Slaney, Farmer-Patrick Suspended

Mary Slaney, Sandra Farmer-Patrick and an unnamed athlete were suspended Saturday by track and field’s world governing body, pending a hearing by their national federation on alleged drug use.

All three athletes purportedly tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs, including testosterone, during the Olympic trials at Atlanta last June.

Slaney, 38, is a four-time Olympian and owner of several U.S. women’s distance records. Farmer-Patrick, 35, is a former U.S. record-holder for the 400-meter hurdles.

Nebiolo said the third athlete had not been disclosed by USA Track & Field.

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Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia set the world two-mile record in his matchup against Noureddine Morceli of Algeria at Hengelo, Netherlands. But Gebrselassie failed to break the eight-minute mark, which was required to win the $1-million prize. Gebrselassie finished in 8 minutes 01.08 seconds, breaking Daniel Komen’s former record by 2.46 seconds.

Motor Sports

Bobby Labonte tuned up for his showdown with Jeff Gordon in the Miller 500 by defeating Jeff Burton in the Goodwrench 200 at Dover Downs (Del.) International Speedway. Labonte led 97 laps in the Busch Grand National event. His victory was the first for a Pontiac in the race since 1993.

Clint Mears, son of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears, dominated qualifying for the sixth round of the PPG-Firestone Indy Lights Championship at at West Allis, Wis. Mears sped around the 1.032-mile oval at 156.061 mph. Also at West Allis, Paul Tracy--who drives a Penske-Mercedes--earned the pole position for the Miller 200 and set a track record with 184.286 mph.

Tony Pedregon of Gardena qualified No. 1 in the funny car division for the first time this season with a quarter-mile run of 4.951 seconds at 308.32 mph at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.) in the NHRA Western Auto Parts America Nationals. Other No. 1 qualifiers were Joe Amato in top fuel and Jim Yates in pro stock.

Names in the News

Mia Hamm scored three goals to lead the United States to a 4-0 soccer victory over Canada in the opening match of U.S. Women’s Cup 1997 at New Britain, Conn.

Vincent Phillips captured the International Boxing Federation junior welterweight title, shocking unbeaten Kostya Tszyu in the 10th round of a scheduled 12-rounder in Atlantic City, N.J. . . . Saman Sor Jaturong of Thailand retained his World Boxing Council light-flyweight crown, stopping South Africa’s Msukizi Marali in the fourth round at Bangkok.

Tom Baker defeated Walter Ray Williams Jr., 200-166, in the Harrisburg (Pa.) Open for his ninth career bowling championship.

Gavin Arroyo scored in overtime as the United States defeated Russia, 9-8, and advanced to the finals against host Greece in the Water Polo World Cup at Athens.

Jack Parkinson, a Kentucky basketball player who was selected to the 1946 All-American team, died of complications from a brain tumor. He was 73.

Miscellany

Tables are being sold for the Acura Classic Kids Stuff Benefit Aug. 6. The event, a joint effort of Acura, IMG, Andrea Jaeger and The Times, will raise funds for Jaeger’s Kids Stuff Foundation, which runs the Silver Lining Ranch in Aspen for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The benefit, which will include auction items donated by many of the world’s top tennis stars, will be held during the week of the Acura Classic women’s tournament at the Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan Beach. Details: (310) 545-3200.