Obama expresses regret at Chicago’s Olympic loss, says it had best possible bid

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama had a message Friday for the many people — including himself — who put “heart and soul” into Chicago’s losing bid for the 2016 Olympic Games: “A” for effort.

South America gets its first games: The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro

COPENHAGEN — Like sweet, sultry samba music, Rio hit all the right notes. Chicago had Barack Obama. Tokyo had $4 billion in the bank. Madrid had powerful friends. But none of that mattered. Rio de Janeiro had the enchanting story — of about 400 million sports-mad people on a giant untapped and vibrant continent yearning, hoping, that the Olympics finally might come to them. And the International Olympic Committee was hooked.

Thousands lament Madrid’s Olympic fiesta that nearly was after losing to Rio de Janeiro

MADRID — For thousands of Madrid supporters, the 2016 Olympics likely will be remembered as the fiesta that was nearly theirs.

Rio erupts in celebration after announcement the city will host 2016 Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro was ready to party Friday, and it had the best of reasons — winning the 2016 Olympics.

Rio de Janeiro wins right to host 2016 Olympics, beating Madrid in final IOC vote

COPENHAGEN — The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.

Rio, Madrid still in race to host 2016 Olympics; Chicago, Tokyo eliminated

COPENHAGEN — Rio de Janeiro or Madrid — one of them will host the 2016 Olympics. Chicago is out — one of the most shocking defeats ever handed down by the International Olympic Committee — as President Barack Obama’s appeals for his adopted hometown failed.

Chicago goes down in stunning defeat, losing in first round of IOC voting

COPENHAGEN — Chicago seemed to have everything going for it.

Chicago and Tokyo are rejected as sites for the 2016 Olympics; Rio or Madrid will win

COPENHAGEN — Chicago was eliminated in the first ballot of voting for the 2016 Olympics on Friday, a stunning defeat for the city that was expected to be one of the two finalists. Tokyo was also eliminated, leaving Rio de Janeiro and Madrid as the finalists.

After years of preparation and a close race, IOC is set to select host of 2016 Olympics

COPENHAGEN — Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid made final pitches to the International Olympic Committee to be selected later Friday as host of the 2016 Olympics, with President Barack Obama and Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pitting their star power against each other in emotional pushes for their cities.

Led by Lula, Rio urges IOC to address ‘imbalance’ and award 2016 Olympics to South America

COPENHAGEN — Rio de Janeiro delivered a passionate appeal for South America to be awarded the Olympics for the first time.

After years of preparation and a close race, IOC selects host of 2016 Olympics

COPENHAGEN — Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid made final pitches to the International Olympic Committee to be selected later Friday as host of the 2016 Olympics, with President Barack Obama and Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pitting their star power against each other in emotional pushes for their cities.

Close race for 2016 Olympics reaches climax, with Chicago, Rio, Madrid all still in the mix

COPENHAGEN — In 30 minutes, it will be over.

Police: Marlins shortstop prospect shot in Puerto Rico was case of mistaken identity

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Florida Marlins shortstop prospect wounded in a drive-by shooting on this U.S. island was the innocent victim of gangsters battling for control of drug distribution in nearby public housing projects, police said Thursday.

Rio citizens hoping 2016 Olympics will give them improved city, better living conditions

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio’s citizens are anxiously awaiting Friday’s vote on the 2016 Olympics host, hoping a victory will transform the city.

Close battle for right to host 2016 Olympics reaches climax with Chicago the favorite

COPENHAGEN — The tense and tight battle to host the 2016 Olympics sped toward its climax with Chicago, backed by President Barack Obama’s star power, the bookmakers’ favorite Thursday after a long, emotional and at times acrimonious campaign.

Come on in! David Robinson would like to have the world over to Chicago for a party

COPENHAGEN — It would be a “tremendous honor” to host the world if Chicago got the 2016 Olympics, original Dream Teamer David Robinson says.

Brazilian president borrows from Barack Obama in plugging Rio’s 2016 Olympic bid: ‘Yes We Can’

COPENHAGEN — Brazil’s president is borrowing Barack Obama’s “Yes we can” catchphrase to plug Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics.

Puerto Rico police say shortstop signed by Florida Marlins wounded in drive-by shooting

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Police in Puerto Rico say a 21-year-old shortstop signed by the Florida Marlins has been shot several times in a drive-by attack.

Brazil’s Lula says he encouraged Obama to go to Copenhagen, lobby for Chicago bid

COPENHAGEN — Brazil’s president says he’s not worried that U.S. President Barack Obama is coming to Denmark to lobby that Chicago and not Rio de Janeiro should win the 2016 Olympics.

Senior IOC members wonder if time is up for VIP visits to lobby for Olympic hosting votes

COPENHAGEN — Senior IOC members suggest the proven winning tactic of bringing top politicians to lobby for Olympic bids could be reaching an end.

New Mexico administrators looking into Locksley fight with assistant

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico administrators have opened an investigation into a fight where football coach Mike Locksley struck an assistant, and the first-year coach could face suspension or firing.

IOC members undecided over host of 2016 Olympics, agonizing over tough choice as vote nears

COPENHAGEN — The International Olympic Committee is familiar with tough decisions. It gambled by giving the games to Beijing and even turned down New York after 9/11.

Many IOC members still undecided 2 days ahead of vote to choose 2016 Olympic host

COPENHAGEN — International Olympic Committee members are agonizing over which city should be awarded the right to host the 2016 Games and many remain undecided just two days before the vote.

Brazilian stars Pele, Cesar Cielo say Rio Olympics in 2016 would change lives in South America

Pele, Cielo back Rio bid for 2016 Olympics

In aftermath of Olympic shutout, baseball’s 7-nation European World Cup called a hit

NETTUNO, Italy — International baseball officials are starting to get over the shock of being shut out of the Olympics, and the recently concluded World Cup was hailed as a success in spreading the sport’s reach in Europe.

Intelligence, steadiness and modesty made Ryan ideal fit for Chicago’s Olympic bid

CHICAGO — Pat Ryan isn’t a gold medalist, like the leader of Madrid’s bid committee. Nor does he have a long history with the International Olympic Committee, as the heads of Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo’s organizations do.

FIFA to discuss age limit for 2012 London Olympics at Rio meeting

RIO DE JANEIRO — FIFA officials will discuss possible changes on the age limit for male soccer players at the Olympics.

US beats Cuba 10-5 to defend baseball World Cup title, finish with 14-game win streak

NETTUNO, Italy — The United States defended its baseball World Cup title on Sunday with a 10-5 victory over Cuba that was powered by four RBIs from Lucas May, including a three-run home run.

Whether bold (Rio) or safe (anyone else), Olympics officials will make statement with 2016

COPENHAGEN — Rio or Chicago? Risk vs. reliable.

Seeking control over Olympic qualification, beach players ask USA Volleyball to restructure

Beach volleyball players who say they’re given second-class status in their own national governing body are asking USA Volleyball to restructure and give them more control over their sport.

Felipe Massa gets back to racing in Brazil, practicing with karts for charity race

SAO PAULO — Formula One driver Felipe Massa got behind the wheels of a kart, practicing for the first time in public since sustaining multiple skull fractures in a crash.

Pele isn’t worried Obama’s support for Chicago’s 2016 Olympics bid will steal Rio’s thunder

COPENHAGEN — Brazilian soccer great Pele says he isn’t worried that President Barack Obama’s star power could help Chicago win the bid for the 2016 Olympics at the expense of Rio de Janeiro.

The final push: Spanish king, Brazilian president, Mrs. Obama converge to sway 2016 vote

COPENHAGEN — Spain’s king, Brazil’s president and U.S. first lady Michelle Obama were converging Wednesday on the Danish capital for a final push to get the International Olympic Committee to award the 2016 Games to their cities.

Anderson catches TD pass in final seconds as New Mexico State defeats New Mexico 20-17

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Jeff Fleming hit Marcus Anderson with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds left Saturday to rally New Mexico State to a 20-17 victory over New Mexico.

Brazilian President: Rio de Janeiro can win bid to host 2016 Olympics

SAO PAULO — Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Rio de Janeiro can win its bid for the 2016 Olympics and become the first South American country to host the Olympics.