In Sports from United Press International
Skating judge says results pre-determined
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Simon Ammann of Switzerland and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway both became double gold medal winners at the Winter Olympics Wednesday while the sport of figure skating, with its future as a major player in the world of athletics on the line, sunk deeper in controversy.
At the midway point of the first week of the Games, the United States inched closer to its all-time medal record, Norway claimed two gold medals to run its total to five and Germany enjoyed a sweep of the women's luge.
Much of the day's attention, however, was focused on what turned out to be a tense, standing-room-only, 75-minute news conference involving International Skating Union President Ottavio Cinquantana of Italy--who did little to restore public confidence in his sport.
Cinquantana admitted a figure skating judge had alleged to him that the results of Monday night's Olympic pairs competition was fixed. Although he would not name that judge, it was reported that American Ronald Phenning, who refereed that competition, sent a letter to Cinquantana saying he believed there were irregularities in the judging.
NBC-TV reported Wednesday that Phenning wrote that letter because he heard French judge Marie Reine Le Gougne say during the regular post-competition judges' meeting Tuesday that she voted for the Russians in the pairs event because she had been pressured to do so by her national figure skating association.
Despite what most skating experts felt was a weaker free program than the one produced by their Canadian rivals, the Russian pair of Enela Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharuildze won the gold medal Monday night.
That has touched off a furor, which Cinquantana was unable to calm Wednesday.
Cinquantana said at various times during the news conference that, "I do not have the power to change the results," and that changing the results would be, "very difficult." Finally, he said, "I would be a liar if I said it (changing the results} was impossible and I am not a liar. But there is no precedent."
There was no controversy, however, at the ski jumping and cross-country venues, where celebrations were in order for double gold medal performances.
Ammann, who won gold on the 90-meter ski jumping hill Sunday, grabbed another one on the 120-meter hill Wednesday.
And at the Soldier Hollow cross-country venue, Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen won his second biathlon competition of the Olympics. He added a 10-kilometer triumph Wednesday to his victory in the 20-kilometer race two days earlier.
It was Norway's fourth gold medal of the Olympics and was soon followed by its fifth, captured by veteran Kjetil Andre Aamoot in the alpine combined. Aamoot, who has won 16 Olympic or World Championship medals, took the lead after the downhill portion of the event and then held off hard-charging American Bode Miller.
Miller's medal was the 10th for the United States, one more than any other nation had won and just three shy of the American record for a Winter Olympics.
The other gold awarded during the afternoon Wednesday went to Germany's Kati Wilhelm in the women's 7.5-kilometer biathlon and then as the sun fell behind the mountains, Sylke Otto, Barbara Niedernhumber and Silke Kraushaar won gold, silver and bronze for Germany in the luge.
Carolina center suspended 10 games
NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Carolina Hurricanes center Craig Adams was suspended 10 games without pay Wednesday for leaving the bench to engage in altercation in Sunday's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Adams left the bench in the second period to attack San Jose defenseman Bryan Marchment. He received a game misconduct and a roughing minor. Marchment and Carolina left wing Chris Dingman each received roughing minors, while San Jose center Owen Nolan also received a game misconduct after jumping on Adams.
Carolina also was fined $10,000 for the incident.
The 24-year-old Adams does not have a point in 27 games with the Hurricanes. He was assigned to Lowell of the American Hockey League on Monday. Adams was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 draft and had one goal and 20 penalty minutes in 44 games with Carolina last season.
Vancouver Canucks left wing Todd Bertuzzi and Los Angeles Kings center Adam Mair each received 10-game suspensions for leaving the bench earlier this season.
Rain suspends Daytona qualifying
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Steady rain on Wednesday forced the suspension of qualifying for Saturday's EAS/GNC Live Well 300 at Daytona International Speedway.
The Busch Series qualifying will resume on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. EST.
Only five cars made it on the track Wednesday before a steady rain forced NASCAR to call it off.
Scott Riggs is currently the fastest qualifier at 183.460 miles per hour followed by Greg Biffle's 183.303 mph, Kerry Earnhardt's 182.546 mph, Steadman Marlin's 181.488 mph and Kevin Lepage's 180.930 mph.
Those five cars will not be allowed to re-qualify, but those cars that have yet to take a qualification attempt will be allowed to make their run.
Also on Thursday's schedule is the Gatorade Twin 125 qualifying races, which help set the field for Sunday's 44th Daytona 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race.
Blue Jays sign Chris Carpenter
TORONTO, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Chris Carpenter, who tied for the team lead with 11 wins in 2001, signed a one-year, $3.45 million deal Wednesday with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Carpenter was seeking $4.5 million through arbitration and the Blue Jays were offering the 26-year-old righthander $3.1 million. The arbitration hearing was scheduled for Thursday.
The deal includes $100,000 bonuses if he reaches 210, 218 and 225 innings pitched.
Toronto was hoping to sign Carpenter to a long-term contract after he went 11-11 with a 4.09 ERA in 34 starts last season. He has a career record of 45-45 with an ERA of 4.79 in 139 games.
Atlanta may get Tyson-Lewis fight
ATLANTA, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Mike Tyson has been granted a license to box in Georgia, fueling speculation that the fight between Tyson and heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis might be held this June in Atlanta, it was reported Wednesday.
Tom Mishou, administrator of the Georgia Boxing Commission, said Tyson was granted a license on Feb. 7, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Mishou also said he had been advised by the Georgia Dome that "a site fee of $13 million has been put up and a date on June 8 has been penciled in."
However, Gary Shaw, Lewis' promoter, said he had heard only "a lot of talk" but if the reports are true, Atlanta would be considered.
The fight was to have been staged in Las Vegas in April, but Tyson was denied a license in Nevada.
Fiedler, Wannstedt get new deals
MIAMI, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The Miami Dolphins signed quarterback Jay Fiedler to a five-year contract on Wednesday and possibly ended speculation that the team will pursue Troy Aikman.
Fiedler, who could have pursued free agency had he opted out of his contract for 2002, now is signed through the 2006 season. The Dolphins would have been able to match any offer by another team.
The Dolphins also extended the contract of Coach Dave Wannstedt for one year through the 2004 season.
The 30-year-old Fielder joined the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent from Jacksonville prior to the 2000 season, replacing the legendary Dan Marino. A former Dartmouth star, Fiedler has a 21-10 record as a starter for Miami and has led the Dolphins to the playoffs each year.
Wannstedt has posted back-to-back 11-5 seasons since replacing Jimmy Johnson. The Dolphins were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens, 20-3, in the wild card round.
Olazabal, Garcia head Nissan field
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The Nissan Open was expected to focus on homegrown talent. But the spotlight now will be on some international stars.
Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia will be out to continue their success on American soil when the $3.7 million event begins Thursday at the newly restored Riviera Country Club.
The tournament lost a bit of its luster when Tiger Woods, who grew up in Southern California, withdrew earlier this week. Woods said he has been ill for two weeks and needs some time away from the golf course.
The Nissan Open was Woods' first PGA Tour event which he played as a 16-year-old amateur. It also is the only tournament he has played at least four times as a professional without winning.
Giants pitcher announces retirement
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Veteran righthander Mark Gardner announced his retirement Wednesday after 12 major league seasons, including the last six with the San Francisco Giants.
The 39-year-old Gardner went 5-5 with a 5.40 ERA last season. He was limited to 23 appearances and 15 starts due to injuries and an illness to his wife.
Gardner ends his career with a 99-93 record, one save and a 4.56 ERA in 345 big league contests for the Giants, Montreal, Kansas City and Florida. Signed as a free agent prior to the 1996 season, Gardner posted a 58-45 record with a 4.71 ERA in 175 games with the Giants. His best season was 1998, when he went 13-6 with a 4.33 ERA.
