DNA samples taken from 1997 Tour de France champion Jan Ullrichhave been matched to blood bags seized in the Spanish dopingscandal, German prosecutors said Tuesday.
"We found nine blood samples that we were able to compare withthe blood samples," Friedrich Apostel, a spokesman for prosecutorsin Bonn, said during a TV interview. "We were able to establish theidentity of Ullrich."
Ullrich retired from cycling Feb. 26, 10 months after his namesurfaced in Operation Puerto, which led to him being excluded fromthe Tour last year. He has denied using banned substances.
Earlier this year, Ullrich gave a saliva specimen to be used fora DNA comparison with blood samples seized in the Spanish dopingprobe. Ullrich is under investigation in Germany because of acomplaint from a professor that his alleged drug use representedfraud.
Apostel said the comparison established the link "without adoubt" and proved that Ullrich's blood was stored in the Madridclinic that was raided last May. Ullrich has denied having anycontact with the clinic.
"In my whole career, I have never cheated or hurt anyone,"Ullrich said at his farewell news conference.
BASEBALL
FOREIGN PLAYERS ON RISE
The percentage of major-league baseball players born outside theUnited States increased slightly to a near-record level.
Of the 849 players on rosters at the start of the season, 246were born outside the United States, the commissioner's office said.That comes to 29 percent, up from 27.4 percent last season and nearthe record of 29.2 percent set in 2005.
The Dominican Republic had 98 players on major-league rosters. Itwas followed by Venezuela (51), Puerto Rico (28), Canada (19), Japanand Mexico (13 each), Panama (seven), Cuba (six) and South Korea(three). Colombia and Taiwan had two apiece, and Aruba, Australia,Curacao and Nicaragua each had one.
The New York Mets had the most foreign-born players for thesecond consecutive season with 15. The New York Yankees had 13 andthe Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners 12 each.
SELIG MADE $14.5M LAST YEAR
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig earned as much last year as someof the top players in the majors.
Selig received $14.5 million in the 12 months ending Oct. 31,according to Major League Baseball's tax return, which was
obtained by the Sports Business Journal. The publication, citingunidentified sources, said Selig received a $6 million base salary,an equal amount in a bonus and the rest in expenses and personalfees.
NFL
JONES, HENRY TALK WITH GOODELL
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league officials met withTennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and CincinnatiBengals receiver Chris Henry as the players tried to avoid longsuspensions after a series of arrests.
Goodell also met with members of the NFL Players Association'sexecutive board as he prepared a tougher policy on NFL players whoviolate the law. He said he will announce his decision onsuspensions or other disciplinary action before the draft April 28.
KICKER MARE DEALT TO SAINTS
The Miami Dolphins traded kicker Olindo Mare to the New OrleansSaints for a sixth-round draft pick this month. Mare, who had beenthe Dolphins' kicker since 1997, became expendable when the Dolphinssigned former New York Giants kicker Jay Feely this offseason.
QB CARR VISITS PANTHERS
Free-agent quarterback David Carr, who was released last month bythe Houston Texans, visited the Carolina Panthers, who are lookingfor someone to back up starter Jake Delhomme. Carr was cut looseafter the Texans acquired Matt Schaub in a trade with the AtlantaFalcons.
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