Olympic star Lavrova killed in car crash
MOSCOW, April 24 (UPI) -- Natalia Lavrova, a two-time gold medal-winner for the Russian Olympic team, has died in a car crash in the Penza region of Russia, authorities said.
Lavrova, 25, and her sister were killed when the car they were riding in collided with another vehicle at about 10 a.m. Moscow time Friday, Interfax reported Saturday. The driver of the other car was not seriously injured, the report said.
Lavrova took the gold in group exercises with the Russian team in 2000 at Sydney and again in 2004 at Athens, Greece, to become the first two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics.
Following her retirement, she had worked as a trainer at the Russian Olympic training center and with Russia's rhythmic gymnastics team.
Rain postpones Talladega Nationwide race
TALLEDEGA, Ala., April 24 (UPI) -- Rain and severe weather forced the postponement of Saturday's scheduled Nationwide Series race at the Talladega, Ala., Superspeedway.
With heavy rain falling and the possibility of tornadoes in the area, NASCAR officials canceled all track activities. The decision was made 2 1/2 hours before the scheduled 10:30 a.m. EDT start of Sprint Cup qualifying.
"In the interest of fan safety, all activities scheduled at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday have been postponed due to the significant threat of extended periods of severe weather," track officials said in a statement.
The Nationwide race has been set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday, immediately following the Talladega Sprint Cup event.
The National Weather Service forecasts partly sunny skies for Sunday.
Redskins trade QB Campbell to Raiders
WASHINGTON, April 24 (UPI) -- Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell confirmed Saturday he has been traded to the Oakland Raiders.
Although the Redskins did not make an official announcement, Campbell confirmed to The Washington Post he had been dealt. ESPN reported Oakland gave up a fourth-round 2012 pick for the signal-caller, who was Washington's starter for three-plus years.
"I'm just glad the situation is over and I'm moving forward," Campbell told the Post. "Sometimes change comes in your life, change comes in your career, and you've just got to be ready to adapt. I'm going to go out to Oakland and give 110 percent and do everything I can to help that organization become a winning team."
Campbell came to the Redskins with much fanfare as a first-round draft pick in 2005 but never fulfilled his promise, enduring several changes in offensive philosophy and a leaky offensive line along the way.
The Post said Campbell, a restricted free agent who earned nearly $11 million during his stint with the Redskins, has agreed to a contract that will pay him $3.14 million in 2010, plus a $100,000 workout bonus, and $4.5 million in 2011.
Steelers reacquire CB McFadden from Cards
PITTSBURGH, April 24 (UPI) -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden is going back to his old squad from Arizona in a trade for a draft pick, the teams said Saturday.
McFadden, who signed with the Cardinals as a free agent before the 2009 season, was dealt back to the Steelers in exchange for Arizona's fifth-round pick in this year's draft.
As part of the deal, Pittsburgh got a sixth-round pick from the Cardinals.
McFadden, 28, made 69 tackles for Arizona last season but did not get an interception.
He appeared in 51 games during the first four years of his career with the Steelers, starting 18 of them while collecting seven interceptions and two sacks.
McFadden played on Pittsburgh's last two Super Bowl championship teams.
