Sports In A Troubled Time

[SOCCER]

SOCCER IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
FIFA postponed the Under-20 championships, which were to start on March 25.

IN JAPAN/CALIFORNIA
Japan canceled a trip to the West Coast, then reversed course; its March 26 game against Uruguay was moved from San Jose to San Diego for security reasons.

IN BRAZIL
Botafogo players entered the stadium for a Feb. 16 game wearing T-shirts reading GUERRA N�O (No war).

[WRESTLING]WRESTLING IN IRAN
The Iranians will boycott the world freestyle championships—to be held in September in New York—because of the Defense Department's decision to fingerprint all participants.

[GOLF]GOLF IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Tiger Woods withdrew from last week's Dubai Desert Classic, saying, "I felt it most prudent to avoid international travel." About 40 golfers have pulled out of this week's Qatar Masters.

[CYCLING]CYCLING IN FRANCE
Lance Armstrong will ride in the Tour de France even during a war but is wary of "[having] to deal with a billion angry Muslims." He has publicly said that he opposes a war.

[HORSE RACING]HORSE RACING IN DUBAI
As part of his preparation for the $15 million Dubai World Cup on March 29, U.S. trainer Bill Currin said he has been planning his will and estate "in case I don't get out of there."

[BASEBALL]BASEBALL IN JAPAN
Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar backed out of a deal to play for the Chunichi Dragons, saying he was afraid to leave the U.S.; several A's players don't want to travel there for the season opener with Seattle. "We may as well have big targets on our backs saying, WE'RE AMERICANS, COME BOMB US," said Oakland pitcher Tim Hudson.

[FOOTBALL]FOOTBALL IN EUROPE
NFL Europe may play its entire 2003 season in Florida.