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Show DAILY B6 Thursday, July 31, 2008 HERALD Dahlberg training center in Beijing US shows off new liigh-tec- h Continued from B2 IOC wart the focus of the upcoming media blitz to be squarely on what happens in the pool, on me track or in the ring. China didnt invest untold billions in its coming out party to be overshadowed by n rights complaints, and the IOC didnt award the games to Beijing with the idea that commercial messages from its many sponsors would be compromised ' In a perfect world they wouldn't. The athletes who have worked so hard to get on a world stage most will occupy only once in their lives deserve the spotlight. And they'll get it for the most part. But this isnt a perfect world It's a complex place where politics and sports are intertwined and can't always be separated, no matter how much those holding power try to keep them apart. The Chinese will try awfully hard to do just that, judging from what we've seen so far. Blocking the Internet is just the beginning for an Olympics that will be tightly controlled from the opening fireworks to the day everyone packs up and leaves town Broadcasters already are chafing under restrictions imposed for broadcasting from Tiananmen Square, the iconic scene of the uprising nearly two decades ago that riveted the world's attention on China's authoritarian government. Still, there's undoubtedly going to come a time during these games when even the most measures won't be enough. Various activist groups have promised surprises for months now, and one of them surely will slip through the cracks and deliver a mes- sage to the world that won't be flattering to the hosts. , The media will be there to report on it, because that's what we do. It's our job not only to take you in the mind of the world's fastest swimmers and best gymnasts, but also to bring you the reasoning behind those who want to use the Olympics to present their point of view. Unfortunately, the Chinese don't seem to understand we take no great thrill of reporting things that might embarrass them and take away from the spectacle of what should be the most grandiose Olympics ever. Most who cover sports surely would rather concentrate on things they know best, but a story is a story even if the Chinese try to pretend it's not. In the end the Chinese will find the outside media has more in common with Mother Nature than they think. Neither can be controlled very easily. Stephen Wade ASSOCIATED PRESS The United BEIJING States' sparkling new training center at a Beijing university is so new, even students there haven't been inside yet. "Their students walk by and they've never been allowed in this building. All of a sudden a bunch of stinking Americans have shown up and they are occupying the space," said Steve Roush, chief of sport performance for the USOC. When the students at Beijing Normal University finally get in to the recreation center pool, they'll see a three gymnasiums, indoor batting cages for baseball, a boxing ring, a plush weightroom, a wrestling room equipped with a sauna, strips for fencing and modern pentathlon, volleyball courts, pingpong tables, mats for martial arts and a perfectly manicured soccer field. hu-ma- iblc er - :::: n "This is unbelievable, beau- tiful honestly," said Tony Azevedo, captain of the men's water polo team, straining under leg and chest exercises Wednesday in the university's weightroom. "I honestly didn't expect anything like this. It's just amazing." Eight years ago in Sydney, the United States Olympic Committee rented a warehouse and equipped it sparsely with a few barbells, dumbbells and video equipment. d "Oh, and we some other stuff," Roush said. "Maybe we added some boxjerry-rigge- ing equipment." The United States operated a similar facility four years ago in Athens at the American College of Greece, but this one is even better. "This is our not weapon," USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said. "It is a reflection of how increasingly competitive the games have become." table. top the The United States has won the most gold medals in the last three Olympics, but many expect China to be No. 1, capitalizing on the advantage and unmatched depth from its fearsome state-ru- n sports schools. "Everyone is going to have their strength, but it will be who is picking up the medals in the new sports they have gold-med- home-countr- convinced. U.S. men's water polo coach Terry Schroeder said his team a day with arrived Tuesday 8. includes about 1,000 accredited athletes and officials. However, 500 others trainers, physicians, sports psychologists also accompany the teams, but lack credentials. They are housed at Beijing Normal, where they are provided meals, access to their athletes ' and flexibility in training. "The ability to train when you want to, in the way you need to in addition to having access to the official venues makes a huge difference," Seibel said. en"It's the most distraction-fre- e vironment we can create. There are just fewer things for them to worry about." team recently in Las Vegas, it appeared from draft night that the NBA team wanted to stash the player somewhere overseas to hone his game. Plaisted has generally agreed with his critics that while he has potential as a de- fensive presence and "athlete" a unique ability for his size he must to roam the floor develop more offense, particularly a jumpshot that never came into fruition in Provo, usually was I I Former BYU Trent Plaisted hoopster on playing for Italy's Angelico Biella I'm going to is a Division I (also known as Serie A) team that knows my situation and they're going to allow me to develop and do those things able to excel with a back-t- o game. "I was on board (with go- the-bask- et ing to Europe)," Plaisted said. "I'm lucky. The team All Plaisted will be responsible for is food, gas and cell phone. The rest is taken care of by the team, plus he'll be airline given six round-tri- p tickets. Those may be toughest to dole out. His wife, Lacey, has a brother who served an IDS mission in Italy. "It will be a good excuse to have a lot of visitors," Plaisted said. And they'll get to see him in familiar colors. Biella, like BYU, sports blue and white. Plaisted said. Plaisted said the contract details look even better when Kevin Garnett is traded Minnesota Timberwolves to Boston for five players and two draft picks. On this date in 2007, from the1 Source: AP Memphis at Nashville at Round Rock Fresno Sacramento at Tacoma Salt Lake at Omaha Tucson at New Orleans Pioneer League Northern (Reds) Falls (White Sox) Missoula 10 tacks) Division L W 2 0 Great Helena (Brewers) Southern Ogden (Dodgers) Casper (Rockies) Idaho Falls (Royals) 1 1 2 0 Division L W 2 GB 2 Pet GB 2 1 (Angels) Pet 1.000 .500 .500 .000 MLB HOME RUNS Leaders AMERICAN .667 500 .500 .500 Vi ft 1 first halt LEAGUE New York, .328: ARodriguez, Kinsler, Texas. .327; Ordonez, Detroit, .322; Morneau, Minnesota, .320; Bradley, Texas, .320; Damon. New York, .316; Mauer, .315. Minnesota, RUNS Kinsler, Texas, 90; Quentin, Chicago, 75; Pedroia. Boston, 73; Markakis, Baltimore, 70; MIYoung, Texas, 70; Sizemore, Cleveland, 69; BRoberts, Baltimore, 69. RBI Hamilton, Texas, 104; Ouentjn, Chicago, Minnesota, 83; MiCabrera, Detroit 75; Huff, Baltimore, 72; JGuillen, Kansas City, 71 BAbreu, New York, 71 HITS Kinsler, Texas, 146; Pedroia. Boston, 140; ISuzukl, Seattle, 134; JoLopez, Seattle, 130; Morneau, Minnesota. 130; Hamilton, Texas. 129; MIYoung, Texas, 128. DOUBLES BRoberts, Baltimore, 39; Kinsler, Texas, 38; Pedroia, Boston, 32; Huff, Baltimore, 32; Markakis, Baltimore, 30; Peratta, Cleveland, 29; JGuillen, Kansas City, 29; BAbreu, New York, 29; ltaw Seattle. 29. TRIPLES Crawford, Tampa Bay, 9; BRoberts, Baltimore, 8; AJones, Baltimore, 6; Inglett, Toronto, 6; Granderson, Detroit, 6; ISuzuki, are tied with 4. Seattle, 5: 83: Morneau. Wednesday's results Ogden 6, Casper at Orent 4 Idaho Falls, late Helena at Great Falls, late Missoula at Billings, late Today'i games Helena Ware at Great Falls Falls at Orem at Billings Ogden at Casper Friday's games Great Falls at Helena Missoula Idaho Falls at Orem Missoula at Billings Ogden at Casper HOME RUNS Ouentjn, Chicago, 28; Sizemore, Cleveland 25; Hamilton, Texas, 25; Dye, Chicago, 24; ARodriguez, New York. Pacific Coast League AMERICAN CONFERENCE Northern Division W L 65 Pet GB 46 61 50 Memphis (Cardinals) 49 62 Omaha (Royals) 43 Nashville (Brewers) 68 Southern Division .586 .550 W I Pet GB 63 53 49 .563 .473 .464 .432 10 11 Iowa (Cubs) Oklahoma (Rangers) New Orleans (Mets) Round 59 Rock (Astros) 52 60 48 63 (Marlins) PACIFIC CONFERENCE Albuquerque 4 16 .387 22 .441 14)4 Northern Division W I Pet GB Salt Lake (Angels) 66 45 Portland 58 56 53 51 55 .596 .532 .505 .477 7 10 W L Pet GB (Athletics) 62 49 Las Vegas (Dodgers) Fresno (Giants) Tucson (Diamondbacks) 59 53 47 .559 .527 .486 .423 (Padres) Tacoma (Mariners) 58 Col. Springs (Rockies) Southern Division Sacramento 54' 57 64 Wedrwsdsy's results 6. Portland 5 Albuquerque Colorado Springs 5, lows 2, 12 Innings Las Vegas 5, Oklahoma 3 Fresno Memphls-S- , 5, Sacramento 4 Tacoma 8, Round Rock 5 Sett Lake 8, Omaha 4 New Orleans 7, Tucson 1 Today's game Nashville Albuquerque it Portland Colorado Springs at Iowa Las Vegas it Oklahoma Memphis at Fresno Nashville at Sacramento Round Rock at Tacoma Salt Lake Tucson at it Omaha New Orleans Friday's it Portland Albuouerque Colorado Spnngs at Iowa Las Vegas at Oklahoma genus 13 23; Huff, Baltimore, 22; Thames, Detroit, 20; Giambi, New York, 20; Mftamrez, Boston, 20. STOLEN BASES Ellsbury, Boston, 35; ISuzuki, Seattle, 34; Upton. Tampa Bay, 32; Rlos, Toronto, 27; BRoberts, Baltimore, 27; 26; Kinsler, Texas, 25. (12 Decisions) CLee. Cleveland. .875, 2.29; Matsuzaka, Boston, .846, 3.04; Lester, Boston, .750, 3.17; .737, 3.09: Saunders. Los Angeles, .706, 4.52: Galarraga, Padilla, Texas, .692. 3.36; ESantana, Los Detroit .687,3.57, Angeles, STRIKEOUTS Burnett, Toronto, 149; Halladay. Toronto, 141; ESantana, Los Angeles, 135; JVazquez, Chicago, 130; Beckett. Boston, 127; Greloke, Kansas City, 125; Sabathla, 123. Cleveland, Los Angeles, 44; Soda, SAVES PRodrtguez, Kansas City, 30; Papetoon, Boston, 30; Sherrill, Baltimore, 30; Nathan, Minnesota, 29; MRtvera, New York, 26; CWilson, Texas, 24. Sizemore, Cleveland, PITCHING NATIONAL LEAGUE 3)4 8 15 CJones, Atlanta, .369; Pujols, St. Louis, .355; Berkman, Houston, .344; Holliday, Colorado. .342; Nady, Pittsburgh, .330; Theriot, Chicago, .322; CJackson, Arizona. .321. BATTING RUNS Berkman, Houston, 86; HRamirez, Florida, 84; McLouth, Pittsburgh, 83; JReyes, New York. 78; DWrlght, New York, 74; UtJey, Philadelphia, 74; Bettran, New York, 73. RBI Howard, Philadelphia, 94; CaLee, Houston, 87; DWrlght, New York. 83; AdGonzaku. 81 Teixeira, 76. Dunn, Cincinnati, 32; Howard, .800, 3.68; Lincecum, San .786, 2.78; Webb, Arizona, .778, 3.14; Volquez, Cincinnati. Francisco, 2.71;Zambrano, .750, Nigeria Venezuela Cameroon Dominican San Diego, 82; Braun, Atlanta, 78; Berkman, Milwaukee, Houston, JReyes, New York. 138; CGuzman, Washington, 131; DLes. Chicago, 130, Brum, Milwaukee, 129; Ttiertot, Chicago, 129; Berkman, Houston, 129: Atkins, Colorado, 128. DOUBLES McLouth, Pittsburgh, 35; Hart, Milwaukee. 32; Berkman, Houston, 32; Rowand, San Francisco, 30; Young, Arizona, 29: JReyes, New York. 29; DLet, Chicago, 29. TRIPLES sIReyes, New York, 12; FLewis, San Francisco, 9; SDrew. Arizona, 7; Braun, Milwaukee, 6; CJackson, Arizona. 6: Loney, HITS Los Angeles. S; Vlctonno. BPhlllips, Cincinnati, S; Philadelphia. Mm, 5; Philadelphia, 5. Chicago, Chicago, 2.B0: ,750, 2.90; Sheets. .714, 3.14. Uncecum, San Francisco, 156; Volquez, Cincinnati, 139; Cain, San Francisco, 138; Billingsley, Los Angeles. 137; Hamels, 135; Haren, Arizona, 126; Philadelphia. Dempster. Chicago, 126. SAVES BWilson, San Francisco, 28; Dempster, Milwaukee, STRIKEOUTS Valverde, Houston, 27; BWagner, New York, 27; Lidge, Philadelphia. 26; KWood, Chicago, 24; Gregg, Florida, 23; Lyon, Arizona, 22; Hoffman, San Diego, 22. 0 2 Lithuania Zimbabwe .765, 12 13 1113 10 13 Chile 30; Braun, Milwaukee, 29; Utley, 27; Uggla. Florida, 26; Burrell, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 26; AdGonzalez, San Diego, 25. STOLEN BASES Taveras, Colorado, 48: Pierre, Los Angeles, 36; JReyes, New York, 35; Bourn, Houston. 33; Rollins, Philadelphia. 26; HRamirez, Florida, 25; vlctorino, Philadelphia, 25. PITCHING (12 Decisions) Lohse. St. Louis. Philadelphia, BATTING 0 3 2 Belgium Portugal Estonia Bahamas 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 3 12 10 12 10 12 Israel Finland 3 2 2 2 2 10 10 10 1010 10 1011 11 11 11 0 0 Republic 0 Ireland United Arab Emirates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hong Kong India Paraguay Colombia Eritrea Mongolia Syria Trinidad and Tobago 0 0 0 0 0 Olympics MLS 2004 Medals Table 301 Final medal events 6 S 35 39 New England Columbus B 29 38 Tot 103 92 63 49 48 10 9 7 Chicago D C. United Toronto FC 7 6 27 32 17 27 17 16 14 16 11 16 9 Reel 10 9 11 12 13 11 33 Italy South Korea Britain 32 9 9 9 12 30 30 Cuba 9 9 4 7 11 27 Los Angeles CD Chivas USA FC Dallas Colorado 5 Spain 5 11 9 9 6 23 8 3 Hungary Greece 8 6 6 Belarus Canada 2 3 6 6 2 1 4 3 3 3 3 2 Australia Germany Japan France Ukraine Netherlands Romania Bulgaria Brazil Turkey Poland Thailand Denmark Kazakhstan Czech Republic Sweden Austria Ethiopia Kenya 3 2 2 2 Azerbaijan North Korea Georgia Indonesia Latvia Mexico Slovenia Morocco 5 3 4 7 3 9 3 4 5 14 0 6 3 4 4 3 2 2 0 13 2 4 2 0 2 2 2 3 2 0 2 2 22 19 19 17 16 15 12 12 10 10 10 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 8 6 5 15 12 12 5 5 2 '113 113 10 ,0415 112 2 4 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 3 0 1 3 Kansas City New York 5 5 WESTERN 37 17 16 2 2 2 2 Egypt Switzerland 18 12 14 Slovakia Uzbekistan Croatia 6 16 14 1312 5 2 Jamaica 9 4 Norway Iran Argentina South Africa New Zealand Taiwan 9 14 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 14 10 4 3 W Salt Lake Houston San Jose NOTE: Three for tie. Novak Djokovtc (3), Serbia, def. Slmone Bolelli, (2). Italy, 6 (2), Igor Andreev, Russia, def. John Isnar, United 20, Jamie McMurray, 1,973. Money $4,657,463. 2, Carl Edwards, S4.509.825. 3. Kasey Kahne, $4,360,353. 4, Ryan Newman, $4,252,858. 5, Jlmmie Johnson, $4,1 2,865. 6, Tony Stewart, $3,816,206. 7, Jeff Gordon, $3,449,149. 8, Denny Hamlin, $3.329,983. 9, Matt Kenseth, $3,267.708. 10, Jeff Burton, $3,265,373. II, Kevin Harvick, $3,138,953. 12, Dale Earnhardt Jr., $3,059,170. 13. Kurt Busch, $3,005.305. 14, Greg Biffle, $2,895,639. 15, Sam Homish Jr., $2,857,639. 16, Bobby Labonte, $2,805.795. 17, Martin Truex Jr., $2,798,723. 18, Elliott Sadler, $2,765,618. 19, Clint Bowyer, $2,712,595. 20, Juan Pablo Montoya, $2,679,120. States, Fernando CONFERENCE T Pts L 3 33 4 4 31 5 5 7 7 5 26 22 4 7 7 22 22 5 22 6 CONFERENCE L T Pts 7 6 6 6 27 7 6 6 6 5 4 23 22 22 21 5 6 4 3 points 9 4 9 7 3 8 6 for victory, 2,020. Labonte, I Kyle Busch. Tennis Open 20 15 GFGA 22 36 22 25 27 7 20 37 21 24 25 9 12 23 one point Monday's result Salt Lake 2, Toronto FC 1 Saturday's games Kansas City at D C. United. 5:30 p.m. CD Chivas USA at Chicago. 6:30 p.m. Columbus at Houston. 6:30 p.m. Sunday's games Los Angeles at San Jose, p.m. FC Dallas at Toronto FC, 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. B Toronto FC at Colorado, 2 p.m. Chicago at New England, 5:30 p.m. CO Chivas USA at Kansas City. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 D C. United at New York, 3 p.m. Real Through July 27 Points I, Kyle Busch, 3,004. 2. Dale Earnhardt Jell Burton, 2.751. 2,733. 4, Jlmmie Jt., 3, Johnson, 2.689. 5. Carl Edwards, 2.684 6, Jeff Gordon, 2,544. 7. Greg Blffle, 2,460. 8. Denny Hamlin. 2,453. 9, Kasey Kahne, 2,441. 10, Tony Stewart, 2,399. I I Matt Kenseth, 2,366. 1 2. Clint Bowyer, 2,362. 13, Kevin Harvk, 2,360. 14, David I) Stephanie Dubois. Canada, Hungary, Anna Chakvetadze (6), Russia, del. Jfll Crayons, united States. Marion Bartoli (10), France, def. Allsa Kleybanova, Russia, walkover. Ana Ivanovic (1), Serbia, def. Petri Kvltova, Czech Republic, Woznlak, (2), Serbia, def Marta def. Aleksandm Canada, ATP Western & Southern Financial Group Masters Series Event Wednesday The Lindner FwnHy Ttflnss Carreer A U.1 Open Purer S2.615 million (MatSars) Surtac James Simon, Second Round united States, Blake (7), France. def. 4 8 7)4 13)4 12 12 12 13 15 14 3 3 314 4)4 6 National Hockey League Signed F Orayson contract. Signed an affiliation agreement with Fresno (ECHL). Named Jordan Horst media relations assistant. CAROLINA HURRICANES Bowman to a three-yeCHICAGO BLACKHAWKS COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS Pascal Leclaire to a three-yecontract. DETROIT RED WINGS Signed F Valtteri Fllppula to a MINNESOTA WILD Biles Lacrosse Clement, (5). Haas, Germany, del. Gael Monffia, retired. Seppi. Italy, def. Tomes Berdvch, Maor League Lacrosse Assigned G Christopher Bluse to the practice squad. Placed M Matthew Starker on ws Ivors NEW JERSEY PRIDE Placed 0 Tony McDevitt on lnured reserve extension. SAN FRANCISCO DRAGONS Placed M Sean Lindsay on injured reserve extension. WASHINGTON BAYHAWKS Claimed M Brian Myers from the league player pool. Placed M Scott Sowanlck on Injured reserve. OAKLAND ATHLETICS Optioned INF Bankston and INF Eric Patterson to Soccer Wee Major League Soooer Sacramento (PCI). Claimed RHP Luis SEATTLE MARINERS Munoi off waivers from Pittsburgh and optioned him to West Tennessee (SL). CHICAGO FIRE Acquired F Brian McBrlde horn Toronto lor F Chad Barrett and future considerations. Acquired loan from CSD Municipal National League FLORIDA MARLINS Sent RHP Daniel Barone outright to Albuquerque (PCI) HOUSTON ASTROS Acquired RHP LaTroy Hawkins and cash from the New York Yankees tor INF Matt Cuslck. Acthrsted RHP Chris ST. LOWS CARDINALS DL. Opooned LHP (PCL). Basketball CHICAGO BULLS Agreed to terms with F contract Lud Deng on a DETROIT PISTONS Signed G WHI Bynum. LOS ANGELES CUPPERS Waived F Josh NETS flamed Roy Rogers assistant coach. NBA Development League ARSENAL Named Sam Vincent coach. GEORGIA BWIIZUES-Sig- ned F Kevin MMBIB Storm) 0 Courtney Relnhardl. TEXAS CITY Captain. contract. CHICAGO MACHINE Claimed A David Mitchell from the league player pool. Baseball Carpenter from the Randy Floras to Memphis G Bought out the remaining three years of their contract with F Mark Parrish, making him a free agent 28 after Aug. American League Purchased the contract of C Dane Sardinha from Toledo (ILL MINNESOTA TWINS Placed INF Alexl Casllla DL. Activated SS Adam Everett on the OL. from the NEW YORK YANKEES Traded RHP Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit tor C Ivan Rodriguez. ANAHEIM Czech Republic, GB Vi DETROIT TIGERS (2). (5). Spain, Ernests GulMs, Latvia, dot. Amaud Franca, Andreas Pet .667 .654 .556 .556 .538 .500 .444 Hockey 14 Transactions NEW JERSEY Tommy L 9 9 15 14 Regular sesson resumes Olympic break Andy Murray (81, Britain, del. Sam Querrey, United States. (3). Nicolas LapenttJ, Ecuador, del. David Fairer France, W 18 17 15 13 12 Maria Kirilenko (12), Russia, def. Tamarine Thailand, Michelle Larchsr ds Brito, Portugal, def. FlavU Pennetta (15), Italy, Tamira Paszek, Austria, del. Melinda Czlnk, (3), Russia, Poland, GB Monica Tanasugarn, Oomachowska, Jelena Jankovic Pet .615 .600 .593 .462 .385 .320 .111 WESTERN CONFERENCE SanAntonk) Seattle Los Angeles Sacramento Phoenix (13), Russia, Nadla Petrova Maria Sharapova 16 17 24 8 3 Chicago Atlanta Minnesota Anastasla del. 11 14 16 12 10 Houston Rodionova, Russia. Victoria Azarenka (11), Belarus, del. Sybille Bammer, Austria, Ai Suglyama, Japan, def. Shahar Peer, Israel, Auto Racing Leaders EASTERN CONFERENCE L W 16 10 15 10 Canadian Football League OFFICE Fined Saskatchewan general manager and vice president of football operations Eric Tillman $2,500 lor public comments disparaging to the Canadian Football League and its salary management system as It pertains to injuries. COMMISSIONER'S WNBA Standings Series Patty Nlculescu, Romania, Dinars Safina (7), Russia, def. At NASCAR Sprint Cup Basketball Connecticut Football National Football League Signed CB Chris floberson. Waived CB Scorpio Babers. NEW YORK GIANTS Signed S Craig Dahl. S Terrance Springer. Activated OL Jonathan Palmer from the MIAMI DOLPHINS list. Claimed P Paul PITTSBURGH STEELERS Emstei off waivers from Detroit. Released WR Kevin Marion. Serra, France, Washington At uniprtx Stadium Montreal Purse: $1.34 million (Tier Surface: Singles Second Round Schnyder (9), Switzerland, def. GFGA 19 25 14 28 26 20 22 17 21 19 27 (10), (11), France, Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, def. rTorent Indiana WTA Tour Rogers Cup A U.S. Event 25 29 24 (8), Verdasco (10), Spain, def. Chris Guccione, Australia, (4), (4). Dmitry Tursunov, Russia, def. Richard Gasquet New York Detroit Standings EASTERN W SportlightAssociated Press Ragan, 2.306. 15, Brian Vickers, 2,230. 16, Ryan Newman, 2,218. 17, Martin Truex Jr., 2.146. 18, Kurt Busch, 2,081. 19, Bobby 11 Soccer COUNTRY United States Russia China d FAST FACT Scoreboard Baseball heavy-hande- considering the tax credit and exchange rate. "I'm not breaking the bank," he said. "But it's a good contract." need to do to improve so I can go back to the Pistons. There's great competition, and I'm really excited." He'll spend two weeks in Detroit working out with the team before leaving for Italy on Aug. 24. The season will run until next June, when Plaisted expects to be part of Detroit's summer-leagu- e team again. He said playing in the NBA Development League this winter was not an option. "For the parts of my game I need to work on, it will be better to go somewhere else," I I While he played for the Pistons' as the y The U.S. is bringing just under 600 athletes, exceeded only by China with 639. The official U.S. delegation and nonearly blue skies ticed the pollution immediately. The USOC, like other national Olympic bodies, has provided optional masks for athletes, which are not designed for training or competition. No one was seen wearing them on Wednesday. "Some of the guys today felt a little difficulty in breathing," Schroeder said. "And yesterday when I came in was one of the cleaner days in a while. Some of our guys have inherent breathing issues, and to put them in this environment it's worrisome for sure." About 70 U.S. athletes were on the ground on Wednesday and the numbers were expected to surge this weekend with the games set to open on Aug. "The team I'm going to is a Division (also known as Serie A) team that knows my situation and they're going to allow me to develop and do those things need to do to improve so can go back to the Pistons. There's great competition, and I'm really excited." Continued from Bl e invested in," said Roush, who has suggested the U.S. and China might each win more than 40 gold medals. The U.S. won 36 in Athens, four more than China. The shining university facilities mirror the modern venues for the Olympics. However, Beijing's air pollution is a worry, even for athletes training inside or whose sports will be contested indoors. Despite drastic controls on traffic, construction and factory closures, Beijing's gray haze filled the sky on Wednesday. Officials have said conditions are improving, but some are not Teams used to simply show up for the games, check into the athletes' village, and train at the Olympic venues on tight schedules designed to give every country practice time. But this is no longer enough, which will be reflected by the fierce race this time among China, Russia and the United States to Plaisted summer-leagu- iVess ROBERT F. BUKATYAssociated new building which houses the United States' indoor training facility at Beijing Normal University is seen on Wednesday in Beijing. The U.S. Olympic Team has spent $2 million to rent Beijing Normal University for indoor and outdoor training for its athletes. A SOUTHLAND M of Marco Pappa Guatemala. College on CONFERENCE Named Todd assistant commissioner tor communications. ALABAMA flamed Dave Hart axecuuvi athletic director. CONNECTICUT Announcad OT Jarren Miller left me school. NILLSOAU Named Don Bnibecher athletic director. KJJNOtS STATE Named Jonas Jackson assistant defensive line coach. INDIANA Named Amanda Rivera assistant Softball coach. MEMPHIS Named Matt Walker women's assistant tennis coach. PENN STATE Dismissed DT Chris Baker and DT PhH Taylor from the football , team. RIOER Promoted Bob Hemer to head cross country and track and field coach. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Named Kris Mangum replacement assistant football coach. WINuATf Named Megan McAllister assistant Softball cosch. Lamb |