KEARNS, Utah — American Shani Davis plans to skate in all five individual distances at the Vancouver Olympics and will not compete in the team pursuit.
U.S. Speedskating confirmed Wednesday that Chad Hedrick has declined the Olympic spot in the 10,000 and that the spot instead was given to Davis, allowing him to race in every distance.
Davis will not compete in the team pursuit because he did not enter the U.S. pool of athletes by the Dec. 24 deadline.
Earlier in the day, Rebekah Bradford got a second chance after falling and used it to clinch an Olympic berth in the 1,000 meters.
Nick Pearson also clinched a spot in the men’s 1,000, adding to his spot in the 500 and Ryan Bedford picked up the No. 2 spot in the 10,000. Also, Maria Lamb earned a berth in her second straight Olympics by winning the women’s 5,000.
• Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins was among the easiest picks for executive director Steve Yzerman, the longtime Detroit Red Wings captain whose Olympic choices have been debated for months in hockey-obsessed Canada, which virtually shut down for the team’s unveiling.
Among the top selections are New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, who recently set the NHL record with his 104th career shutout; defensemen Scott Niedermayer of Anaheim and Chris Pronger of Philadelphia; Calgary forward Jarome Iginla, the star of Canada’s 2002 gold-medal winning team and Joe Thornton, the NHL scoring leader.
The midday announcement was carried on 13 Canadian TV networks and cable channels.
• Veteran forward Teemu Selanne has been selected to play for Finland’s hockey team at his fifth Olympics.
Pacquiao’s camp cries foul
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao upped the ante in his standoff with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by filing a lawsuit alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.
The suit filed in federal court in Las Vegas further complicates efforts to reach an agreement for a proposed March 13 fight.
TV dispute still simmering
LOS ANGELES — If a new deal isn’t reached by tonight, programs including the Sugar Bowl on Friday, the Cotton Bowl on Saturday and the NFL’s final regular-season games on Sunday might not be broadcast on Fox in New York, Los Angeles and other markets.
In dispute are the fees that Time Warner Cable Inc. pays Fox to carry its channels.
Footnotes.
Tiger Woods had a “fat lip” but no other visible facial injuries when he met with police four days after the accident outside his home, according to a TV report.
• Right-hander Justin Duchscherer agreed to terms on a one-year contract to rejoin the Oakland Athletics after he missed the 2009 season.
• Charline Labonte made 38 saves and the Canadian women’s hockey team continued its recent dominance over the U.S. with a 2-1 exhibition victory in St. Paul, Minn.
