OLYMPICSSouth Africa wants

to bid for 2020 Games

Fresh from its successful hosting of Africa's first World Cup, South Africa said it will bid to bring the Olympics to Africa for the first time in 2020. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee said it would "formally oversee a bid for the 2020 Games" and encouraged potential host cities to "state their intention of being involved in the process." Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg are considered possible bid cities. South Africa's Olympic body said the announcement, just two days after the World Cup final in Johannesburg, "comes in the wake of resounding international acclaim for the manner in which South Africa staged the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

BASEBALLPhils ink Ducks pitcher

Long Island Ducks pitcher Joe Esposito has been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies organization and will report to their Class-A affiliate. Esposito has struck out 25 batters over his last 20 1/3 innings while compiling a 2.66 ERA. Esposito pitched in 25 games for the Ducks this season, including four starts. He compiled a 3-4 record along with a 2.98 ERA and four saves. The Duck also announced the signing of former major- league pitchers Kip Wells, Justin Hampson and Bill Simas.

OIL SPILL

Richter tours La. coast

Former Rangers goaltender Mike Richter was among a group of 10 current and former pro and Olympic athletes who yesterday toured an area of the Louisiana coast impacted by the BP oil spill. Richter called the scale of the problem "hard to imagine," and said he hoped the athletes' visit would work against any "oil spill fatigue" that may cause the general public to start tuning out news about the leak. - AP

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