Wenatchee's Farrar second in stage in Spain | A.M. Briefing

Cycling

Cavendish edges Farrar to win 12th stage: Briton Mark Cavendish won the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta, while Igor Anton of Spain retained the overall race lead.

Cavendish finished the 107.2-mile leg from Andorra la Vella to Lleida in 4 hours, 30 seconds after timing his final sprint to perfection, beating Tyler Farrar of Wenatchee to the line. Farrar rides for Garmin-Transitions.

Soccer

Galaxy activates Beckham: The Los Angeles Galaxy activated David Beckham from its disabled list, clearing the English superstar for his return to MLS competition.

The midfielder, sidelined for almost six months after surgery in March to repair a torn left Achilles tendon suffered while playing on loan for AC Milan, is eligible to play in the Galaxy's home game Saturday night against Columbus.

FIFA delegation concludes tour in Houston: FIFA's World Cup inspectors wrapped up a three-day, five-city visit in Houston, touring Reliant Stadium as they weigh potential venues for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

The 24-member executive committee of soccer's governing body will vote Dec. 2. Europe is expected to be awarded the 2018 tournament, with England, Russia, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands competing. The U.S. is facing Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea for 2022. The inspectors also visited New York, the White House, Miami and Dallas.

La Volpe hired as Costa Rica coach: Costa Rica hired Ricardo La Volpe as its national coach, giving the job to an Argentine who coached Mexico at the 2006 World Cup.

Portugal fires coach: Portugal fired national coach Carlos Queiroz because of the team's poor play and his six-month suspension before the World Cup for disrupting a doping test.

Track and field

Semenya wins 800 race: Caster Semenya returned to form by winning the 800 meters at the Notturna di Milano meet, her last race before the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The 19-year-old world champion from South Africa spent most of the race in second, but overtook Hind Dehiba of France on the back straight to cross in 1 minute, 58.16 seconds. It was her best time since she was cleared to run after being sidelined 11 months by a gender dispute.

Lagat in Fifth Avenue Mile field: Two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat will face defending champion Andy Baddeley and Alan Webb in the Fifth Avenue Mile on Sept. 26 in New York.

Lagat, a former Washington State standout, is the American record-holder in the 1,500, 3,000, and 5,000 meters and eight-time winner of the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games.

NBA

Jordan killing off list of mishandled cases: The killing of Michael Jordan's father is no longer on a list of some 200 cases independent reviewers describe as mishandled by North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation. Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker said the case was taken off the list after a second look at documents. James Jordan was shot as he slept in a car beside a North Carolina highway in 1993.

Barnes' fiancée says domestic accusation false: Gloria Govan, the fiancée of Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes, said a domestic-violence accusation against him is false, and he has never physically abused her or her family. Barnes was arrested Wednesday in Sacramento on suspicion of domestic violence after deputies responded to a disconnected 911 call.

College basketball

NCAA investigating Tennessee: Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl and an assistant have been contacted by the NCAA about possible recruiting violations. The ongoing investigation was first reported by recruiting website Volquest.com. The NCAA has also talked with Vols associate head coach Tony Jones.

Boxing

Police seeking Mayweather in battery case: Las Vegas police sought boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. for questioning about a domestic battery report filed by an ex-girlfriend who recanted a similar claim in 2005, police and his lawyer said.

Tennis

Fernandez extended as U.S. Fed Cup captain: Mary Joe Fernandez will captain the U.S. Fed Cup team for at least two more years, the U.S. Tennis Association said.

Auto racing

The Glen dropped from IndyCar schedule: The IndyCar Series has ended its six-year run at Watkins Glen International in New York, dropping the race from the 2011 schedule.

Olympics

USOC, IOC reach deal: The U.S. Olympic Committee will contribute $18 million to resolve a financial dispute that has strained relations with the IOC, a source told The Associated Press. The decision ends an impasse over administrative costs of staging the games. The breakthrough clears the way for the IOC and USOC to open negotiations earlier than planned on a more substantial long-term revenue-sharing agreement.

Judo

American wins gold at worlds: Kayla Harrison defeated Mayra Aguiar of Brazil in the 78-kilogram final in Tokyo to become the first American woman to win a gold medal at the judo world championships since 1984.

Seattle Times news services