FOOTBALL

RIVERS QUESTIONABLE FOR AFC TITLE GAME

The euphoria of the San Diego Chargers’ stunning win against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts was replaced by reality yesterday. While two-time NFL rushing champion LaDainian Tomlinson said he should be able to play in Sunday’s AFC championship game, the Chargers know quarterback Philip Rivers will be gimpy with a sprained right knee if he’s able to play against the undefeated New England Patriots.

BASEBALL

STEINBRENNER: SANTANA DEAL NOT DEAD YET

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has not closed the door on a trade for Minnesota Twins left-hander Johan Santana. “It’s still in the deciding process,” Steinbrenner said last night outside Legends Field at the Yankees’ spring training complex. “We’re still discussing it. There’s still a little talk back and forth.”

TRACK & FIELD

AMPUTEE SPRINTER RULED INELIGIBLE FOR OLYMPICS

All his life, Oscar Pistorius has confronted obstacles. The double-amputee sprinter from South Africa now faces another one — a decision barring him from the Olympics.

Track and field’s governing body ruled yesterday he is ineligible to compete this summer in Beijing — or any other sanctioned able-bodied competitions — because his “Cheetah” racing blades are “technical aids” that give him a clear advantage.

“An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30) when compared to someone not using the blade,” the International Association of Athletics Federations said.