Olympic Notes: Agassi, Armstrong likely out

Agassi, who was ousted last week as the top seed in the U.S. Open, wants to spend as much time as possible with his mother, Betty, and sister, Tami, both of whom have breast cancer.

Armstrong fractured a vertebra in his neck in a head-on collision with a car outside of Nice, France. Armstrong's official Web site said he will make a final decision on the Olympics after competing in the Grand Prix des Nations on Sept. 16.

Canadian tests positive

EDMONTON, Alberta – Hammer thrower Robin Lyons has been dropped from Canada's Olympic team following a positive test for anabolic steroids, but she denied any wrongdoing and will appeal.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, who administered the drug test, confirmed Tuesday that Lyons, 23, will not be competing at the Sydney Olympics. The Centre said Lyons tested positive for the anabolic steroid norandrosterone at the Canadian Olympic trails in August.

Winds cause havoc

SYDNEY, Australia – The howling winds that knocked out train service at Olympic Park station Tuesday and also damaged sailboats training on Sydney Harbor underlined two of the biggest fears of Olympic organizers.

Ten days before the opening ceremony, a chaotic scene involving hundreds of stranded passengers reminded officials of the threats that nasty weather and transportation problems pose to the Sydney Games.

China cuts 40

SYDNEY, Australia – China is cutting 40 athletes and officials from its team for the Sydney Olympics, including seven rowers who failed blood tests for the banned performance-enhancing drug EPO.

IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch received a letter from the Chinese rowing association confirming that seven rowers were being withdrawn from the Olympic team after they tested positive for EPO.

Briefly ...

After staying even for 10 minutes and leading by just 11 points at halftime, the U.S. Olympic basketball team rallied to beat Spain, 95-66, Tuesday night in Saitama, Japan. ... Natalie Williams had 21 points and nine rebounds as the U.S. women's basketball team beat France on Tuesday in Adelaide, Australia. ... Plans for athletes from North and South Korea to march together during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics have failed to materialize. ... U.S. Olympic gold medalist swimmer Jenny Thompson hurt her right thumb and cut short a training session at the Olympic Aquatic Center.