Phelps cancels speech at IBM event in Las Vegas
swimming
Olympic champion Michael Phelps canceled plans to attend and speak yesterday at an IBM conference in Las Vegas, CNBC.com reported, and representatives for the Fells Point resident said he, not the company, made the decision. "Michael is concentrating on swimming this week," CNBC said a spokesman from Octagon, Phelps' management company, told the media outlet. Phelps is serving a three-month suspension from USA Swimming after a photo of him presumably smoking marijuana was published in a British tabloid. IBM announced in October that Phelps would be a guest speaker at the IBM Pulse 2009 Conference, organized by the company for its employees and business partners.
New deal gives Parcells freedom to leave Dolphins
nfl
Bill Parcells' escape clause with the Miami Dolphins was expanded before the sale of the team was completed last month, and he can now leave at any time and collect the balance of the $12 million due him under a four-year contract. The contract Parcells signed a year ago gave him a 30-day window to depart with full pay if the team was sold. Outgoing owner Wayne Huizenga said yesterday that he removed the window before completing the sale of the team Jan. 20 to Stephen Ross. Parcells has said he plans to remain as executive vice president of football operations through at least the 2009 season.
Aikman: : Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman says he has passed his two final college courses and will graduate in June from UCLA - 20 years after he left for the NFL. The Dallas Morning News reported yesterday that Aikman, 42, is getting a bachelor's degree in sociology and will participate in UCLA's graduation ceremonies.
Steelers: : Wide receiver Hines Ward underwent minor shoulder surgery this week but apparently will not need an operation to repair the right knee he injured during the AFC championship game against the Ravens.
Vonn has surgery for cut suffered over bubbly
skiing
American Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery yesterday to repair a tendon in her right thumb that she severed when she grabbed a damaged champagne bottle while celebrating her downhill victory at the world championships in Val d'Isere, France, the day before. The U.S. team anticipates that Vonn, who has already won two gold medals at the worlds, will compete in the slalom Saturday and possibly the giant slalom tomorrow. After the accident Monday night, the team doctor put in four stitches at the hotel to close the wound. She later left to see a specialist near Innsbruck, Austria, and underwent surgery.
