Amber Neben, who missed the 2004 Athens Games after a positive drug test and feared her quest for a trip to Beijing was doomed when she was diagnosed with skin cancer nine months ago, was among the final three women chosen Thursday to the U.S. Olympic cycling team.
Neben and Christine Thorburn were added to the road team. Mary McConneloug was picked as the second selection to the mountain bike roster.
“I’m an Olympian. I mean, wow, I’m an Olympian,” Neben said.
Afghan runner missing.
Runner Mehboba Ahdyar, the only female athlete on Afghanistan’s team for the Beijing Olympics, has gone missing from a training camp in Italy and apparently is seeking political asylum in Norway.
Bogut named to Australian team
SYDNEY, Australia — Center Andrew Bogut was selected to Australia’s Olympic basketball team a day after agreeing to a $72.5 million, five-year contract extension with the NBA’s Bucks.
Bogut will join European- based players David Anderson and Matthew Nielsen in a strong team that also includes veteran Chris Anstey and six players making their Olympic debuts.
FIFA: Clubs must release players.
Two German clubs must send their Brazilian players to the Beijing Olympics, FIFA ruled.
Werder Bremen had refused to release Diego, a 23-year-old midfielder, and Schalke wanted to keep 22-year-old defender Rafinha at home. The German clubs said the Beijing Games in August conflict with the start of the European season.
The Associated Press
