USOC bans Graham from training sites

Track coach Trevor Graham couldn't outrun a past that includes involvement with at least a half-dozen athletes who have received drug suspensions, making him persona non grata in the eyes of the US Olympic Committee. Graham coaches sprinter Justin Gatlin, who recently disclosed a positive test for testosterone or other steroids. Yesterday, the USOC disclosed it had permanently banned Graham from its training centers and training sites. Chairman Peter Ueberroth said the action was ``based on the unusual number of athletes he has coached who have been convicted of doping offenses." Before the announcement, officials with the final Golden League meet in Berlin barred athletes linked to Graham from the Sept. 3 event. Five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones was among the excluded.

After testing began on Floyd Landis's backup sample, his lawyer suggested dehydration as a possible reason for the Tour de France winner's elevated testosterone levels, a theory that didn't hold water with one of the world's top anti-doping officials. "Maybe a combination of dehydration, maximum effort," offered Jose Maria Buxeda. Professor Christiane Ayotte, director of Montreal's anti-doping laboratory, flatly rejected the theory. ``If dehydration was the case, then marathon runners would be testing positive all the time," she said.

Celtics forward Al Jefferson underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle during which "loose bodies" were removed, according to executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge. The team's medical staff expects Jefferson will be ready to compete in training camp at the start of October . . . Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen has pulled out of negotiations to sell the team . . . Taj McWilliams-Franklin scored 22 points as the host Connecticut Sun won a franchise-record ninth straight game, a 72-63 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks . . . Tamika Whitmore scored 18 points to help the host Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx, 69-59 . . . Barbara Farris scored 17 points and the host New York Liberty beat the Detroit Shock, 75-67 . . . Yolanda Griffith scored 23 points to help the Sacramento Monarchs beat the host San Antonio Silver Stars, 87-69 . . . Diana Taurasi scored 25 points as the host Phoenix Mercury beat the Charlotte Sting, 112-84 . . . Lauren Jackson scored 27 points to lead the host Seattle Storm to an 86-78 win over the Washington Mystics.

Ending speculation the Buffalo Sabres were prepared to part with their cocaptain, the team agreed to accept the $5 million contract Daniel Briere was awarded in salary arbitration. General manager Darcy Regier said the team has no intention of trading Briere, who becomes the Sabres' highest-paid player after getting a $3 million raise . . . James Harney, a former New Jersey state trooper, pleaded guilty to helping run a gambling ring and promised to help authorities with their case against former hockey star Rick Tocchet and others. Harney, 40, faces up to seven years in prison. The plea comes nearly six months after New Jersey authorities charged him, Tocchet, and James Ulmer with running the ring.

All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, 23, who could have been eligible for salary arbitration after this season, signed a $23.25 million, four-year contract extension with the Mets . . . The Texas Rangers released righthander John Wasdin, who was 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA in nine appearances . . . Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb has soreness in his right elbow and is expected to miss his next start . . . The Texas Rangers said they would reserve judgment on the drunken driving arrest of pitcher Vicente Padilla, who will continue to play until his case is resolved . . . Rob Cosby drove in a career-high six runs as the Syracuse SkyChiefs routed the host Pawtucket Red Sox, 12-3 .

Champ Car driver Cristiano da Matta needed surgery to remove a ruptured blood vessel in his head and remained unconscious at a hospital after his race car collided with a deer that wandered onto the track during a test session in Elkhart Lake, Wis. . . . US defender Eddie Pope, 32, is retiring from international soccer competition, ending a career in which he played in three World Cups . . . Germans Petra Dalmann, Daniela Samulski, Britta Steffen, and Annika Liebs set a world record in the women's 800-meter freestyle relay at the European Swimming Championships in Budapest, finishing in 7 minutes 50.82 seconds. The previous record of 7:53.42 was set by the US at the 2004 Olympics . . . Michael Phelps (51.51) beat Ian Crocker (51.73) in the 100-meter butterfly at the US Summer Nationals swimming championships in Irvine, Calif. . . . Top-seeded James Blake was knocked out of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, falling, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 (7-5), to Marat Safin in a third-round match . . . Top-seeded Kim Clijsters advanced to the quarterfinals of the Acura Classic in Carlsbad, Calif., beating Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.