Nationals Let Slaney, Farmer-Patrick Run

Mary Slaney and Sandra Farmer-Patrick, suspended by track and field’s international governing body for alleged drug use, said Monday night they intend to compete in this week’s USA Track and Field Championships at Bloomington, Ind.

That sets up a potential problem with the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the international body that has suspended them and could place sanctions against anyone who competes against them.

Slaney, one of the nation’s top distance runners, and Farmer-Patrick, a star hurdler, have contested the ruling.

“Until she’s suspended by us, she’s eligible,” a USA Track and Field source said of Slaney. “We may have a situation where some athletes don’t want to compete against her, but we’re not going to stop her, as long as she’s eligible. We don’t have a letter from Primo [Nebiolo, head of the IAAF) saying that she’s suspended.”

The dispute with the IAAF is reminiscent of Butch Reynolds’ legal battles to compete in the 1992 Olympic Trials, a matter that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Slaney has entered he 1,500 and 5,000 meters, and said she intends to run the 1,500. Farmer-Patrick said she intends to run the 400-meter hurdles.

Both runners reportedly tested positive for excessive levels of the male sex hormone testosterone.

College Football

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Roy Kramer says the expanded Bowl Alliance being assembled would work better than any playoff system to determine a true college football champion.

The Bowl Alliance, which was supposed to produce a true title game, pitted No. 1 Florida State against No. 3 Florida in the Sugar Bowl last season. No. 2 Arizona State met No. 4 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and when the two higher-ranked teams lost, Florida was voted national champion.

College Basketball

The University of Arkansas men’s basketball program and Coach Nolan Richardson will find out today about any penalties for NCAA violations.

On Nov. 26, Arkansas announced it had received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA, outlining seven alleged violations, including an accusation that the program had operated without appropriate institutional control.

Brigham Young, California, Indiana and San Francisco will play in the inaugural Pete Newell Challenge in December at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Tennis

David Prinosil, a German ranked 48th in the world, was leading second-seeded Thomas Muster, 6-3, 0-1, when he broke his foot sliding on the grass courts during the first round of the Gerry Weber Open at Halle Germany. Prinosil will be sidelined two months. . . . Top-seeded Alberto Berasategui of Spain defeated Austria’s Gilbert Schaller, 6-1, 6-1, in the first round of the Carisbo International tournament at Bologna, Italy.

Miscellany

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp has been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after Tampa police found 12.7 grams of marijuana in his car Saturday.

The Lakers exercised an option to acquire the New York Knicks’ second-round pick in this month’s NBA draft, No. 53 overall.

Tiger Woods has signed a three-year deal with Golf Digest to contribute monthly instruction articles to the magazine, beginning with the June issue. . . . The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of wide receiver Brett Perriman, safety Kevin Ross and offensive lineman Ralph Tamm as free agents. . . . Carlos Hernandez (25-1-1) of Bellflower knocked out Jose Montes (19-14) of Mexico with a left hook to the body at 1:30 of the second round of their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout at the Anaheim Arena.