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KINGSTON, Jamaica Sprinter Julien Dunkley, who attended East Carolina, has been dropped from Jamaica's Olympic team, although officials declined to say whether he was the unidentified athlete who recently tested positive for a banned substance.
Dunkley was quoted in Wednesday's edition of The Jamaica Observer as saying he's never taken any banned substances.
He said he has not been told why he was dropped and that he still plans to arrive in China today.
While at East Carolina, Dunkley won the 60-meter title at the 2003 U.S. college indoor championships. He did not qualify for the 100 meters at Jamaica's Olympic trials, but was expected to join the relay team.
Calls to his home in North Carolina were not returned.
SWIMMING
Five-time Olympian Dara Torres, four-time Olympian Amanda Beard and Natalie Coughlin, who won five medals four years ago in Athens, were chosen as captains of the U.S. Olympic women's swimming team. Three-time Olympians Erik Vendt and Jason Lezak, along with two-time Olympian Brendan Hansen, were named men's team captains. The captains were decided in a team vote last week.
ROWING
Iraqi rowers Haidar Nozad and Hamzah Hussein Jebur will be allowed to compete in Beijing, the International Rowing Federation said Wednesday. The decision comes a day after the International Olympic Committee readmitted Iraq to the Games.
SOCCER
FIFA ruled Wednesday that professional clubs must release players age 23 or younger for the Beijing Olympics, clearing the way for Lionel Messi to play for Argentina despite opposition from FC Barcelona. The club said it would appeal.
The U.S. men's team was held to a 0-0 draw by Ivory Coast at a four-nation tournament in Hong Kong. The Americans next will play on Saturday against Cameroon, a 2-0 loser to the Dutch.
CYCLING
Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans withdrew from today's Olympic Games road time trial due to a knee injury. Evans said he will have treatment this week before deciding whether to travel to Beijing.
BASKETBALL
Lauren Jackson, the WNBA's reigning most valuable player, expects to overcome a right ankle injury and play in upcoming Olympic warmups for Australia. Scans revealed cartilage inflammation in her ankle.
