AP - Losing for the first time since 2000, the U.S. softball team was denied a chance for a fourth straight gold medal Thursday, beaten 3-1 by Japan in the sport's last appearance in the Olympics for at least eight years — and maybe for good.

AP - Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.

AP - They came to the Beijing Olympics as a team trying to find its way, still adjusting to a new coach and each other, still smarting from a loss that brought humiliation on and off the field.

AP - Tyson Gay stuck his left hand behind him, waiting to feel the red baton's cool metal make contact.

Reuters - The Pittsburgh Steelers signed All-Pro linebacker James Farrior, a pillar of their defense for the last six seasons, to a five-year contract on Thursday.

AP - Clay Bennett's ownership group has reached a final settlement with the city of Seattle, allowing the former SuperSonics franchise to move to Oklahoma City.

AFP - Fabio Capello insists England are ready for next month's World Cup qualifiers despite his side's lacklustre display in a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.

AP - Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.