing League next racing season.
She is currently racing for Rahal-Letterman Racing, posting fourth-place finishes in each of her last two races and ninth in the IRL overall points standings.
"I'm proud to be joining Andretti Green Racing next year," said Patrick. As loyal as I've been to Rahal-Letterman, I felt like it was time for a change and this is what's best for my future."
Patrick, 24, is in her second year racing on the IRL. She was the circuit's rookie of the year in 2005 when she finished 12th in the points standings. Her best finishes were a pair of fourth places, including at the Indianapolis 500.
Patrick's father had told a Chicago Tribune reporter this month that Patrick was considering a move to NASCAR.
Former welterweight champ arrested
NEW YORK, July 26 (UPI) -- Former welterweight champion Zab Judah was arrested on a Family Court warrant after a celebrity basketball game in New York.
Judah was held overnight at a police station after his arrest at Madison Square Garden and then appeared in Queens Family Court on Monday, the New York Post reported.
Police would not give details about the warrant, saying only that it involved a "financial dispute."
Bruce Silverglade of Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn defended Judah.
"I've known Zab his whole life," Silverglade told the Post. "He's trained here since he was 7 years old. He's a really good guy. He doesn't get into trouble -- he likes women, and he's had some kids, but that doesn't make you a bad person."
Judah was fined $250,000 after a Nevada bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., the current welterweight champion, ended in a brawl. He received a six-month suspension and $75,000 fine for throwing a stool.
