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Cycling

Rules bent to let Armstrong compete

GENEVA - Cycling's governing body is relaxing its rules to allow Lance Armstrong to make his comeback at a road race in Australia in January. The International Cycling Union said the seven-time Tour de France champion can compete in the Jan. 20-25 Tour Down Under, his first race since coming out of retirement after three years. A strict application of testing rules would not have allowed the 37-year-old Texan to compete until Feb. 1, 2009, six months after he filed paperwork with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. But the UCI said Wednesday that Armstrong could return early because its drug-testing standards have improved since the rule was drawn up four years ago.

NHL

Hawks winger iced for three games

NEW YORK - Chicago Blackhawks winger Ben Eager was suspended for three games by the NHL on Wednesday for his actions during a pre-season game against the Dallas Stars last week. Eager received a match penalty for attempt to injure during the third period of a game on Oct. 2. Eager, who was on the bench at the time, swung his stick at Stars forward Sean Avery. Eager will miss Chicago's upcoming regular season games against the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators. He will be eligible to return Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. He will also give up US$9,677.43 in pay. The 24-year-old Eager had two assists and 89 penalty minutes in 32 games with the Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers last season. The six-foot-two, 220-pounder was taken in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2002 NHL entry draft.

Golf

Spain bids on 2018 Ryder Cup

MADRID, Spain - Madrid is bidding to host the 2018 Ryder Cup. A decision is expected in 2010. Cultural and Tourism minister Santiago Fisas said the Ryder Cup brought in 142 million euros (C$195 million) for previous European host Ireland in 2006. Spain previously hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997 at Valderrama. Fisas didn't pinpoint which golf course would host the event, although he mentioned that a 36-hole course currently under construction in the Madrid suburb of Alcala de Henares could be a candidate. The Ryder Cup is played every two years and alternates between the United States and Europe.

NFL

Bengals QB limits stress on elbow

CINCINNATI - Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will limit his throwing during practice this week to rest his sore elbow, hoping to be ready for the New York Jets on Sunday. Palmer strained his right elbow in a loss to the Giants on Sept. 21, when his arm was hit while he threw a pass. He sat out a 20-12 loss to Cleveland the following week, when backup Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions and fumbled. He didn't participate in passing drills the first two days of practice last week, giving the elbow time to heal. He threw on Friday and played in a 33-21 loss at Dallas that left the Bengals at the bottom of the NFL with an 0-5 record. Palmer went 23-of-39 for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns with one deflected interception against the Cowboys. Several of his passes were uncharacteristically off the mark. Palmer said the elbow injury didn't affect his throwing, but made him more cautious about what he tried to do.

Baseball

Yanks drop plans for closing ceremony

NEW YORK - Plans for a closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium have been scrapped. The team had discussed organizing an event on the weekend of Nov. 8-9 that would have included remembrances of many of the non-baseball events at the 85-year-old ballpark, such as football and boxing. "The Yankees were considering having a charitable event at Yankee Stadium for BAT (Baseball Assistance Team), however, the Yankees realized that the final event at Yankee Stadium should be a baseball game, which in fact took place on Sept. 21," spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen were among the artists the Yankees had reportedly sought for the event. New York is scheduled to move into a $1.3-billion new Yankee Stadium. The first home game at the new ballpark is April 16 against Cleveland.